NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special Campaign 4.0 is in full swing in Department of Personnel & Training to achieve efficiency in decision making and disposal of pending items.

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 3:06PM by PIB Delhi

    Drawing inspiration from the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s National vision to institutionalize Swachhata and enhance workplace efficiency, Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT), along with its Attached/ Sub- ordinate organizations, is actively participating in the main phase of Special Campaign 4.0. This campaign, which commenced on 2nd October and will continue through 31st October 2024, aims to make impactful, focused and significant improvements in Cleanliness and reducing pendency in office matters.

    Enthusiastic participation has been witnessed from all the Attached and Subordinate offices functioning under the administrative control of DoPT across the country. Till date, more than 250 cleanliness sites have been covered.

    Large scale awareness and Campaign advocacy through Social Media with several Tweets and posts on other platforms like X and Facebook leading to #SpecialCampaign4 has been gaining lot of attraction on Social Media.

    During the campaign, focused attention has been accorded for bringing about overall improvement in working environment and improve office experience for the staff.

    Records are being reviewed for digitization, preservation and weeding out. Secretary, DOPT visited the Record Room & Store Rooms of the Department and issued instructions for review and weeding out of records/stores in a time bound manner.

    Records Management

    Since the beginning of the Special Campaign 4.0 on 02nd October, 2024, more than 31,000 physical files and more than 4800 e-files have been reviewed. Approx. 10,000 files have been identified for weeding out, 3500 filed weeded out and 90 files have been sent to National Archives of India. More than 1500 e-files have been closed so far.

    Besides the above parameters, overall cleanliness of government offices with special focus on space management and enhancing work place experience of field offices was undertaken. 258 cleanliness campaign were conducted for cleaning of the offices in DoPT along with its Attached and Subordinate offices. The revenue of Rs. 96,516/- was generated by disposal of waste/scrapes. About 1400 Sq ft space has been freed due to scrap disposal and weeding of files.

    Disposal of pendency

    245 Public Grievances, 12 MP References, 3 IMC References (Cabinet Proposals), 68 State Government References, 2 PMO References, 57 Public Grievance Appeals have been disposed of during this period.

    Special Activities / Events during the Special Campaign 4.0

    Following activities have also been undertaken by this Department so far during the Special Campaign 4.0 for cleanliness and speedy disposal of the pendency:

    1. Secretary, DoPT led the swachhtadrive on Swachh Bharat Diwas, 2nd October, 2024 at Grih Kalyan Kendra, Lodhi Road, New Delhi with all the officers and staff of DoPT, GKK and CCSCSB. He also led a plantation drive on this occasion. All the officers planted a tree under the special campaign-Ek Ped Maake Naam. All safaimitras and school children received gifts on this occasions.
    2. A workshop on Cyber Security was organized in DoPT during the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 4.0 on 30/09/2024 to spread Cyber Swachhta Awareness for the employees.
    3. A Workshop for CISOs on Cyber Awareness/Security for various offices under the DoPT was conducted as part of Special Campaign 4.0 on 7th October, 2024.
    4. A workshop was conducted on 10th October, 2024 by DoPT in coordination with ISTM on RTI Act, 2005.

    The Special Campaign 4.0 is helping to bring about greater degree of awareness to maintain clean office environment and the need for overall environmental protection. Department of Personnel & Training is committed to achieve the targets identified during the preparatory phase.

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    NKR/KS/AG

    (Release ID: 2069508) Visitor Counter : 60

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Second train with 840 metric tonnes of onion arrives in Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Second train with 840 metric tonnes of onion arrives in Delhi

    Onions to be released in Azadpur Mandi to augment availability, part stock to retail for Rs 35 per kg

    Train carrying another 840 metric tonnes of onion from Nashik to reach Guwahati

    Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 2:49PM by PIB Delhi

    Today another 840 MT of onions procured by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) under the price stabilization fund of Department of Consumer Affairs has arrived at Kishanganj Railway Station of Delhi for disposal in Delhi-NCR. This is the second bulk transportation of onions by train to Delhi-NCR after NCCF brought 1,600 MT of onions to Kishanganj Station on 20th October, 2024 by Kanda express. Most of the onions will be released in Azadpur Mandi to augment overall availability in the market while part of the stock will go for retail sale at Rs 35 per kg.

    The impact of bulk disposal of onion at Azadpur Mandi may be seen at graph given below:

    Bulk transportation of onions by rail rake has been adopted, for the first time, for a timely, reliable and cost-effective delivery of onions to various regions. NAFED had earlier transported 840 MT of onions by rail rake from Nashik which arrived at Chennai on 26th October, 2024. Another rail rake from Nashik to Guwahati has left Nashik early this morning with 840 MT of onions procured by NCCF. Bulk shipments by rail augments the continuous transportation of onions by trucks across the country.   

    The government had procured 4.7 lakh tons of rabi onion for the price stabilization buffer this year, and started the release from 5th September, 2024 through retail sale at Rs 35 per kg and also through bulk sales in major mandis across the country. Till date over 1.40 lakh tonnes of onion in the buffer have been dispatched from Nashik and other source centres to consuming centres through trucks by road transport. As on date, NCCF has covered 104 destinations in 22 States and NAFED covered 52 destinations in 16 States in their onion disposal. The agencies have also partnered with retail chains such as SAFAL, Kendriya Bhandar and Reliance Retail for distribution of onions to retail consumers at Rs 35 per kg. In addition, 86,500 MT of onion has been allotted to 9 States Governments/Cooperative Societies for retail distribution.

    Since the start of onion disposal till date, the retail prices of onion have substantially stabilized in major States such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, UP, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. All-India average retail prices remained largely stable during October. The onion shipment by rail to Guwahati will enhance availability in North-eastern States and is expected have dampening impact on prices in the region and also on the all-India average. Mandi prices in Nashik mandi also declined from the peak of Rs.47 per kg on 24th September and is currently at 40 kg on 29th October, 2024.

     

     

     

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    AD/AM

    (Release ID: 2069506) Visitor Counter : 74

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax™ ETFs Announces Distributions on YBIT (65.28%), TSLY (60.58%), TSMY (54.47%), YMAX (66.23%), YMAG (41.16%) and Others

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax™ today announced distributions for the YieldMax™ ETFs listed in the table below.

    ETF Ticker1 ETF Name Reference Asset Distribution
    per Share    		 Distribution Frequency Distribution Rate2,4,5 30-Day
    SEC Yield    3    		 Ex-Date & Record
    Date    		 Payment Date
    YMAX YieldMax™ Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs Multiple $0.2247 Weekly 66.23% 50.85% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    YMAG YieldMax™ Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs Multiple $0.1528 Weekly 41.16% 62.93% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    TSLY YieldMax™ TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF TSLA $0.5986 Every 4
    Weeks    		 60.58% 3.09% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    CRSH   YieldMax™ Short TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF TSLA $0.4489 Every 4
    Weeks    		 51.38% 3.61% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    GOOY YieldMax™ GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF GOOGL $0.3771 Every 4
    Weeks    		 31.69% 3.28% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    YBIT YieldMax™ Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF Bitcoin ETP $0.6717 Every 4
    Weeks    		 65.28% 4.07% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    OARK YieldMax™ Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF ARKK $0.2818 Every 4
    Weeks    		 35.18% 3.37% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    XOMO YieldMax™ XOM Option Income Strategy ETF XOM $0.3373 Every 4
    Weeks    		 26.26% 3.32% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    SNOY YieldMax™ SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF SNOW $0.5589 Every 4
    Weeks    		 43.15% 3.44% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    TSMY YieldMax™ TSM Option Income Strategy ETF TSM $0.8897 Every 4
    Weeks    		 54.47% 3.48% 10/31/24 11/1/2024
    Scheduled for next week: YMAX YMAG NVDY DIPS FBY GDXY BABO JPMO MRNY PLTY


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

    Note: DIPS, FIAT, CRSH and YQQQ are hereinafter referred to as the “Short ETFs”.

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

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

    1  All YieldMax™ ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX and YMAG) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX and YMAG have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax™ ETFs.

    2  The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on October 29, 2024. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.

    3  The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended September 30, 2024, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period.

    4  Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.

    5  YieldMax™ ETF distributions may contain return of capital, but an estimate cannot be provided at this time. Please refer to the 19a-1 notices here for additional details regarding the distributions’ composition, once available.

    Each Fund has a limited operating history and while each Fund’s objective is to provide current income, there is no guarantee the Fund will make a distribution. Distributions are likely to vary greatly in amount.

    Standardized Performance

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

    Prospectuses

    Click here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

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

    Depositary Receipts Risk: The securities underlying BABO and TSMY are American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). Investment in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

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

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

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

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

    © 2024 YieldMax™ ETFs

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Navient posts third quarter 2024 financial results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HERNDON, Va., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Navient (Nasdaq: NAVI) today posted its 2024 third quarter financial results. Complete financial results are available on the company’s website at Navient.com/investors. The materials will also be available on a Form 8-K on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Navient will hold a live audio webcast today, Oct. 30, 2024, at 8 a.m. ET, hosted by David Yowan, president and CEO, and Joe Fisher, CFO.

    Analysts and investors who wish to ask questions are requested to pre-register at Navient.com/investors at least 15 minutes ahead of start time to receive their personal dial-in access details. Others who wish to join in listen-only mode do not need to pre-register and may simply visit Navient.com/investors to access the webcast.

    Supplemental financial information and presentation slides used during the call will be available no later than the start time. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the event’s conclusion.

    About Navient
    Navient (Nasdaq: NAVI) provides technology-enabled education finance and business processing solutions that simplify complex programs and help millions of people achieve success. Our customer-focused, data-driven services deliver exceptional results for clients in education and government. Learn more at navient.com.

    Contact:
    Media: Paul Hartwick, 302-283-4026, paul.hartwick@navient.com   
    Investors: Jen Earyes, 703-984-6801, jen.earyes@navient.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gilat Receives Approximately $5 Million in Orders from US Defense Customers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PETAH TIKVA, Isreal, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: GILT, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, today announced that it has been awarded contracts valued at approximately $5 million from multiple U.S. based defense organizations. These orders are for Gilat’s cutting-edge satellite communications (SATCOM) technologies and comprehensive services, set to enhance mission-critical connectivity and operational capabilities for defense applications worldwide. The orders are expected to be delivered within the coming months.

    The equipment and services provided will ensure reliable, high-performance communication in a variety of challenging environments. Gilat will supply X, Ku, and Ka-band Block Upconverters (BUCs) for Communications-on-the-Move (COTM) systems, along with test and evaluation, repair, upgrades and engineering services, and field service.

    “We are honored to support U.S. defense organizations with our cutting-edge SATCOM technology and full suite of essential services that meet the stringent requirements of mission-critical defense operations,” said Nicole Robinson, President of DataPath. “These orders reflect the confidence our defense customers place in our comprehensive approach to SATCOM connectivity, ensuring they remain connected in even the most challenging environments.”

    About Gilat

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

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

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

    Certain statements made herein that are not historical are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Gilat to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, inability to maintain market acceptance to Gilat’s products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, rapid changes in the market for Gilat’s products, loss of market share and pressure on prices resulting from competition, introduction of competing products by other companies, inability to manage growth and expansion, loss of key OEM partners, inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, inability to protect the Company’s proprietary technology and risks associated with Gilat’s international operations and its location in Israel, including those related to the current terrorist attacks by Hamas, and the war and hostilities between Israel and Hamas and Israel and Hezbollah. For additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties associated with Gilat’s business, reference is made to Gilat’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

    Contact:

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s fight against extreme poverty needs a new strategy – model shows how social grants could work

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ramos Emmanuel Mabugu, Professor, Sol Plaatje University

    South Africa has been struggling for decades to reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment and raise the rate of economic growth.

    Economic growth has been slow since a recession in 2008. The annual growth rate averaged 1.1% between 2009 and 2021, slowing to 0.6% in 2023.

    Unemployment remains stubbornly above 30%. It was 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024.

    The country’s Gini coefficient, a measure of how income is distributed across the population, is estimated to be 0.63, one of the worst in the world. Poverty levels remain high too. A large number of people live in extreme poverty. According to Statistics South Africa, an estimated 40.0% of the population (or 25 million people) have a monthly consumption expenditure of below R9,096 (which is used as the lower-bound poverty line). And 55.5% of the population falls within the upper-bound poverty line, with monthly consumption expenditure of below R13,656.

    This is despite government’s extensive spending on social assistance and other support mechanisms. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, there were 18.8 million social grant beneficiaries (about 35% of the population) with an annual cost to the fiscus of R217.1 billion (US$12.2 billion). This is expected to increase to R259.3 billion (US$14.6 billion) in 2026/27.

    Social support also includes spending on health, education, social protection, community development and employment programmes which protect the most vulnerable groups. In addition, the government has extended the Social Relief of Distress Grant which was introduced during the COVID pandemic.

    Based on my research as an economist for the last 20 years, I believe the government won’t make much progress in reducing unemployment, inequality and poverty unless it adopts a different strategy – one that targets extreme poverty reduction explicitly.

    In a recent paper, colleagues and I identify key conditions for reducing extreme poverty through social transfers. We designed an economic simulation model to track the effect of increasing social grants to very poor South Africans to move them out of extreme poverty. This would be done by transferring an average of R4,020 (US$225) to every extremely poor South African. Based on our assumptions, about 25 million individuals would be eligible for this social transfer.

    Moving about 25 million South Africans out of extreme poverty would cost on average US$6.5 billion per year. We argue that this cost is worth carrying. Our model also showed that, under certain conditions, poverty-alleviation social transfers can be good for the broader economy.

    Additional benefits

    We know that social grants are important instruments to fight poverty and inequality in South Africa. They can produce sizeable multiplier effects in the economy.

    But we wanted to know more about how society benefits when a large share of the public budget is transferred to poor households.

    What makes the model we built to explore this different is that we simulated the economic implications of a hypothetical South Africa with lower poverty and inequality outcomes. More precisely, we set the poverty headcount rate at the lower-bound poverty line at 5.0% under both unconstrained and constrained scenarios. This is the conventionally accepted definition of extreme poverty eradication.

    The tool combined a macroeconomic model to project the economic impacts and a micro-simulation model to work out the poverty and inequality effects.

    We tested a combination of policy options, including social grants, and their multiplier effects and funding implications. We considered two financing scenarios: one that involved a budget deficit and one which was budget-neutral.

    Under a budget-neutral scenario, funding for interventions would be taken from budgets allocated for other purposes and put towards poverty alleviation instead.

    Key findings

    The model showed that the South African economy, measured by the level of gross domestic product (GDP), would grow faster (by 0.5 percentage points) when the transfer was designed to support poor people’s progressive engagement in economic participation rather than simply providing them with a basic cash grant. This can be done, for instance, by expanding and upgrading the current social assistance schemes such as the public work programmes. These have been shown to have positive outcomes for economic participation.

    When people who receive income transfers are able to work, they contribute to a higher supply of goods and services as well as to higher demand.

    The inflationary effects, in particular food price increases, are limited under this scenario.

    On the other hand, GDP deteriorates by 1 percentage point when there is no requirement or condition for participation (when grant recipients still don’t have a job). Under this scenario food demand increases and related price increases contribute to reducing consumers’ purchasing power.

    What needs to be done

    Our model shows how poverty-alleviation social transfers can have positive economic outcomes under two conditions.

    First, the expansion of the grant lifting approximately 25 million South Africans above the lower-bound poverty line of R9,606 has to be done under a budget-neutral funding arrangement.

    Second, the transfer has to be made with a requirement that there is an increase in the economic participation of extremely poor beneficiaries. In other words, the grant only has a positive effect if the very poor beneficiaries can find work or are required to participate in a certain kind of public work activity.

    The fiscal cost of the poverty alleviating grant transfer would be around 1.6% of GDP or 4.9% of public expenditure. This would mean increasing social spending by 4.9%. Alternatively, spending on other areas would have to be cut by the same proportion.

    In either scenario, the findings show that this constraint might even be relaxed if the fiscal transfer enabled poor people to get work or if the cash transfer was conditional on recipients doing certain work.

    In our view the benefits of this are massive in terms of extreme poverty eradication.

    – South Africa’s fight against extreme poverty needs a new strategy – model shows how social grants could work
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-fight-against-extreme-poverty-needs-a-new-strategy-model-shows-how-social-grants-could-work-241694

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thirty years of WTO technical assistance enhancing participation in world trade

    Source: World Trade Organization

    Since its establishment in 1995, the WTO has supported the participation of developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) in the multilateral trading system through the provision of technical assistance, helping beneficiaries develop their capacity to take full advantage of global trade. Over the past 30 years, more than 320,000 government officials have benefited from this assistance.

    WTO technical assistance is a pivotal function of the organization and has evolved constantly to meet the emerging needs of the beneficiaries and a changing global environment, with an increasing focus on achieving measurable results.

    Regional breakdown of activities

    The WTO has conducted over 10,000 technical assistance activities for its eligible members and observers since 1995. In the initial three years following the organization’s establishment, these activities were carried out globally, without focusing on particular regions. However, starting in 1998, the focus shifted toward addressing the specific needs of individual members, either regionally or at the domestic level.

    Africa has consistently received the largest share of technical assistance, averaging around 30 per cent of annual activities and rising as high as 40 per cent between 2005 and 2011 (see Chart 1). The Asia-Pacific region has benefited from roughly 20 per cent of activities. The Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia have received respectively between 5 per cent and 10 per cent annually. Latin America has also featured prominently in technical assistance programmes, receiving on average approximately 10 per cent of activities.

    Developing online technical assistance

    The launch in 2004 of the WTO technical assistance e-Learning platform, which was upgraded in 2022, was a game-changer in terms of delivering more accessible technical assistance and providing more cost-effective training. The platform gained additional importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions prevented face-to-face activities.

    Since 1995, over 110,000 government officials have been trained via the e-Learning platform, representing more than a third of the total number of beneficiaries (see Chart 2). The number of e‑Learning participants per year has surpassed the number of beneficiaries of face-to-face activities since 2014. More recently, a new approach, combining e‑Learning, face-to-face and virtual activities is gradually being introduced.

    WTO technical assistance is primarily aimed at government officials, but its outreach extends to other key groups, including the academic community through the WTO Chairs Programme, as well as members of parliament, journalists, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

    Evolving pedagogical approaches

    In 2010, a progressive learning strategy was introduced to improve the efficient use of resources in technical assistance delivery by focusing on advancing participants’ skills progressively. This progressive learning strategy structures technical assistance activities around three levels of learning — introductory, intermediate and advanced — and two training paths — for generalists and for specialists — with the aim of building beneficiaries’ capacity in a sustainable and cumulative manner.

    The training methods used in the delivery of technical assistance programmes have also evolved over time. While the approach in 1995 was predominantly lecture-based, the proportion of lectures in the total training time has been somewhat reduced since 2013 in favour of face-to-face activities incorporating more hands-on sessions and interactive pedagogical techniques (see Chart 3). Recent years have seen the introduction of mentoring and coaching.

    In addition to training programmes, the first internship programme was launched in 1998. Since then, four other similar programmes have been set up. These internship opportunities have collectively benefited more than 800 participants from over 100 WTO members and observers.

    Priorities for technical assistance

    WTO technical assistance is governed by biennial plans setting out priorities and strategies to ensure that the needs of beneficiaries are effectively met. In 2013, a results-based management approach was implemented to improve monitoring of all WTO technical assistance activities, from planning to evaluation. The approach aims to produce specific and measurable results to improve beneficiaries’ capacity to participate in the multilateral trading system.

    Since its introduction, the proportion of technical assistance targets fully or partially met, such as successful completion of the courses, reached 91 per cent in 2018. This number declined between 2020 and 2022 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on technical assistance delivery but rose again in 2023 (see Chart 4).

    WTO negotiations and implementation of WTO agreements: Some measurable results

    Technical assistance has contributed to improving the capacity of developing WTO members and observers, and particularly LDCs, to engage effectively in WTO negotiations and participate in the work of WTO bodies. It has also been essential to economies wishing to join the WTO as they proceed through their WTO accession processes.

    For several recent agreements negotiated at the WTO (e.g., the agreements on trade facilitation, fisheries subsidies and investment facilitation for development), provisions related to technical assistance for developing and LDC members have been crucial to concluding the negotiations. Over the past 10 years alone, thousands of government officials have benefited from technical assistance training programmes designed to strengthen their capacity to comply with obligations under WTO agreements and to benefit fully from these WTO agreements (see Chart 5).

    The topics covered by technical assistance training programmes have continued to evolve over the years in line with the priorities defined by beneficiaries. This flexibility allows WTO technical assistance to take account of evolving issues on the WTO agenda, such as digital trade, the green economy and inclusive trade.

    The impact of these efforts can be measured in different ways. For example, WTO technical assistance has striven through capacity-building to stimulate a sustained increase in the number of proposals or other documents covering a variety of topics under negotiation or discussion submitted to WTO bodies by technical assistance beneficiaries. These contributions have been invaluable in making trade deliberations and decision-making more inclusive.

    Strengthening the capacity of technical assistance beneficiaries to fulfil their transparency obligations under various WTO agreements, including by notifying new trade measures, is among the performance targets for WTO technical assistance. As the overall volume of notification obligations has increased each year, technical assistance efforts have enabled beneficiaries not only to keep pace with their new notification obligations, but even to reduce their backlog progressively.  

    Financial commitments to WTO technical assistance

    WTO technical assistance is financed both by the regular budget of the WTO Secretariat and by means of voluntary contributions made by WTO members to trust funds. A total of over CHF 500 million has been committed since 1995. Contributions from the regular budget reached their highest levels between 2002 and 2013 and have remained at CHF 4.5 million since then. Meanwhile, members’ voluntary contributions have steadily declined, dropping from CHF 23 million on average between 2007 and 2009 to CHF 6.3 million in 2023 (see Chart 6).

    Sustained funding continues to be essential to responding efficiently to the evolving needs of members and securing the technical assistance necessary for an inclusive multilateral trading system.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Do we need a European DARPA to cope with technological challenges in Europe?

    Source: The Conversation – France – By David W. Versailles, Professor, strategic management and innovation management, co-director of PSB’s newPIC chair, PSB Paris School of Business

    The headquarters of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Virginia. ajay_suresh/Flickr, CC BY

    The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is often held as a model for driving technology advances. For decades, it has contributed to military and economic dominance by bridging the gap between military and civilian applications. European policymakers frequently reference DARPA in discussions, as outlined in the 2024 Draghi Report, but an EU equivalent has yet to materialise. To create such an agency, the governance and management of European innovation programmes would need drastic changes.

    DARPA supports disruptive innovation

    Founded in 1958, DARPA operates under the US Department of Defense (DoD) with a straightforward mission: to fund high-risk technological programmes that could lead to radical innovation. DARPA provides support throughout the innovation process, focusing on environments where new uses for technology must be invented or adapted. Although part of the DoD, DARPA funds projects that promise technological and economic superiority whether they align with current military priorities or not. DARPA has backed projects like ARPANET, the precursor to the internet, and the GPS. Today, DARPA shows interest in autonomous vehicles for urban areas and new missile technologies.

    As part of its core mission, DARPA accepts high financial risks on exploration projects and makes long-term commitments to these projects. Many emblematic successes explain why DARPA is a reference agency. However, the list of failed projects is even longer. Both failures and successes feed the exploration process in emerging industrial sectors. They represent opportunities to learn together and build collective strategies in innovation ecosystems.

    Five key principles of DARPA

    DARPA’s success stems not just from its stability but from adhering to five organisational principles that allow it to explore deep tech in an open innovation context:

    • Independence: DARPA operates independently from other military services, research & development centres and federal agencies, allowing it to explore options outside dominant research paradigms. While cooperation is possible, its decisions and directions are not influenced by other parts of the federal administration.

    • Agility: The agency’s flat organisational structure minimises bureaucracy. Its independent decision-making processes and streamlined contracting allow it to pivot quickly, test new concepts and collaborate with academic or private sector partners. Agility also enables DARPA to test new exploration or experimentation methods that are often based on user-centric approaches. Potential military or civilian end-users are involved very early in innovation projects to discuss potential uses and applications. This approach has recently led DARPA to absorb the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), where officers from the different military services (Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines) and all military ranks test new technological solutions (from different maturity levels), fostering co-creation processes with military innovators and expanding the agency’s impact.

    • Sponsorship: High-ranking executives within the DoD and other federal administrations (NASA, Department of Energy) endorse, but do not commission, DARPA’s projects. This sponsorship model increases a project’s potential impact and allows for swift adaptation if a project fails.

    • Community building: DARPA creates innovation communities with a mix of diverse expertise. By bringing different perspectives together, it fosters collective strategies essential for disruptive innovation.

    • Diverse leadership: Project managers come from a range of backgrounds, including civilian experts, military officers and private-sector professionals. All have demonstrated scientific and technological expertise and a solid capability to bridge dreams and foresight with reality. All have a perfect command of risk and complexity management. Managers serve three- to four-year terms focused on driving technological disruption and building new innovation ecosystems. Their diverse expertise sets DARPA apart from other federal agencies.

    The challenge of a European DARPA

    The Draghi Report on European competitiveness suggests that a European DARPA could help bridge technological gaps, reduce dependencies and accelerate the green transition. However, implementing this model would require a seismic shift in how European agencies operate. Creating a new agency would be ineffective without ensuring that all principles underlying the success of DARPA are implemented in Europe.

    Even if Europe actively promotes deep tech and devotes significant budgets to it, European public policies and ways of working prevailing in national and European agencies are hardly consistent with the DARPA model. European agencies do not have much autonomy in their decisions about the exploration of new ventures or human resource management. They clearly demonstrate an outcome-focused orientation inconsistent with DARPA’s approach to risk.

    Two main challenges

    European agencies often lack the stable missions, scope and ambition seen at DARPA. The European Space Agency (ESA), the European Defence Agency (EDA) and Eurocontrol highlight the difficulties in developing cohesive, cross-border innovation ecosystems. A European DARPA would require a unified ambition among EU member states, a challenging feat given the institutional and geopolitical divides within Europe. The debates around the European Defence Fund illustrate how complex it is to reach consensus on shared objectives and funding.

    Adopting DARPA’s five organisational principles would represent a cultural revolution for European agencies in relation to EU bureaucratic norms and the budgetary controls of individual member states. Implementing these changes would also disrupt the existing power balance between countries. The DARPA model is inconsistent with the European “fair returns” model that refers to proportionality rules between funding, research operations and then industrial repartition during the production phase between member states in each project. The DARPA model would only focus on existing competencies, excellence, risk-taking approaches and entrepreneurial mindsets.

    Establishing a European DARPA would require a fundamental rethinking of public policy management in Europe. Its success would depend on whether European stakeholders are willing to adopt DARPA’s core principles, including its independence, agility and willingness to accept failure. Creating an agency is one thing; ensuring it adheres to the structures that make DARPA effective is another. The question remains: Is Europe ready for this transformation?

    David W. Versailles has received funding from the French Ministry of Defence to develop this research.

    Valérie Mérindol has received funding from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces to develop this research.

    – ref. Do we need a European DARPA to cope with technological challenges in Europe? – https://theconversation.com/do-we-need-a-european-darpa-to-cope-with-technological-challenges-in-europe-240696

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s fight against extreme poverty needs a new strategy – model shows how social grants could work

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ramos Emmanuel Mabugu, Professor, Sol Plaatje University

    South Africa has been struggling for decades to reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment and raise the rate of economic growth.

    Economic growth has been slow since a recession in 2008. The annual growth rate averaged 1.1% between 2009 and 2021, slowing to 0.6% in 2023.

    Unemployment remains stubbornly above 30%. It was 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024.

    The country’s Gini coefficient, a measure of how income is distributed across the population, is estimated to be 0.63, one of the worst in the world. Poverty levels remain high too. A large number of people live in extreme poverty. According to Statistics South Africa, an estimated 40.0% of the population (or 25 million people) have a monthly consumption expenditure of below R9,096 (which is used as the lower-bound poverty line). And 55.5% of the population falls within the upper-bound poverty line, with monthly consumption expenditure of below R13,656.

    This is despite government’s extensive spending on social assistance and other support mechanisms. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, there were 18.8 million social grant beneficiaries (about 35% of the population) with an annual cost to the fiscus of R217.1 billion (US$12.2 billion). This is expected to increase to R259.3 billion (US$14.6 billion) in 2026/27.

    Social support also includes spending on health, education, social protection, community development and employment programmes which protect the most vulnerable groups. In addition, the government has extended the Social Relief of Distress Grant which was introduced during the COVID pandemic.

    Based on my research as an economist for the last 20 years, I believe the government won’t make much progress in reducing unemployment, inequality and poverty unless it adopts a different strategy – one that targets extreme poverty reduction explicitly.

    In a recent paper, colleagues and I identify key conditions for reducing extreme poverty through social transfers. We designed an economic simulation model to track the effect of increasing social grants to very poor South Africans to move them out of extreme poverty. This would be done by transferring an average of R4,020 (US$225) to every extremely poor South African. Based on our assumptions, about 25 million individuals would be eligible for this social transfer.

    Moving about 25 million South Africans out of extreme poverty would cost on average US$6.5 billion per year. We argue that this cost is worth carrying. Our model also showed that, under certain conditions, poverty-alleviation social transfers can be good for the broader economy.

    Additional benefits

    We know that social grants are important instruments to fight poverty and inequality in South Africa. They can produce sizeable multiplier effects in the economy.

    But we wanted to know more about how society benefits when a large share of the public budget is transferred to poor households.

    What makes the model we built to explore this different is that we simulated the economic implications of a hypothetical South Africa with lower poverty and inequality outcomes. More precisely, we set the poverty headcount rate at the lower-bound poverty line at 5.0% under both unconstrained and constrained scenarios. This is the conventionally accepted definition of extreme poverty eradication.

    The tool combined a macroeconomic model to project the economic impacts and a micro-simulation model to work out the poverty and inequality effects.

    We tested a combination of policy options, including social grants, and their multiplier effects and funding implications. We considered two financing scenarios: one that involved a budget deficit and one which was budget-neutral.

    Under a budget-neutral scenario, funding for interventions would be taken from budgets allocated for other purposes and put towards poverty alleviation instead.

    Key findings

    The model showed that the South African economy, measured by the level of gross domestic product (GDP), would grow faster (by 0.5 percentage points) when the transfer was designed to support poor people’s progressive engagement in economic participation rather than simply providing them with a basic cash grant. This can be done, for instance, by expanding and upgrading the current social assistance schemes such as the public work programmes. These have been shown to have positive outcomes for economic participation.

    When people who receive income transfers are able to work, they contribute to a higher supply of goods and services as well as to higher demand.

    The inflationary effects, in particular food price increases, are limited under this scenario.

    On the other hand, GDP deteriorates by 1 percentage point when there is no requirement or condition for participation (when grant recipients still don’t have a job). Under this scenario food demand increases and related price increases contribute to reducing consumers’ purchasing power.

    What needs to be done

    Our model shows how poverty-alleviation social transfers can have positive economic outcomes under two conditions.

    First, the expansion of the grant lifting approximately 25 million South Africans above the lower-bound poverty line of R9,606 has to be done under a budget-neutral funding arrangement.

    Second, the transfer has to be made with a requirement that there is an increase in the economic participation of extremely poor beneficiaries. In other words, the grant only has a positive effect if the very poor beneficiaries can find work or are required to participate in a certain kind of public work activity.

    The fiscal cost of the poverty alleviating grant transfer would be around 1.6% of GDP or 4.9% of public expenditure. This would mean increasing social spending by 4.9%. Alternatively, spending on other areas would have to be cut by the same proportion.

    In either scenario, the findings show that this constraint might even be relaxed if the fiscal transfer enabled poor people to get work or if the cash transfer was conditional on recipients doing certain work.

    In our view the benefits of this are massive in terms of extreme poverty eradication.

    Ramos Emmanuel Mabugu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. South Africa’s fight against extreme poverty needs a new strategy – model shows how social grants could work – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-fight-against-extreme-poverty-needs-a-new-strategy-model-shows-how-social-grants-could-work-241694

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Spanish Government measures’ compatibility with press freedom defended by the EU – E-002172/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002172/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Mélanie Disdier (PfE), Virginie Joron (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Julien Sanchez (PfE), Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE), Marie Dauchy (PfE), Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), António Tânger Corrêa (PfE), Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE), Fabrice Leggeri (PfE), Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE)

    The Socialist Spanish Government intends to set up a media register as part of a democracy action plan to combat disinformation. Oversight of the register will fall to the National Markets and Competition Commission, led by Cani Fernandez, former adviser to prime minister Pedro Sánchez. The measure has raised concerns about the government indirectly exercising control over critical media.

    The plan comes about at a time when the prime minister’s wife is under investigation for influence peddling and corruption. During the investigation, Mr Sánchez refused to testify before the courts and labelled news outlets covering the story as ‘far-right’ media.

    The action plan raises a number of questions, particularly with regard to Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which guarantees freedom of the press.

    • 1.Is the Commission aware of the measures taken by the Spanish Government, which have the potential to undermine press freedom?
    • 2.Has the Commission looked into the compatibility of these measures with Spain’s freedom of expression and freedom of the press obligations under EU law?
    • 3.What steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the fundamental principles of freedom of the press are upheld in Spain?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Railway chaos in Madrid and the need to improve rail safety – E-002222/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    22.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002222/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Borja Giménez Larraz (PPE)

    On 19 October, an employee of Adif (a Spanish state-owned railway infrastructure manager) had to make the decision to derail a train in the Chamartín-Atocha tunnel (in Madrid) to prevent major human and material damage after it had uncoupled from the main train and was going downhill out of control. This incident led to unprecedented chaos, long delays and cancellations throughout the rail network, while communication with passengers was inadequate.

    In recent years, problems have been piling up in the rail sector: a lack of investment in the network, never-ending construction works, outdated trains and overloaded junctions. At the same time, the Spanish Government has called this ‘the greatest moment for railways in our country’, which underscores the need to take action at European level.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Has the Commission requested information from the Spanish Government on the series of safety incidents on the rail network?
    • 2.What mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that national governments take stronger measures on rail safety to prevent a tragedy?
    • 3.Is the Commission planning to take action against Member States that do not comply with EU recommendations?

    Submitted: 22.10.2024

    Last updated: 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Impact of school closures on children’s health and education in connection with measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic – E-002197/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    21.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002197/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Anderson (ESN), Marc Jongen (ESN)

    Many Member States resorted to closing schools as a way of containing the pandemic. It appears that, in the process, sufficient account was not taken of the impact on children’s mental health and education. Internal Robert Koch Institute files suggest that measures were not always underpinned by sound scientific data.

    • 1.How does the Commission support Member States in collecting and analysing scientific data in order to assess the effectiveness of school closures?
    • 2.What studies and analyses has the Commission launched or encouraged in order to understand the long-term impact of school closures on children’s mental health and education?
    • 3.What action is the Commission planning to take in order to assume political responsibility for wrong decisions and ensure that future decisions on school closures are taken on a balanced and scientifically sound basis so as to minimise adverse impact on children?

    Submitted: 21.10.2024

    Last updated: 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: How the Line Manager Induction Programme helped me as a leader

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ministry of Justice senior project manager Cathryn Rees says the Line Manager Induction programme helped her to support her team better.

    Cathryn Rees, Ministry of Justice

    Despite more than ten years line management experience before joining the Civil Service, Ministry of Justice senior project manager Cathryn Rees opted to do the Line Manager Induction Programme to find out about how things were done in her new workplace.

    Discovering the induction programme

    Cathryn’s primary motivation for signing up for the Induction was a desire to help her direct reports more effectively. “I know some research out there says people don’t leave organisations, they leave their manager,” she said. “It’s crucial to provide the right support to avoid that.” She also wanted to align her management style with the latest standards in the Civil Service, particularly as her team was rolling out its own line management training targeted at new managers. 

    Practical insights and personal growth 

    What stood out to Cathryn during the training was the programme’s practical focus and reflective exercises. One module, in particular, resonated with her, encouraging self-assessment and helping her understand how her decisions and prioritisation impacted her team. “It was enlightening to reflect on how people might see me and how I affect others.” 

    The structure of the programme was another highlight for Cathryn. She appreciated the flexible, bite-sized approach to learning available through Civil Service Learning. “I liked that I could start and stop as needed, which made it easy to fit into my schedule,” she explained. 

    The open, non-prescriptive tone of the training also appealed to her, as it encouraged exploration and personal growth rather than rigid rule following. 

    Benefits of the induction

    Cathryn’s experience underscored how the programme benefits both new and experienced managers alike. “The induction helped me understand what my team members might be going through and allowed me to support them better,” she said. She also saw the value in the training for her own development, as it provided insights into managing not just downwards but across her team and upwards in the organisation. “It wasn’t just about line management – it was about improving all your communication and leadership skills,” she reflected. 

    For Cathryn, the Line Manager Induction Programme provided a framework for consistent, effective management practices, which was essential in her work to build a positive culture within her team. “Good line management starts with individual conversations and support,” she said. “This programme gave me the tools to have those conversations and to grow both myself and my team.” 

    Cathryn recommends the programme to anyone stepping into a managerial role or looking to refine their leadership approach. “Whether you’re new to line management or experienced, the induction is a practical and valuable resource. It helps you not only support your team better but also develop your own leadership skills in the process.”

    The Line Management Induction Programme is available to do on Civil Service Learning and is part of the Civil Service recommended learning curriculum.

    Read the stories of civil servants who have completed the Line Managemer Induction Programme:

    HMRC senior manager Nikki Fisher

    Department for Business and Trade senior manager Marc Fitchett

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Building partnerships to protect the UK from cyber crime

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, delivered a speech at the PREDICT 2024 Conference on 22 October.

    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Thank you and good morning.

    It’s a great privilege to be with you at PREDICT 2024 today taking place right in the very heart of London’s thriving knowledge quarter.

    I’d like at the outset to take this opportunity to thank Recorded Future for your hard work in bringing us together over these 2 days.

    Not least because I think that forums like these provide us with a crucial platform to connect, share ideas and to learn from one another.

    When our world feels increasingly less certain and increasingly more volatile, it is reassuring to know that last night, as with every night, many of you here today, made it safer.

    Across the UK, millions of phones charging next to our beds were patched whilst we were sleeping – better protecting our messages, our photos and our personal information, frankly, our entire lives these days from constantly mutating cyber threats.

    For ministers like me, there will be 2, maybe even 3, phones next to our beds, but add them to millions more devices and their networks that our world now relies on to function.

    The role that the global community of defenders plays in disrupting and defeating cyber-crime is more than just vital – it’s existential.

    So, I want to say this morning that this country, our country, is enormously in the debt of many of you in this room who strive, day in, day out to protect us all.

    Your work, your dedication and your accomplishments have never been more important.

    Yet, it may be the case, that they have never been more taken for granted, because most will only notice, could only ever notice, when things go wrong.

    Who knew what Synnovis were and the vital service they provide to the NHS until ransomware criminals struck?

    Outside of tech circles, who knew the name Crowdstrike before a wayward patch ground international aviation to a halt?

    How many of the millions of Australian or US citizens, who relied on their services, could have identified the logos of Colonial Pipeline or Medibank before they were attacked? So today, I want to focus on this unnoticed and often unappreciated reality.

    I want to talk about the need for constant vigilance in defending our digital world and how we can do so better and together.

    Now, as I’ve already touched upon, our international rules-based system is being severely tested and technological advances continue to evolve at pace.

    Advances in technology bring both risks and opportunities for us all.

    We have all moved our lives online. In this respect, the UK stands out from other countries in its digital development.

    Indeed, it was national news when the card machine stopped working across Greggs’ stores one morning in March this year. Alongside paying for sausage rolls with our smart watches, there are opportunities to harness technology’s vast potential in areas such as healthcare, education and, of course, security.

    But we must also address the evolving risks and maintain a posture of constant vigilance, including by keeping up with developments in artificial intelligence, which show unstoppable momentum.

    Emerging technologies are changing the nature of diplomacy, trade and competition, driving it online and thus onto our devices and into our pockets.

    The much bigger global IT outage in July demonstrated our near universal dependence on technology.

    For businesses, physical premises are interchangeable with digital platforms when it comes to delivering services and making money.

    Beyond AI, quantum technologies, future, telecoms, connected devices, robotics and drones are rapidly reshaping the landscape.

    Put simply, cyber security is national security.

    Therefore, cyber incidents such as ransomware attacks, network intrusions for cyber espionage or IP theft have significant and complex consequences.

    When organisations are targeted, there can be knock on effects on the UK’s economic resilience.

    Data is becoming an ever more valuable commodity. Last year, the UK saw over a million reported Computer Misuse Act offences, most of which sort out personal data.

    These crimes are estimated to cost the UK economy billions of pounds every year.

    When public services or critical national infrastructure are targeted, there are implications for our national security.

    Criminals exploit this and are early adopters of the latest technology.

    The UK, and the international response must keep pace, and where possible, develop a competitive edge to mitigate these risks.

    If misused, artificial intelligence and machine learning can intensify the impact and scale of cyber-crime.

    Criminals are offering exploitation kits and hacking as a service, making it systems and data compromise increasingly accessible network attack surfaces and opportunities to target third party suppliers are expanding exponentially.

    Unauthorised computer access can lead to a wide range of frauds, theft, extortion, and can also facilitate stalking, domestic abuse and harassment.

    These crimes cause significant harm to the UK, destroying businesses and ruining lives.

    That’s why the government is reviewing the threats that we face and addressing priority cyber threats like ransomware, which is the most acute cyber threat facing most UK organisations.

    It’s also why we are making progress on counter ransomware, and the UK continues to lead international efforts, including through the counter ransomware initiative and by sanctioning 36 cyber-criminal actors since 2021, including ransomware actors like Evil Corps, the clue is in the name, LockBit and Trickbot.

    This year, the UK’s National Crime Agency also led a global effort to disrupt LockBit, the world’s most prolific ransomware group.

    Now we are increasingly seeing the impactful effects of combining law enforcement efforts, disruptive operations and interventions like sanctions that de-anonymise, disrupt and deter cyber criminals through a whole government response.

    But there is much more that we need to do.

    We are considering all options available to us, including reviewing the Computer Misuse Act to strengthen our response to the threat.

    But it’s not only criminals who use cyber to target the UK.

    Our intelligence agencies and international partners work around the clock to expose and counter malicious activities that threaten our interests.

    As Mi5 Director General Ken McCallum set out earlier this month, autocratic states persist in their efforts to undermine UK security.

    States, including Russia and China, are investing in advanced cyber operations, and it is a national security priority to detect, disrupt and deter this activity.

    Russia is home to one of the most expansive and destructive cyber-criminal communities in the world, which targets global businesses with ransomware and other forms of cyber-attack for profit.

    The Kremlin deliberately turns a blind eye to the activities of many cyber criminals within its jurisdiction, choosing not to prosecute, as long as their crimes serve the regime’s interests.

    But the Russian state also has extensive cyber capabilities of its own.

    The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), has confirmed Russian attempts to target key sectors of the British economy, including the UK media, telecommunications, political and democratic institutions and energy infrastructure.

    We will not tolerate Russian cyber interference and will continue to work with our international allies to expose Russian cyber aggression and hold the Kremlin to account for its malign activity.

    Compared to Russia, China presents a more complex and significant long term cyber challenge, and there have been a number of high-profile China linked cyber-attacks over the past few years, varying in intensity and sophistication.

    We will continue to engage with China, and we want to see a constructive debate aimed at making cyberspace a safer place to do business for companies and consumers.

    That is why we regularly raise issues with China, and we will keep calling out all state and non-state actors for malicious activity when it is necessary to do so.

    For instance, the UK supported by global allies, publicly attributed and sanctioned Chinese state-affiliated actors responsible for malicious cyber campaigns targeting the UK democratic institutions.

    Working alongside our Five Eyes partners and others, the UK continues to strengthen our defences, safeguard our institutions and protect sensitive data from these ever-growing threats.

    NCSC, combining its cyber expertise with unique intelligence insights, remains decisive in ensuring that the UK stays ahead of these state sponsored threats.

    As this year is a year of elections around the world with around 4 billion people going to vote, and we know that malign actors target the freedoms and democratic processes which are integral to our way of life.

    Foreign states and domestic actors use disinformation and harmful material online in a bid to undermine our democratic institutions.

    The recent general election here in the UK was a prime opportunity for our adversaries to mount a major information attack on the UK in an attempt to affect the outcome.

    Government planned for such an incident, but fortunately, this did not happen.

    Although attempts at interference do not stop with electoral events, and we are alive to this ever present-threat to our democracy, especially the use of disinformation.

    Vigilance and effective cross government working is especially needed as AI technology threatens to exacerbate existing information threats, enabling harmful messages to spread at speed and scale, and making disinformation more difficult to spot.

    We are particularly concerned that a steady stream of disinformation and harmful material online can lead to a slow poisoning of our public discourse that attempts to divide our communities.

    We saw some of this play out during the summer with false information and inflammatory content spread rapidly online, contributing to violent disorder in some parts of our country.

    These are complex issues which many democracies face, and that’s why we are working with international allies to share learning and expertise and with social media companies to hold them accountable for keeping online users safe.

    The defending democracy Task Force is at the heart of much of this work. It is an enduring function that coordinates government’s response to these ever-present threats to our democracy.

    The first duty of any government is to protect the nation and in an ever-evolving world with new and complex threats, collaborative working across government, law enforcement, industry and civil society is absolutely fundamental to driving innovative approaches to the UK’s most pressing challenges.

    This can only be achieved if our work to keep our country safe and secure goes hand in hand with our plan to improve UK prosperity.

    Without national security, we cannot kick start economic growth, become a clean energy superpower, take back our streets, break down barriers to opportunity, or build an NHS fit for the future.

    Our work in National Security provides the foundation to enable these missions.

    Breaking down barriers to opportunity enhances the protective factors for those vulnerable to radicalisation, mis and disinformation, or serious and organised crime. We continuously seek to support and strengthen our national security machinery.

    The government is reviewing several policy areas, especially in light of the spending review. The perspectives of the private sector, will be pivotal in these decisions and discussions.

    Indeed, collaboration between the government, the private, and third sectors are key to addressing national security risks.

    By building an enduring and balanced partnership, we can work together to strengthen the UK’s response and resilience.

    The NCSC leads the industry 100 i 100 initiative which enables diverse minds to challenge thinking and tackle systemic vulnerabilities in cyber security.

    The cyber insurance industry is another key partner and is crucial in the cyber threat mitigation ecosystem, providing protection from cyber based risks such as ransomware and hacking.

    In May of this year, 3 major UK insurance bodies, the Association of British Insurers, the British Insurers Brokers Association and the International Underwriting Association, united with the NCSC to publish joint guidance. This guidance, aimed at 14 cyber-criminals’ profits by reducing the number of ransoms paid by UK ransomware victims, was a powerful show of collaborative government and industry working.

    Since then, and with continued partnership from the three insurance bodies, this guidance has since been internationalised through the Counter Ransomware Initiative, with 40 countries and 8 global insurance bodies signing up.

    The government will continue to work closely with industry researchers, academics and the wider public sector to collectively address risks to our national security.

    The work done across these sectors by organisations like Recorded Future, and those here in the room today, are vital to securing the UK’s National Security.

    To conclude, the threats that we face are evolving rapidly, but so too are the opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

    The challenge for all of us, whatever our sector or discipline, is to stay ahead of the threats whilst maximising the opportunities.

    That is why events like PREDICT 2024 are so important, and it is why we must tackle this critical mission together in a spirit of true partnership and collaboration.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – New genetic web tool to help restore climate-resilient marine ecosystems – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University  

    Australians love their coastal and marine environments but much of the world’s ecosystems are in various stages of decline and in urgent need of restoration.
    In the face of increased human pressures and climate change, a team of Australian scientists led by Dr Georgina Wood at Flinders University have launched a new online tool to assist marine managers and restoration experts to bolster the resilience of marine habitat-forming species. (ref. https://www.reefadapt.org/ )
    The ‘Reef Adapt’ initiative, developed by experts from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD), Flinders University and The University of Western Australia (UWA), aims to expand the tools available to promote diverse, adaptable and resilient ecosystems.
    Described in a new article in Communications Biology, Reef Adapt harnesses genetic data from diverse marine species – including key reef-building corals and habitat-forming kelps, but with scope to expand to other taxa – to map out areas likely to harbour populations adapted to current and future environmental conditions.
    The innovative web platform is designed for the rapid inclusion of genetic, biophysical and environmental data into planning of marine restoration and assisted conservation initiatives.
    The tool provides users with maps that identify areas with populations suited to their specific restoration sites under current and future climate scenarios. The platform will initially house data for 27 species collected from 420 sample locations across the globe. Users will also be able to upload their own data to the site, further supporting the conservation of other species and areas.
    While guidelines for terrestrial ecosystem restoration seed-sourcing exists, for example, the US National Seed Strategy and Australia’s Florabank, Reef Adapt is one of the first tool of its kind for marine environments.
    The project follows similar projects on land, such as Australia’s NSW Restore and Renew program, to remove barriers of access to genetic data and improve restoration and assisted gene flow.
    Dr Georgina Wood, an Australian Research Council Early Career Industry  Fellow with Flinders University and Adjunct Research Fellow at UWA, says global efforts to restore ecosystems are intensifying, including the Convention on Biological Diversity’s recent adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework which aims to put 30% of degraded ecosystems under effective restoration by 2030.
    “Alongside the increase in scale of marine restoration projects, there is a need ensure that restoration practices keep up with the latest available science, including the use of cutting-edge genomic information to make informed decisions about where to source restoration stock material,” says researcher Dr Wood.
    “Our world is changing now more rapidly than ever before. Ideally, every restoration project would incorporate climate adaptation into their design, but the data needed for this are typically difficult to access. Reef Adapt puts this information directly into the hands of both managers and practitioners,” she says.
    The easy-to-use web platform hosts vital genetic information for government, not-for-profit and community organisations – removing barriers of access to vital information that the team hopes will improve both immediate and long-term restoration outcomes.
    Dr Melinda Coleman, NSW DPIRD Senior Principal Research Scientist, says the Reef Adapt online webtool will help guide marine restoration and assisted adaptation programs now and into the future.
    “The revolutionary new Reef Adapt tool will use cutting-edge genomic data and seascape analyses to help marine managers, restoration practitioners and other stakeholders including aquaculture make informed decisions about where to source stock for restoration or aquaculture as well as help select climate proof stock that will withstand future ocean conditions,” explains says Dr Coleman.
    “We hope that this webtool will be used broadly across marine and conservation managers, community groups or anyone embarking on marine restoration as well as aquaculture proponents.”
    Dr Wood says the new Nature article and user manual give examples, with several case studies of ecologically and evolutionarily diverse taxa, including the staghorn coral (Acropora kentii), cauliflower coral (Pocillopora damicornis), golden kelp (Ecklonia radiata) and crayweed (Phyllospora comosa).
    Development of the tool required collection of almost 10,000 reference data points from published population genetic literature, as well as a suite of environmental data and oceanographic models.
    The article, ‘Reef Adapt: A tool to inform climate-smart marine restoration and management decisions’ (2024) by GV Wood (Flinders), KJ Griffin (UWA), M van der Mheen (UWA), MF Breed (Flinders), JM Edgeloe (UWA), C Grimaldi (UWA / Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth), A Minne (UWA), I Popovic (University of Queensland), K Filbee-Dexter (UWA / Institute of Marine Research, Norway), MJH van Oppen (Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville / University of Melbourne), T Wernberg (UWA / Institute of Marine Research, Norway) and MA Coleman (UWA / NSW DPI, Fisheries) has been published in Communications Biology DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06970-4 (link to come).
    Dr Georgina (‘George’) Wood will present on the use of digital tools to progress marine restoration at the 10th Western Society of Naturalists’ annual meeting in Oregon, US next month.  Dr Wood and Dr Coleman also presented on Reef Adapt at the Adapt NSW 2024 conference in Sydney this week.
    Acknowledgements: The researchers received support from an ARC Linkage grant and ARC Industry Fellowship to GV Wood, the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy and NSW DPIRD, as well as the Norwegian Research Council GecoKelp Project.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: CEO Climate Alliance Letter | Ester Baiget

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Ester Baiget, Novonesis CEO, says ramping up existing nature-based solutions could cut global carbon emissions by 8%.

    In an open letter to public and private sector, leaders ahead of COP29, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders calls for urgent action to combat climate change. Highlighting the critical role of collaborative leadership from business and government, the letter advocates for ambitious, science-based targets to improve the business case for climate action and spur investment.

    Read the full letter: wef.ch/COP29OpenLetter24

    #AllianceofCEOClimateLeaders #Climate #ClimateChange #COP29 #biosolutions

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYKpxYlfPyI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: CEO Climate Alliance | Jesper Brodin

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group [IKEA], says businesses and governments need to work closely together to ensure the world meets climate targets.

    In an open letter to public and private sector leaders ahead of COP29, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders calls for urgent action to combat climate change. Highlighting the critical role of collaborative leadership from business and government, the letter advocates for ambitious, science-based targets to improve the business case for climate action and spur investment.

    Read the full letter: wef.ch/COP29OpenLetter24

    #AllianceofCEOClimateLeaders

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHKqnS_ru7w

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev and Perm Krai Governor Dmitry Makhonin discussed environmental issues

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev and Governor of the Kama Region Dmitry Makhonin held a working meeting. The parties discussed the state of water bodies in the Perm Region, the possibility of developing ecological tourism on forest fund lands, and the implementation of projects aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment.

    Working meeting of Dmitry Patrushev with the Governor of Perm Krai Dmitry Makhonin

    October 30, 2024

    Working meeting of Dmitry Patrushev with the Governor of Perm Krai Dmitry Makhonin

    October 30, 2024

    Governor of Perm Krai Dmitry Makhonin

    October 30, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Working meeting of Dmitry Patrushev with the Governor of Perm Krai Dmitry Makhonin

    Another issue for discussion was the progress of work on identifying and eliminating objects of accumulated harm within the framework of the federal project “Clean Country”. Separately, they discussed the inclusion of other objects of accumulated harm in the territory of Perm Krai in the federal project “General Cleaning”.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens urge Rachel Reeves to deliver real change  

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    Greens call on chancellor to:  

    • Raise taxes on the very wealthiest to help fund a better future for everyone  
    • Avoid more austerity by another name 

    Ahead of today’s Budget, co-leader Carla Denyer said: 

    “We need to see Labour use this opportunity to make some bold decisions.  

    “Fourteen years of Tory underinvestment in our NHS, our schools, care for our elderly loved ones have left our public services crumbling around us and in a state of crisis. We deserve better. We demand better. 

    “It’s clear that the country just can’t afford more austerity under a different name. Labour campaigned on a manifesto of change – so now it’s time to deliver.  

    “Real change that people will see around them in a tangible way – in the hospitals they visit when they’re ill, in their kids’ education, in affordable and reliable bus services to get around. 

    “Real change is a political choice. The money to fund our public services is available. By taxing the very wealthiest a little more we can fund a better future for everyone.   

    “Let’s see if Labour can deliver.”

    / by Green Party

    Press Releases

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn, EPA Launch Regional Environmental Justice Center

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at UConn has received a five-year $10 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lead a New England regional center focused on environmental justice.

    On Wednesday, Oct. 30, UConn launched the Environmental Justice Thriving Community Technical Assistance Center (EJ-TCTAC). In close partnership with the EPA, the University will provide critical support to communities throughout New England.

    The center will benefit cities, towns, and recognized Tribes throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, offering assistance with navigating the federal grant process, engagement efforts, and identifying funding opportunities as the region embraces evolving environmental challenges.

    “As Connecticut’s flagship university, UConn takes pride in service to our communities and helping to prepare them for the environmental challenges they face in the present and the future,” says Pamir Alpay, UConn Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. “With the EPA’s generous support, we are proud to extend our expertise and resourcefulness to support environmental justice throughout the cities, towns, and Tribes of New England.”

    UConn won the grant through a competitive process among other universities in the region. UConn is well-positioned to lead the Center thanks to the expertise of faculty working in various areas related to environmental justice and existing connections with community organizations.

    “Too often, communities with the most pressing environmental justice concerns have been left behind due to barriers in accessing federal funding,” says EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “UConn’s technical assistance center is a game-changer for New England and will provide greater access to services to ensure overburdened and underserved communities and our Tribal nations can access historic investments to address generational environmental and health disparities.”

    The center became operational with the launch of its website, environmental-justice.program.uconn.edu.

    Carolyn A. Lin, professor in the Department of Communication, leads the team as the director of the EJ-TCTAC. The team includes associate directors Rupal Parekh, assistant professor in the School of Social Work; David Chacon-Hurtado, assistant research professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering; Diego Cerrai, assistant professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering; and Chris Newell, the director of Native American Cultural Programs as the tribal liaison.

    “We have a very large group of talented faculty and researchers who have been working on environment-related projects and a lot of them have an environmental justice focus as well,” Lin says. “We hope to excel and do even more than is anticipated successfully.”

    Environmental justice highlights that certain communities, typically lower-income and communities of color, are more likely to be at risk of suffering from environmental harms like pollution and vulnerability to climate change-related impacts like flooding.

    “The need for environmental justice work is very high,” Lin says. “Climate change does not wait for us. The problems are here, and the consequences are obvious. They may not all manifest all at once, but people who live in those communities understand those consequences and they have suffered from them.”

    The Center will support urban, rural, and Tribal communities throughout New England, helping organizations access funding from federal and state agencies to complete environmental justice projects.

    Community organizations will be able to submit requests for free support with tasks like needs assessment, identifying funding sources, grant preparation, grant applications, and grant management. The team will engage partners directly and create digital informational resources, including webinars, podcasts and videos.

    Through this technical assistance, the Center will support projects aimed at improving the quality of life and economic development of communities most affected by environmental injustices.

    “My hope for the Center is that we can use our combined talent and resources, not to mention our passion for this line of work, to truly make a difference in the New England region across urban, rural, and tribal communities,” Lin says.

    The Center is partnering with the EPA; the Institute for New England Native American Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston; the New England Environmental Finance Center at the University of Southern Maine; the New England Rural Health Association; Groundwork USA, and the Environmental Protection Network. These partnerships will help the team strengthen its connection with communities and better understand their needs.

    “The only purpose of our Center is to serve the needs of communities across New England,” Lin says. “We have a very strong commitment to pulling together any kind of resources we can and building coalitions with communities and state governments and tribal nations. Because if you unite you are much bigger and much stronger in what you can do.”

    For example, one environmental justice concern in Connecticut is transportation equity. Expanding public transit networks is not only good for the environment, as it cuts carbon emissions by reducing dependence on cars, but it also increases mobility for people who do not own a car.

    “How do we improve our transportation system so that disadvantaged communities who don’t have good access to public transportation will be able to travel more efficiently in terms of time and cost to actually have better educational and economic opportunities,” asks Lin.

    Other initiatives may tackle health disparities related to pollution exposure and toxic infrastructures, helping community organizations combat sources of pollution, develop educational resources, or connect community residents to healthcare services.

    “Environmental issues are directly relevant to our health,” Lin says. “The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil beneath us all affect our well-being.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Reads Announces ’24-’25 Selection: ‘All We Can Save’

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    There is a renaissance blooming in the climate movement: leadership that is rooted in compassion, connection, creativity, and collaboration. But while it’s clear that women and girls are vital voices and agents of change for this planet, they are too often missing from the proverbial “table.” More than a problem of bias, it’s a dynamic that sets us up for failure. To change everything, we need everyone. 

    With this in mind, UConn Reads invites all members of the UConn community to join in an engaging discussion around this year’s book selection: “All We Can Save.” 

    Since 2011, UConn Reads has gathered students, staff, alumni, faculty, and community members who share an interest and sense of pride in the University, who relish intelligent, respectful debate, and who bring their own individual perspectives and personal experiences to a thought-provoking and engaging conversation. 

    “All We Can Save” is a collection of provocative and illuminating essays from women on the front lines of climate change, as those most at risk, and those most likely to solve it. Edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine Wilkinson, the book is a bestselling collection of writings by 60 women and offering abundant wisdom and solutions to lead humanity forward.  

    Intermixing essays with poetry and art, this book is a guide for knowing and holding what has been done to the world, while bolstering our resolve never to give up on each other or our collective future.  

    A national bestseller and named one of the best books of the year in 2020 by Smithsonian Magazine, the editors have curated a collection of “hope-filled perspectives on the climate crisis that has inspired many to think on the side of action rather than being paralyzed with worry about the future of the planet.” The publication has also sparked the All We Can Save Movement, to nurture future leaders of the climate community and encourage meaningful action.  

    The book was selected in collaboration with UConn for Women’s Herstory Month, being celebrated by the Women’s Center in March 2025.

    If you would like to be involved with this year’s programming, please reach out to UConn Reads.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: DeFi Technologies’ Subsidiary Valour Expands Offerings with First-Ever Valour Bittensor (TAO) SEK ETP in the Nordics on Spotlight Stock Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Introduction of Valour Bittensor (TAO) SEK ETP: DeFi Technologies’ subsidiary Valour Inc. has launched the Valour Bittensor (TAO) ETP on Sweden’s Spotlight Stock Market, marking the first Bittensor ETP in the Nordics and expanding its suite of digital asset products with this cutting-edge decentralized machine learning asset. With a market cap of $3.9 billion, TAO ranks #25 among digital assets globally.
    • Investment Opportunities in Decentralized Machine Learning: The Valour Bittensor (TAO) SEK ETP provides Nordic investors with unique exposure to TAO, the native token of the Bittensor network, now accessible for the first time in the region. Bittensor revolutionizes machine learning by creating a decentralized, peer-to-peer marketplace where machine intelligence can be exchanged, fostered, and traded. This network functions as a hive mind, pooling AI model intelligence into an ever-growing digital knowledge base and incentivizing global collaboration among developers.
    • Strategic Product Expansion: The launch of the first Valour Bittensor ETP in the Nordics underscores Valour’s commitment to bringing innovative digital assets to the market. Listed on the Spotlight Stock Market, this ETP offers Nordic investors the opportunity to invest in groundbreaking advancements within decentralized AI and machine learning, representing a significant step forward in providing regional access to transformative digital assets.

    TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DeFi Technologies Inc. (the “Company” or “DeFi Technologies”) (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF), a crypto-native technology company at the forefront of merging traditional capital markets with decentralized finance (“DeFi“), proudly announces that its subsidiary Valour Inc. (“Valour“), a leading issuer of exchange-traded products (“ETPs“) providing simplified access to digital assets, has listed the first-ever Valour Bittensor (TAO) ETP in the Nordics on the Spotlight Stock Market. This launch provides investors with seamless access to TAO, the token that fuels Bittensor’s decentralized machine learning protocol. With a market cap of $ 3.9 billion, TAO ranks #25 among digital assets globally.

    The Valour Bittensor (TAO) SEK ETP (ISIN: CH1213604619) is the latest addition to Valour’s range of innovative digital asset products, now available to Nordic investors. The ETP brings unparalleled exposure to the Bittensor network, which turns machine intelligence into a tradable asset within a decentralized marketplace. TAO’s unique utility extends beyond traditional token use by representing individual contributions to this shared intelligence pool, embodying the collective insights within the Bittensor ecosystem. Featuring a 1.9% management fee, this ETP provides streamlined access to the rapidly growing world of decentralized AI.

    “With the TAO ETP, we’re setting a new standard for AI-backed investments, linking investors to the future of decentralized intelligence,” commented Elaine Buehler, Head of Product at Valour. “This launch brings traditional investors into a dynamic AI ecosystem, pushing the boundaries of digital asset investment in the Nordics for the first time.”

    Unlike traditional centralized machine learning models, Bittensor allows AI models to exchange capabilities and predictions directly in a peer-to-peer network. This decentralized structure encourages diversity and innovation, making Bittensor a key driver in the evolution of machine learning.

    “By launching the Valour Bittensor ETP in Sweden, we’re expanding investor access to the transformative potential of decentralized machine learning,” said Johanna Belitz, Head of Nordics at Valour. “Our focus remains on providing high-quality products that reflect current market demands and foster innovation. This is an important milestone as the first Bittensor ETP in the Nordics.”

    About DeFi Technologies
    DeFi Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF) is a financial technology company that pioneers the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). With a dedicated focus on industry-leading Web3 technologies, DeFi Technologies aims to provide widespread investor access to the future of finance. Backed by an esteemed team of experts with extensive experience in financial markets and digital assets, we are committed to revolutionising the way individuals and institutions interact with the evolving financial ecosystem. Follow DeFi Technologies on Linkedin and Twitter, and for more details, visit https://defi.tech/  

    About Valour
    Valour Inc. and Valour Digital Securities Limited (together, “Valour”) issues exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that enable retail and institutional investors to access digital assets in a simple and secure way via their traditional bank account. Valour is part of the asset management business line of DeFi Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF).

    In addition to their novel physical backed digital asset platform, which includes 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Carbon Neutral ETP, 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking, and 1Valour Internet Computer Physical Staking, Valour offers fully hedged digital asset ETPs with low to zero management fees, with product listings across European exchanges, banks and broker platforms. Valour’s existing product range includes Valour Uniswap (UNI), Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT), Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX), Cosmos (ATOM), Binance (BNB), Ripple (XRP), Toncoin (TON), Internet Computer (ICP), Chainlink (LINK), Hedera (HBAR), Core (CORE), Enjin (ENJ), Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC), Bitcoin Carbon Neutral (BTCN), Sui (SUI), Valour Digital Asset Basket 10 (VDAB10) and 1Valour STOXX Bitcoin Suisse Digital Asset Blue Chip ETPs with low management fees. Valour’s flagship products are Bitcoin Zero and Ethereum Zero, the first fully hedged, passive investment products with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as underlyings which are completely fee free. For more information about Valour, to subscribe, or to receive updates, visit valour.com.

    Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information:
    This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the the listing of Valour Bittensor (TAO) ETP; the development of the TAO token; investor confidence in Valour’s ETPs; investor interest and confidence in digital assets; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by the Company and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited the acceptance of Valour exchange traded products by exchanges; growth and development of decentralised finance and cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to decentralised finance and cryptocurrency; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

    THE CBOE CANADA EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

    For further information, please contact:

    Olivier Roussy Newton
    Chief Executive Officer
    ir@defi.tech
    (323) 537-7681

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: InspireSemi Announces Annual General and Special Meeting and Appointment of Director

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia and AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inspire Semiconductor Holdings Inc. (TSXV: INSP) (“Inspire” or the “Company”), a chip design company that provides revolutionary high-performance, energy-efficient accelerated computing solutions for High Performance Computing (HPC), AI, graph analytics, and other compute-intensive workloads, is pleased to announce that the Annual General and Special meeting (the “AGSM“) for the year ended December 31, 2023 will be held in person at the Company’s offices at 11305 Four Points Drive, Suite 2-250, Austin, TX 78726 at 9:30 a.m. (Austin time) on November 20, 2024.

    The Notice of AGSM, Management Information Circular (the “Circular”), Financial Statements Request Form, Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction Form (the “Materials”) will be mailed to shareholders and posted on the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca not later than the date of this release. The Materials can also be found on the Company’s website at www.inspiresemi.com, investors tab.

    Shareholders of record as of October 11, 2024 are entitled to vote their shares of the Company at the AGSM. The Company encourages its shareholders to vote in advance of the AGM using the instructions on the Voting Instruction Form or the Form of Proxy that were mailed to them with the Materials. Shareholders are reminded that proxies must be received by 9.30 a.m. (Austin Time) on November 18, 2024.

    In addition to the usual matters presented to shareholders at an annual general meeting, the Company will be seeking the approval of its shareholders to delist its subordinate voting shares from the TSX Venture Exchange. For reasons further explained in the Circular, the Company deems the delisting to be an extremely important matter for the Company. The Company encourages all shareholders to review the information in the Circular and to vote in favour of the delisting at the AGSM.

    If any shareholder has not received their voting instructions by mail by mid November and wishes to vote at the AGSM, the Company encourages those shareholders to contact the Corporate Secretary by email to secretary@inspiresemi.com who will be happy to assist with retrieving your individual voting instructions.

    Advance Notice

    This press release is deemed notice, in accordance with the Company’s Advance Notice By-Law (the “By-Law”), which amongst other things, includes a provision that requires advance notice to the Company in circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors are made by shareholders of the Company other than pursuant to: (i) a requisition of a meeting made pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “Act”); or (ii) a shareholder proposal made pursuant to the provisions of the Act.

    In the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, notice to the Company must be made not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual meeting; provided, however, that, in the event that the annual meeting is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, notice may be made not later than the close of business on the 10th day following such public announcement. Therefore, in this case of the AGSM notice of any nomination must be received by the Company by November 9, 2024.

    Shareholders must provide notice of any nomination for director to the Corporate Secretary by email to secretary@inspiresemi.com and in proper written form and including all the details required in accordance with the By Law, a copy of which can be found on the Company’s website at www.inspiresemi.com, investors tab.

    Appointment of Director

    The Company is also pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Jeff Brown to its board of directors effective October 29, 2024.

    Mr. Brown has had a long and successful career in the media industry, with extensive experience in distribution, digital marketing and brand management. He currently owns and runs JB & Associates, a strategic and business building consulting firm and is a Faculty Lecturer in Entertainment Media Management, Cinema and Television Arts at California State University.

    Previously he was with Warner Bros for over 26 years as a prominent executive in the Home Entertainment division, ending as Executive Vice President in January 2023. He helped lead Warner Bros. with its move into streaming, digital (VOD/EST) and physical media (DVD/Blu-ray). He managed P&L for distribution of television content, including WBTV, HBO, Turner productions and third-party partner brands such as the BBC and Peanuts, leading to Warner Bros. holding the top placed market share for nearly 20 years. He
    oversaw the implementation of new customer acquisition strategies and adherence to best-in-class data driven analytics. He also previously worked in brand management and finance for other large brands including Nestle, General Mills and the Gap.

    Mr. Brown holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, a BSE in Finance from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Political Science from University of Pennsylvania.

    The Company welcomes Mr. Brown to the board and looks forward to his future contributions to the success of Inspire.

    Mr. Brown was nominated as a director by Humanitario Capital LLC pursuant to nomination rights granted to it under the Convertible Loan Agreement between it and the Company dated September 23, 2024. Further information regarding the Convertible Loan Agreement can be found in the Company’s press released dated September 23, 2024.

    About InspireSemi

    InspireSemi (TSXV: INSP) provides revolutionary high-performance, energy-efficient accelerated computing solutions for High-Performance Computing (HPC), AI, graph analytics, and other compute-intensive workloads. The Thunderbird I ‘supercomputer-cluster-on-a-chip’ is a disruptive, next-generation datacenter accelerator designed to address multiple underserved and diversified industries, including financial services, computer-aided engineering, energy, climate modeling, cybersecurity, and life sciences & drug discovery. Based on the open standard RISC-V instruction set architecture, InspireSemi’s solutions set new standards of performance, energy efficiency, and ease of programming. InspireSemi is headquartered in Austin, TX.

    For more information visit https://inspiresemi.com
    Follow InspireSemi on LinkedIn

    Company Contact
    Ron Van Dell, CEO
    (737) 471-3230
    rvandell@inspiresemi.com

    Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
    This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). Statements concerning InspireSemi’s objectives, goals, strategies, priorities, intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations and estimates, and the business, operations, financial performance and condition of InspireSemi are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass.

    Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information regarding: (i) the business plans and expectations of the Company including expectations with respect to production and development; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this presentation, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of InspireSemi, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to them and on assumptions they believe to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: (i) statements relating to the business and future activities of, and developments related to, the Company after the date of this press release; (ii) expectations for other economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive factors related to the Company or the technology industry generally; (iv) the risk factors referenced in this news release and as described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca; and (v) other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

    Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

    Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: TC Energy lists Series 10 Preferred Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — News Release – TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) (TC Energy or the Company) today announced that 1,297,203 of its 18,000,000 fixed rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series 9 (Series 9 Shares) were tendered for conversion today, on a one-for-one basis, into floating rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series 10 (Series 10 Shares). As a result of the conversion, TC Energy has 16,702,797 Series 9 Shares and 1,297,203 Series 10 Shares issued and outstanding. The Series 9 Shares will continue to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol TRP.PR.E. The Series 10 Shares will begin trading on the TSX today under the symbol TRP.PR.L.

    The Series 9 Shares will continue to pay on a quarterly basis, for the five-year period beginning on Oct. 30, 2024, as and when declared by TC Energy’s Board of Directors (Board), a fixed dividend at an annualized rate of 5.080 per cent.

    The Series 10 Shares will pay a floating rate quarterly dividend for the five-year period beginning on Oct. 30, 2024, as and when declared by the Board. The dividend rate for the Series 10 Shares for the first quarterly floating rate period commencing Oct. 30, 2024 to, but excluding Jan. 30, 2025, is 6.329 per cent and will be reset every quarter.

    For more information on the terms of, and risks associated with an investment in the Series 9 Shares and the Series 10 Shares, please see the Corporation’s prospectus supplement dated Jan. 13, 2014 which is available on sedarplus.ca or on our website.

    About TC Energy
    We’re a team of 7,000+ energy problem solvers working to safely move, generate and store the energy North America relies on. Today, we’re delivering solutions to the world’s toughest energy challenges – from innovating to deliver the natural gas that feeds LNG to global markets, to working to reduce emissions from our assets, to partnering with our neighbours, customers and governments to build the energy system of the future. It’s all part of how we continue to deliver sustainable returns for our investors and create value for communities.

    TC Energy’s common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. To learn more, visit us at TCEnergy.com.

    FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
    This release contains certain information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties (such statements are usually accompanied by words such as “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “estimate”, “intend” or other similar words). Forward-looking statements in this document are intended to provide TC Energy security holders and potential investors with information regarding TC Energy and its subsidiaries, including management’s assessment of TC Energy’s and its subsidiaries’ future plans and financial outlook. All forward-looking statements reflect TC Energy’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking information due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to the most recent Quarterly Report to Shareholders and Annual Report filed under TC Energy’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

    -30-

    Media Inquiries:
    Media Relations
    media@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7859 or 800-608-7859

    Investor & Analyst Inquiries:
    Gavin Wylie / Hunter Mau
    investor_relations@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7911 or 800-361-6522

    PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/096f0f9a-e07b-4f40-9f7c-a836a4237f7c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 19th Eco Expo Asia opens today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    19th Eco Expo Asia opens today (with photos)
    19th Eco Expo Asia opens today (with photos)
    ********************************************

         The 19th Eco Expo Asia is being held at AsiaWorld-Expo from today (October 30) to November 2. The theme of the Expo this year is “Fostering Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality”. About 190 officials from around 40 official delegations from various cities and provinces in Mainland China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Belt and Road countries have been invited, bringing together international exhibitors, industry professionals to showcase cutting-edge green solutions, exchange views and share experiences.      Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said, “Eco Expo Asia is a golden opportunity for us to discuss and advance our shared commitments to a sustainable future. Green innovation solutions are of paramount importance in our decarbonisation journey. During the Expo, we will see the latest innovations and technologies around the world in new energy, climate adaptation and other environmental areas.”      Mr Tse remarked that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The documentary series “Enchanting China” was produced by the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Environmental Protection Department, in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. “Beautiful Hong Kong” was produced by the EEB. The two documetaries showcase the contributions and achievements made by the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in environmental protection and nature conservation. An extract of “Enchanting China” and “Picturesque Bays of Hong Kong”, the first episode of “Beautiful Hong Kong”, was shown at the opening ceremony.      Mr Tse stressed that although Hong Kong’s carbon emissions peaked in 2014, and compared to the peak carbon emissions today have been reduced by about a quarter already, achieving carbon neutrality in Hong Kong by 2050 is still a significant challenge. The HKSAR Government is boosting the promotion of green low-carbon transformation and the development of new energy, new productive forces and green scientific research industries through multiple measures, leading Hong Kong towards carbon neutrality.      The Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Sun Jinlong, was invited to give a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. The Expo’s feature event, the Eco Asia Conference, is being held from today to November 1. In the Government Session, the Deputy Secretary General of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China and the Director of the Department of National Economy, Mr Yuan Da, and the Director-General of the Department of Energy Conservation and Resources Comprehensive Utilization of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Wang Peng, introduced the latest environmental policies of the Mainland. In addition, the Vice Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Phouvong Luangxaysana; the General Manager of Saudi Arabia’s Corporate Communications and Media of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Mr Saleh Abdulmohsen S Bindakhil; the Permanent Secretary of Myanmar’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Mr Hla Maung Thein; the Director of Brunei’s Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation of the Ministry of Development, Ms Hajah Martinah binti Haji Tamit; and the Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, Dr Le Ngoc Cau, shared their countries’ latest environmental and conservation policies.      The Conference will once again feature the Hydrogen Economy Forum, allowing Hong Kong to capitalise on the environmental and economic opportunities brought by the global development of hydrogen energy, helping Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality, developing new quality productive forces, and maintaining international competitiveness.     The EEB continued to participate in the Expo this year by setting up four exhibition zones, namely: “Smart Technology”, “Energy-saving and Green Buildings”, “Community Waste Reduction”, and “Green Transportation”, highlighting the HKSAR Government’s various measures and achievements in decarbonisation. The “Smart Technology” zone introduces high-tech applications in daily environmental protection work, including artificial intelligence (AI) environmental air disturbance detection mechanical dogs, 5G mesh network sampling robot teams, AI coastal cleaning monitoring systems, and AI construction noise recognition systems; the “Energy-saving and Green Buildings” zone covers the sustainable development of an online platform for electromechanical innovation and regional cooling systems; the “Community Waste Reduction” zone introduces smart recycling; and the “Green Transportation” zone highlights Hong Kong’s latest development of hydrogen energy and displays the first hydrogen-powered street-washing vehicle in Hong Kong. To tie in with the “Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong” announced by the EEB this year, visitors can try riding on the hydrogen fuel cell double-deckers on the second day (October 31) and the fourth day (November 2) of the Expo.      The Expo is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, and co-organised by the EEB. In addition, 10 government bureaux/departments, namely the Architectural Services Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Fire Services Department, the Highways Department, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Housing Department, the Transport Department, and the Water Supplies Department are participating in the exhibition to introduce their initiatives in environmental protection and achieving carbon neutrality for Hong Kong.      Eco Expo Asia will open to the public for free on the last day of the event (November 2) to encourage citizens to participate in environmental protection and promote green living.      For details, please refer to the Eco Expo Asia’s website (www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en).

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 20:05

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Closes Full Over-Allotment Option Raising Total Funds of Over $40 Million From Recent Underwritten Follow-On Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, N.Y., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear”), a leading vertically integrated advanced nuclear technology company developing proprietary, portable, and clean energy solutions, today announced the October 29, 2024 closing of the sale of an additional 317,646 shares of its common stock at $17.00 per share pursuant to the full exercise of underwriter’s over-allotment option granted in connection with NANO Nuclear’s recent underwritten follow-on public offering which closed on October 25, 2024.

    The gross proceeds from this public offering, inclusive of the full over-allotment exercise, before deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, were approximately $41.4 million, and net proceeds were approximately $37.7 million.

    “The investor demand for this follow-on offering was significant, and we are grateful for the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “With the support of our investors, we are building a dynamic, commercially focused nuclear energy company led by world-class nuclear engineers and scientists as well as esteemed national leaders in military and civilian energy policy, former nuclear regulatory licensing and government energy professionals, all with the goal of developing the best in class, smaller, cheaper and safer advanced portable nuclear microreactors and other nuclear energy technologies and services. We look forward to using these offering proceeds to innovate, grow and drive value for our shareholders and the nuclear energy sector.”

    The Benchmark Company, LLC acted as the sole book-running representative for the offering. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP acted as counsel to NANO Nuclear. Lucosky Brookman LLP acted as counsel to The Benchmark Company. Withum Smith+Brown PC are NANO Nuclear’s registered independent auditors.

    Registration statements relating to this public offering were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and declared. This registration statement can be obtained by visiting the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Please see such registration statement for additional information regarding NANO Nuclear.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across four business lines: (i) cutting edge portable microreactor technology, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation and (iv) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s products in technical development are “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For further information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206
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    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release or related events contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements (including statements related to the public offering and the proposed use of proceeds from such offering, as described herein) related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “seek,” “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which may be beyond our control. Readers are cautioned that actual results may differ materially and adversely from the results implied in forward-looking statements. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the business of a start-up business operating a highly regulated industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and the Company therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release, and forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China unveils new regulation for professional doctorate in engineering

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 30 — China has released its first set of guidelines outlining criteria and requirements for theses and practice-oriented outputs in professional doctorate applications in engineering to enhance talent cultivation, according to the Ministry of Education.

    The pilot document containing these guidelines encompasses provisions on the scope and quality of dissertations for candidates pursuing a professional engineering doctorate. It also introduces criteria and protocols for awarding the degree based on practical achievements.

    The guidelines follow the passage of a law on academic degrees by China’s national legislature this April. The law, set to take effect next year, allows graduate students to earn their degrees either through a thesis or by submitting required practice-oriented outputs.

    The new guidelines require dissertations to focus on engineering applications and applied research, highlighting the applicant’s proficiency in fundamental theory, specialized knowledge and independent professional practice.

    It is stressed that doctorate applications based on practical achievements should include tangible deliverables and a written summary report.

    China regards education, science and technology, and talent development as the fundamental and strategic foundations for modernization. The country has strived to promote the integrated reform of institutions and mechanisms related to these areas in order to boost innovation.

    According to an official with the Office of the State Council Academic Degrees Committee, the guidelines emphasize not only the ability of engineering doctoral students to independently engage in professional practice but also the importance of innovation and diversity.

    Experts believe the newly unveiled guidelines underscore the training focus and standards of professional degrees, emphasizing practice-based innovation capabilities.

    The regulation will apply to eight categories of professional degrees, including electronic information, mechanical engineering, materials and chemicals, and energy and power engineering.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gross Domestic Product, Third Quarter 2024 (Advance Estimate)

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the third quarter of 2024 (table 1), according to the “advance” estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 3.0 percent.

    The GDP estimate released today is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency (refer to “Source Data for the Advance Estimate” on page 2). The “second” estimate for the third quarter, based on more complete source data, will be released on November 27, 2024.

    The increase in real GDP primarily reflected increases in consumer spending, exports, and federal government spending (table 2). Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.

    The increase in consumer spending reflected increases in both goods and services. Within goods, the leading contributors were other nondurable goods (led by prescription drugs) and motor vehicles and parts. Within services, the leading contributors were health care (led by outpatient services) as well as food services and accommodations. The increase in exports primarily reflected an increase in goods (led by capital goods, excluding automotive). The increase in federal government spending was led by defense spending. The increase in imports primarily reflected an increase in goods (led by capital goods, excluding automotive).

    Compared to the second quarter, the deceleration in real GDP in the third quarter primarily reflected a downturn in private inventory investment and a larger decrease in residential fixed investment. These movements were partly offset by accelerations in exports, consumer spending, and federal government spending. Imports accelerated.

    Current‑dollar GDP increased 4.7 percent at an annual rate, or $333.2 billion, in the third quarter to a level of $29.35 trillion. In the second quarter, GDP increased 5.6 percent, or $392.6 billion (tables 1 and 3).

    The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 1.8 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 2.4 percent in the second quarter (table 4). The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index increased 1.5 percent, compared with an increase of 2.5 percent. Excluding food and energy prices, the PCE price index increased 2.2 percent, compared with an increase of 2.8 percent.

    Personal Income

    Current-dollar personal income increased $221.3 billion in the third quarter, compared with an increase of $315.7 billion in the second quarter. The increase primarily reflected an increase in compensation (table 8).

    Disposable personal income increased $166.0 billion, or 3.1 percent, in the third quarter, compared with an increase of $260.4 billion, or 5.0 percent, in the second quarter. Real disposable personal income increased 1.6 percent, compared with an increase of 2.4 percent.

    Personal saving was $1.04 trillion in the third quarter, compared with $1.13 trillion in the second quarter. The personal saving rate—personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income—was 4.8 percent in the third quarter, compared with 5.2 percent in the second quarter.

    Source Data for the Advance Estimate

    The GDP estimate released today is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency. Information on the source data and key assumptions used in the advance estimate is provided in a Technical Note and a detailed “Key Source Data and Assumptions” file posted with the release. The “second” estimate for the third quarter, based on more complete data, will be released on November 27, 2024. For information on updates to GDP, refer to the “Additional Information” section that follows.

    *          *          *

    Next release, November 27, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. EST
    Gross Domestic Product (Second Estimate)
    Corporate Profits (Preliminary Estimate)
    Third Quarter 2024

    *          *          *

    Release Dates in 2025
    Estimate  2024 Q4 and
    Year 2024    		 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q3
    Gross Domestic Product        
    Advance Estimate January 30, 2025 April 30, 2025 July 30, 2025 October 30, 2025
    Second Estimate February 27, 2025 May 29, 2025 August 28, 2025 November 26, 2025
    Third Estimate March 27, 2025 June 26, 2025 September 25, 2025 December 19, 2025
             
    Gross Domestic Product by Industry March 27, 2025 June 26, 2025 September 25, 2025 December 19, 2025
             
    Corporate Profits        
    Preliminary Estimate — May 29, 2025 August 28, 2025 November 26, 2025
    Revised Estimate March 27, 2025 June 26, 2025 September 25, 2025 December 19, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Abortion and marijuana ballot measures may bring out Florida Democrats, but the GOP has 1M more active voters in the Sunshine State

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, University of Florida

    Could ballot initiatives bring more Democrats to the polls in Florida? Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    The number of voters registered as Democrats has tumbled in recent years in Florida, effectively removing the Sunshine State as a battleground and placing it firmly in the red column.

    At least that’s the dominant narrative found in many media outlets. And it is true that Republican Donald Trump won the state in both 2016 and 2020.

    Still, Nikki Fried, the Florida Democratic party chair, thinks Florida Democrats are making a “clear resurgence.”

    Buoyed by broad support for two statewide initiatives on the ballot – the legalization of recreational marijuana and the establishment of a constitutional right to abortion up to viability – Fried is predicting robust turnout of Democratic voters this November despite concerns hurricanes Helene and Milton may suppress turnout.

    Fried suggests that Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Debbie Mucarsel-Powell will benefit from the two hot issues on the ballot. A ban on most abortions after six weeks went into effect in Florida on May 1, 2024, with the state Supreme Court at the same time deciding to put the issue to voters.

    The marijuana ballot measure looks likely to pass, while support for the abortion access measure is more uncertain. But the point is that these are the types of issues that bring Democrats – and unaffiliated voters – out to the polls.

    I’ve written extensively on direct democracy and Florida politics. My research shows how ballot measures can have what I call “educative effects,” not only bolstering turnout but also priming voters to choose candidates who support the same initiatives they do.

    This goes a long way to explain Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to thwart both measures, going so far as to use taxpayers’ dollars to oppose the abortion amendment.

    Florida’s abortion amendment needs to pass with 60% of the vote, so turnout is key.
    Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo

    Active voters

    But Fried and the Democrats face a major hurdle – a widening voter registration gap – as Florida Republicans are quick to point out. Over the past several years, the GOP steadily narrowed the Democratic Party’s lead in voter registrations in the Sunshine State, finally surpassing Democrats’ plurality of active registered voters in 2021.

    Fried thinks the widening gap between registered Republicans and Democrats is a mirage. She claims that the Republican advantage is an artifact of a shift in state law that more aggressively reclassifies voters as being “inactive” if they don’t vote in two general election cycles or keep their information on file with local supervisors of elections.

    There is no question that the law, which went into effect in 2022, has deflated Democratic registration numbers. Here are the stats.

    According to the Florida secretary of state’s website, updated on Oct. 7, 2024, there are more than 1 million more registered Republicans (5,455,480) than Democrats (4,400,561) in Florida, followed by no party affiliation (3,584,982) and those registered with minor parties (404,890). That is, Republicans appear to account for more than 39% of registered voters in the Sunshine State, while Democrats make up less than 32%.

    However, the numbers posted on Florida’s official website, which amount to nearly 13.7 million registered voters, are misleading: They tally only active voters in the state.

    There are more than 2.5 million inactive voters on the rolls as of Aug. 1, 2024, according to my calculation of publicly available raw voter files. This brings the total number of registered voters in Florida to more than 16 million people.

    Inactive and unaffiliated voters

    Inactive registered voters have every right to cast ballots just like active voters. The main difference between the two groups is that inactive voters didn’t vote in 2020 or 2022.

    There are hundreds of thousands more inactive Democrats and unaffiliated voters than Republicans on the rolls. This is likely the result of lackluster campaigns in the state for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in 2020 and for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist in 2022. Uninspired Democrats and unaffiliated voters didn’t show up to the polls, particularly in 2022.

    Currently, according to the publicly available Florida voter rolls, there are over 900,000 inactive Democrats and over 921,000 inactive unaffiliated voters, compared with fewer than 643,000 inactive Republicans. So, while Republicans account for 39% of active voters, they account for only 25% of inactive voters.

    To sharpen the point: 1 in 10 Republicans are currently inactive, whereas nearly 2 in 5 of all registered Democrats and more than 1 in 5 unaffiliated voters in Florida are inactive. These inactive voters tend not to receive the same attention from parties and groups trying to mobilize registered voters to the polls.

    There’s no question that the fortunes of the Florida Democratic Party have tumbled over the past decade. Twelve years ago, just prior to the 2012 general election, Democrats accounted for 40% of all active registered voters. It’s been a sharp decline down to 32%.

    But the difference has not been made up by Republicans. From 2012 to 2024, the share of active voters registered as Republicans increased by only 3 percentage points, from 36% to 39%.

    The biggest increase in the share of active voters over the same period is with unaffiliated voters, whose share jumped 5 percentage points, from less than 21% in 2012 to 26% in 2024. These unaffiliated voters in Florida tend to be younger and Hispanic, many of whom likely have been turned off by the toxic political landscape in the state.

    But back to the November election and Fried’s prognostications.

    Will the two statewide ballot measures – Amendment 3 on recreational marijuana and Amendment 4 on reproductive rights – offset the rise in Republican voter registration in Florida? Is the sizable lead of Republican active voters a mirage, only to disappear as Election Day nears?

    It will come down to turnout and whether inactive Democratic and unaffiliated voters’ support for Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 primes them to back the Democratic ticket.

    Daniel A. Smith does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Abortion and marijuana ballot measures may bring out Florida Democrats, but the GOP has 1M more active voters in the Sunshine State – https://theconversation.com/abortion-and-marijuana-ballot-measures-may-bring-out-florida-democrats-but-the-gop-has-1m-more-active-voters-in-the-sunshine-state-239538

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Misinformation is more than just bad facts: How and why people spread rumors is key to understanding how false information travels and takes root

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kate Starbird, Professor of Human Centered Design & Engineering, University of Washington

    Spreading rumors is problematic but understandable. H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Archive Photos via Getty Images

    On Sept. 20, 2024, a newspaper in Montana reported an issue with ballots provided to overseas voters registered in the state: Kamala Harris was not on the ballot. Election officials were able to quickly remedy the problem but not before accusations began to spread online, primarily among Democrats, that the Republican secretary of state had purposefully left Harris off the ballot.

    This false rumor emerged from a common pattern: Some people view evidence such as good-faith errors in election administration through a mindset of elections being untrustworthy or “rigged,” leading them to misinterpret that evidence.

    As the U.S. approaches another high-stakes and contentious election, concerns about the pervasive spread of falsehoods about election integrity are again front of mind. Some election experts worry that false claims may be mobilized – as they were in 2020 – into efforts to contest the election through tactics such as lawsuits, protests, disruptions to vote-counting and pressure on election officials to not certify the election.

    Our team at the University of Washington has studied online rumors and misinformation for more than a decade. Since 2020, we have focused on rapid analysis of falsehoods about U.S. election administration, from sincere confusion about when and where to vote to intentional efforts to sow distrust in the process. Our motivations are to help quickly identify emerging rumors about election administration and analyze the dynamics of how these rumors take shape and spread online.

    Through the course of this research we have learned that despite all the discussion about misinformation being a problem of bad facts, most misleading election rumors stem not from false or manipulated evidence but from misinterpretations and mischaracterizations. In other words, the problem is not just about bad facts but also faulty frames, or the mental structures people rely on to interpret those facts.

    Misinformation may not be the best label for addressing the problem – it’s more an issue of how people make sense of the world, how that sensemaking process is shaped by social, political and informational dynamics, and how it begets rumors that can lead people to a false understanding of events.

    Rumors – not misinformation

    There is a long history of research on rumors going back to World War II and earlier. From this perspective, rumors are unverified stories, spreading through informal channels that serve informational, psychological and social purposes. We are applying this knowledge to the study of online falsehoods.

    Though many rumors are false, some turn out to be true or partially true. Even when false, rumors can contain useful indications of real confusions or fears within a community.

    Rumors can be seen as a natural byproduct of collective sensemaking – that is, efforts by groups of well-meaning people to make sense of uncertain and ambiguous information during dynamic events. But rumors can also emerge from propaganda and disinformation campaigns that lead people to misinterpret or mischaracterize their own and others’ experiences.

    University of Washington’s Kate Starbird explains rumors as collective sensemaking.

    Evidence, frames and (mis)interpretations

    Prior research describes collective sensemaking as a process of interactions between evidence and frames. Evidence includes the things people see, read and hear in the world. Frames are mental schema that shape how people interpret that evidence.

    The relationship between evidence and frames flows in two directions. When people encounter novel events or new evidence, they try to select the best frame from their mental filing cabinets. The selected frame then determines what evidence they focus on and what evidence they exclude in their interpretations. This evidence-frame view of collective sensemaking can help researchers understand rumors and disinformation.

    Everyone has their own ways of interpreting events based on their unique experiences. But your frames are not yours alone. Frames are shaped, sometimes intentionally, by information from media, political leaders, communities, colleagues, friends, neighbors and family. Framing – the process of using, building, reinforcing, adapting, challenging and updating frames – can be a deliberate strategy of political communication.

    Frames play a role in generating rumors, shaping how people interpret emerging events and novel evidence. False rumors occur when sensemaking goes awry, often due to people focusing on the wrong piece of evidence or applying the wrong frame. And disinformation, from this perspective, is the intentional manipulation of the sensemaking process, either by introducing false evidence or distorting the frames through which people interpret that evidence.

    In 2020, we saw these dynamics at work in a rumor about Sharpie pens in Arizona. In the lead-up to the election, President Donald Trump and his allies repeatedly alleged that the election would be rigged – setting a powerful frame for his followers. When voters noted that the Sharpie pens provided by election officials were bleeding through their ballots, many interpreted their experiences through the frame of a “rigged election” and became concerned that their ballots would not be counted.

    A Maricopa County, Arizona, election worker counts ballots in the 2020 election as false rumors that Sharpie pens were ruining ballots spread online.
    AP Photo/Matt York

    Some people shared those experiences online, where they were soon amplified and given meaning by others, including online influencers. Concerns and suspicions grew. Soon, members of Trump’s family were repeating false claims that the bleed-through was systematically disenfranchising Republican voters. The effect was circular and mutually reinforcing. The strategic frame inspired misinterpretations of evidence – real bleed-through falsely seen as affecting ballot counting – that were shared and amplified, strengthening the frame.

    Social media sensemaking

    Collective sensemaking is increasingly taking place online, where it is profoundly shaped by social media platforms, from features such as repost and like buttons to algorithmic recommendations to the connections between accounts.

    Not so long ago, many people hoped that the internet would democratize information flows by removing the historical gatekeepers of information and disrupting their ability to set the agenda – and the frames – of conversation. But the gatekeepers have not been erased; they have been replaced. A group of newsbrokering influencers have taken their place, in part by gaming the ways online systems manipulate attention.

    Many of these influencers work by systematically seeking out and amplifying content that aligns with prevailing political frames set by elites in politics and media. This gives creators the incentive to produce content that resonates with those frames, because that content tends to be rewarded with attention, the primary commodity of social media.

    These dynamics were at work in February 2024, when an aspiring creator produced a man-on-the-street video interviewing migrants to the U.S. that was selectively edited and captioned to falsely claim to show undocumented migrants planning to vote illegally in U.S. elections. This resonated with two prominent frames: the same rigged-election frame from 2020 and another that framed immigration as harmful to the U.S.

    The video was shared across multiple platforms and exploded in views after being amplified by a series of accounts with large followings on X, formerly Twitter. X CEO Elon Musk commented with an exclamation point on one post with the embedded video. The creator soon found himself on Fox News. He currently has hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram and continues to produce similar content.

    Interactions between influencers and online audiences result in content that fits strategic frames. Emerging events provide new evidence that people can twist to fit prevailing frames, both intentionally and unintentionally. Rumors are the byproducts of this process, and online attention dynamics fuel their spread.

    Collective sensemaking and election 2024

    Heading into the 2024 election, false and misleading claims about election integrity remain widespread. Our team has tracked more than 100 distinct rumors since the beginning of September. The machinery for quickly converting perceived evidence from elections into widely shared rumors and conspiracy theories is increasingly well oiled.

    Experts discuss election integrity and efforts to undermine voter confidence.

    One concerning development is an increase in so-called election integrity organizations that seek to recruit volunteers who share the rigged-election frame. The groups aim to provide volunteers with tools to streamline the collection and amplification of evidence to support the rigged-election frame.

    One worry is that these volunteers may misinterpret what they see and hear on Election Day, generating additional rumors and false claims about election integrity that reinforce that increasingly distorted frame. Another is that these false claims will feed lawsuits and other attempts to contest election results.

    However, we hope that by shedding light on some of these dynamics, we can help researchers, journalists, election officials and other decision-makers better diagnose and respond to rumors about election integrity in this cycle. Most importantly, we believe that this collective sensemaking lens can help us all to both empathize with well-meaning people who get caught up in sharing false rumors and see how propagandists manipulate these processes for their gain.

    Kate Starbird receives funding from the National Science Foundation, Knight Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

    Stephen Prochaska has received funding from the National Science Foundation, Knight Foundation, and Hewlett Foundation.

    – ref. Misinformation is more than just bad facts: How and why people spread rumors is key to understanding how false information travels and takes root – https://theconversation.com/misinformation-is-more-than-just-bad-facts-how-and-why-people-spread-rumors-is-key-to-understanding-how-false-information-travels-and-takes-root-241748

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –