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  • MIL-OSI: TSplus Academy Adds Verified Badges to Empower Learners and Partners

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PARIS, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Just weeks after the successful relaunch of the TSplus Academy on a brand-new Learning Management System (LMS), the e-learning platform continues to evolve with powerful enhancements aimed at helping users master the full suite of TSplus solutions.

    Bulk Enrollments: Training Teams to TSplus Got Easier

    In response to high demand, TSplus Academy now supports bulk registration, allowing administrators and partners to efficiently enroll multiple users at once. This update is designed to streamline onboarding and enable organizations to quickly upskill their teams, while also tracking progress at scale. Whether for internal IT departments or reseller networks, this feature ensures a smooth learning journey from the very first login.

    Verified TSplus Badges: A New Standard for Certification

    TSplus is proud to introduce verified digital badges, aligned with the global Open Badge v2 standard and inspired by industry leaders like Microsoft and Citrix. Each badge represents a product-specific achievement, and a master badge is awarded upon completion of the full TSplus training program.

    More than just a certificate, these secure, traceable, and shareable credentials add real value to learners:

    • Credibility: Unlike PDFs, badges cannot be falsified, offering trusted proof of expertise.
    • Visibility: When shared on LinkedIn, websites, or email signatures, badges promote both the learner and the TSplus brand.
    • Engagement: Open badge systems have been shown to significantly increase enrollment and course completion rates (IBM study: +129% enrollment, +226% completion).

    Video tutorials are available to help users integrate and showcase their TSplus badges:

    Smarter Learning with a Visual Dashboard

    To further improve the learner experience, TSplus Academy has rolled out a progress tracking dashboard, giving users a clear visual of which badges they have earned—and which remain to be completed. Certificates are now only available once all required badges are obtained and the training evaluation form has been completed, reinforcing our commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

    As TSplus software evolves, so does the Academy. The curriculum is continuously updated to reflect the latest product changes, ensuring learners stay current and certified on the most up-to-date features and functionalities.

    To explore TSplus Academy, visit: www.academy.tsplus.net

    About TSplus

    TSplus provides simple, secure, and cost-effective remote access and application delivery solutions to businesses and organizations worldwide. With a global partner network and a focus on innovation, TSplus connects users to their workspaces anytime, anywhere.

    Press Contact

    Caleb Zaharris

    Marketing Director

    Caleb.zaharris@tsplus.net

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/885db06e-3190-49af-94a3-6c8ff786700a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: New Progress Semaphore Release Unleashes AI to Drive Smarter Enterprise Knowledge Management

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Latest Semaphore platform release enhances user productivity, knowledge modeling and support for semantic compliance standards to drive data value and foster business success

    BURLINGTON, Mass., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Progress Software (Nasdaq: PRGS), the trusted provider of AI-powered digital experience and infrastructure software, today announced the latest release of Progress® Semaphore™, its metadata management and semantic AI platform. This release delivers powerful new features and enhancements designed to maximize user productivity and efficiency, foster semantic interoperability and accelerate time to insights in today’s data-driven and AI-powered business landscape.

    Today’s businesses face the challenge of comprehending vast amounts of structured, semi-structured and unstructured data from various sources to drive trusted intelligence and enhance customer experiences. This proliferation of enterprise information often results in data silos and fragmented processes, which hinder productivity and withhold the essential context needed to generate actionable intelligence. With this Semaphore release, users benefit from an intuitive modeling environment that leverages a broader range of reference models and vocabularies, enabling a deeper understanding of their enterprise information.

    Semaphore 5.10.1 highlights include:

    • Expanded AI Model Builder Connectors: The AI Model Builder is an AI-powered tool that simplifies the knowledge modeling experience. With this release, users can now seamlessly connect the AI Model Builder to an extended range of Large Language Model (LLM) providers to build and enrich semantic models effortlessly. Users can also create or refine custom prompts to achieve better generative AI results.
    • Intuitive Constraint Definitions: Designed to enhance productivity, users can define, implement and manage data quality standards for their knowledge models without writing custom code. With complete visual support for the creation and management of simple model constraints, businesses can remain compliant with downstream systems and drive intelligent insights without requiring any technical Shapes Constraint Language (SHACL) knowledge.
    • Full Support for Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS) Mapping Relationships: With access to a complete range of SKOS functionality through the Semaphore UI, users can map existing concepts to external reference models with mapping relationships to create a central resource across downstream systems.
    • Structural-Level Classification Settings: Aimed to bolster efficiency, users can now update classification settings at scale across each label type for improved classification results.
    • Concept Reuse: To achieve better business outcomes, the Concept Reuse feature enables more agile editing of local models, permitting users to copy branches from one model to another.

    “The latest release of the Semaphore platform represents our commitment to innovation and addresses the evolving data management needs of our customers,” said John Ainsworth, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Application and Data Platform, Progress Software. “This release not only builds on Semaphore’s comprehensive knowledge modeling capabilities but also ensures seamless integration with emerging AI and semantic standards to empower enterprises with superior insights and decision-making tools.”

    The Semaphore semantic AI platform enables users to manage knowledge models and automatically extract and classify both structured and unstructured data to generate rich semantic metadata. It simplifies information and helps organizations use data effectively to make quicker decisions. Recently, Semaphore platform was named the Leader and a Gold Medalist in Info-Tech Research Group’s 2024 Metadata Management Data Quadrant, based on user feedback on SoftwareReviews, the global research and advisory firm’s software insights platform.

    The latest Semaphore release is available today. For more information about the Progress Semaphore platform, visit https://www.progress.com/semaphore.

    About Progress Software 
    Progress Software (Nasdaq: PRGS) empowers organizations to achieve transformational success in the face of disruptive change. Our software enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible AI-powered applications and digital experiences with agility and ease. Customers get a trusted provider in Progress, with the products, expertise and vision they need to succeed. Over 4 million developers and technologists at hundreds of thousands of enterprises depend on Progress. Learn more at www.progress.com. 

    Progress and Semaphore are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates in the US and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

    Press Contacts:
    Kim Baker
    Progress Software
    +1-800-477-6473
    pr@progress.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sprout Social Wins Top Industry Awards for Product Excellence, Customer Satisfaction and Global Impact

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Sprout earns 164 leader badges in G2’s 2025 Summer Reports across all business segments and regions while ranking #1 in 33 reports including the Enterprise Grid® Report for Social Media Suites and the Grid® Report for Social Customer Service
    • Sprout earns #1 in 17 region-specific G2 reports, including the Enterprise EMEA Regional Grid® Report for Social Customer Service and the Southeast Asia Regional Grid® Report for Social Media Suites
    • TrustRadius recognizes Sprout with eight awards in the 2025 Top Rated Awards across categories including Social Media Marketing, Social Media Customer Service and Competitive Intelligence

    CHICAGO, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sprout Social (Nasdaq: SPT), an industry-leading provider of cloud-based social media management software, has been recognized in G2’s 2025 Summer Reports with 164 leader badges across all business segments—from small business to mid-market and enterprise—and spanning every global region including EMEA, APAC, and the Middle East.

    Sprout Social ranked #1 in 33 individual G2 reports, including the Enterprise Grid® Report for Social Media Suites, the Enterprise Results Index for Social Media Analytics, and the Grid® Report for Social Customer Service. Demonstrating its continued international growth and customer impact, Sprout also earned the top spot in 17 region-specific reports, such as the Enterprise EMEA Regional Grid® Report for Social Customer Service and the Southeast Asia Regional Grid® Report for Social Media Suites.

    Sprout Social was also honored in the TrustRadius 2025 Top Rated Awards, recognized in eight categories: Social Media Customer Service, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Analytics, Social Media Monitoring, Competitive Intelligence, Audience Intelligence, Social Media Management andOnline Reputation Management.

    “These recognitions from G2 and TrustRadius are a testament to the meaningful results our customers are achieving with Sprout,” said Scott Morris, CMO of Sprout Social. “As the global leader in our space, we continue to invest in AI and product innovation focused on helping brands unlock the full power of social to drive smarter decisions, deeper engagement and lasting business impact.”

    The company’s strong performance in these awards follow a wave of product innovations and advanced AI capabilities across Sprout’s platform, including recent launches within Care by Sprout Social and Sprout Social Influencer Marketing. The company recently celebrated 15 years of helping brands harness the ever-evolving power of social to build stronger connections and drive business-wide impact. Sprout Social earned its place on these lists because of customer feedback, including:

    “Sprout Social has become an essential part of our marketing toolkit. The reporting features are especially strong—clear, customizable, and easy to share with stakeholders. We also rely heavily on the listening tools, which help us stay ahead of conversations and understand our audience more deeply. The interface is intuitive, and the collaboration features help our team stay aligned.”

    “I use Sprout all day every day and love having everything in one platform – scheduling, analytics, advocacy, monitoring, and more. A lot of social media professionals wear many hats and Sprout gives you a space to manage it all.”

    “Our executive team has recently been asking for more detailed data on our digital marketing efforts, especially social media. Sprout Social has been a lifesaver, providing easy access to clear, actionable data that simplifies showcasing the ROI and impact of social media to executives. It’s made navigating these conversations far more efficient and impactful!”

    “I am a big fan of the collaboration Sprout offers. From the Smart inbox to the publishing calendar, my team is able to seamlessly work together to create, manage, and respond to social content. It’s easy to bring our customer service and social teams together.”

    For more information about Sprout Social and its award-winning platform, visit www.sproutsocial.com.

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

    Contact
    Media:
    Kaitlyn Gronek
    Email: pr@sproutsocial.com
    Phone: (773) 904-9674

    Investors:
    Lexi Johnson
    Email: lexi.johnson@sproutsocial.com
    Phone: (312) 528-9166

    About Sprout Social

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Moody’s fully acquires ICR Chile, solidifying its leading position in key Latin American markets

    Source: Moody’s

    Headline: Moody’s fully acquires ICR Chile, solidifying its leading position in key Latin American markets

    Moody’s fully acquires ICR Chile, solidifying its leading position in key Latin American markets

    NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) announced today that it has fully acquired ICR Chile (ICR), a leading provider of domestic credit ratings in Chile. The transaction follows Moody’s 2019 acquisition of a minority stake in ICR and will further strengthen its presence in Latin America’s domestic credit markets.

    Following the transaction, ICR will continue issuing domestic ratings in Chile under its own rating process and methodologies. In the following months, ICR will be fully integrated into Moody’s Local, a group of leading credit rating agencies in Latin America.

    “Today’s acquisition builds on our successful partnership with ICR and underscores our commitment to Chile’s growing debt capital market,” said Martin Fernandez-Romero, Managing Director of Moody’s Local. “Bringing ICR into Moody’s Local will enhance our ability to provide high quality credit ratings, research, and analytical services to market participants, while contributing to greater transparency in Latin America.”

    Founded in 2005, ICR is renowned for its high-quality analyses and the expertise of its analytical teams. It provides ratings across a diverse range of sectors, including corporates, financial institutions, insurers, structured finance vehicles, funds, and project finance. Since Moody’s initial investment, ICR has gained market growth, driven by its in-depth credit analyses and the expansion of its coverage within Chile’s domestic ratings market.

    The terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and it will not have a material impact on Moody’s 2025 financial results.

    About Moody’s Local
     Moody’s Local is a group of domestic rating agencies covering 13 Latin America’s domestic financial markets. Moody’s Local provides domestic credit ratings, research and risk analyses to market professionals with methodologies and seasoned analysts that capture the unique risks and dynamics of each market. Learn more at moodyslocal.com.

    About Moody’s Corporation
     In a world shaped by increasingly interconnected risks, Moody’s (NYSE: MCO) data, insights, and innovative technologies help customers develop a holistic view of their world and unlock opportunities. With a rich history of experience in global markets and a diverse workforce of approximately 16,000 across more than 40 countries, Moody’s gives customers the comprehensive perspective needed to act with confidence and thrive. Learn more at moodys.com.

    “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

    Certain statements included in this release are forward-looking statements and are based on future expectations, plans and prospects for Moody’s business and operations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other information in this document are made as of the date hereof, and Moody’s undertakes no obligation (nor does it intend) to publicly supplement, update or revise such statements on a going-forward basis, whether as a result of subsequent developments, changed expectations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Moody’s is identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. Those factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the uncertain effects of U.S. and foreign government actions affecting international trade and economic policy, including changes and volatility in tariffs and trade policies and retaliatory actions, on credit markets, customers and customer retention, and demand for our products and services; the impact of general economic conditions (including significant government debt and deficit levels, and inflation or recessions and related monetary policy actions by governments in response thereto) on worldwide credit markets and on economic activity, including on the level of merger and acquisition activity, and their effects on the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets; the uncertain effects of U.S. and foreign government initiatives and monetary policy to respond to the current economic climate, including instability of financial institutions, credit quality concerns, and other potential impacts of volatility in financial and credit markets; the impact of geopolitical events and actions, such as the Russia-Ukraine military conflict and military conflict in the Middle East, and of tensions and disputes in political and global relations, on volatility in world financial markets, on general economic conditions and GDP in the U.S. and worldwide and on Moody’s own operations and personnel; other matters that could affect the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets, including regulation, increased utilization of technologies that have the potential to intensify competition and accelerate disruption and disintermediation in the financial services industry, as well as the number of issuances of securities without ratings or securities which are rated or evaluated by non-traditional parties; the level of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. and abroad; the impact of MIS’s withdrawal of its credit ratings on countries or entities within countries and of Moody’s no longer conducting commercial operations in countries where political instability warrants such actions; concerns in the marketplace affecting our credibility or otherwise affecting market perceptions of the integrity or utility of independent credit agency ratings; the introduction or development of competing and/or emerging technologies and products; pricing pressure from competitors and/or customers; the level of success of new product development and global expansion; the impact of regulation as an NRSRO, the potential for new U.S., state and local legislation and regulations; the potential for increased competition and regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the EU; exposure to litigation related to our rating opinions, as well as any other litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries to which Moody’s may be subject from time to time; provisions in U.S. legislation modifying the pleading standards and EU regulations modifying the liability standards applicable to CRAs in a manner adverse to CRAs; provisions of EU regulations imposing additional procedural and substantive requirements on the pricing of services and the expansion of supervisory remit to include non-EU ratings used for regulatory purposes; uncertainty regarding the future relationship between the U.S. and China; the possible loss of key employees and the impact of the global labor environment; failures or malfunctions of our operations and infrastructure; any vulnerabilities to cyber threats or other cybersecurity concerns; the timing and effectiveness of our restructuring programs; currency and foreign exchange volatility; the outcome of any review by tax authorities of Moody’s global tax planning initiatives; exposure to potential criminal sanctions or civil remedies if Moody’s fails to comply with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable in the jurisdictions in which Moody’s operates, including data protection and privacy laws, sanctions laws, anti-corruption laws, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials; the impact of mergers, acquisitions, or other business combinations and the ability of Moody’s to successfully integrate acquired businesses; the level of future cash flows; the levels of capital investments; and a decline in the demand for credit risk management tools by financial institutions, corporate or government entities. These factors, risks and uncertainties as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause Moody’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of Moody’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other filings made by the Company from time to time with the SEC or in materials incorporated herein or therein. Stockholders and investors are cautioned that the occurrence of any of these factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. New factors may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict new factors, nor can the Company assess the potential effect of any new factors on it. Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our corporate responsibility progress, plans, and goals (including sustainability and environmental matters), and the inclusion of such statements is not an indication that these contents are necessarily material to investors or required to be disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future.

    Source: Moody’s Corporation Investor Relations

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: REPORT: Energy Storage Market Continues Strong Growth in Q1 2025

    Source: American Clean Power Association (ACP)

    Headline: REPORT: Energy Storage Market Continues Strong Growth in Q1 2025

    HOUSTON/WASHINGTON, D.C. June 25, 2025 — According to the new U.S. Energy Storage Monitor developed by Wood Mackenzie and the American Clean Power Association (ACP), the American energy storage market experienced record growth in Q1 2025—amidst current policy uncertainty.
    The U.S. energy storage market added more than 2 GW across all segments in Q1 2025, marking the highest Q1 on record. The utility-scale segment led the way with more than 1.5 GW of new capacity, representing a significant 57% increase compared to Q1 2024.
    “Surging energy demand is putting the electric grid under strain. The energy storage market is responding to help keep the lights on and support this unprecedented growth in an affordable and reliable way,” said John Hensley, ACP SVP of Markets and Policy Analysis. “Policy uncertainty is now one of the most significant risks that remains on the horizon as we tackle a balanced approach to allowing our economy to expand while maintaining the energy reliability that Americans deserve.”
    New horizons in the market
    The report shows there is a growing appetite across the country for deployment of grid-scale energy storage, as utilities, regulators, and communities further integrate the technology into their resource planning. In Q1 of 2025, states such as Indiana highlighted the geographic diversification that continues to take place as the market expands beyond early adopters such as Texas and California.
    The growing market in Indiana is made possible due to factors such as land availability and clear state permitting guidelines.

    Indiana added 256 MW of new storage to the grid in Q1 2025, effectively quadrupling its operational storage capacity.
    Indiana has more than 10 GW of new storage active in the interconnection queue—the fifth largest storage queue in the country.

    “We’re now seeing significant deployment of energy storage resources in emerging markets like Indiana, while states across the Southwest like Nevada and Arizona continue to expand their energy storage portfolio,” said ACP Vice President of Energy Storage, Noah Roberts. “Energy storage was the second most deployed resource in Q1 2025, demonstrating its unique ability to be quickly built to address critical reliability needs.”
    The residential storage market also saw significant year-over-year (YoY) growth, installing a record-breaking 458 MW in Q1. California and Puerto Rico accounted for 74% of this growth, while new markets like Illinois are beginning to emerge.
    A moment of policy uncertaintyThe total 5-year utility-scale capacity forecast remains strong. However, the segment is at risk for a potential 29% contraction in 2026 due to policy uncertainty.
    The community-scale, commercial, and industrial (CCI) segment has seen a 42% reduction in its five-year outlook, struggling with tariff uncertainty and slower-than-anticipated transition to NEM 3.0 projects in California.
    The report cautions that potential changes to current tax credits could significantly impact the industry’s overall growth. If access to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is severely reduced as proposed in the reconciliation bill passed by the House, it could lead to a 27% reduction in buildout over the forecast period. (Note: this report was developed before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee released its version of the reconciliation bill on June 16.)
    Distributed storage would be the most impacted segment, with a potential 46% drop from the base case over the next 5 years. Utility-scale installations would decrease by 16 GW over the next 5 years if the tax provisions are changed.
    In the near term, the report projects that 15 GW/49 GWh of energy storage capacity will be installed across all segments in 2025. The utility-scale segment is expected to grow 22% YoY in 2025.
    As the market evolves, continued innovation, supportive policies, and strategic planning will be crucial to navigate the changing landscape and capitalize on the immense potential of energy storage in the U.S. energy transformation.
    “The Q1 2025 results demonstrate the demand for energy storage in the US to serve a grid with both growing renewables and growing load. However, the industry stands at a crossroads, with potential policy changes threatening to disrupt this momentum,” said Allison Weis, Global Head of Energy Storage at Wood Mackenzie. “It’s crucial that policymakers understand the importance of stable, supportive policies for the continued expansion of energy storage.”
    Purchase the full report at ACP’s website.
    ###
    Wood Mackenzie’s media relations team
    Mark Thomton
    +1 630 881 6885
    [email protected]
    Hla Myat Mon+65 8533 8860
    [email protected]
    Chris Boba+44 7408 841129
    [email protected]
    Angélica Juárez
    +5256 4171 1980
    [email protected]
    About Wood Mackenzie
    Wood Mackenzie is the global insight business for renewables, energy and natural resources. Driven by data. Powered by people. In the middle of an energy revolution, businesses and governments need reliable and actionable insight to lead the transition to a sustainable future. That’s why we cover the entire supply chain with unparalleled breadth and depth, backed by over 50 years’ experience in natural resources. Today, our team of over 2,000 experts operate across 30 global locations, inspiring customers’ decisions through real-time analytics, consultancy, events and thought leadership. Together, we deliver the insight they need to separate risk from opportunity and make bold decisions when it matters most. For more information, visit woodmac.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Level Up Your Summer: Create Your Own Staycation with Samsung

    Source: Samsung

    Who says unforgettable summer memories require a passport? If you haven’t planned a vacation just yet, Samsung has you covered. A staycation can be just as rejuvenating as a resort getaway. With some creative planning and Samsung technology, everyday spaces transform into venues for extraordinary experiences.
    From impromptu dance parties to thrilling movie marathons, here’s how to craft the ultimate summer staycation with Samsung.
    1. Host an Epic Silent Disco

    Creating an electrifying nightclub atmosphere at home is simpler than ever. All it takes is a curated playlist, Samsung Galaxy Buds, and the SmartThings app1. Set up a customized routine using SmartThings to orchestrate the perfect silent disco – simply open the app, navigate to Favorites, tap Add, then Create routine. From there, choose what triggers the experience (time, voice command, or button press), select actions to activate music and redirect audio to Galaxy Buds.
    Pro tip: Level up the ambiance by incorporating compatible smart bulbs into the SmartThings routine for a mesmerizing disco light show.
    2. Transform Your Kitchen into a Gourmet Snack Bar

    Channel resort vibes by turning your kitchen into a snack shack for hungry kids (and grown-ups). Summer vacation is the perfect time to take small bites to the next level, and Samsung’s Bespoke AI-powered Bespoke appliances make whipping up vacation-worthy treats a breeze. The Bespoke Wall Oven’s air-fry feature creates perfectly crispy snacks, while its in-oven camera lets you monitor cooking progress through SmartThings while you’re enjoying yourself elsewhere (say, at a silent disco). The Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ and AI Vision Inside also keeps snack inventory in check, so you can keep track of what you have in the fridge2. Plus, with the built-in Beverage Center3, you can create refreshing infused drinks using the AutoFill water pitcher with its built-in infuser – perfect for those hot summer days. And when you’re ready to try something new, the Family Hub’s Meal Planner app offers endless recipe inspiration with step-by-step instructions tailored to your tastes.
    3. Create Your Own Karaoke Lounge

    Thanks to the Mobile Microphone Technology on select 2025 Samsung TVs, any living room can become a stellar karaoke venue. Download the Stingray Karaoke app to choose from an extensive song catalog and use your smartphone as a mic to belt out your favorite tune. Now through the end of the year, you can enjoy six months of complimentary Stingray Karaoke access4 when you buy a Samsung Smart TV, while existing owners can kick off their staycation with a free one-month trial through the Samsung TV Smart Hub.
    4. Host the Ultimate Movie Marathon

    For those days when it’s super hot outside or the rain just won’t let up, bring the cinema experience home with the Samsung 2025 TV Lineup. The flagship S95F OLED TV features our latest OLED Glare-Free technology for distraction-free viewing – whether watching on a bright sunny day or peaceful summer night. And, new for 2025, we’ve expanded this award-winning technology to select Neo QLED 4K and Neo QLED 8K models, giving you plenty of options for enjoying stunning picture quality, wherever and whenever you watch. Plus, all 2025 Neo QLED TVs now offer access to Samsung Art Store. With over 3,500 artworks from globally renowned museums and galleries, you’ll find no shortage of options to help set the mood for summer.

    We’ve also debuted Samsung Vision AI5 to power our 2025 TVs’ cinematic picture and sound and enable AI-backed experiences that take TV to new heights. While watching your favorite shows or movies, use “Click to Search” to instantly learn about the actors on screen and receive curated content recommendations, or try “Live Translate” for real-time subtitle translations. And when searching for what to watch, Samsung TV Plus is a fantastic and free place to start, providing access to nearly 700 channels of content from Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, and more.
    5. Stay on Track with Smart Wearables

    If you have an action-packed staycation schedule (and with these ideas, you most likely will!), you might need a little extra help managing those moving pieces. The Galaxy Watch‘s advanced AI features transform how you manage your at-home retreat – from setting smart reminders for your movie marathons to tracking your backyard workout sessions. With Galaxy AI6, you can monitor your wellness goals, analyze your sleep patterns, and even get AI-powered conversation suggestions right on your wrist (and your Galaxy smartphone!). Plus, the watch’s smart home controls let you adjust your environment without missing a beat of your staycation activities.
    Bonus: With One UI 8 beta, new Galaxy Watch features to improve sleep, heart health, fitness, and nutrition will be rolling out soon.
    6. Make Cleanup a Breeze 

    While vacation time typically means you can escape household duties, tidying up after a staycation doesn’t have to dampen the mood. Samsung’s latest additions to its Bespoke AI lineup includes the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra Cordless Stick Vacuum, Auto Open Door Dishwasher and Bespoke AI Laundry Vented Combo (also available ventless) that make cleanup easy. The washer-dryer combo, for instance, seamlessly transitions from washing clothes to drying them, so if you happen to be vacuuming with the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra, you won’t have to stop what you’re doing to transfer loads.
    For more ways to plus-up your home this summer, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube and download SmartThings to make the most use out of your appliances and devices.
    Discover more ways to enhance your home with Samsung technology at Samsung.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How high-latitude peat and forest fires could shape the future of Earth’s climate

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Apostolos Voulgarakis, AXA Chair in Wildfires and Climate Director, Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment & Climate Change, Technical University of Crete

    Understanding how wildfires influence our planet’s climate is a daunting challenge. Although fire occurs nearly everywhere on Earth and has always been present, it is still one of the least understood components of the Earth system. Recently, unprecedented fire activity has been observed in boreal (northern) and Arctic regions, which has drawn the scientific community’s attention to areas whose role in the future of our planet remains a mystery. Climate change likely has a major role in this alarming trend. However, high-latitude wildfires are not just a symptom of climate change; they are an accelerating force that could shape the future of our climate in ways that we are currently incapable of predicting.


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    The rising threat of northern fires

    As global temperatures rise, wildfires are advancing further north and reaching into the Arctic. Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Scandinavia and even Greenland, all in northern high-latitude regions, have recently experienced some of the most intense and prolonged wildfire seasons on record. With climate change occurring more rapidly in these areas, the future of northern fires appears even grimmer.

    Apart from typical forest fires that consume surface vegetation, many high-latitude fires burn through peat, the dense, carbon-rich layers of partially decayed organic material. Despite covering only 3% of the terrestrial surface, peatlands are one of the world’s most important carbon storage environments, containing around 25% of the carbon existing in the Earth’s soils.

    Climate warming, which is even faster at high northern latitudes due to polar amplification – the phenomenon of greater climate change near the poles compared to the rest of the hemisphere or globe – is increasing the vulnerability of these ecosystems to fire, with potentially severe implications for the global climate. When peatlands ignite, they release massive amounts of “fossil carbon” that have been locked away for centuries or even millennia. The largest and most persistent fires on Earth, peat fires can smoulder for extended periods, are difficult to extinguish and can continue burning underground throughout the winter, only to reignite on the surface in spring. They have recently been described as “zombie” fires.

    Warmer and drier conditions driven by climate change, apart from making boreal forests more flammable, are expected to intensify and increase the frequency of peat fires, potentially transforming peatlands from carbon sinks into net sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Such a shift could trigger a feedback loop, meaning that a warming climate will cause more carbon emissions, which in turn will accelerate climate change.

    Air pollution and weather patterns

    Wildfires release large quantities of smoke particles (aerosols) into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to both local and widespread air quality degradation. These particles are harmful to human health and can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems, while prolonged exposure may lead to smoke-induced stress, hospitalizations and increased mortality. Wildfires can also cause mental health strains associated with evacuations, loss of homes, livelihoods and lives.



    À lire aussi :
    Wildfire smoke can harm your brain, not just your lungs

    Beyond their long-term effects on climate, wildfire emissions can also influence weather patterns in more short-term ways via their impacts on atmospheric pollution levels. Smoke particles interact with sunlight and cloud formation processes, subsequently affecting temperatures, wind patterns and rainfall.

    For example, our recent study on the large-scale atmospheric impacts of the 2023 Canadian wildfires, which we presented at the European Geosciences Union general assembly this spring, demonstrated that wildfire aerosols led to a surface air temperature decrease that expanded to the entire northern hemisphere. The cooling was particularly pronounced over Canada (up to -5.5°C in August), where the emissions were located, but was also significant over remote areas such as Eastern Europe and even Siberia (up to around -2.5°C in July). The average hemispheric temperature anomaly we calculated (close to -1°C) highlights the potential for large regional emissions from wildfires to perturb weather conditions for weeks across a whole hemisphere, with profound implications for forecasting. Unreliable weather forecasts can disrupt daily activities and pose risks to public safety, especially during extreme events such as heatwaves or storms. They also have serious consequences for industries such as farming, fishing and transport, where planning depends heavily on accurate, timely predictions.

    Peat fires and the climate puzzle

    While incorporating peatland fire feedbacks into Earth System Models (ESMs) is essential for accurate climate projections, most existing models lack a representation of peat fires. Understanding the smouldering behaviour of organic soils when they burn, their ignition probability, and how these processes can be represented at a global scale is of utmost importance. Recent research efforts are focusing on bridging this knowledge gap. For example, at the Technical University of Crete, we are collaborating with the Hazelab research group at Imperial College London and the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society to perform field research and cutting-edge experiments) on peat smouldering, with the aim of shedding light on the complex mechanisms of peat fires.

    Integrating these lab results into ESMs will enable game-changing fire emission modelling, which holds potential for groundbreaking outcomes when it comes to our skill level for predicting the future of the Earth’s climate. By quantifying how the present-day atmosphere is influenced by fire emissions from boreal forests and peatlands, we can enhance the quality of projections of global temperature rise. This integration will also sharpen forecasts of regional climate impacts driven by fire-related aerosols, such as changes in rainfall patterns or accelerated Arctic ice melt.

    Tackling the challenge of northern fires

    Undoubtedly, we have entered an era of more frequent megafires – wildfires of extreme size, intensity, duration or impacts – with catastrophic consequences. Recent megafire events at boreal and Arctic regions unveil the dramatic change in wildfire patterns in northern high latitudes, which is a matter that demands urgent attention and action.

    As the planet continues to warm, high-latitude fires are expected to help shape the future of our planet. Massive wildfire events, such as those in Canada in 2023, not only burned millions of hectares but also forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Unprecedented amounts of smoke blanketed parts of North America in hazardous air, prompting school closures and health warnings, and obliging citizens to remain indoors for days. Events like this reflect a growing trend. They underscore why advancing research to better understand and predict the dynamics of northern peat and forest fires, and to mitigate their climate impacts, is not only a scientific imperative but also a moral responsibility.

    Created in 2007 to help accelerate and share scientific knowledge on key societal issues, the Axa Research Fund has supported nearly 700 projects around the world conducted by researchers in 38 countries. To learn more, visit the website of the Axa Research Fund or follow @AXAResearchFund on X.

    Dimitra Tarasi has received funding from the AXA Chair in Wildfires and Climate, the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society and the A.G. Leventis Foundation Educational Grants.

    Apostolos Voulgarakis ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

    – ref. How high-latitude peat and forest fires could shape the future of Earth’s climate – https://theconversation.com/how-high-latitude-peat-and-forest-fires-could-shape-the-future-of-earths-climate-258721

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How high-latitude peat and forest fires could shape the future of Earth’s climate

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Apostolos Voulgarakis, AXA Chair in Wildfires and Climate Director, Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment & Climate Change, Technical University of Crete

    Understanding how wildfires influence our planet’s climate is a daunting challenge. Although fire occurs nearly everywhere on Earth and has always been present, it is still one of the least understood components of the Earth system. Recently, unprecedented fire activity has been observed in boreal (northern) and Arctic regions, which has drawn the scientific community’s attention to areas whose role in the future of our planet remains a mystery. Climate change likely has a major role in this alarming trend. However, high-latitude wildfires are not just a symptom of climate change; they are an accelerating force that could shape the future of our climate in ways that we are currently incapable of predicting.


    A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

    The rising threat of northern fires

    As global temperatures rise, wildfires are advancing further north and reaching into the Arctic. Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Scandinavia and even Greenland, all in northern high-latitude regions, have recently experienced some of the most intense and prolonged wildfire seasons on record. With climate change occurring more rapidly in these areas, the future of northern fires appears even grimmer.

    Apart from typical forest fires that consume surface vegetation, many high-latitude fires burn through peat, the dense, carbon-rich layers of partially decayed organic material. Despite covering only 3% of the terrestrial surface, peatlands are one of the world’s most important carbon storage environments, containing around 25% of the carbon existing in the Earth’s soils.

    Climate warming, which is even faster at high northern latitudes due to polar amplification – the phenomenon of greater climate change near the poles compared to the rest of the hemisphere or globe – is increasing the vulnerability of these ecosystems to fire, with potentially severe implications for the global climate. When peatlands ignite, they release massive amounts of “fossil carbon” that have been locked away for centuries or even millennia. The largest and most persistent fires on Earth, peat fires can smoulder for extended periods, are difficult to extinguish and can continue burning underground throughout the winter, only to reignite on the surface in spring. They have recently been described as “zombie” fires.

    Warmer and drier conditions driven by climate change, apart from making boreal forests more flammable, are expected to intensify and increase the frequency of peat fires, potentially transforming peatlands from carbon sinks into net sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Such a shift could trigger a feedback loop, meaning that a warming climate will cause more carbon emissions, which in turn will accelerate climate change.

    Air pollution and weather patterns

    Wildfires release large quantities of smoke particles (aerosols) into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to both local and widespread air quality degradation. These particles are harmful to human health and can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems, while prolonged exposure may lead to smoke-induced stress, hospitalizations and increased mortality. Wildfires can also cause mental health strains associated with evacuations, loss of homes, livelihoods and lives.



    À lire aussi :
    Wildfire smoke can harm your brain, not just your lungs

    Beyond their long-term effects on climate, wildfire emissions can also influence weather patterns in more short-term ways via their impacts on atmospheric pollution levels. Smoke particles interact with sunlight and cloud formation processes, subsequently affecting temperatures, wind patterns and rainfall.

    For example, our recent study on the large-scale atmospheric impacts of the 2023 Canadian wildfires, which we presented at the European Geosciences Union general assembly this spring, demonstrated that wildfire aerosols led to a surface air temperature decrease that expanded to the entire northern hemisphere. The cooling was particularly pronounced over Canada (up to -5.5°C in August), where the emissions were located, but was also significant over remote areas such as Eastern Europe and even Siberia (up to around -2.5°C in July). The average hemispheric temperature anomaly we calculated (close to -1°C) highlights the potential for large regional emissions from wildfires to perturb weather conditions for weeks across a whole hemisphere, with profound implications for forecasting. Unreliable weather forecasts can disrupt daily activities and pose risks to public safety, especially during extreme events such as heatwaves or storms. They also have serious consequences for industries such as farming, fishing and transport, where planning depends heavily on accurate, timely predictions.

    Peat fires and the climate puzzle

    While incorporating peatland fire feedbacks into Earth System Models (ESMs) is essential for accurate climate projections, most existing models lack a representation of peat fires. Understanding the smouldering behaviour of organic soils when they burn, their ignition probability, and how these processes can be represented at a global scale is of utmost importance. Recent research efforts are focusing on bridging this knowledge gap. For example, at the Technical University of Crete, we are collaborating with the Hazelab research group at Imperial College London and the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society to perform field research and cutting-edge experiments) on peat smouldering, with the aim of shedding light on the complex mechanisms of peat fires.

    Integrating these lab results into ESMs will enable game-changing fire emission modelling, which holds potential for groundbreaking outcomes when it comes to our skill level for predicting the future of the Earth’s climate. By quantifying how the present-day atmosphere is influenced by fire emissions from boreal forests and peatlands, we can enhance the quality of projections of global temperature rise. This integration will also sharpen forecasts of regional climate impacts driven by fire-related aerosols, such as changes in rainfall patterns or accelerated Arctic ice melt.

    Tackling the challenge of northern fires

    Undoubtedly, we have entered an era of more frequent megafires – wildfires of extreme size, intensity, duration or impacts – with catastrophic consequences. Recent megafire events at boreal and Arctic regions unveil the dramatic change in wildfire patterns in northern high latitudes, which is a matter that demands urgent attention and action.

    As the planet continues to warm, high-latitude fires are expected to help shape the future of our planet. Massive wildfire events, such as those in Canada in 2023, not only burned millions of hectares but also forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Unprecedented amounts of smoke blanketed parts of North America in hazardous air, prompting school closures and health warnings, and obliging citizens to remain indoors for days. Events like this reflect a growing trend. They underscore why advancing research to better understand and predict the dynamics of northern peat and forest fires, and to mitigate their climate impacts, is not only a scientific imperative but also a moral responsibility.

    Created in 2007 to help accelerate and share scientific knowledge on key societal issues, the Axa Research Fund has supported nearly 700 projects around the world conducted by researchers in 38 countries. To learn more, visit the website of the Axa Research Fund or follow @AXAResearchFund on X.

    Dimitra Tarasi has received funding from the AXA Chair in Wildfires and Climate, the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society and the A.G. Leventis Foundation Educational Grants.

    Apostolos Voulgarakis ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

    – ref. How high-latitude peat and forest fires could shape the future of Earth’s climate – https://theconversation.com/how-high-latitude-peat-and-forest-fires-could-shape-the-future-of-earths-climate-258721

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: eThekwini Municipality cracks down on diesel theft

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    eThekwini Municipality cracks down on diesel theft

    The eThekwini Municipality has called on residents to report any instances of fraud and corruption following the arrest of a man implicated in a diesel theft syndicate targeting the city’s fuel supply system.

    According to the municipality, the suspect, who posed as a municipal employee, was apprehended while filling diesel at a petrol station used by the city’s fleet.

    This followed a tip-off to the Municipal City Fleet Directorate, which reported suspicious activity involving certain vehicles refuelling excessively, with some more than 10 times a day.

    A preliminary investigation conducted by the City Integrity and Investigations Directorate revealed that a municipal fuel master card, issued by the Water and Sanitation Directorate, was being fraudulently used by privately owned vehicles.

    According to the municipality, the fuel master being used was for a vehicle that has been stationary for a long time and marked for disposal.

    “The suspect had duplicated the number plate and branding on the side of the car doors to make it look similar to other municipal cars. in this instance, municipal employees were working with external people to conduct fraud and corruption.

    “The culprit had four vehicles fitted with a 750-litre fuel tank at the base of each single cab van. The diesel was stored in these tanks and resold. Each vehicle generated about R78 000 a day,” Director of the City Integrity and Investigations Directorate, Jimmy Ngcobo said.

    Ngcobo said the suspect, who did rounds everyday filling diesel at over 15 petrol stations around the city, was caught red-handed with assistance from the Metro Police and private company, Reaction Unit South Africa.

    At the time of the arrest, the suspect, who was wearing a municipal uniform admitted that he does not work for the city but employed by a private individual and earned R2000 a day.

    The suspect has since appeared in court on charges of fraud and corruption. The case was remanded to August 2025.

    “This is organised crime and should be dealt with seriously. The municipality has suffered a great financial loss, which is why we are calling on various stakeholders to report fraud and corruption when they see it happening,” Ngcobo said.

    The public can report fraud and corruption by calling 0800 20 20 20 or send an email to ombuds@durban.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za
     

    GabiK

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Norway calls for G20 Sherpa meeting to address ongoing global conflict

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Norway calls for G20 Sherpa meeting to address ongoing global conflict

    Henrik Harboe of Norway has highlighted the crucial role of the third Sherpa meeting in addressing international crises, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the broader tensions in the Middle East. 

    “We are halfway through this year, only five months away from the summit in November, so we have a lot of work to formulate, what are the G20 recommendations to deal with all these international crises and the big issues around development and economic stability in the world,” he told SAnews. 

    The third Sherpa meeting of the G20 kicked off on Wednesday morning at the Sun City Resort in the North West. 

    “We’ll have a round [of discussions] about the G20’s role in the world in general. That’s very important. But then go straight into the geopolitical tensions. And then, of course, this being a group with a lot of different countries and different perspectives. 

    “But I think we’ll touch upon Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the horrible crisis in Gaza as a result of Israel’s response to the terrorist attack. And then, of course, the recent developments in the broader Middle East, with both Israel and the US bombing of Iran,” he explained.

    The Director of Development Policy at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep concern about recent developments. 

    He noted that these events involve multiple violations of international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter.

    “I mean, G20 is actually not about geopolitics, but we cannot avoid discussing geopolitical issues.”

    In his opening remarks, Zane Dangor, the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, announced that the Foreign Ministers will have in-depth discussions on global geopolitical issues. 

    These discussions will focus on international law and mutual accountability, while emphasising the importance of prioritising substantive matters.

    In December last year, South Africa welcomed Norway as a G20 guest country during its Presidency. 

    In an interview with SAnews, Harboe, a Norwegian Sherpa, said South Africa was poised to make history as the first African nation to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit. 

    According to Harboe, the G20 focuses on sustainable development and a stable global economy to ensure growth for all countries.

    As the first Presidency in Africa, Harboe believes they will use their position to highlight critical issues such as energy security, essential minerals, and sustainable development.

    “All these issues are extremely important for Africa. So, we are very happy to see that and strongly support South Africa’s priority on these issues.” 

    The official is of the view that South Africa serves as a microcosm of global challenges, making its perspective crucial. 

    “South Africa has a huge poverty problem, job creation problem, inequality, and these are exactly the issues. 

    “So, I think what we discussed around the G20 table is relevant for the world and developing countries, but also very much for Africa, and South Africa. South Africa’s own experience is extremely relevant for this broader discussion. I always encourage South African colleagues to talk about the challenges here.” 

    He mentioned that he had attended a Just Energy Transition programme. He said while South Africa’s energy situation is challenging, it also serves as a valuable example for the world on how to conduct an energy transition in a fair manner while also creating job opportunities for young people.

    On a lighter note, he told the SAnews that he had a wonderful stay in Sun City since his arrival. 

    “I always love South Africa. It’s fantastic. Since I’m from Norway, the cold weather, I don’t mind, the fresh morning like today was just nice. The only problem this morning was a monkey, taking my bread on the breakfast table,” he said, with a chuckle. – SAnews.gov.za

    Gabisile

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: NIWC Pacific Teams Enhance Joint Capabilities at Balikatan 2025

    Source: United States Navy

    SAN DIEGO – The combined team played a pivotal role in supporting the Maritime Strike (MARSTK) and technology transition portions of BK-25, directly contributing to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives. Partnering with Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division and Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at Point Mugu, NIWC Pacific equipped a target vessel with instruments for weapons lethality and battle damage testing. These efforts included technical support and training initiatives to bolster the AFP’s operational readiness.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • India’s economy resilient amid global uncertainties: RBI

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s economy remains resilient despite heightened global uncertainties, with high-frequency indicators for May pointing to sustained growth across industrial and services sectors, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Wednesday in its monthly bulletin.

    The report noted broad-based growth in agricultural output for 2024-25, with most major crops seeing an uptick in production. Retail inflation remained subdued, staying below the target for the fourth consecutive month in May.

    “Financial conditions remained conducive to efficient transmission of rate cuts,” the bulletin said.

    The RBI observed that the global economy is in flux due to trade policy uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. However, India’s provisional GDP estimates for 2024-25 reaffirm growth at 6.5%, with a significant sequential pickup in the fourth quarter.

    Among countries surveyed for the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), India posted the highest overall activity and was an outlier for new export orders in May amid contractions elsewhere. Capacity utilisation by manufacturing firms stayed above its long-term average.

    High-frequency demand indicators also signalled a pickup in rural demand, driven by strong agricultural output. Consumer confidence remained stable, with optimism about future prospects improving.

     

     

    Retail inflation stayed benign as food prices eased on the back of record crop production. Core inflation also remained stable, with some softening evident after excluding the impact of volatile gold and silver prices.

    Equity markets posted modest gains through May and June despite volatility on global cues, the report added. Markets rebounded on June 20 after a sharp dip driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

    Although credit growth moderated in April — notably in agriculture and services — non-bank sources of credit, including external commercial borrowings, remained robust. Financial conditions were supportive of rate cut transmission to the credit market, the report said.

    The RBI also noted that the external sector was resilient, with adequate foreign exchange reserves to cover imports and debt.

    IANS

  • India’s economy resilient amid global uncertainties: RBI

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s economy remains resilient despite heightened global uncertainties, with high-frequency indicators for May pointing to sustained growth across industrial and services sectors, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Wednesday in its monthly bulletin.

    The report noted broad-based growth in agricultural output for 2024-25, with most major crops seeing an uptick in production. Retail inflation remained subdued, staying below the target for the fourth consecutive month in May.

    “Financial conditions remained conducive to efficient transmission of rate cuts,” the bulletin said.

    The RBI observed that the global economy is in flux due to trade policy uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. However, India’s provisional GDP estimates for 2024-25 reaffirm growth at 6.5%, with a significant sequential pickup in the fourth quarter.

    Among countries surveyed for the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), India posted the highest overall activity and was an outlier for new export orders in May amid contractions elsewhere. Capacity utilisation by manufacturing firms stayed above its long-term average.

    High-frequency demand indicators also signalled a pickup in rural demand, driven by strong agricultural output. Consumer confidence remained stable, with optimism about future prospects improving.

     

     

    Retail inflation stayed benign as food prices eased on the back of record crop production. Core inflation also remained stable, with some softening evident after excluding the impact of volatile gold and silver prices.

    Equity markets posted modest gains through May and June despite volatility on global cues, the report added. Markets rebounded on June 20 after a sharp dip driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

    Although credit growth moderated in April — notably in agriculture and services — non-bank sources of credit, including external commercial borrowings, remained robust. Financial conditions were supportive of rate cut transmission to the credit market, the report said.

    The RBI also noted that the external sector was resilient, with adequate foreign exchange reserves to cover imports and debt.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE convenes high-level Annual Security Review Conference to address the current security situation in the OSCE area

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE convenes high-level Annual Security Review Conference to address the current security situation in the OSCE area

    OSCE convenes high-level Annual Security Review Conference to address the current security situation in the OSCE area | OSCE

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    Home Newsroom News and press releases OSCE convenes high-level Annual Security Review Conference to address the current security situation in the OSCE area

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SNP happy to give public money to Israel’s weapons manufacturers

    Source: Scottish Greens

    25 Jun 2025 External Affairs

    More in External Affairs

    Scottish Enterprise are set to continue funding arms companies linked to Israel and Saudi Arabia such as Leonardo, Raytheon and BAE Systems. The move has been condemned by the Scottish Greens as “shameful”.

    Companies receiving funds through Scottish Enterprise are meant to be subject to a human rights due diligence check, but no company has ever failed these checks.

    A new report in The Ferret has highlighted that despite a genocide taking place in Gaza, only four human rights checks were carried out on arms companies between January 2022 and April 2025, all of which have passed.

    The Scottish Greens used a parliamentary debate in February to force the Scottish Government into undertaking a review of these human rights checks to ensure that Scotland is meeting its international obligations.

    The review has concluded that despite funding the manufacturer of parts for F-35s and other military technology, Scottish Enterprise have never funded munitions – completely missing the point of the review.

    Since the review began in February over 10,000 people have been murdered in Palestine.

    Reacting to the review, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Lorna Slater MSP said:

    “I am honestly shocked at this outcome, the SNP have been right to call out Westminster’s disgraceful complicity in Israel’s war crimes but when it came to taking action here in Scotland the SNP have shamefully chosen the future of war profiteers over the lives of innocent Palestinians.

    “Not a single penny of public money should be spent on funding arms companies that are profiting from war crimes and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.

    “This decision shows that the SNP not only know about their funding of Israel’s arms dealers, but they are happy to green light future deals!

    “The SNP have been happy to talk the talk when it comes to rightly condemning Labour’s bloody hands in this conflict, but when it really counted they’ve done nothing but try to sweep their continued funding of these arms dealers under the rug.

    “We cannot sit back and continue to allow Scottish tax payers money to be spent on funding war profiteers. Scottish Greens will continue our fight to end Scotland’s complicity in Israel’s genocide.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The first students of the Kazakhstan branch of the North-West Polytechnic University have completed their master’s degree

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The first students of the Kazakhstan branch of Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU) have successfully completed their master’s degree program, according to a statement on the official website of the university.

    The graduation ceremony took place recently at SZPU. The event was conducted by the head of the Kazakh department of the university, Kun Jie.

    Vice-Rector of SZPU Yue Xiaokui warmly congratulated the eight Kazakhstanis on the successful completion of their studies and called on them to show courage in overcoming various difficulties in a promising scientific career.

    The Kazakh branch of SZPU plans to intensify cooperation in order to set an example of cooperation between the two countries in the field of higher education, he said.

    In October 2023, eight Kazakhstani students received admission letters and became the first master’s students of the Kazakhstan branch of SZPU. Eight months later, they moved from Almaty to Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, northwest China, and continued their studies at the Institutes of Electronic Information, Computer Science, and Materials Science of SZPU.

    With the help of their academic supervisors, at the end of June last year they successfully substantiated their choice of the topic for their diploma thesis and in June of this year they defended their final theses and received their academic degrees.

    Let us recall that in May 2023, within the framework of the China-Central Asia summit, an agreement was signed between SZPU and the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi /KazNU/ to open a Kazakhstan branch of SZUIU. Already in October of the same year, the branch accepted the first batch of students.

    Earlier this year, an agreement was signed between SZIU and KazNU to establish the China-Kazakhstan Elite Engineering Institute in Almaty. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China reports drop in drug arrests

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) — China has seen a steady decline in arrests for drug crimes in recent years, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) said Wednesday.

    China’s procuratorates have arrested more than 53,000 people suspected of drug-related crimes from January 2024 to May 2025, down 14 percent from the same period last year, a press conference said.

    Miao Shengming, deputy prosecutor general of the NPC, noted that China has stepped up efforts to combat drug crimes, especially those related to money laundering.

    During the reporting period, Chinese prosecutors ordered the arrest of more than 700 people on suspicion of drug-related money laundering, and initiated criminal proceedings against more than 1,300 people, the NPC added. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center has welcomed its first baby in 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    CHENGDU, June 25 (Xinhua) — The first giant panda cub in 2025 was born at the Shenshuping base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

    The cub was born on June 21 at 11:50 p.m. by a female panda named “Linlan” as a result of a successful natural mating with a male named “Yasin” that took place in early March.

    “Despite the fact that 7-year-old Linglan is a first-time mother, she copes with her role perfectly: skillfully carrying the bear cub in her teeth, protecting it and licking it,” said deputy head of the base Wu Honglin.

    Base staff continue to closely monitor the health of “Linlan” and the baby.

    Since the 1980s, the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center has made the most active efforts to solve the problems that most hinder the captive breeding of this rare animal. As a result, the number of giant pandas kept at the center has increased from 6 in 1983 to more than 380 today. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow and Kyiv will choose dates for continuing contacts after the implementation of previously reached agreements in Istanbul is completed – D. Peskov

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Moscow, June 25 /Xinhua/ — The dates for the continuation of talks between Russia and Ukraine will be determined after the completion of the implementation of the agreements previously reached in Istanbul. Moscow and Kyiv are not exchanging opinions on the draft memorandums while the process of implementing existing humanitarian agreements is underway, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

    “No. At the moment, the implementation of those humanitarian agreements that were reached during the second round is being completed,” he said.

    The spokesman added that after that it would be time to “decide on dates for the continuation.”

    Earlier, D. Peskov said that a new round of negotiations with Kiev would take place after June 22, and specific dates are being worked out. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China launches 300 billion yuan medium-term lending facility

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The People’s Bank of China (PBOC, the central bank) on Wednesday launched a 300 billion yuan (about 41.86 billion U.S. dollars) medium-term lending facility (MLF) to maintain sufficient liquidity in the banking system.

    According to the regulator, the one-year transaction was carried out on a fixed-quantity basis and interest-rate trading.

    With 182 billion yuan of MLF maturing this month, net inflows through the facility in June were only 118 billion yuan.

    Earlier this month, the PBOC also conducted two direct reverse repos, which brought in a total of 200 billion yuan of net liquidity, bringing the total medium-term net liquidity injections for June to 318 billion yuan.

    Analysts note that as government bond issuance accelerates, sustained liquidity support plays a key role in reducing funding volatility and strengthening market expectations. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: School Waltz: Polytechnic Graduates from Lyceum

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The White Hall hosted a ceremonial presentation of certificates of secondary general education to graduates of the SPbPU Natural Science Lyceum. The Polytechnic University is honoring its youngest graduates in the year of the Lyceum’s 30th anniversary.

    The main heroes of the celebration were, of course, the smart, lively children, whom their parents and teachers looked at with emotion and tenderness. The younger brothers and sisters of the graduates, perhaps future lyceum and polytechnic students, were present in the hall.

    The first to congratulate the heroes of the occasion was the Vice-Rector for Additional and Pre-University Education Dmitry Tikhonov: Having entered the Natural Sciences Lyceum two years ago, you declared that you were students, and all this time you lived according to the rules of adult life – with sessions, exams, classes – so you are ready to continue your education at the university. Polytechnic is proud of you. It’s great that you studied at our school, do not forget about us, about your teachers, and come back with ideas and projects.

    The teachers also said that they would like to see their beloved students at the Polytechnic again, this time as students.

    “Today I thought about how different you are, my dear students, how different from each other,” physics teacher Fyodor Nikitin addressed the children. “In what different ways and means you achieved your goals. Some of you worked hard, while others caught everything on the fly. Some had and still have golden hands, while others relied more on their heads. Some were and still are geniuses of communication. And this difference ultimately makes you competitive. Therefore, I want to wish you to find a path on which all your strengths would manifest themselves, and all your shortcomings, on the contrary, would be smoothed out.”

    What did your lyceum years give you? You had some, you know, a small spark, some energy that allowed you to overcome difficulties. And this spark flared up. I wish that it, this power, would help you in the future, – added chemistry teacher Igor Menshikov.

    Physics teacher Tatyana Vorobyova said that she was proud of how the children coped with the Unified State Exam task in her subject.

    Someone wrote the same way as he studied all this time, but many wrote better! I am very glad that you remembered everything that we taught you and thus showed yourself. I do not want to say goodbye to you under any circumstances. I really hope that we will meet within these walls.

    Biology teacher Valentin Nikolsky singled out the students’ parents: Guys, you probably have the best parents. I don’t know them, but I know their embodiment, their children, wonderful and interesting. Thanks to you, I go to work with joy. Today is a little sad, of course, because I have to say goodbye to you, but I think not forever. Don’t forget your native lyceum.

    And here is the solemn moment – Vice-Rector Dmitry Tikhonov and Director of the Natural Sciences Lyceum Roman Baibikov presented the graduates with certificates and souvenirs. This year, 75 people graduated from the Lyceum: 61 – from the physics and mathematics department and 14 – from the chemical and biological department. Four graduates received certificates with first-degree honors (gold medal): Elizaveta Shabunina, Grigory Shchegolyaev, Alisa Teplova and Roza Gesina. Another six received certificates with second-degree honors (silver medal). These are Alexandra Prokopenko, Vyacheslav Kovalev, Ekaterina Churkina, Anastasia Kemnits and Maria Solovieva.

    All the lyceum graduates successfully passed the Unified State Exam. This year, gold medalist Grigory Shchegolyaev received 100 points in physics. The best result in the Unified State Exam — 275 points — was received by Vyacheslav Kovalev.

    Many lyceum students showed good results at city and all-Russian subject Olympiads. And Andrey Kapustyanik became a two-time prize winner of the final stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad (in the 10th and 11th grades) in robotics.

    This year, every graduate of the Lyceum automatically receives an additional 10 points when entering the Polytechnic University.

    After the ceremony of handing out certificates, Arseniy Kazachenko, whose two sons have already graduated from the Polytechnic Lyceum, spoke on behalf of the parents. He thanked the teachers and the administration and, of course, congratulated the children. The graduates themselves did not remain in debt – they also prepared a speech addressed to the teachers and parents, to everyone who supported them at this stage of their life.

    And then the young couples went up on stage and performed the school graduation waltz. This has been happening for many years now and has become a good tradition of the Polytechnic.

    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 Canada: Canada joins new NATO Defence Investment Pledge

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The world is increasingly dangerous and divided, with the rules-based international system under unprecedented pressure and global conflict becoming more frequent and volatile. To meet this moment, Canada and its Allies are building their defence capabilities to strengthen our collective security.

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that Canada and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies have agreed to a new Defence Investment Pledge of investing 5 per cent of annual GDP by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective security. The commitment aligns with Canada’s own strategic defence and security goals.

    As part of this 5 per cent pledge, Canada will invest 3.5 per cent of GDP for core military capabilities, expanding on our recent investments. That means further investments in our Canadian Armed Forces, modernizing our military equipment and technology, building up Canada’s defence industries, and diversifying our defence partnerships. An additional 1.5 per cent of GDP will be dedicated to investments in critical defence and security-related expenditure, such as new airports, ports, telecommunication, emergency preparedness systems, and other dual-use investments which serve defence as well as civilian readiness. Importantly, the progress of this pledge will be reviewed in 2029 to ensure Allies’ expenditures align with the global security landscape.

    At the Summit, Canada and its Allies reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and the leaders agreed on the imperative for a just and lasting peace. Canada’s contributions to Ukraine’s defence and its defence industries, including Canada’s $2 billion in military assistance announced last week at the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, are included in our NATO contributions, as the security of Ukraine is critical to our collective security.

    Quotes

    “The world is increasingly dangerous and divided. Canada must strengthen our defence to better protect our sovereignty, our interests, and our Allies. These investments won’t just build our military capacity – they will build our industries and create good, high-paying jobs at home. If we want a more secure world, we need a stronger Canada.”

    “Canada is a proud founding member of the Alliance. In an increasingly unstable and unpredictable world, we are making the critical investments needed to keep Canadians safe, support our Armed Forces, and strengthen our role in Europe and on the world stage. The renewed Defence Investment Pledge to invest 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 reaffirms Canada’s strong commitment to our security, to our sovereignty, and to NATO.”

    Related Product

    Associated Link

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Green maritime fuel supply chain set

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan today attended the Mainland-Hong Kong Green Energy Matchmaking Event, which aims to provide a collaborative platform for relevant suppliers and companies with demand, to catalyse a comprehensive green maritime fuel supply chain and trade.

    The event was organised by the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and co-organised by the Transport & Logistics Bureau (TLB) and the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province.

    It was held simultaneously in Hong Kong and Shenzhen today. 

    More than 200 representatives from various enterprises gathered to exchange views and discuss collaborations in relation to fuel off-take and to sign relevant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

    Speaking at the Hong Kong venue, Ms Chan said Hong Kong and the Mainland have strong complementarity in the development of green maritime fuels.

    “The Mainland’s core strength lies in the production of green fuels, while Hong Kong, as the southern gate of Mainland China and an international financial, trading and maritime centre, is not only home to a large number of international shipping enterprises, but also enjoys advantages such as free flow of capital, a financial and legal system that is in line with the rest of the world, and a trade settlement mechanism that allows immediate payment settlements.”

    She added that Hong Kong is the top bunkering centre in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the second largest in the whole of China and ranks seventh globally.

    “By adopting the ‘north-to-south sales’ model, under which the high-quality green maritime fuels produced on the Mainland can be exported to the world through Hong Kong’s international trading gateway, we will open up new ‘blue ocean’ opportunities for enterprises from the two places.”

    The transport chief also pointed out the event materialised the target of the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering promulgated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in November last year, which said the Government will develop Hong Kong into the preferred green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre in the region. 

    Furthermore, Ms Chan witnessed the signing of MoUs between the TLB and various parties to collaborate on promoting the development of green maritime fuel-related businesses and establishing a market for the trade of green maritime fuels.

    Meanwhile, Commissioner for Maritime & Port Development Amy Chan attended the event at the Shenzhen venue, where she announced that the Marine Department will gazette the Code of Practice for Methanol Bunkering within this month, and launch the Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Incentive Scheme.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Simpson Votes to Boost National Security and Border Protections

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Rep. Simpson Votes to Boost National Security and Border Protections

    Washington, June 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON—The House Committee on Appropriations voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported this advancement. This bill invests in border security and public safety and supports the Trump administration’s policy initiatives.
    “Under President Trump’s leadership, we have the most secure border in American history,” said Rep. Simpson. “Now is the time to strengthen our border protections and provide our brave Border Patrol agents with the resources they need to keep our homeland safe. I have long maintained that border security is national security, and supporting this advancement reaffirms that commitment.”
    Highlights of the bill include:

    Upholding the America First vision by realigning the Department of Homeland Security’s priorities around its fundamental mission: defending the nation against the threat posed by terrorists, criminals, and foreign adversaries and ensuring the safety and security of every American.
    Prioritizing border security and the detention and swift removal of criminal aliens.
    Enhancing resources to detect and counter the spread of deadly fentanyl that poisons our communities.
    Protecting vulnerable children by strengthening exploitation investigations.
    Prohibiting funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Critical Race Theory.
    Prohibiting gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and surgery for ICE detainees.

    The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 36 to 27.
    This funding package will now go to the full floor of the House of Representatives for further consideration.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Beeline Title Among the First to Close Crypto Real Estate Transaction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN – Beeline Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: BLNE) the fast-growing digital mortgage platform that shortens the path to homeownership, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Beeline Title holdings, Inc. (“Beeline Title”), has successfully closed what it believes to be among the first to close a residential real estate transaction funded through the sale of a cryptocurrency token backed by real property. The transaction marks a major milestone in the evolution of blockchain-driven real estate finance, bridging decentralized finance with traditional title and escrow services.

    “Several mortgage lenders are already developing funding models that involve the conversion of cryptocurrencies to U.S. dollars at closing,” said Nick Liuzza, CEO of Beeline Holdings. “But for these models to function at scale, you need a title company that not only understands blockchain transactions—but has the infrastructure to disburse and reconcile them in compliance with federal and state regulations.”

    Beeline’s TItle’s cryptocurrency-enabled transaction is the beginning of a broader rollout. Beeline Loans, Inc., another subsidiary, is set to launch a Fractional Sale of equity product leveagering the crypto ecosystem in early August 2025, with Beeline Title providing the title and closing services for each transaction—unless borrowers elect to use an outside title company.

    Importantly, Beeline Title will open this platform to all mortgage lenders, giving them access to a proven solution for cryptocurrency token transaction reconciliation, compliance and disbursement.

    Liuzza continued: “Our team built Linear Title, one of the largest privately held title agencies in the U.S., prior to merging with Real Matters and going public on the TSX. Through 2019, we closed over one million title transactions across all 50 states, and this new platform is an extension of that expertise—tailored to the next generation of mortgage transactions.”

    As cryptocurrency adoption accelerates and becomes regulated by federal and state governments, Beeline is positioning itself as a leader in this fastmoving ecosystem, offering trusted infrastructure to help lenders scale into a future where crypto and compliance go hand-in-hand.

    About Beeline Financial Holdings, Inc.

    Beeline Financial Holdings, Inc. is a trailblazing mortgage fintech transforming the way people access property financing. Through its fully digital, AI-powered platform, Beeline delivers a faster, smarter path to home loans—whether for primary residences or investment properties. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Beeline is reshaping mortgage origination with speed, simplicity, and transparency at its core. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Beeline Holdings and also operates Beeline Labs, its innovation arm focused on next-generation lending solutions.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the company’s prospective new home equity access product, the potential market for, timing, features, and demand for such product, and the benefits thereof. Forward-looking statements are prefaced by words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “intend,” “seem,” “potential,” “appear,” “continue,” “future,” believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” and similar words. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. We caution you, therefore, against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation, the possibility that estimates, projections and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based prove to be incorrect, the ultimate interest of homeowners in unlocking liquidity and Beeline’s ability to attract homeowners, its reliance on a related party to raise capital to fund the real estate transactions and the Risk Factors contained in our Form 10-K filed April 15, 2025. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this presentation speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Investor Contact:
    investors@makeabeeline.com

    Media Contact:
    press@makeabeeline.com

    Wire Service Contact:
    IBN
    Austin, Texas
    www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
    512.354.7000 Office
    Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: List of Sweepstakes Casinos USA: Time2Play Highlights Key Updates for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For all casino enthusiasts, Time2Play has released a detailed analysis of the sweepstakes casino landscape in 2025, revealing important updates and insights that can significantly impact how players engage with sweepstakes casinos this year. These developments will be accessible to players through Time2Play’s website, where the full report can be found. This release focuses on providing an overview of the changes in the industry, but for those who are looking for more in-depth findings, all the details are available directly on the Time2Play platform.

    As the world of sweepstakes casinos evolves, it’s crucial for players to stay informed on the latest trends and updates. While we can’t go into the specifics here, Time2Play’s report offers a comprehensive analysis, including emerging technologies, new game formats, and legal changes that will influence how sweepstakes casinos operate in 2025. This update is essential reading for anyone interested in the sweepstakes casino scene and looking to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly growing market.

    Why Time2Play is the Go-To Resource for Sweepstakes Casino Updates

    As sweepstakes casinos gain popularity across the United States, Time2Play has solidified its position as a leader in offering reliable, up-to-date information on the topic. Their comprehensive analysis of the sweepstakes casino market for 2025 explores crucial topics such as the technological advancements and features that will define the landscape for players and operators alike.

    Rather than listing all of the findings here, we encourage you to visit the Time2Play website where you can access the full breakdown of their research. This includes insights into game selection, payment systems, legal shifts, and the latest trends that are shaping the future of online gaming in the sweepstakes space.

    Key Insights and Trends in Sweepstakes Casinos for 2025

    Technological Advancements in Sweepstakes Casinos

    The sweepstakes casino market has always been known for its ability to innovate and keep pace with technological changes. In 2025, players can expect further integration of advanced technology into their gaming experience. These updates will include enhanced mobile functionality, improved payment processing systems, and the use of live dealer options that bring real-time interactions to online platforms.

    Time2Play’s 2025 analysis goes into detail about these technological advancements, showing how new features will improve the overall player experience. From mobile gaming optimization to cutting-edge security measures, these updates will make it easier for players to access their favorite games from anywhere while ensuring a safe and smooth gaming environment.

    Moreover, technological advancements in sweepstakes casinos are likely to have a direct impact on the speed and efficiency of gameplay, making the experience even more engaging. Live streaming, faster load times, and smoother transitions between game rounds are all expected to be part of the new developments. By visiting Time2Play, players can dive deeper into these updates and learn how they will affect the sweepstakes casino experience in the coming year.

    Emerging Game Variants and Betting Options

    Players who are familiar with the classic sweepstakes casino games will be pleased to know that 2025 is bringing new variations to some of the most popular games. Time2Play’s report touches on how operators are diversifying their game offerings, introducing new betting structures and unique game formats that cater to different types of players.

    While the classic slots, roulette, and poker games will still dominate the sweepstakes scene, newer game types are emerging that offer more interaction and strategic elements. These include multi-level jackpot games, progressive betting options, and a broader selection of side bets that increase the excitement and winning potential.

    For players looking to explore these new variants, Time2Play provides all the necessary details. They highlight the different types of games that will be available in 2025 and how they can enhance the player experience, making it easier for people to find a game that suits their style and strategy. By exploring these updates on Time2Play, readers can understand what’s new and how they can get the most out of their sweepstakes gaming experience.

    Legal Developments Impacting Sweepstakes Casinos in 2025

    Another important aspect of Time2Play’s 2025 report involves the legal landscape surrounding sweepstakes casinos in the United States. As gambling regulations continue to evolve, it is critical for players to stay informed about the legal status of sweepstakes casinos in their respective states. The legal landscape has seen changes, with more states recognizing the benefits of regulated online gambling, and Time2Play offers a breakdown of how these developments will affect players.

    Time2Play’s report provides an overview of the shifting laws and regulations, including state-specific policies that may impact players’ ability to participate in sweepstakes casino games. These changes will likely influence how casinos operate, what promotions are available, and how payments are processed. For anyone interested in staying compliant with the latest legal standards, the full report is available on Time2Play’s website, which dives deeper into the legal implications of these shifts.

    Why You Should Visit Time2Play for Detailed Insights

    While we’ve only provided a brief summary of Time2Play’s 2025 report, the full version is available on their website, offering a much more detailed and thorough examination of the sweepstakes casino market. Players who want to stay ahead of the game in 2025 should definitely visit Time2Play to explore the in-depth findings. The full analysis includes critical information about new trends, the impact of new laws, and how technology is reshaping the sweepstakes casino industry.

    How to Access the Full Report on Time2Play

    If you’re interested in accessing the complete analysis and insights for 2025, be sure to visit Time2Play’s website. The full report goes into detail about each of these points, offering players and operators the information they need to make informed decisions in the year ahead. The website is the go-to destination for sweepstakes casino updates, as it compiles all the important data in one place, making it easy for readers to stay up-to-date with everything that’s happening in the world of sweepstakes gaming.

    Conclusion: Stay Updated with Time2Play’s 2025 Report

    As sweepstakes casinos continue to grow in popularity, it’s more important than ever to stay informed about the latest updates and trends. Time2Play’s 2025 report provides valuable insights that will help both players and operators navigate the ever-evolving sweepstakes casino landscape. To dive deeper into these developments, visit Time2Play’s website and read the full analysis for a more comprehensive understanding of what’s in store for sweepstakes casinos in 2025.

    The future of sweepstakes casinos in the USA is bright, and with Time2Play’s expert analysis, players can ensure they’re well-prepared to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Data443 Risk Mitigation Acquires TacitRed™ External Attack Surface Management SaaS Platform from Cogility

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Advanced Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform Strengthens Data443’s Comprehensive Security Portfolio and Accelerates Market Expansion

    RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. (OTCPK: ATDS) (“Data443” or the “Company”), a data security and privacy software company for “All Things Data Security,” today announced its thirteenth acquisition – TacitRed™ threat intelligence SaaS product from Cogility, a premier continuous decision intelligence platform provider.

    TacitRed brings a sophisticated approach to threat detection and analysis, leveraging specialized network traffic sampling via NetFlow technology to deliver real-time threat intelligence at unprecedented scale. This acquisition adds advanced threat intelligence capabilities to Data443’s already robust portfolio of data security solutions.

    TacitRed has achieved remarkable success, surpassing one billion threat findings while continuously analyzing massive volumes of global attack signals and threat intelligence sources. TacitRed provides actionable intelligence on active exposures, attacks, and risks affecting over 13 million U.S. companies, delivering unparalleled, on-demand threat findings that enable rapid response and mitigation.

    “This acquisition represents an important addition to our comprehensive data security ecosystem,” commented Jason Remillard, Founder and CEO of Data443. “TacitRed’s high-volume, detailed sampling approach ensure our customers receive the most current and actionable threat intelligence available in the market. Its proven track record, combined with its strong customer pipeline, positions us for significant growth acceleration, and we anticipate this acquisition to be accretive to our financial performance in 2025.”

    Martin Artiano, CEO of Cogility, commented, “The cyber domain experts we hired to build TacitRed made excellent use of the advanced features of Cogynt and the results were impressive. Generating continuous, detailed and curated threat findings for 13M companies was a difficult task for such a small team. We are happy that Data443 recognized the value of the people, the findings and the platform.”

    Thomas Johnson, the leader of TacitRed and his team will join Data443 as part of the transaction. Thomas added, “When a group of us from Coalition cyber insurance saw the power of the Cogynt platform, we decided to join Cogility and build a real-time, population-scale extended attack surface management capability. Our product delivers actionable threat intelligence to both cyber insurance and corporate customers, helping them stay ahead of emerging risks. We’re incredibly excited for this next chapter as TacitRed joins forces with Data443. This acquisition gives us access to an even broader range of threat intelligence, which will accelerate our ability to enhance both platforms. The team is energized by what’s ahead, and we’re looking forward to what we can accomplish together.”

    More than simply providing a data lake capability, Cogynt surfaces data points as they occur within the platform.

    Jason Remillard continued, “The platform architecture and comprehensive data sets we have acquired are truly without match in the marketplace, making this a perfect strategic fit with our existing client base. The integration creates powerful synergies that will benefit both our current customers and TacitRed’s established user community.”

    This acquisition builds upon Data443’s recent strategic initiatives, including the Company’s partnership with leading datacenter solutions provider TierPoint as part of their new data center opening in the Research Triangle area..

    As well Data443 acquired AI-powered email privacy and categorization platform Breezemail.ai for work in conjunction with its Cyren By Data443 platform. These strategic relationships position Data443 to capitalize on the growing demand for comprehensive data security and threat intelligence solutions

    About Cogility

    Cogility provides continuous decision intelligence solutions for real-time risk and opportunity assessment at scale through its advanced Cogynt™ platform. The platform enables continuous risk and opportunity assessment, allowing organizations to make decisions and take action with greater confidence, resulting in a competitive advantage.

    Cogility’s decision intelligence platform integrates event stream processing, real-time behavioral analytics, no-code modeling, and business process integration, enabling organizations to transform massive, diverse data sets into predictive and actionable intelligence. Government and commercial organizations trust the platform for its robust real-time data processing, no-code authoring, and advanced analytics capabilities. For more information, visit: https://cogility.com/

    About TacitRed™

    TacitRed™ provides tactical attack surface intelligence through continuous cyber threat and attack analysis. The platform continuously analyzes massive amounts of global attack signals and threat intelligence sources to pinpoint active exposures, attacks, and risks affecting organizations worldwide.

    The platform has achieved significant scale, surpassing one billion threat findings while providing unparalleled, on-demand intelligence. TacitRed’s core value proposition centers on unlocking fully curated, prioritized, and actionable threat findings within external attack surfaces instantly, requiring only a company domain for comprehensive analysis. For more information, visit: https://tacitred.com/

    About Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc.

    Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. (OTCPK: ATDS) provides software and services to enable secure data across devices and databases, at rest and in flight/in transit, locally, on a network or in the cloud. We are All Things Data Security™. With over 10,000 customers in over 100 countries, Data443 provides a modern approach to data governance and security by identifying and protecting all sensitive data regardless of location, platform or format. Data443’s framework helps customers prioritize risk, identify security gaps and implement effective data protection and privacy management strategies. For more information, visit: https://data443.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by use of terms such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursuant,” “target,” “continue” or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding Data443’s plans, objectives, future opportunities for Data443’s services, future financial performance and operating results, and any other statements regarding Data443’s future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance, or regarding the anticipated consummation of any transaction, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are difficult to predict or are beyond Data443’s control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. They may relate to the outcome of litigation, settlements and investigations; actions by third parties, including governmental agencies; volatility in customer spending; global economic conditions; inability to hire and retain personnel; loss of, or reduction in business with, key customers; difficulty with growth and integration of acquisitions; product liability; cybersecurity risk; anti-takeover measures in the Company’s charter documents; and the uncertainties created by global health issues, such as the ongoing outbreak of COVID, and political unrest and conflict, such as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. These and other important risk factors are described more fully in the Company’s reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”), including in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 17, 2024, and subsequent filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Data443 undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

    “DATA443” is a registered trademark of Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc.

    All product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this press release are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

    For further information:        
    Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/data443-risk-mitigation-inc/
    Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZXDhJcx-XgMBhvE9aFHRdA
    Sign up for our Investor Newsletter: https://data443.com/investor-email-alerts/

    To learn more about Data443, please watch the Company’s video introduction on its YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/1Fp93jOxFSg

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Matthew Abenante
    ir@data443.com
    919.858.6542

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The mystery of Mercury’s missing meteorites – and how we may have finally found some

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ben Rider-Stokes, Post Doctoral Researcher in Achondrite Meteorites, The Open University

    Mercury seen by Nasa’s Messenger spacecraft on the left. On the right, there’s an approximation of Mercury’s true colour as might be seen by the human eye. NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington

    Most meteorites that have reached Earth come from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. But we have 1,000 or so meteorites that come from the Moon and Mars. This is probably a result of asteroids hitting their surfaces and ejecting material towards our planet.

    It should also be physically possible for such debris to reach the Earth from Mercury, another nearby rocky body. But so far, none have been confirmed to come from there – presenting a longstanding mystery.

    A new study my colleagues and I conducted has discovered two meteorites that could have a Mercurian origin. If confirmed, they would offer a rare window into Mercury’s formation and evolution, potentially reshaping our understanding of the planet nearest the Sun.

    Because Mercury is so close to the Sun, any space mission to retrieve a sample from there would be complex and costly. A naturally delivered fragment, therefore, may be the only practical way to study its surface directly – making such a discovery scientifically invaluable.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Observations from Nasa’s Messenger mission have inferred the surface composition of Mercury. This suggests the presence of minerals known as such as sodium-rich plagioclase (such as albite), iron-poor pyroxene (for example enstatite), iron-poor olivine (such as forsterite) and sulfide minerals such as oldhamite.

    The meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 7325 was initially proposed as a possible fragment of Mercury. However, its mineralogy includes chromium-rich pyroxene containing approximately 1% iron. This poorly matches Mercury’s estimated surface composition. As a result of this, and other factors, this link has been challenged.

    Aubrite meteorites have also been proposed as potential Mercurian fragments. Recent modelling of their formation suggests an origin from a large planetary body approximately 5,000km in diameter (similar to Mercury), potentially supporting this hypothesis.

    Although aubrites do not exhibit chemical or spectral (the study of how light is broken up by wavelength) similarities with Mercury’s surface, it has been hypothesised that they may derive from the planet’s shallow mantle (the layer beneath the surface). Despite ongoing research, the existence of a definitive meteorite from Mercury remains unproven.

    Our latest study investigated the properties of two unusual meteorites, Ksar Ghilane 022 and Northwest Africa 15915. We found that the two samples appear to be related, probably originating from the same parent body. Their mineralogy and surface composition also exhibit intriguing similarities to Mercury’s crust. So this has prompted us to speculate about a possible Mercurian origin.

    Both meteorites contain olivine and pyroxene, minor albitic plagioclase and oldhamite. Such features are consistent with predictions for Mercury’s surface composition. Additionally, their oxygen compositions match those of aubrites.
    These shared characteristics make the samples compelling candidates for being Mercurian material.

    However, notable differences exist. Both meteorites contain only trace amounts of plagioclase, in contrast to Mercury’s surface, which is estimated to contain over 37%. Furthermore, our study suggests that the age of the samples is about 4,528 million years old. This is significantly older than Mercury’s oldest recognised surface units, which are predicted (based on crater counting) to be approximately 4,000 million years.

    If these meteorites do originate from Mercury, they may represent early material that is no longer preserved in the planet’s current surface geology.

    Will we ever know?

    To link any meteorite to a specific asteroid type, moon or planet is extremely challenging. For example, laboratory analysis of Apollo samples allowed meteorites found in desert collection expeditions to be matched with the lunar materials. Martian meteorites have been identified through similarities between the composition of gases trapped in the meteorites with measurements of the martian atmosphere by spacecraft.

    Until we visit Mercury and bring back material, it will be extremely difficult to assess a meteorite-planet link.

    The BepiColombo space mission, by the European and Japanese space agencies, is now in orbit around Mercury and is about to send back high-resolution data. This may help us determine the ultimate origin body for Ksar Ghilane 022 and Northwest Africa 15915.

    If meteorites from Mercury were discovered, they could help resolve a variety of long-standing scientific questions. For example, they could reveal the age and evolution of Mercury’s crust, its mineralogical and geochemical composition and the nature of its gases.

    The origin of these samples is likely to remain a subject of continuing debate within the scientific community. Several presentations have already been scheduled for the upcoming Meteoritical Society Meeting 2025 in Australia. We look forward to future discussions that will further explore and refine our understanding of their potential origin.

    For now, all we can do is make educated guesses. What do you think?

    Ben Rider-Stokes receives funding from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

    – ref. The mystery of Mercury’s missing meteorites – and how we may have finally found some – https://theconversation.com/the-mystery-of-mercurys-missing-meteorites-and-how-we-may-have-finally-found-some-259596

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jackson Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL-01) and Jim Baird (R-IN-04) led 43 of their colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act. This legislation would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor — America’s first Black sports star, recognizing his significance to the nation as a trailblazing athlete. 

    Taylor managed to become the first African American world champion in any sport and earned the title of “world’s fastest man” despite the extraordinary challenges of the Jim Crow era. He endured attempts by white promoters in both the North and South to exclude him from races. White riders, too, subjected Taylor to curses, insults, and even physical harm during competitions. Despite these adversities, Taylor’s exceptional talent and tenacity turned him into a sensation, drawing tens of thousands at races across the United States, Europe, and Australia.

    “It is without question that Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor was a man before his time, a stellar athlete, a leader in the field of cycling, and a trailblazer,” said Rep. Jackson. “I believe it is fitting that Congress award the ‘world’s fastest man’ one of our nation’s most prestigious honors.”

    “Even when compared to today’s athletes, Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor is among the greatest cyclists of all time,” said Rep. Baird. “His accomplishments are especially impressive considering the challenges he faced on his climb to cycling greatness. Marshall Taylor is one of the greatest athletes in Indiana history, and I can think of no one better suited to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.”

    “Marshall W. ‘Major’ Taylor challenged both the odds and the adversity of his time with dignity and determination, and he went on to ultimately triumph,” said Karen Brown Donovan, the great-granddaughter of Major Taylor. “The awarding of a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal would be a significant achievement towards honoring his life and legacy.”

    Supporting Individuals and Groups

    119th Congress

    Co-lead: Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

    Original Cosponsors (44 total): Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI-AL), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), David Scott (D-GA-13), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02),  Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Sharice Davis (D-KS-03),  Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09),  Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04),  Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC),  Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Danny Davis (D-IL-07),  Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12),  Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Cleo Fields (D-LA-06),  Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Andre Carson (D-IN-07), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26), Nanette Barragan (D-CA-44), Troy Carter (D-LA-02),  Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Shomari Figures (D-AL-02).

    Supporting Organizations: Washington Area Bicyclist Association, The League of American Bicyclists, Major Taylor Association, Bike to the Beach, and Black Girls Do Bike, Inc.

    118th Congress

    Co-lead: Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

    Original Cosponsors (32 total): Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), André Carson (D-IN-07), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA-04), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Earl Blumenauer (D-WA-03), James McGovern (D-MA-02), David Scott (D-GA-13), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Al Green (D-TX-09), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Chuy Garcia (D-IL-04), David Trone (D-MD-06), Ann Kuster (D-NH-02), John Duarte (R-CA-13), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Joe Wilson (R-SC-02). 

    Supporting Organizations: Bronzeville Trail Task Force, Inc., Major Taylor Association, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, League of American Bicyclists, ADD Impact Network & Bike to the Beach, and Black Girls Do Bike, Inc. 

    About Major Taylor

    Taylor, the son of a veteran who fought in the Civil War, was born in 1878. Despite racial tension, Taylor was educated and viewed as an adopted son by an affluent white family from Indianapolis, Indiana, who also employed his father, Gilbert Taylor. Due to his relationship with the family, Taylor received gifts, including his first bicycle. Upon receiving the bicycle, Taylor displayed natural talent. 

    Taylor received the nickname “Major” as a child while performing bicycle tricks outside of his workplace at Hay & Willits Manufacturing, Indiana Bicycle Co., in Indianapolis. His employer was so impressed with his abilities that the company enrolled him in his first race, which he won at the age of eleven. Taylor moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, with his employer, mentor, and racing manager, Louis D. “Birdie” Munger, in 1895, because Munger was forced out of his Indianapolis-based firm due to his mentorship of Taylor. 

    In 1896, at the age of eighteen, Taylor received a professional racing license from the League of American Wheelmen, despite the league’s 1894 “white only” rule for amateur membership. This membership led to his eventual professional debut.  

    Later that year, Taylor gained notoriety in his first professional contest by competing in the “Six Day Race” at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This race was considered a test of endurance, where cyclists would test both their mental and physical ability in front of a packed house at the Garden. At the conclusion of day six, Taylor finished eighth out of twenty-six and cycled roughly 1,732 miles. 

    In 1899, Taylor would win the world one-mile sprint championship in Montréal, becoming the first Black American and the second Black athlete to win a world title. Taylor would go on to set seven cycling records and become the first Black world champion, which led to his being considered the first international superstar. Taylor would even revolutionize the sport by creating an innovative adjustable handlebar stem, which to date is called the “Major Taylor Stem.”

    While experiencing racial prejudice throughout his career, Taylor became one of the first Black athletes to secure corporate sponsorships. He represented bicycle brands such as Iver Johnson, Sager, Stearns, and Orient, eventually becoming one of the wealthiest Black men in America. Due to his devout commitment to his faith, Taylor refused to race on Sundays, which led to him turning down a significant number of lucrative offers to race in Europe. However, once he achieved international superstardom, Taylor was able to negotiate “no Sundays” provisions in his European racing contracts. 

    Taylor retired from racing in 1910 and started many business ventures. In 1928, he published his autobiography “The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World” with the intent of impacting justice, equal rights, and the ‘square deal’ for African Americans in sports. 

    About the Congressional Gold Medal

    Since the late 1700s, Congress has expressed public gratitude to individuals and groups by awarding medals and other similar decorations. The Continental Congress awarded the first Congressional Gold Medals. Since that time, Congress has awarded gold medals to express public gratitude for distinguished contributions, dramatize the virtues of patriotism, and perpetuate the remembrance of great events. Two-thirds of both the House and Senate must cosponsor the legislation to advance it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs participates in the 49th Extraordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha – June 24, 2025

    Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has participated in the 49th extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), held in Doha, under the chairmanship of HE Abdullah Al-Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly State of Kuwait, Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, and in the presence of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the GCC countries.

    During the meeting, the latest developments in the region were discussed, particularly the Iranian missile attack on Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, in addition to a number of topics of common interest.

    During the meeting, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar’s strong condemnation of the attack on Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, considering it a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law and the United Nations Charter. He noted that Qatar will continue to deal with all developments wisely, in line with its commitment to the principle of good neighborliness and the promotion of security and stability in the region.

    He also expressed the State of Qatar’s gratitude to the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, who expressed their sister countries’ solidarity with Qatar following the Iranian attack, stressing that Gulf solidarity remains a crucial factor in light of common challenges.

    During the meeting, the Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf expressed its full solidarity with the State of Qatar and its full support for the measures it is taking to preserve its security and stability.

    MIL OSI Africa –