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MIL-OSI Submissions: How universities can keep protests from turning violent: 3 lessons from the 2024 pro-Palestinian encampments

Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Matthew J. Mayhew, Professor of Higher Education, The Ohio State University

Pro-Palestinian supporters march outside Columbia University in September 2024. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

In spring 2024, pro-Palestinian student encampments that began at Columbia and Harvard spread to university campuses throughout the U.S. as Israel invaded Gaza in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack. At least 100 campuses had encampments for at least a few days during this period.

While some campuses erupted in violence, others remained peaceful and didn’t experience the open conflict that led to congressional hearings, university presidents losing their jobs and repercussions that are continuing to be felt today.

What made the difference?

In spring 2024, Ohio State University’s College Impact Laboratory, where we all work, surveyed universities to learn more about whether their campuses experienced protests, what happened and how they handled them. Part of our goal was to understand how spiritual leaders played a role, if any, in managing the protests. We’ve been analyzing the data ever since. The results from those who responded point to several lessons universities could learn from to avoid violence in future protests.

Campuses are a critical arena for activism

Campus protests have long been a defining feature of social and political change in the U.S. From the civil rights movements of the 1950s and 1960s to the student-led climate strikes of recent years, higher education institutions have served as a critical space for activism.

Often, these protests reflect broader societal tensions, and how universities respond has played a significant role in shaping their outcomes.

Historically, protests have been most likely to escalate when students feel unheard. In contrast, institutions that adopt proactive strategies, such as facilitating conversations or including students in decision-making, often experience better outcomes.

A George Washington University student carries a Palestinian flag at a student encampment protesting the Israel-Hamas war in May 2024.
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Snapshot of the pro-Palestinian protests

As our survey data shows, the pro-Palestinian protests illustrate this dynamic.

To gather data, the College Impact Laboratory sent questionnaires to administrators at the 329 universities that participate in our Interfaith Spiritual, Religious and Secular Campus Climate Index, also known as the INSPIRES Index, as well as hundreds of colleges and universities in our recruitment database.

In all, 35 schools responded to our 23-question survey. Of those, we found that most protests were led by students, half lasted less than a week, and the vast majority were nonviolent. Fifteen did not have protests, while the rest did. While the number of institutions that participated in this survey is relatively small, it does give us key insights into what schools were thinking.

Half of the campuses with protests reported law enforcement involvement – either campus police or city officers – with 20% experiencing physical altercations between protesters and police. Other disruptive actions such as academic interruptions, vandalism, physical violence and doxxing were reported with varying frequencies.

Protests at campuses that participated in our survey peaked during April and May 2024, with 70% of them experiencing demonstrations in these months.

Here are three takeaways from the survey, suggesting steps universities can take before and during future protests to avoid escalation:

1. Involve students in guidelines for engagement – early

At every surveyed institution that reported protests, students were at the forefront of organizing and leading these efforts.

Yet, despite this clear student leadership, about one-third of institutions said they didn’t consult with students to establish guidelines for engagement. Those that did invited representatives from student organizations or student government officers into the policymaking process to determine what protocols would be followed to manage protests and keep them peaceful.

On campuses where administrators didn’t engage with student leaders, tensions tended to escalate, and protests disrupted the institutions for weeks, often after police were called in or curfews were imposed.

While many of the protests lasted only one to seven days, we found that institutions that opened lines of communication early between administration and student protest leaders were more likely to deescalate tensions quickly. In contrast, campuses where administrators did not engage early on saw protests lasting weeks or involving greater disruptions.

Also, institutions that engaged early with student leaders were less likely to face stronger demands, such as calls for administrators to be fired, divestment from Israeli companies or calls to defund the campus police.

Our survey results suggest it’s important for administrators to engage with students early to establish clear guidelines to make it less likely future protests spiral into violence.

2. Communicate openly, often and before protests

Discussion of difficult topics, such as the conflict between Israel and Palestinians, shouldn’t wait until protests break out to begin. We found that every school in our survey that proactively supported dialogue between Jews and Muslims – before the war broke out – didn’t see violence result from the protests.

Dialogue isn’t just a strategy for preventing protests from spiraling out of control; it is fundamental to intergroup learning in higher education. These events create safe spaces for students − whether Arab, Jewish, Palestinian or members of different ethnic or religious groups − to engage with classmates with different points of view.

But even once protests begin, dialogue can help. When institutions engaged in dialogue, during or as a result of a protest, the protests were less likely to involve violence. At half of the campuses that participated in our survey and experienced protests, protests were ended peacefully through dialogue.

Brown, for example, modeled the power of institutional listening in its response to its April 2024 encampment. Rather than escalating tensions, university leaders engaged directly with student activists, resulting in a peaceful resolution and a commitment to bring the students’ divestment proposal to a formal vote in October. It ultimately failed to pass the board of directors.

Demonstrators unfurl a banner on a lawn after an encampment protesting the Israel-Hamas war was taken down at Brown University on April 30, 2024, in Providence, R.I.
AP Photo/David Goldman

3. Involve relevant groups in decision-making

Most administrators in our survey, as they considered how to engage with protesters, reached out to relevant student groups such as those that focus on Jewish and Muslim students to better understand their perspectives.

However, only 28% consulted a religious or spiritual life office staff member on campus.

Religious or spiritual life staff are present on both private and public campuses and may include university-employed multifaith chaplains, interfaith coordinators or directors of spiritual life. Unlike student-led religious groups, these professionals often serve as liaisons to the religious and nonreligious communities represented on campus.

The focus of such roles on serving students from all worldviews positions them as key resources for deescalation through community outreach, support and two-way communication. Additionally, these professionals have valuable expertise in religious pluralism and community relationships. This experience helps them to advise administrators on policy and potential courses of action in times of tension.

Consulting with university staff with a focus on religion or spiritual life makes particular sense given the nature of the protests and how religion is intertwined, but our data suggests they may be underutilized more broadly for their expertise in navigating tensions related to competing worldviews.

Proactive engagement with these leaders not only helps campuses navigate an immediate crisis but demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and respect for different groups’ perspectives.

Leading by example

Put another way, our research suggests institutions can avoid the negative outcomes of protests by embodying the traits commonly associated with universities, such as showing mutual respect, fostering democratic debate and engaging in critical thinking even on divisive issues. Engaging from a mindset of goodwill with student leaders shows administrators value student voices and are willing to work collaboratively toward solutions.

But when campuses ignore peaceful protests or refuse to engage with student leaders, they risk turning manageable situations into prolonged crises.

At a time when divisions run deep, we believe campuses that lead by example by embracing dialogue and engaging student activists before, during and after protests take place are not only likely to see less violence, but are likely to help heal America’s great divides.

Matthew J. Mayhew receives grant funding for various research projects from the National Science Foundation, the ECMC Foundation, the Templeton Religion Trust, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and Pew Charitable Trusts. Currently, Dr. Mayhew leads the College Impact Laboratory at The Ohio State University. He is the Principal Investigator for the INSPIRES Index project and is the current editor of the Digest of Recent Research.

Renee L. Bowling works for the College Impact Lab at The Ohio State University that produces the INSPIRES Index and serves as Chair of NASPA’s Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education Knowledge Community.

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

– ref. How universities can keep protests from turning violent: 3 lessons from the 2024 pro-Palestinian encampments – https://theconversation.com/how-universities-can-keep-protests-from-turning-violent-3-lessons-from-the-2024-pro-palestinian-encampments-252278

MIL OSI –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: A law from the era of Red Scares is supercharging Trump administration’s power over immigrants and noncitizens

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Tichenor, Professor of Political Science, University of Oregon

The Trump administration detained former Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian protest leader Mahmoud Khalil, center, for more than two months and is seeking to revoke his lawful permanent resident status. Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

Nativism, the idea that government must guard native-born Americans from various threats posed by immigrants, has a long history in the United States.

Today, the Trump administration is citing the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, a restrictive measure written by nativist members of Congress decades ago when fears of communism were rampant, to sharply restrict the rights of noncitizens.

Under this law, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, federal agencies have arrested and detained noncitizens associated with pro-Palestinian protests, reintroduced immigrant registration requirements, and imposed a new travel ban that affects 19 nations.

Since the 1950s, Congress has removed some of this sprawling federal law’s most discriminatory features, such as racist national origins quotas. But other key provisions remain on the books. Now they are the primary legal basis for some of President Donald Trump’s most controversial immigration crackdowns.

Author and reporter Clay Risen discusses parallels between anticommunist fears in the 1950s and the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies.

Foreign policy trumps free speech

In March 2025, the White House invoked the McCarran-Walter Act to justify arresting and deporting Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who had participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. Officials pointed to Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the law, which states that any “alien whose presence or activities in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable ground to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States is deportable.”

This has been tried only once before. In 1995, the Clinton administration unsuccessfully sought to use the provision to deport a former Mexican official, Mario Ruiz Massieu, to face charges in his homeland for extortion and obstructing a murder investigation. Ruiz Massieu was later indicted in the U.S. on money laundering charges and died by suicide shortly before his arraignment.

The Trump administration cited the same provision to justify detaining Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk in March. Ozturk came under government scrutiny because she co-authored an op-ed in the Tufts student newspaper criticizing the university’s position on the Israel-Gaza war.

Surveillance footage of a terrified Ozturk being arrested by masked Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents on a street in Somerville, Massachusetts, drew criticism from government officials and civil liberties advocates. In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged that Ozturk had harmed U.S. interests by supporting “movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus.”

Khalil and Ozturk both were released after weeks in detention, pending final resolution of their cases. Their lawyers argue that their clients’ treatment violates free speech protections and that the defendants were punished for expressing their political beliefs.

Monitoring noncitizens

The McCarran-Walter Act also authorizes intrusive registration and tracking requirements for noncitizens who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer.

On Jan. 20, 2025, Trump issued an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to enforce an “alien registration requirement.” The agency issued a final rule in April requiring all noncitizens over the age of 14 to register and be fingerprinted. Parents or guardians must register noncitizen children under age 14. The rule also requires adult noncitizens to carry “evidence of registration” at all times.

Such policies aren’t new. Noncitizen registration was codified in the Alien Registration Act of 1940, on the eve of U.S. entry into World War II. The law was designed to regulate the foreign-born population and encourage eligible noncitizens to join the U.S. armed forces. Its requirements were written into the McCarran-Walter Act.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration created the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, which targeted noncitizen males age 16 or older from 25 Muslim-majority countries. It required registrants to submit biometric information, check in regularly with immigration authorities and use specific ports of entry for travel.

The Obama administration suspended this system in 2011 and permanently dismantled it in 2016.

Today, Trump administration officials say they are simply enforcing long-standing legal authority. A federal judge agreed, ruling on April 10 that the Homeland Security Department could require noncitizens to register and carry documentation.

The Trump administration says it will strictly enforce a long-standing requirement for immigrants in the country more than 30 days to register with the federal government.

Travel bans redux

On June 2, Trump announced a new travel ban on foreign nationals from 12 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East. The ban draws its authority from the McCarran-Walter Act. Two days later, Trump claimed the same legal discretion to exclude Harvard University’s international students from the U.S.

During his first term, Trump invoked these sections of the law to justify a travel ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately upheld this action in 2018 by a 5-4 vote in Trump v. Hawaii. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the travel ban was well within broad powers over immigration granted to the president under the McCarran-Walter Act. He added that the court had “no view on the soundness of the policy.”

Trump’s new ban is more carefully crafted than earlier versions and more likely to withstand legal challenges. But his efforts to use the McCarren-Walter Act to ban international students from attending Harvard University face stiff legal headwinds.

On May 22, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem notified Harvard officials that the agency was revoking the school’s certification to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which grants visas to international students to come to the U.S. In a June 4 proclamation, the White House claimed that foreign students at Harvard had behaved in ways that threatened U.S. national security.

A federal judge in Boston quickly blocked the revocation, holding that it violated core constitutional free speech rights. “The government’s misplaced efforts to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints seemingly because they are, in some instances, opposed to this administration’s own views, threaten these rights,” wrote Judge Allison D. Burroughs.

The latest step came on July 9, when the Trump administration subpoenaed Harvard for information on its foreign students, including their disciplinary records and involvement in campus protests.

Broad power over noncitizens

Ironically, congressional sponsors of the McCarran-Walter Act were at odds with the White House when the law was enacted in 1952. They overrode a veto by President Harry S. Truman, who thought the law’s nativist ideas were unfitting for a nation of immigrants and global defender of democracy.

However, the expansive executive powers created by this law have endured largely unaltered over time, through waves of immigration reform.

Now they are a boon to the Trump administration’s ambitious immigration crackdown. It’s a telling reminder that repressive old laws can come back to life – even when they don’t reflect the current views of many Americans.

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

– ref. A law from the era of Red Scares is supercharging Trump administration’s power over immigrants and noncitizens – https://theconversation.com/a-law-from-the-era-of-red-scares-is-supercharging-trump-administrations-power-over-immigrants-and-noncitizens-255307

MIL OSI –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Misogynistic myths kicked out of classrooms to protect children
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Misogynistic myths kicked out of classrooms to protect children

Government publishes final statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance for schools.
Children and young people will be better protected from the scourge of misogynism, deepfake porn and unhealthy attitudes to consent, power and control through new Relationships, Sex and Health Education guidance for schools being published today (Tuesday 15 July).

The statutory guidance has a new focus on helping boys identify positive role models, and challenge myths about women and relationships that are spread online in the ‘manosphere’ – without stigmatising boys for being boys.

Secondary schools will also now include lessons on incel culture, including how a piece of content online can impact a person’s understanding of sexual ethics and behaviour, as well as increasing awareness of AI, deepfakes and how pornography links to misogyny.

It comes as new data published today shows misogynistic attitudes have reached epidemic scale by the end of secondary school. When asked to think about just the past week, over a third (37%) of pupils aged 11-19 had heard comments that made them concerned about the safety of girls, and over half (54%) said they had witnessed comments they would describe as misogynistic.

Other additions to the curriculum include spiking and methanol poisoning, increased focus on resilience and coping, a strengthened health syllabus so children are equipped with necessary knowledge on women’s health such as endometriosis and fertility.

The guidance builds on the government’s commitment to give every school child access to a mental health professional, delivering on the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, and comes ahead of the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy due to be published in the autumn.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

Before I was elected to Parliament, I managed a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence, so I have seen first-hand the devastating impact when we don’t foster healthy attitudes from the youngest age.

I want our children to be equipped to defy the malign forces that exist online. Schools and parents alike have a vital role to play, helping children identify positive role models and resist the manipulation too often used online to groom impressionable young minds.

Whether it’s helping deliver on our Plan for Change mission to halve violence against women and girls or growing a more just and equal society, there can be no more basic mission for a government then making sure our children grow up to become decent, respectful adults, prepared for the modern world.

Children will start to build positive attitudes to relationships between friends and family in primary school, followed by new dedicated content in secondary school that helps boys identify positive male role models, and all children to expect consent and kindness when they get ready for more intimate relationships.

Additional new content for secondary schools includes:

Sexual ethics beyond consent, for example teaching young people that yes doesn’t always mean yes as factors like peer pressure should be taken into account

Staying safe in public spaces, to match staying safe online, so young people know how to increase their personal safety in public spaces, build confidence in trusting their instincts and learn ways to seek help

Financial exploitation

Positive conceptions of femininity and masculinity

A strong new emphasis on age-appropriate and sequenced teaching, differentiated between primary and secondary school, will mean children don’t get taught things they are too young for, without proscribing specific ages to each individual topic.

The clear dividing line between what can be taught in primary and secondary school remains unchanged.

This will allow teachers to sensitively respond to topics that children might have seen online or heard from their friends – making sure children are kept safe and parents are informed.

Research shows over one in five (22%) of girls aged 7 to 10 had seen ‘rude images online’, and the average age for exposure to pornography is 13. This is also an issue the sector has regularly raised concerns about, with 3 out of 4 teachers surveyed worrying about the influence of online misogyny over their pupils.

That’s why, starting in early 2026, schools will be able to apply for an RSHE training grant, empowering the workforce to take on these challenges.

Oak National Academy, the publicly-funded provider of curriculum and teaching resources for schools, has released a set of online safety lessons reflecting this part of the guidance that will warn teenagers of the dangers of incel ideology and other forms of misogyny they encounter on the internet.

Jason Elsom, Chief Executive of Parentkind, the UK’s largest parent charity, said:

Transparency is critical for parents and there should be an unambiguous right for parents to see what their children are being taught before they are taught it. This guidance makes it clear that is what should happen.

Where parents have been able to view RSHE materials, they are four times as likely to say they are happy with the content of RSHE lessons. Transparency is the word that should be written through every school’s approach to RSHE.

Parents rightly have high expectations of schools around the teaching of sensitive subjects and doing this in a way that works with parents rather than keeping parents in the dark.

John Roberts, Interim CEO of Oak National Academy, said:

Teachers have an important role to play in helping children stay safe online and enabling them to identify harms such as incel ideology and misogyny.

But it’s a delicate topic to cover, and schools need to feel confident they are getting it right.

These free, optional Oak resources offer age-appropriate lessons that help teachers start honest conversations and guide pupils towards healthier digital habits and safer online experiences.

The guidance is absolutely clear that parents should be able to view all RSHE curriculum materials on request and that schools should not agree to any contractual restrictions on showing parents any content that the school will use.

To further support children to feel able to take on challenges and risks, they will be taught the importance of grit and resilience and to recognise that anxiety and low mood can be a normal of managing every day mental health.

With suicide being the biggest killer of under 35s, the guidance has made clear that secondary schools should work closely with mental health professionals on how to discuss suicide prevention in an age-appropriate way.

Andy, Mike and Tim of 3 Dads Walking said:

We welcome this vital step forward. Giving schools permission to talk about suicide prevention means more young people can be supported to open up about difficult feelings and know where to find help.

We know, from painful personal experience, how much this matters. This change will save lives. We’re grateful to have played a part in helping bring it about.

Schools can begin following the guidance from the new school year and it must be followed from September 2026.

Margaret Mulholland, SEND and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

Sadly, boys are often exposed to harmful and toxic misogynistic content online, which can impact on their behaviour in the real world. The focus of this updated guidance on tackling these issues is timely and welcome.

It is important that we don’t simply tell boys what is wrong but that we also talk to them about positive male role models – and we are pleased that this is recognised in the guidance.

Social media companies must also do more to police their platforms to remove harmful material and in particular protect children and young people from malign influences. We all have a responsibility to uphold values of decency and respect.

DfE media enquiries

Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

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Published 15 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too
Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

A sustainability conundrum

Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

There is a divide over how sports should respond.

Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

When climate promises become greenwashing

The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

Finding practical solutions

Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

How fans can cut their environmental footprint

Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:
- Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.
- While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.
- Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.
- Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.
- You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.
Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

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

– ref. When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-like-fifa-world-cup-expand-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437
MIL OSI Analysis –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too
Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

A sustainability conundrum

Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

There is a divide over how sports should respond.

Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

When climate promises become greenwashing

The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

Finding practical solutions

Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

How fans can cut their environmental footprint

Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:
- Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.
- While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.
- Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.
- Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.
- You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.
Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

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

– ref. When big sports events like FIFA World Cup expand, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-like-fifa-world-cup-expand-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437
MIL OSI Analysis –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Podcast: The unnatural nature of metamaterials

Source: US Government research organizations

Metamaterials are a special class of engineered materials, designed to have properties not found in nature. Glaucio Paulino, a professor at Princeton University, discusses his work on developing modular chiral origami metamaterials, engineering control approaches and the ways they might benefit society.

[embedded content]

Listen to NSF Discovery Files wherever you get your podcasts.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Podcast: The unnatural nature of metamaterials

Source: US Government research organizations

Metamaterials are a special class of engineered materials, designed to have properties not found in nature. Glaucio Paulino, a professor at Princeton University, discusses his work on developing modular chiral origami metamaterials, engineering control approaches and the ways they might benefit society.

[embedded content]

Listen to NSF Discovery Files wherever you get your podcasts.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin told how Volgogradsky Prospekt will be transformed after improvement

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In Moscow, thousands of improvement projects are implemented annually in different areas – most of the objects are located outside the center.

“This year, specialists are putting in order about

700 streets. Among them are the outbound highways: Profsoyuznaya Street with 60th Anniversary of October Avenue, Shchyolkovskoye Highway with Krasnoprudnaya and Bolshaya Cherkizovskaya Streets. On Volgogradsky Prospekt, one of the city’s largest outbound highways, work is underway on the section from the Garden Ring to the Moscow Ring Road with a total length of 12.5 kilometers. The project also includes Marxist Street. The area will become even more comfortable for residents, while the transport function of the highway will be preserved,” the Moscow Mayor said in on your telegram channel.

Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

Volgogradsky Prospekt is one of the largest outbound highways in Moscow. More than 860 thousand people live in the houses located next to it. More than 110 thousand cars drive along this avenue per day, and the passenger flow of 24 city transport routes is 120 thousand people daily.

The comprehensive improvement of Volgogradsky Prospekt and Marxistskaya Street began in April 2025. Work is being carried out on the section from the Garden Ring to the Moscow Ring Road. Its total length is 12.5 kilometers.

The main objective is to make the urban environment more functional and comfortable for local residents, while maintaining the transport purpose of the highway.

Instead of the outdated stops along the avenue, 30 modern pavilions will be installed. Thanks to the infrastructure upgrade, as well as due to the adjustment of traffic lights and the provision of priority to city transport, its speed will increase by 20 percent.

About 490 benches and trash bins will be placed on sidewalks and in other suitable places. 26 informational steles will help to find your way around.

It will be lighter and safer in the evening and at night thanks to the installation of more than a thousand energy-saving lamps. In addition, 1055 old gas-discharge lamps will be replaced with LED ones. Contrast lighting poles will be installed at unregulated pedestrian crossings.

Volgogradsky Prospekt will become much greener: previously lost lawns will be restored here. More than 1,300 large trees will be planted along the highway, including in the area of the exit to the Moscow Ring Road. Four green islands with decorative compositions of coniferous plants will be arranged on the scenic sections of the highway.

To improve the appearance of the avenue, decorative fencing with an individual pattern will be installed along industrial enterprises and garage complexes. Ventilation shafts and other engineering structures will receive decorative cladding. In addition, the dog walking area near house 187/16 will be updated.

Specialists will replace the pavement surfaces (about 105.3 thousand square meters) and roads (111.4 thousand square meters). Overhead cable lines will be moved underground and an additional drainage system will be installed.

Over 380 people and over 70 units of equipment are involved in the work. The improvement of Volgogradsky Prospekt with Marxistskaya Street is planned to be completed this fall.

More than 700 streets in Moscow will be improved by the end of the year Sergei Sobyanin announced plans for the development of the Moscow tram network

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: #Mvuvet on Palace: Polytechnics became participants in the exhibition of the volunteer movement

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

From July 4 to 24, in the center of St. Petersburg, on Bolshaya Morskaya Street, No. 1 (the Arch of the General Staff Building on Palace Square), a photo exhibition dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the All-Russian Mutual Aid Campaign is taking place

One of the exhibition’s heroines was the director of the Volunteer Projects Center “Harmony” of SPbPU Tatiana NamUnder her leadership, the Center joined the work of the regional headquarters in the spring of 2020 and is still one of the most active in the country.

Promotion

The Harmony Center has been actively involved in the work from the very beginning and has become a point of attraction for good initiatives. Over five years, hundreds of events have been organized: concerts and master classes in military hospitals, collection of humanitarian aid, support for families of SVO participants, educational courses for new volunteers.

«

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: #Mvuvet on Palace: Polytechnics became participants in the exhibition of the volunteer movement

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

From July 4 to 24, in the center of St. Petersburg, on Bolshaya Morskaya Street, No. 1 (the Arch of the General Staff Building on Palace Square), a photo exhibition dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the All-Russian Mutual Aid Campaign is taking place

One of the exhibition’s heroines was the director of the Volunteer Projects Center “Harmony” of SPbPU Tatiana NamUnder her leadership, the Center joined the work of the regional headquarters in the spring of 2020 and is still one of the most active in the country.

Promotion

The Harmony Center has been actively involved in the work from the very beginning and has become a point of attraction for good initiatives. Over five years, hundreds of events have been organized: concerts and master classes in military hospitals, collection of humanitarian aid, support for families of SVO participants, educational courses for new volunteers.

«

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/PERU – The Argentine Church’s missionary contribution in the Peruvian Amazon

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Lima (Agenzia Fides) – A delegation from the Argentine Bishops’ Conference, sent to Peru on behalf of the National Team of the Amazon Project, aims to support the proclamation of the Gospel, provide assistance in addressing material and spiritual challenges, and accompany the local missionary community. The delegation is composed of lay missionary Silvana Medina and priest Carlos Salomone, who collaborate with the permanent pastoral mission in the southern region of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro river valleys in Peru, which is being carried out in the districts of Kimbiri, Manitea, Cielo Punko, Villa Kintiarina, and Villa Virgen, in continuity with the missionary work already begun in these areas.”Argentine Church, the Amazon is your mission” is the project that has supported the pastoral work of the parish of San Juan Bautista in the Kimbiri district, part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, since 2022. The Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Maldonado, Bishop David Martínez de Aguirre Guinea, supports the initiative, which aims to renew the missionary spirit and strengthen the bond between the local Church and the teams sent.There are more than 150 settlements of various types in the area, from groups concentrated in urban centers to indigenous communities of the Asháninka and Machiguenga ethnic groups, who live a path of faith and fraternity in their daily lives. The missionaries aim to accompany the growth of the ecclesial spirit of a vibrant parish, animated by a strong sense of synodal co-responsibility and attentive to the needs of all. Currently, four Argentine missionaries live in the parish: a religious, a consecrated lay woman, and two lay missionaries. A married couple will join them in August. During her stay in Lima, Silvana Medina was also warmly welcomed by Father José Hipólito, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru, and his collaborators. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/PERU – The Argentine Church’s missionary contribution in the Peruvian Amazon

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Lima (Agenzia Fides) – A delegation from the Argentine Bishops’ Conference, sent to Peru on behalf of the National Team of the Amazon Project, aims to support the proclamation of the Gospel, provide assistance in addressing material and spiritual challenges, and accompany the local missionary community. The delegation is composed of lay missionary Silvana Medina and priest Carlos Salomone, who collaborate with the permanent pastoral mission in the southern region of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro river valleys in Peru, which is being carried out in the districts of Kimbiri, Manitea, Cielo Punko, Villa Kintiarina, and Villa Virgen, in continuity with the missionary work already begun in these areas.”Argentine Church, the Amazon is your mission” is the project that has supported the pastoral work of the parish of San Juan Bautista in the Kimbiri district, part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, since 2022. The Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Maldonado, Bishop David Martínez de Aguirre Guinea, supports the initiative, which aims to renew the missionary spirit and strengthen the bond between the local Church and the teams sent.There are more than 150 settlements of various types in the area, from groups concentrated in urban centers to indigenous communities of the Asháninka and Machiguenga ethnic groups, who live a path of faith and fraternity in their daily lives. The missionaries aim to accompany the growth of the ecclesial spirit of a vibrant parish, animated by a strong sense of synodal co-responsibility and attentive to the needs of all. Currently, four Argentine missionaries live in the parish: a religious, a consecrated lay woman, and two lay missionaries. A married couple will join them in August. During her stay in Lima, Silvana Medina was also warmly welcomed by Father José Hipólito, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru, and his collaborators. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/PERU – The Argentine Church’s missionary contribution in the Peruvian Amazon

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Lima (Agenzia Fides) – A delegation from the Argentine Bishops’ Conference, sent to Peru on behalf of the National Team of the Amazon Project, aims to support the proclamation of the Gospel, provide assistance in addressing material and spiritual challenges, and accompany the local missionary community. The delegation is composed of lay missionary Silvana Medina and priest Carlos Salomone, who collaborate with the permanent pastoral mission in the southern region of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro river valleys in Peru, which is being carried out in the districts of Kimbiri, Manitea, Cielo Punko, Villa Kintiarina, and Villa Virgen, in continuity with the missionary work already begun in these areas.”Argentine Church, the Amazon is your mission” is the project that has supported the pastoral work of the parish of San Juan Bautista in the Kimbiri district, part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, since 2022. The Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Maldonado, Bishop David Martínez de Aguirre Guinea, supports the initiative, which aims to renew the missionary spirit and strengthen the bond between the local Church and the teams sent.There are more than 150 settlements of various types in the area, from groups concentrated in urban centers to indigenous communities of the Asháninka and Machiguenga ethnic groups, who live a path of faith and fraternity in their daily lives. The missionaries aim to accompany the growth of the ecclesial spirit of a vibrant parish, animated by a strong sense of synodal co-responsibility and attentive to the needs of all. Currently, four Argentine missionaries live in the parish: a religious, a consecrated lay woman, and two lay missionaries. A married couple will join them in August. During her stay in Lima, Silvana Medina was also warmly welcomed by Father José Hipólito, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru, and his collaborators. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: New air route to Russia launched in China’s Yantai

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) — Two tourist charters from Khabarovsk and Vladivostok landed safely in Yantai City, east China’s Shandong Province, on July 12.

According to the Yantai City Culture and Tourism Administration, after the planes landed at Penglai International Airport, a welcoming ceremony was held for the Russian tourists who had planned to spend their summer vacation in the Chinese city.

The new Vladivostok-Yantai charter route is the second direct tourist airline with Russia opened by the city after the launch of the Khabarovsk-Yantai flight in 2024.

It is reported that 20 inbound tourism charter flights are planned between Khabarovsk/Vladivostok and Yantai from July 12 to September 13, 2025, which will not only provide Russian tourists with more convenient transportation options, but also give new impetus to the Yantai inbound tourism market, deepening cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia.

The launch of the airlines has become an important achievement for Yantai in using the visa-free transit policy and actively expanding the international tourism market. The new charter flights not only provide Russian guests with a rich holiday on the Chinese coast, but also create new opportunities to improve Yantai’s global rating and promote high-quality development of the local cultural and tourism industry. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA – In the footsteps of Bishop Brésillac

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

SMA

Monasao (Agenzia Fides) – “When I was preparing to go to Africa, I was warned of the difficulties I would encounter… Not only due to the problems of adaptation: climate, food, or other minor issues, but also due to the culture shock that can lead to serious misunderstandings and disappointments,” said Father Davide Camorani, ordained a priest of the Society of African Missions in July 2021 and began his ministry at the Monasao mission in the Diocese of Berberati in Central Africa on September 21 of the same year (see Fides, 17/10/2021).Since then, Father Davide, who, together with his confrere Michele Farina, established the first mission of the Society of African Missions in the country (see Fides, 3/8/2021), has lived in the heart of Africa, among the Bayaka Pygmies. And every day he understands that the mission is the work of God.”Bishop de Brésillac, our founder,” the missionary continues, “said in one of his famous phrases that if one seeks praise or satisfaction, it is better to stay at home; those who seek these things are not made to go on missions. Sometimes, however, life can confront one with unexpected situations that one is tempted to perceive as too great, as beyond one’s capabilities. In these difficult moments, one might lose hope, give up, and say, ‘It’s not worth it!’ I, too, have experienced these thoughts… So where is hope? What is hope? Hope in what? Hope is God and his promises, from Adam to the present day. God is always there and he never abandons us: we only have to seek him!””Being guided by the Word of God is fundamental; for me, it was and is,” emphasizes Father Davide. “Reading the Bible and carefully meditating on it is the way to discover that God’s promises are eternally valid. This is hope: knowing that God will act, even when it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing that this mission is His, not mine, and that He is in charge!!! So I don’t pray for the cross to be taken from me, but I pray that the Lord Jesus will give me broad shoulders to carry it.” (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA – In the footsteps of Bishop Brésillac

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

SMA

Monasao (Agenzia Fides) – “When I was preparing to go to Africa, I was warned of the difficulties I would encounter… Not only due to the problems of adaptation: climate, food, or other minor issues, but also due to the culture shock that can lead to serious misunderstandings and disappointments,” said Father Davide Camorani, ordained a priest of the Society of African Missions in July 2021 and began his ministry at the Monasao mission in the Diocese of Berberati in Central Africa on September 21 of the same year (see Fides, 17/10/2021).Since then, Father Davide, who, together with his confrere Michele Farina, established the first mission of the Society of African Missions in the country (see Fides, 3/8/2021), has lived in the heart of Africa, among the Bayaka Pygmies. And every day he understands that the mission is the work of God.”Bishop de Brésillac, our founder,” the missionary continues, “said in one of his famous phrases that if one seeks praise or satisfaction, it is better to stay at home; those who seek these things are not made to go on missions. Sometimes, however, life can confront one with unexpected situations that one is tempted to perceive as too great, as beyond one’s capabilities. In these difficult moments, one might lose hope, give up, and say, ‘It’s not worth it!’ I, too, have experienced these thoughts… So where is hope? What is hope? Hope in what? Hope is God and his promises, from Adam to the present day. God is always there and he never abandons us: we only have to seek him!””Being guided by the Word of God is fundamental; for me, it was and is,” emphasizes Father Davide. “Reading the Bible and carefully meditating on it is the way to discover that God’s promises are eternally valid. This is hope: knowing that God will act, even when it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing that this mission is His, not mine, and that He is in charge!!! So I don’t pray for the cross to be taken from me, but I pray that the Lord Jesus will give me broad shoulders to carry it.” (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA – In the footsteps of Bishop Brésillac

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

SMA

Monasao (Agenzia Fides) – “When I was preparing to go to Africa, I was warned of the difficulties I would encounter… Not only due to the problems of adaptation: climate, food, or other minor issues, but also due to the culture shock that can lead to serious misunderstandings and disappointments,” said Father Davide Camorani, ordained a priest of the Society of African Missions in July 2021 and began his ministry at the Monasao mission in the Diocese of Berberati in Central Africa on September 21 of the same year (see Fides, 17/10/2021).Since then, Father Davide, who, together with his confrere Michele Farina, established the first mission of the Society of African Missions in the country (see Fides, 3/8/2021), has lived in the heart of Africa, among the Bayaka Pygmies. And every day he understands that the mission is the work of God.”Bishop de Brésillac, our founder,” the missionary continues, “said in one of his famous phrases that if one seeks praise or satisfaction, it is better to stay at home; those who seek these things are not made to go on missions. Sometimes, however, life can confront one with unexpected situations that one is tempted to perceive as too great, as beyond one’s capabilities. In these difficult moments, one might lose hope, give up, and say, ‘It’s not worth it!’ I, too, have experienced these thoughts… So where is hope? What is hope? Hope in what? Hope is God and his promises, from Adam to the present day. God is always there and he never abandons us: we only have to seek him!””Being guided by the Word of God is fundamental; for me, it was and is,” emphasizes Father Davide. “Reading the Bible and carefully meditating on it is the way to discover that God’s promises are eternally valid. This is hope: knowing that God will act, even when it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing that this mission is His, not mine, and that He is in charge!!! So I don’t pray for the cross to be taken from me, but I pray that the Lord Jesus will give me broad shoulders to carry it.” (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: The Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand is returning to its summer program this Thursday with Andréanne A. Malette and Tom Folly

Source: Government of Canada News (2)

The Plains will continue to be enlivened all summer long with free shows!

Quebec City, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 – After a short break during the Festival d’été de Québec, the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand (EBB) will return to its summer program this Thursday! Every Thursday and Saturday for the rest of the summer until August 23, Quebec City’s residents and visitors are invited to come and experience free musical and cultural performances against the enchanting backdrop of the Plains of Abraham.

This week: Tom Folly, Andréanne A. Malette, and Sabor 19

Thursday, 7 p.m., Saguenay native Tom Folly will kick off the night with songs from his last album Fromage en grains. With his sincere words and a dose of humour, he will perform pieces from many genres: reggae, rock, rap, folk, pop, and even disco. At 8 p.m., Andréanne A. Malette will present Les jardins dérangés, a heartfelt performance of her latest folk-pop melodies. Through a personal narrative, she will explore the themes of healing, the present moment, and solidarity.

Saturday, 7 p.m., the ambiance will switch to the lively beat of Sabor 19. This orchestra of ten musicians, a popular fixture in Montreal’s Latin scene, is promising a festive evening with the sound of salsa and cumbia. In keeping with its celebratory spirit, the group has just one aim: get everyone up and dancing! A little earlier in the day, families will have a chance to discover Marimba et le djembé du tonnerre. The kids in the audience will be entertained with songs, amused by marionettes, and taught how to play percussion instruments.

Diverse and accessible

The EBB stage will come alive with free shows and a variety of styles: country, Latin, rock, pop, Québécois, jazz, folk, and an encounter between Western music and traditional Indigenous music. There’ll be something for everyone! On the lineup are artists who will surprise you with the depth of their performances, including Duo Phoenix, Guylaine Tanguay, Yvan Pedneault, Génération Crooner, LBA Band, Coco Country Band, New World Men, Mike DeWay, Kawandak, Gabrielle Destroismaisons, and Patrick Norman & Nathalie Lord.

The program also includes two unique cultural events. On Wednesday, July 23, there will be a public lecture about the American attack on Quebec City in 1775: Quebec 1775-1776 – Le dernier siège (in French only). On Friday, August 22, The Regimental Band of the Royal 22e Régiment will offer an exceptional musical performance on stage, thanks to its diverse range of instruments and its unique brass section.

Family morning shows

The Plains of Abraham and the EBB are known for being accessible and welcoming to all tastes and to all kinds of people. There will be four family shows on Saturdays, July 19 and 26 and August 9 and 16, starting at 11 a.m. (in French only). The kids will enjoy seeing and hearing Marimba et le djembé du tonnerre, L’orgue du Gentil Géant, Arthur L’aventurier and Le stagiaire de Monsieur Ben.

For more program details: www.plainsofabraham.ca

Extended business hours of the Maison Smith Café at the central pavilion

The Maison Smith Café has been on the Plains of Abraham for over a year, during which its selection of beverages and food has further enhanced the EBB experience. An aperitif on the central pavilion terrace, a picnic on the Plains with a lunchbox or a satisfying coffee in your hand—everything will be available for a heartwarming summer! This Maison Smith Café branch will be open for extended business hours during the shows.

About the National Battlefields Commission

The Battlefields Park is Canada’s leading national historic park and notably includes the Plains of Abraham and Des Braves Park. The National Battlefields Commission, an agency of the Canadian government, has striven since 1908 to preserve and develop this site that brings so many people together. All year long, it offers a variety of activities for those who wish to explore the park and its history. www.plainsofabraham.ca/

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MIL OSI Canada News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PHILIPPINES – Supreme Court declares large-scale mining legal: civil society promotes “environmental justice”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Freepik

Mamburao (Agenzia Fides) – The Supreme Court’s recent decision to declare null and void the ordinances and resolutions of provincial governments that imposed a 25-year moratorium on mining activities in the province of Western Mindoro, on the island of the same name in the center of the Philippine archipelago, has sparked doubts and criticism in civil society and the Catholic community in the Philippines. The ruling, published on May 14 and which came into force a few days ago, upheld a 2018 ruling by the Mindoro Regional Court that had annulled the local government’s mining ban. The Supreme Court explained that, according to the Constitution, local governments can prohibit certain mining projects, but do not have the authority to prohibit all large-scale mining activities within the territory. The lawsuit before the court was filed by the Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corporation (APMC), which signed contracts for large-scale mining activities with the central government in Manila in 2008. That same year, the provincial government of Western Mindoro, responding to civil society demands, issued ordinances imposing a moratorium on mining. The APMC had opposed these ordinances and challenged the constitutionality of these ordinances in court proceedings initiated in 2014. In its ruling, the Supreme Court recognized that mining activities have “environmental impacts,” but emphasized that contractors are obligated to comply with environmental protection measures established by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. According to the “Alyansa Tigil Mina” coalition, which includes organizations and groups committed to environmental protection and anti-mining, the ruling will have “significant repercussions” for the region. The coalition reiterated its commitment to a “balanced approach to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.” Bishop Moises Cuevas of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan in Eastern Mindoro (another province on the same island) said the ruling could set a legal precedent for the similar ordinance currently in force in Eastern Mindoro and “could have a destructive impact on our mission, expressed in the encyclical “Laudato si’,” which is to care for our common home.” The local Church held a “Forum for Dialogue on the Mindoro Mining Moratorium” on July 10, bringing together local representatives and communities to discuss what to do in the wake of the court’s ruling and proclaimed a day of prayer for environmental justice on the same day.At the forum, representatives of Catholic parishes, environmental and human rights organizations, and representatives of the provincial governments of both Mindoro provinces reiterated their opposition to large-scale mining. Father Edwin Gariguez, executive director of the Diocesan Social Action Center in Eastern Mindoro, described the fight against mining as “a moral and pastoral obligation” and recalled the profound impact on indigenous peoples. “The cry of the earth is the cry of the poor,” Father Gariguez said in this context, quoting the encyclical “Laudato Si’.” “This fight is not merely ecological or political, it is pastoral and moral. We are called to protect life in all its forms,” he affirmed. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PHILIPPINES – Supreme Court declares large-scale mining legal: civil society promotes “environmental justice”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Freepik

Mamburao (Agenzia Fides) – The Supreme Court’s recent decision to declare null and void the ordinances and resolutions of provincial governments that imposed a 25-year moratorium on mining activities in the province of Western Mindoro, on the island of the same name in the center of the Philippine archipelago, has sparked doubts and criticism in civil society and the Catholic community in the Philippines. The ruling, published on May 14 and which came into force a few days ago, upheld a 2018 ruling by the Mindoro Regional Court that had annulled the local government’s mining ban. The Supreme Court explained that, according to the Constitution, local governments can prohibit certain mining projects, but do not have the authority to prohibit all large-scale mining activities within the territory. The lawsuit before the court was filed by the Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corporation (APMC), which signed contracts for large-scale mining activities with the central government in Manila in 2008. That same year, the provincial government of Western Mindoro, responding to civil society demands, issued ordinances imposing a moratorium on mining. The APMC had opposed these ordinances and challenged the constitutionality of these ordinances in court proceedings initiated in 2014. In its ruling, the Supreme Court recognized that mining activities have “environmental impacts,” but emphasized that contractors are obligated to comply with environmental protection measures established by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. According to the “Alyansa Tigil Mina” coalition, which includes organizations and groups committed to environmental protection and anti-mining, the ruling will have “significant repercussions” for the region. The coalition reiterated its commitment to a “balanced approach to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.” Bishop Moises Cuevas of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan in Eastern Mindoro (another province on the same island) said the ruling could set a legal precedent for the similar ordinance currently in force in Eastern Mindoro and “could have a destructive impact on our mission, expressed in the encyclical “Laudato si’,” which is to care for our common home.” The local Church held a “Forum for Dialogue on the Mindoro Mining Moratorium” on July 10, bringing together local representatives and communities to discuss what to do in the wake of the court’s ruling and proclaimed a day of prayer for environmental justice on the same day.At the forum, representatives of Catholic parishes, environmental and human rights organizations, and representatives of the provincial governments of both Mindoro provinces reiterated their opposition to large-scale mining. Father Edwin Gariguez, executive director of the Diocesan Social Action Center in Eastern Mindoro, described the fight against mining as “a moral and pastoral obligation” and recalled the profound impact on indigenous peoples. “The cry of the earth is the cry of the poor,” Father Gariguez said in this context, quoting the encyclical “Laudato Si’.” “This fight is not merely ecological or political, it is pastoral and moral. We are called to protect life in all its forms,” he affirmed. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/NIGERIA – Kidnapped seminarians: Bishop of Auchi confirms contact from kidnappers

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Auchi (Agenzia Fides) – A few days after the armed attack on the “Immaculate Conception” diocesan minor seminary in Ivhianokpodi, in Edo State, Nigeria (see Fides, 12/7/2025), the attackers who kidnapped three young seminarians “contacted the Diocese of Auchi and demanded a ransom.”The Bishop of Auchi, Gabriel Ghieakhomo Dunia, confirmed this to Fides, clarifying: “The seminarians are still in the hands of their kidnappers,” who in the last few hours “have contacted the Diocese of Auchi and are demanding a ransom. Negotiations are currently ongoing.””State Government and local security agents are working to track the abductors and get the abducted seminarians released but no success has been achieved yet,” Bishop Dunia continued. Regarding the condition of the other young seminarians who were at the facility at the time of the armed attack, in which a security guard was killed, he said: “the rest of the seminarians have been relocated by us to a safer location where they are completing their various examinations now before proceeding on the end of the academic year, 2024/2025 holiday.”The Ivhianokpodi Seminary was attacked by armed men on October 27, 2024 (see Fides, 29/10/2024). The Rector of the seminary, Fr. Thomas Oyode, was kidnapped after offering himself as a hostage in exchange for the young seminarians. Oyode was released after eleven days. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – “Wedding without a dowry”: the Chinese Catholic community promotes the gratuitousness of married life in a secularized society

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

xinde.org

Taiyuan (Agenzia Fides) – Archbishop Meng Ningyou of Taiyuan, in the Chinese province of Shanxi, recommended in his homily at a church wedding last Sunday, July 13, that marriage, in the spirit of faith, be seen as a gift characterized by gratuitousness. He invited everyone to free themselves from the custom of demanding a “dowry” for marriage, which is still widespread in large parts of society.In the current social context, especially in rural areas, the practice of dowry (the assets in the form of money, real estate, jewelry, or cars that families of origin must provide to future spouses at the time of marriage) continues to be a burden for young future spouses and their families of origin, causing the union to break up for many young couples. Families often go into debt to comply with the custom.Bishop Meng praised the Honggou parish, the home parish of the two young couples, and also the newlyweds’ courage, who have testified that the Christian faith can free lives and hearts from unnecessary burdens and lead to true happiness.In his homily, Bishop Paul Meng recalled the sacrament of marriage as a union of free, mutual self-giving blessed by God and called on spouses to accept one another, support each other in the Christian upbringing of their children, and care for one another, following the example of the Good Samaritan, whose figure was the focus of Sunday’s Gospel.In China, too, various economic, cultural, and psychological factors are hindering the desire of young couples to start families and bring children into the world.Meanwhile, Chinese Catholic communities are offering Christian marriage preparation courses that take this situation into account and attempt to address these new challenges.The Cathedral of the Diocese of Beijing recently opened registration for the third 2025 Marriage Preparation Course, which begins next Sunday, July 20. Every Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., young people planning to marry will participate in meetings covering topics such as “the Christian family” and “the sacrament of marriage.” The courses generally begin six months before the planned wedding date and include discussions with priests. The courses are also open to non-Christian couples, who can attend as listeners. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Trupanion Honored with Puget Sound Business Journal’s Excellence in Wellbeing Award

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SEATTLE, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trupanion (Nasdaq: TRUP), the leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs in North America, has been recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a recipient of its Excellence in Wellbeing Award.

This prestigious award celebrates organizations that have made employee well-being a core business priority, embedding physical, mental, and emotional health into their leadership philosophy, benefits, and daily operations.

“Our team members are the very heart of everything we do,” said Margi Tooth, CEO and President of Trupanion. “We understand that when our team feels healthy, supported, and truly engaged, we can bring our very best to pet parents and veterinarians. This award is a testament to our continued efforts to create a workplace where every team member feels genuinely valued and cared for, both professionally and personally.”

The Puget Sound Business Journal, in partnership with founding partner Roundglass, launched this award program to highlight employers who are making significant investments in programs that support the holistic health of their employees. Honorees will be celebrated at an awards event on July 24, 2025.

“At Trupanion, we use ongoing team member feedback to help guide our benefit decisions,” added Brenna McGibney, Chief Administration Officer at Trupanion. “This collaborative process allows us to provide essential support and offer resources that truly empower team members to lead balanced and fulfilled lives. We are honored to receive this award and will continue innovating and investing in the livelihood of every Trupanion team member.”

Learn more about careers at Trupanion by visiting Careers in Pet Insurance | Join the Trupanion Team!

About Trupanion

Trupanion is a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs throughout the United States, Canada and certain countries within Continental Europe with over 1,000,000 pets currently enrolled. For over two decades, Trupanion has given pet owners peace of mind so they can focus on their pet’s recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is committed to providing pet parents with the highest value in pet medical insurance with unlimited payouts for the life of their pets. With its patented process, Trupanion is the only North American provider with the technology to pay veterinarians directly in seconds at the time of checkout. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “TRUP”. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Trupanion policies are issued, in the United States, by its wholly-owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company and, in Canada, by Accelerant Insurance Company of Canada. Policies are sold and administered in Canada by Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. dba Trupanion 309-1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BC V7J 0A2 and in the United States by Trupanion Managers USA, Inc. (CA license No. 0G22803, NPN 9588590). Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. is a registered damage insurance agency and claims adjuster in Quebec #603927. For more information, please visit trupanion.com.

Contacts:

Corporate Communications
Corporate.Communications@trupanion.com

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: GraniteShares Launches Three New Leveraged Single-Stock ETFs: PDDL, NOWL, and AVGU
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New York, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GraniteShares 2x Long PDD Daily ETF (PDDL), GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF (NOWL) and GraniteShares 2x AVGO Long (AVGU) Launch Today.

GraniteShares, a provider of exchange traded funds (ETFs), today announced the launch of three new leveraged single-stock ETFs:

GraniteShares 2x Long PDD Daily ETF (NASDAQ: PDDL),
GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF (NASDAQ: NOWL) and
GraniteShares 2x Long AVGO Daily ETF (NASDAQ: AVGU).

An investment in the ETFs provides investors daily leveraged exposure to the three respective underlying stocks: PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD) ServiceNow (NASDAQ: NOW) and Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ: AVGO).

GraniteShares’ leveraged ETFs seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to 2 times (200%) the daily percentage change of the respective common stocks. These funds are designed for sophisticated investors looking to capitalize on short-term movements in the underlying stocks.

New GraniteShares Leveraged Single-Stock ETFs

Underlying Companies
- PDD Holdings Inc., established in 2015 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a global commerce company managing a portfolio of businesses aimed at integrating people and enterprises into the digital economy. It operates Pinduoduo, an e-commerce platform offering diverse products such as agricultural goods, apparel, electronics, and household items, alongside Temu, a global marketplace connecting buyers, merchants, and manufacturers across various categories. The company emphasizes enhancing local communities and small businesses through improved productivity and opportunities, supported by its robust network of sourcing, logistics, and fulfillment capabilities. Formerly known as Pinduoduo Inc., it rebranded to PDD Holdings Inc. in February 2023.
- ServiceNow, Inc., based in Santa Clara, California, is a global leader in cloud-based Al solutions for business transformation. It’s Now Platform helps organizations digitize workflows using Al, automation, analytics, and low-code tools. The platform supports four key workflow areas: technology, customer and industry, employee, and creator-enhancing IT services, customer and employee experiences, and custom workflows. Its offerings span IT service management, security operations, HR delivery, and more. Serving industries worldwide, ServiceNow partners with providers and resellers to drive digital transformation. Founded in 2004, it remains at the forefront of Al-powered workflow automation.
- Broadcom Inc., headquartered in Palo Alto, California and founded in 1961, is a global technology company specializing in the design, development, and supply of a wide range of semiconductor devices and enterprise software solutions. Operating through two primary segments—Semiconductor Solutions and Infrastructure Software—the company delivers complex digital and mixed-signal CMOS-based and analog III-V-based semiconductor products. Its offerings include RF front-end modules, Ethernet switching and routing chips, optical and copper interconnect components, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth SoCs, custom touch controllers, storage adapters, and a variety of industrial and optical solutions. These technologies support applications across data centers, telecommunications, mobile devices, broadband access, factory automation, and more. In software, Broadcom provides tools and platforms for cloud, mainframe, and hybrid environments, focusing on application development, security, automation, and infrastructure management.
Designed for Tactical Traders

The new leveraged ETFs provide traders with a tool to gain leveraged exposure to these stocks, making them a potential consideration for those looking to execute short-term tactical trades.

“We continue to expand our suite of leveraged ETFs to meet the demand for high-conviction trading opportunities,” said Will Rhind, Founder of GraniteShares. “With the launch of PDDL, NOWL, and AVGU, we are providing investors with targeted tools to access some of the most exciting companies in AI, cloud computing, semiconductors and technology.”

For more information on the new GraniteShares leveraged ETFs, read the Prospectus.

About GraniteShares

GraniteShares is an entrepreneurial ETF provider focused on high-conviction investment solutions. The firm offers a range of innovative ETFs spanning leveraged, inverse, and high-yield strategies, empowering investors with differentiated tools for portfolio construction. Founded in 2016, GraniteShares has grown rapidly by delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to modern market needs. For more information, visit www.graniteshares.com.

Media Contact:
GraniteShares Inc.
Attn: Media Relations
222 Broadway, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10038
844-476-8747
info@graniteshares.com

RISK FACTORS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This material must be preceded or accompanied by a Prospectus. Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. Please read the prospectus before investing. The fund does not directly invest in the underlying stock.

The Fund is recently organized July 15, 2025. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions. There can be no assurance that the Funds will grow to or maintain an economically viable size.

The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The investment program of the funds is speculative, entails substantial risks and include asset classes and investment techniques not employed by most ETFs and mutual funds. Investments in the ETFs are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Stock’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Stock’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.

The Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results and are intended to be used as short-term trading vehicles. This Fund attempts to provide daily investment results that correspond to the respective long leveraged multiple of the performance of its underlying stock (a Leverage Long Fund).

Investors should note that such Leverage Long Fund pursues daily leveraged investment objectives, which means that the Fund is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund magnifies the performance of its underlying stock. The volatility of the underlying security may affect a Funds’ return as much as, or more than, the return of the underlying security.

Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Stock over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Stock’s performance is flat over time, and as a result of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Stock volatility and the effects of compounding, it is even possible that the Fund will lose money over time while the Underlying Stock’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day.

Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the ETF. There can be no guarantee that an active trading market for ETF shares will develop or be maintained, or that their listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling ETF shares on an exchange may require the payment of brokerage commissions and frequent trading may incur brokerage costs that detract significantly from investment returns.

An investment in the Fund involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Fund is non-diversified and includes risks associated with the Fund concentrating its investments in a particular industry, sector, or geographic region which can result in increased volatility. The use of derivatives such as futures contracts and swaps are subject to market risks that may cause their price to fluctuate over time. Risks of the Fund include Effects of Compounding and Market Volatility Risk, Leverage Risk, Market Risk, Counterparty Risk, Rebalancing Risk, Intra-Day Investment Risk, Other Investment Companies (including ETFs) Risk, and risks specific to the securities of the Underlying Stock and the sector in which it operates. These and other risks can be found in the prospectus.

This information is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of any Funds to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws. You could lose money by investing in the ETFs. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Funds will be achieved. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

The Fund is distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc, which is not affiliated with GraniteShares or any of its affiliates ©2024 GraniteShares Inc. All rights reserved. GraniteShares, GraniteShares Trusts, and the GraniteShares logo are registered and unregistered trademarks of GraniteShares Inc., in the United States and elsewhere. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

The MIL Network –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Australian Oilseeds Expands Market Reach Through Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Growth in Vietnam

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

COOTAMUNDRA, Australia, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Australian Oilseeds Holdings Limited, (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: COOT), a manufacturer and seller of sustainable edible oils to customers globally, today announced a partnership with SMART MARKETING CO. LTD for the sales, marketing, and distribution of its GEO brand in Vietnam.

The GEO brand features a premium selection of Australian cold-pressed, non-GMO canola oil and olive oil. Under the agreement, SMART MARKETING CO. LTD will manage brand development and retail distribution throughout Vietnam, leveraging its extensive nationwide network and in-depth market knowledge. AMO’s established presence across Vietnam—spanning supermarkets, specialty stores, and major e-commerce platforms—will enable efficient rollout and consumer access from both physical and digital channels.

Vietnam’s growing demand for healthy and high-quality food products has created a dynamic space for natural and chemical-free oils. With a population of over 100 million and rising health consciousness, the Vietnamese market presents significant opportunities for premium international brands.

“This partnership strengthens our entry into one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and fast-growing markets,” said Gary Seaton, Chief Executive Officer. “SMART MARKETING CO. LTD brings an exceptional track record and a deep understanding of local retail and consumer behavior. We are confident that their team will drive strong results and long-term growth for the GEO brand in Vietnam.”

Australian Oilseeds is also excited to announce the launch of GEO’s brand of extra virgin olive oil. The extra virgin olive oil is sourced from Australia’s finest olive groves and is expected to add an additional USD 5–8 million to its top line revenue within the next 12 months.

About Australian Oilseeds Investments Pty Ltd. Australian Oilseeds Investments Pty Ltd. is an Australian proprietary company dedicated to the sustainable production and global distribution of high-quality oilseeds. Operating directly and through its subsidiaries, the Company focuses on the processing, manufacturing, and sale of non-GMO and organic food-grade oils for the rapidly growing health-conscious consumer market. With a firm commitment to eliminating harmful chemicals from every stage of the supply chain, the Company partners with like-minded suppliers to promote cleaner agricultural practices. Its product portfolio includes premium vegetable oils, proteins, and other food ingredients sourced from oilseeds grown for purity and sustainability. Over the past two decades, Australian Oilseeds has built and expanded the largest cold-pressing facility in Australia, producing only GMO-free conventional and certified organic oils. Today, the Company is recognized as a trusted supplier of healthier food ingredients to customers around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding our financial outlook, business strategy and plans, market trends and market size, opportunities and positioning. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our business strategy, financial outlook, market trends, growth opportunities, and potential outcomes of strategic partnerships. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “target,” “project,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. For example, global economic conditions could in the future reduce demand for our products; we could in the future experience cybersecurity incidents; we may be unable to manage or sustain the level of growth that our business has experienced in prior periods; our financial resources may not be sufficient to maintain or improve our competitive position; we may be unable to attract new customers, or retain or sell additional products to existing customers; we may experience challenges successfully expanding our marketing and sales capabilities, including further specializing our sales force; customer growth could decelerate in the future; we may not achieve expected synergies and efficiencies of operations from recent acquisitions or business combinations, and we may not be able to pay off our convertible notes when due. Further information on potential factors that could affect our financial results is included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views only as of the date of this press release and we assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact
Australian Oilseeds Holdings Limited
126-142 Cowcumbla Street
Cootamundra New South Wales 2590
Attn: Amarjeet Singh, CFO
Email: amarjeet.s@energreennutrition.com.au

Investor Relations Contact
Reed Anderson
(646) 277-1260
reed.anderson@icrinc.com

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Australian Oilseeds Expands Market Reach Through Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Growth in Vietnam

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

COOTAMUNDRA, Australia, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Australian Oilseeds Holdings Limited, (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: COOT), a manufacturer and seller of sustainable edible oils to customers globally, today announced a partnership with SMART MARKETING CO. LTD for the sales, marketing, and distribution of its GEO brand in Vietnam.

The GEO brand features a premium selection of Australian cold-pressed, non-GMO canola oil and olive oil. Under the agreement, SMART MARKETING CO. LTD will manage brand development and retail distribution throughout Vietnam, leveraging its extensive nationwide network and in-depth market knowledge. AMO’s established presence across Vietnam—spanning supermarkets, specialty stores, and major e-commerce platforms—will enable efficient rollout and consumer access from both physical and digital channels.

Vietnam’s growing demand for healthy and high-quality food products has created a dynamic space for natural and chemical-free oils. With a population of over 100 million and rising health consciousness, the Vietnamese market presents significant opportunities for premium international brands.

“This partnership strengthens our entry into one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and fast-growing markets,” said Gary Seaton, Chief Executive Officer. “SMART MARKETING CO. LTD brings an exceptional track record and a deep understanding of local retail and consumer behavior. We are confident that their team will drive strong results and long-term growth for the GEO brand in Vietnam.”

Australian Oilseeds is also excited to announce the launch of GEO’s brand of extra virgin olive oil. The extra virgin olive oil is sourced from Australia’s finest olive groves and is expected to add an additional USD 5–8 million to its top line revenue within the next 12 months.

About Australian Oilseeds Investments Pty Ltd. Australian Oilseeds Investments Pty Ltd. is an Australian proprietary company dedicated to the sustainable production and global distribution of high-quality oilseeds. Operating directly and through its subsidiaries, the Company focuses on the processing, manufacturing, and sale of non-GMO and organic food-grade oils for the rapidly growing health-conscious consumer market. With a firm commitment to eliminating harmful chemicals from every stage of the supply chain, the Company partners with like-minded suppliers to promote cleaner agricultural practices. Its product portfolio includes premium vegetable oils, proteins, and other food ingredients sourced from oilseeds grown for purity and sustainability. Over the past two decades, Australian Oilseeds has built and expanded the largest cold-pressing facility in Australia, producing only GMO-free conventional and certified organic oils. Today, the Company is recognized as a trusted supplier of healthier food ingredients to customers around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding our financial outlook, business strategy and plans, market trends and market size, opportunities and positioning. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our business strategy, financial outlook, market trends, growth opportunities, and potential outcomes of strategic partnerships. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “target,” “project,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. For example, global economic conditions could in the future reduce demand for our products; we could in the future experience cybersecurity incidents; we may be unable to manage or sustain the level of growth that our business has experienced in prior periods; our financial resources may not be sufficient to maintain or improve our competitive position; we may be unable to attract new customers, or retain or sell additional products to existing customers; we may experience challenges successfully expanding our marketing and sales capabilities, including further specializing our sales force; customer growth could decelerate in the future; we may not achieve expected synergies and efficiencies of operations from recent acquisitions or business combinations, and we may not be able to pay off our convertible notes when due. Further information on potential factors that could affect our financial results is included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views only as of the date of this press release and we assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact
Australian Oilseeds Holdings Limited
126-142 Cowcumbla Street
Cootamundra New South Wales 2590
Attn: Amarjeet Singh, CFO
Email: amarjeet.s@energreennutrition.com.au

Investor Relations Contact
Reed Anderson
(646) 277-1260
reed.anderson@icrinc.com

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Research: Consumer Mobile Frustration Is Rising – And It’s Costing Brands

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ATLANTA, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fullstory, a leading behavioral data company, today unveiled findings from its 2025 Behavioral Insights Benchmark Report, analyzing year-over-year trends in user digital experience across platforms. This year’s data from 14 billion sessions across key sectors—retail, financial services, food and beverage, travel and hospitality, gambling and entertainment, software, and business services—shows a sharp rise in mobile user frustration, with more frequent pain points, early search abandonment, spikes in error, and rage clicks.

Welcome to the ‘Frustration Economy’: Mobile is Becoming a Hotspot for User Friction 

Emerging AI-driven interfaces have made user experience (UX) on mobile more complex, and today’s consumers are paying the price, with mobile error clicks surging 667% from 2024 to 2025. This increase in errors, combined with decreasing user patience, is revealing a critical shift in behavior as consumers want their mobile experiences to be personalized and fast. A clear sign of frustration is rage clicks, which increased drastically for mobile and desktop users. Specifically, food and beverage rose a staggering 673%, followed by business services (131%), financial services (85%), and retail (56%).

Adding to the complexity, the report shows that mobile bounce rate rose 54%, with half of all mobile users exiting after just one page. Financial services saw the highest number of mobile bounce rates at 85%, followed by retail (64%), and food and beverage (13%). For travel brands, mobile bounce rates decreased by 10%.

“Today’s consumers expect elevated, efficient digital experiences. These high expectations are a byproduct of consumers’ increasing exposure to sophisticated AI tools, putting pressure on brands to deliver exceptional experiences every single session,” said Adam Spisak, Chief Customer Officer at Fullstory. “Our data confirms that mobile interfaces aren’t keeping pace with the new set of expectations from consumers. This is a wake-up call for brands. As frustration builds and consumers encounter more issues, they will choose to pursue other options.”

Mobile Users Linger Longer but Struggle More

Across all sectors, mobile traffic is rising, but UX often lags. Errors, rage clicks, and abandonments are far more common on mobile, with users hitting dead ends in nearly every visit. Despite these challenges, mobile still presents opportunities, as brands seek to engage more often and for longer with consumers. In 2025, mobile session duration rose 332%, reaching an average of 15 minutes and 51 seconds (up from 3 minutes and 40 seconds in 2024). This opportunity to engage consumers for longer periods of time was most apparent for retailers, who saw a session duration increase of 442%, followed by food and beverage (156%), while entertainment saw a 14% decrease.

However, the report revealed dead clicks – when users click on elements that don’t respond – remained high on mobile, averaging 929 per 1,000 sessions – a slight increase from 2024. This is further proof that businesses need to invest in technology that tests their user interface on both desktop and mobile, improving both in tandem.

Desktop Experiences Are Stabilizing, Boosting User Confidence

While the increase in error clicks on mobile (667%) is concerning, this report found that web error clicks on desktop dropped significantly by 68%, indicating desktop stability is trending in the right direction. This shows that ongoing user experience investments on desktop experiences are paying off.

However, there are still opportunities for improvement, with error clicks increasing across several sectors. Food and beverage reported the highest rates of error clicks on desktop at 121%, followed by financial services (56%), and travel (14%).

“Behavioral data tells the story behind every customer interaction,” said Spisak, “It reveals exactly where and why users are struggling. The brands that act on these insights have a real opportunity to directly impact conversion, retention, and improve customer trust, resulting in stronger, more loyal relationships.”

To better understand users’ behaviors, expectations, and points of friction across digital experiences, read the full report here.

Research Methodology

The data in this report reflects aggregated and anonymized activity from January to December 2024, spanning 9.5 billion web sessions, 4.1 billion mobile sessions, and 945 billion individual events. It focuses on four key regions—North America, UK & Ireland, DACH, and Benelux—and highlights trends across five major industries: Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Finance, and Sports, Gambling & Entertainment.

About Fullstory

Fullstory is the leading behavioral data platform that helps technology leaders make smarter, faster decisions by integrating rich behavioral signals into their analytics stack. Its patented technology captures every digital interaction and transforms it into high-fidelity, actionable insights at scale. With agentic AI, Fullstory enables enterprises to anticipate the needs of both customers and employees, personalize experiences in real time, streamline workflows, and drive meaningful business outcomes. From boosting efficiency and conversion to increasing loyalty and revenue, Fullstory turns digital behavior into a competitive advantage. Headquartered in Atlanta with teams across North America, EMEA, and APAC, Fullstory is trusted by the world’s most innovative organizations to transform behavioral data into business impact.

Fullstory Media Relations
Alexandra King
Director of Communications
pr@fullstory.com

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: New report: Generative AI use doubles while trust in social media plummets
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CIRA’s 2025 Internet Trends Report reveals how trust, innovation and tariffs are reshaping Canada’s digital landscape

OTTAWA, Ontario, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Canadians navigate economic uncertainty and rapid technological change, they are changing how they spend time and money online. According to the 2025 Canadian Internet Trends Report released today, Canadians are embracing generative AI tools and expressing concern about misinformation, online safety and the trustworthiness of social media platforms.

Formerly known as Canada’s Internet Factbook, the report is based on a national survey of 2,000 adult internet users. It offers a complex picture of Canadians’ online behaviour, from shifting shopping habits to evolving perceptions of social media.

Key insights
- Use of generative AI tools has more than doubled from 2024, with 1 in 3 Canadian have used having with them in the past year. Despite the spike, Canadians remain concerned about misinformation and deepfakes, with 74 per cent worried about AI-generated fake content.
- Public trust in X continues to decline. It is now seen as the top platform for promoting polarizing content (31 per cent) and misinformation (33 per cent). The perception of safety on X has dropped by 20 percentage points since 2018. Despite buzz around alternatives like Bluesky, only five per cent of Canadians report using the app yet.
- In a global economy, 64 per cent of Canadians prefer to shop online from Canadian retailers when given the choice, with over half (55 per cent) citing support for the local economy as their top reason. In the midst of a trade war with the US, the .CA domain remains a trusted signal of Canadian identity online.
- One third of Canadians (34 per cent) encountered a deepfake in the past year; up from 20 per cent in 2024. Nearly 80 per cent believe deepfakes should be banned from social media and 59 per cent see them as a threat to democratic elections matching recent reports on election tampering.
- One-in-five Canadians has been the victim of a cyberattack or data breach most often due to breaches at companies or services they use. While 61 per cent of respondents feel confident spotting scams, the findings underscore how important it is for all organizations—big or small—to step up their cybersecurity efforts.
Executive quote

“At CIRA, we’re seeing firsthand how global events and fast-moving technologies are transforming the way Canadians use the internet. From a growing preference for Canadian e-commerce amid geopolitical tensions, to concerns over AI, misinformation, and cyber threats, it’s clear that the internet is no longer just a tool—it’s a mirror of the complex world we live in.” — Byron Holland, President and CEO, CIRA

Resources

 About Canadian Internet Trends

The report was developed by CIRA through an online survey conducted by the Strategic Counsel. A total of 2,000 Canadian internet users (18+) were surveyed via an online panel in March. Every year CIRA produces Canadian Internet Trends through this research to better understand Canadians’ internet access and use. This year CIRA will post a four-part blog series of the most salient findings from its annual survey. The full research results showcasing the latest Canadian internet trends and online user habits can be found here. 

About CIRA

CIRA is the national not-for-profit best known for managing the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians. As a leader in Canada’s internet ecosystem, CIRA offers a wide range of products, programs and services designed to make the internet a secure and accessible space for all. CIRA advocates for Canada on both national and international stages to support its goal of building a trusted internet for Canadians by helping shape the future of the internet.

Media contact
Delphine Avomo Evouna
613.315.1458
delphine.avomoevouna@cira.ca

The MIL Network –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: New report: Generative AI use doubles while trust in social media plummets
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CIRA’s 2025 Internet Trends Report reveals how trust, innovation and tariffs are reshaping Canada’s digital landscape

OTTAWA, Ontario, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Canadians navigate economic uncertainty and rapid technological change, they are changing how they spend time and money online. According to the 2025 Canadian Internet Trends Report released today, Canadians are embracing generative AI tools and expressing concern about misinformation, online safety and the trustworthiness of social media platforms.

Formerly known as Canada’s Internet Factbook, the report is based on a national survey of 2,000 adult internet users. It offers a complex picture of Canadians’ online behaviour, from shifting shopping habits to evolving perceptions of social media.

Key insights
- Use of generative AI tools has more than doubled from 2024, with 1 in 3 Canadian have used having with them in the past year. Despite the spike, Canadians remain concerned about misinformation and deepfakes, with 74 per cent worried about AI-generated fake content.
- Public trust in X continues to decline. It is now seen as the top platform for promoting polarizing content (31 per cent) and misinformation (33 per cent). The perception of safety on X has dropped by 20 percentage points since 2018. Despite buzz around alternatives like Bluesky, only five per cent of Canadians report using the app yet.
- In a global economy, 64 per cent of Canadians prefer to shop online from Canadian retailers when given the choice, with over half (55 per cent) citing support for the local economy as their top reason. In the midst of a trade war with the US, the .CA domain remains a trusted signal of Canadian identity online.
- One third of Canadians (34 per cent) encountered a deepfake in the past year; up from 20 per cent in 2024. Nearly 80 per cent believe deepfakes should be banned from social media and 59 per cent see them as a threat to democratic elections matching recent reports on election tampering.
- One-in-five Canadians has been the victim of a cyberattack or data breach most often due to breaches at companies or services they use. While 61 per cent of respondents feel confident spotting scams, the findings underscore how important it is for all organizations—big or small—to step up their cybersecurity efforts.
Executive quote

“At CIRA, we’re seeing firsthand how global events and fast-moving technologies are transforming the way Canadians use the internet. From a growing preference for Canadian e-commerce amid geopolitical tensions, to concerns over AI, misinformation, and cyber threats, it’s clear that the internet is no longer just a tool—it’s a mirror of the complex world we live in.” — Byron Holland, President and CEO, CIRA

Resources

 About Canadian Internet Trends

The report was developed by CIRA through an online survey conducted by the Strategic Counsel. A total of 2,000 Canadian internet users (18+) were surveyed via an online panel in March. Every year CIRA produces Canadian Internet Trends through this research to better understand Canadians’ internet access and use. This year CIRA will post a four-part blog series of the most salient findings from its annual survey. The full research results showcasing the latest Canadian internet trends and online user habits can be found here. 

About CIRA

CIRA is the national not-for-profit best known for managing the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians. As a leader in Canada’s internet ecosystem, CIRA offers a wide range of products, programs and services designed to make the internet a secure and accessible space for all. CIRA advocates for Canada on both national and international stages to support its goal of building a trusted internet for Canadians by helping shape the future of the internet.

Media contact
Delphine Avomo Evouna
613.315.1458
delphine.avomoevouna@cira.ca

The MIL Network –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Appoints Vice Admiral Charles J. “Joe” Leidig, Jr. (Ret.) as Chairman of its Executive Advisory Board for Naval Nuclear Initiatives

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Former Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command, to advise NANO Nuclear on potential civilian and defense applications of its advanced nuclear technologies

New York, N.Y., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that it has appointed distinguished nuclear submarine leader and Former Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command, Vice Admiral Charles J. Leidig, Jr. (Ret.), as the Chairman of its Executive Advisory Board for Naval Nuclear Initiatives.

In his role, Vice Admiral Leidig will guide NANO Nuclear’s initiatives to support United States Naval operations with reliable nuclear power solutions, including the potential use of NANO Nuclear microreactors in development for propulsion, baseload power on operating bases and other programs.

Leidig served as Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command from August 2010 to June 2013, capping a 39-year Navy career. Prior to this assignment, Leidig was the 80th Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, and earlier commanded USS Cavalla (SSN 684), where his crew earned two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the coveted Battle “E.” Additional leadership posts included Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Five; Commander, Naval Forces and Region Marianas; Commander, Submarine Group Eight; and Deputy Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. Across these tours he directed submarine rescue programs, Arctic-warfare initiatives, and allied undersea operations, building a reputation for positive, mission-focused leadership.

Vice Admiral Leidig’s career also included stints as a material officer for Submarine Squadron 11, senior member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, assistant deputy director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff, and executive assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff. He is a 1978 graduate, with distinction, of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Professional education later included the National Security Management Program at Syracuse University and the Navy Executive Business Course at UNC Chapel Hill.

“The U.S. Navy’s long record of safe, reliable nuclear propulsion has shown how compact reactors can deliver consistent power under demanding conditions,” said Charles J. Leidig, Jr., Chairman of NANO Nuclear’s Executive Advisory Board for Naval Nuclear Initiatives. “NANO Nuclear brings that same spirit of innovation to the next generation of microreactors for potential civilian and military use. NANO Nuclear’s rapid progress reflects a focused, highly capable team, and I’m pleased to contribute my naval nuclear experience as we meet growing demand in the marketplace for advanced nuclear technologies.”

Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Appoints Vice Admiral Charles J. Leidig (Ret.) as the Chairman of its Executive Advisory Board for Naval Nuclear Initiatives.

His personal decorations comprise the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, among numerous unit awards. He remains deeply engaged with the Naval Academy community and veterans’ organizations, continuing a lifelong commitment to mentorship and national service.

“NANO Nuclear is moving steadily toward constructing the first U.S. commercial microreactor, the KRONOS MMR^™ Energy System,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear. “As we enter this next phase of development, we are assembling a leadership team equal to the technology’s promise. Vice Admiral Leidig exemplifies the caliber of talent essential to our future, and we are pleased to welcome him to our company.”

“Vice Admiral Leidig’s appointment further strengthens NANO Nuclear’s roster of leading public- and private-sector advisors,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “His firsthand experience directing the Navy’s nuclear-power initiatives will be invaluable as the country looks for efficient, long-life energy solutions. With his guidance, we believe our flexible microreactor portfolio in development can help power the next phase of America’s energy transition.”

About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

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

Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR^™Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR^™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

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

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

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

For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statements include those related to the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of the appointment of Vice Admiral Leidig to the Company’s Executive Advisory Board, as well as the Company’s future development plans in general. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the enacted ADVANCE Act and the May 23, 2025 presidential executive orders seeking to support nuclear energy, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

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The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025