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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Metro Celebrates 3 Years of Biometric Payment and Sets New Cashless Payment Record

    Source: Moscow Metro

    Moscow’s Metro system is celebrating a milestone: three years of successful biometric payment

    Maksim Liksutov, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, highlighted the convenience of this payment method, now available at turnstiles across:

    • Metro and Moscow Central Circle (MCC)

    • Aeroexpress

    • Regular river transport

    • Several Moscow Central Diameter (MCD) stations

    Here are some impressive figures:

    • Over 1,100 turnstiles equipped with biometric payment

    • Over 160,000 daily passes made using biometrics

    • Around 375,000 users registered for the service

    In 2021, we launched biometric payment in the metro. Passengers no longer need cards, phones, or wallets to pass through turnstiles. They simply look into the camera, and the gate opens. Users have already made over 125 million passes. Nowhere else in the world is this service as convenient as in the Russian capital. In these 3 years, it has proven itself to be maximally secure and reliable, – said Liksutov.

    Moscow Metro also sets a new record:

    Moscow’s Metro system has reached a new milestone: a record-breaking 91.2% of passengers are now using cashless payment methods. This is the highest rate since the launch of these services and this is a clear sign of a shift towards a more convenient and efficient transportation experience for our citizens. By implementing digital solutions, we’ve made user-friendly, fast, and environmentally friendly payment tools readily available, – added Maksim Liksutov.

    The most popular cashless payment methods include:

    • Biometric payment

    • Virtual Troika card

    • Fast Payment System (FPS)

    • Bank cards and payment stickers

    Moscow is becoming a global leader in the number of payment methods available for public transportation. Following the directives of Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, we will continue to develop modern, domestic services within our city’s transportation system, – concluded Liksutov.

    This achievement highlights Moscow’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and embracing innovative technologies to improve the lives of its citizens.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI Prepared to Handle Complaints of Voting Rights Concerns, Election Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE, RI – United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Amy R. Romero will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Romero has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Rhode Island, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    United States Attorney Cunha said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

     The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).   

    United States Attorney Cunha stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Romero will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (401) 709-5068.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (401) 272-8310.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    United States Attorney Cunha said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. 

    View United States Attorney Cunha’s Election Day Program public service announcement at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw02Lr2DyCA&t=16s

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Trio Petroleum Corp. Announces Appointment of James Blake to its Board of Directors, Strengthening Financial and Strategic Expertise

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bakersfield, CA, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trio Petroleum Corp. (NYSE American: “TPET”, “Trio” or the “Company”), a California-based oil and gas company, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Blake to its Board of Directors. James brings with him 30 years of experience in the financial industry and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), with a distinguished career, having recently retired from a major Canadian bank where he managed over $750 million in assets as a portfolio manager. His expertise in financial markets, investment strategies, and risk management will be an invaluable asset to Trio Petroleum.

    In addition to his extensive financial experience, James has been deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, both as an investor and in raising capital for early-stage companies across various sectors. His capacity to identify high-potential ventures, coupled with his financial acumen, equips him with a diverse perspective that will benefit Trio as the company looks to strengthen its position in the energy market.

    “James Blake’s wealth of knowledge in financial management and his entrepreneurial insights align perfectly with Trio’s strategic goals for growth and innovation,” said Robin Ross, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Trio Petroleum Corp. “His leadership and experience will be instrumental in supporting our drive for sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and long-term shareholder value. We are excited to welcome James to our board.”

    With his forward-thinking approach and a strong track record in both traditional finance and the startup space, James Blake’s appointment strengthens Trio Petroleum’s commitment to corporate governance, strategic direction, and the creation of sustainable value for its investors.

    About Trio Petroleum Corp.

    Trio Petroleum Corp. is an oil and gas exploration and development company headquartered in Bakersfield, California, with operations in Monterey County, California, and Uintah County, Utah. In Monterey County, Trio owns an 85.75% working interest in 9,245 acres at the Presidents and Humpback oilfields in the South Salinas Project, and a 21.92% working interest in 800 acres in the McCool Ranch Field. In Uintah County, Trio owns a 2.25% working interest in 960 acres and options to acquire up to a 20% working interest in the 960 acres, in an adjacent 1,920 acres, and in the greater 30,000 acres of the Asphalt Ridge Project.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements in this press release of Trio Petroleum Corp. (“Trio”) and its representatives and partners that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Acts”). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words “estimates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “intends,” “on-track”, “plans,” “anticipates,” or “may,” and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Acts and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Acts. Any statements made in this press release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may change. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the Trio’s control, that could cause actual results to materially and adversely differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth in the Risk Factors section of Trio’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Amendment No. 1 thereto, both filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies are of such documents are available on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. Trio undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this press release, except as required by law.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Redwood Empire Financial Communications
    Michael Bayes
    (404) 809 4172
    michael@redwoodefc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Acquia Releases New AI Capabilities for Digital Asset Management

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acquia, the leader in open digital experience software, today announced several AI-powered enhancements to the company’s digital asset management solution, Acquia DAM, that enable creatives and marketers to increase productivity and extract more value from their digital content.

    Acquia Video Creator, powered by Moovly, is now available as an add-on module to the Acquia DAM and PIM (product information management) solutions. An advanced AI-powered solution, Acquia Video Creator allows users to easily produce professional-quality, brand-compliant videos using a simple drag-and-drop interface, existing assets from their digital asset library, customizable templates, and a vast library of graphics, animations, and video clips. Start entirely new projects, edit existing videos, and use AI features to generate scripts, voiceover, subtitles, transcripts, and translations. Acquia Video Creator also offers collaboration tools for internal sharing and review, enabling organizations to quickly create videos that can be used across websites, e-commerce channels, social media, events, and more.

    In addition, Acquia has expanded the AI-driven features available directly within Acquia DAM that make it easier to manage, find, and share video and image assets. AI Video Transcription now enables users to add an AI-generated video transcript that is stored on the video’s asset digest page, eliminating the need to send videos to a separate transcription service. The transcripts are time-stamped and available via general and advanced searches within the DAM, and can also be downloaded. Also, Automated Color Filtering removes human error that can arise in manual tagging by using AI to analyze the color profile of an image and provide filtering and search of specific HEX values, without any administrator work required.

    “AI creates new opportunities for creatives, content authors, and marketers to drive efficiency and create immersive digital experiences that drive greater customer engagement,” said Jake Athey, Vice President of Go-To-Market and Sales for Acquia DAM & PIM. “Our latest innovations accelerate campaign delivery by empowering teams to create content more easily, organize assets more accurately, and find relevant assets more quickly. They are just the start of a steady stream of forthcoming innovations that distinguish Acquia DAM for its ability to consistently increase business value.”

    About Acquia
    Acquia empowers ambitious digital innovators to craft the most productive, frictionless digital experiences that make a difference to their customers, employees, and communities. We provide the world’s leading open digital experience platform (DXP), built on open source Drupal, as part of our commitment to shaping a digital future that is safe, accessible, and available to all. With Acquia Open DXP, you can unlock the potential of your customer data and content, accelerating time to market and increasing engagement, conversion, and revenue. Learn more at https://acquia.com.

    All logos, company, and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact:
    Matt Krebsbach
    SVP, Thought Leadership & Brand Awareness
    pr@acquia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Disney and Magnite Announce Two-Year Deal Renewal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the largest independent sell-side advertising company, and Disney have announced a two-year deal extension. As the relationship grows into its sixth year, Magnite continues to be Disney’s preferred supply-side technology partner. Disney leverages Magnite’s technology to monetize its ad-supported inventory across the company’s entire portfolio. Magnite facilitates transactions for all 30+ DSPs that Disney works with.

    “Disney is committed to driving automation and executional ease for our clients. With all our streaming inventory available programmatically, Magnite remains a key technology partner supporting Disney’s advertising business,” stated Jamie Power, SVP of Addressable Sales at Disney. “Magnite plays a critical role in allowing buyers to access Disney’s inventory by connecting to more than 30 demand-side platforms in the US and starting to expand globally. In this rapidly evolving marketplace, Magnite consistently scales its capabilities to meet client needs, helping us stay ahead of emerging market trends.”

    With the expanded relationship, Disney will also leverage Magnite to:

    • Execute one-to-one deals with key buyers through Magnite’s ClearLine offering
    • Monetize College Football games on live streams on ESPN
    • Support LATAM expansion in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Argentina
    • Offer podcast inventory via PMPs, including ESPN and ABC News podcasts

    “We appreciate Disney’s confidence in our long-standing relationship and look forward to working with their team to deliver exceptional advertising experiences across every consumer touchpoint,” said Sean Buckley, Chief Revenue Officer at Magnite. “In addition to our role in enabling Disney’s programmatic transactions, we’re actively innovating in new areas like live streaming to bring added value to our partnership.”

    About Magnite
    We’re Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising company. Publishers use our technology to monetize their content across all screens and formats including CTV, online video, display, and audio. The world’s leading agencies and brands trust our platform to access brand-safe, high-quality ad inventory and execute billions of advertising transactions each month. Anchored in bustling New York City, sunny Los Angeles, mile-high Denver, historic London, colorful Singapore, and down under in Sydney, Magnite has offices across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC.

    Media Contact:

    Charlstie Veith
    cveith@magnite.com
    516-300-3569

    Investor Relations
    Nick Kormeluk
    nkormeluk@magnite.com
    949-500-0003

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Trust Stamp Enhances Biometric Security with Palm-Enhanced Cryptographic Solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Atlanta, GA, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trust Stamp (Nasdaq: IDAI), a global provider of advanced identity solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of a pioneering research initiative aimed at expanding its biometric cryptosystem, Stable IT2, to include contactless palm authentication. The Biometric Secure Module (BSM) project will further enhance security by integrating face and palm biometrics, providing a more resilient and privacy-centric authentication system.

    Cyber-crime is on the rise, with global costs projected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. Trust Stamp’s BSM project aims to address this growing concern by developing a biometric cryptosystem that offers high-entropy, secure authentication without the need to store sensitive biometric data. This ensures users’ data remains protected even in the event of a device breach, as no cryptographic keys are stored directly on the device.

    Project Biometric Secure Module (BSM) financed by Xjenza Malta, through the FUSION: R&I Technology Development Programme Lite, will span 18 months, with a start date of November 1, 2024. The funding covers 75% of the project cost, with the company contributing 25% from its own resources. By leveraging Trust Stamp’s proprietary Stable IT2 algorithm, the BSM will generate cryptographic keys directly from facial and palm biometric features. This innovative approach maintains high security while minimizing the risks associated with device compromises.

    Prof. Norman Poh, Chief Science Officer of Trust Stamp, emphasized the privacy advantages of this approach, stating, “By utilizing palm biometrics, we can generate secure keys from a biometric modality that is less publicly exposed than facial features. This provides an added layer of protection against unauthorized access.”

    Prof. Reuben Farrugia, Research Director at Trust Stamp, outlined the significance of the research, noting that this project aims to deliver a software development kit (SDK) for Android devices. This SDK will allow integration of the Stable IT2 process into mobile applications, enabling secure on-device authentication. Additionally, the development of Trust Stamp’s Orchestration Layer will provide seamless access to helper data, facilitating user-friendly biometric authentication.

    Trust Stamp’s BSM project represents a significant advancement in the field of biometrics, offering a robust solution that aligns with industry standards such as the FIDO Alliance’s recommendations. With the combination of face and palm recognition, Trust Stamp is poised to redefine digital identity security, particularly for financial institutions, digital wallets, and identity access management providers.

    About Trust Stamp: Trust Stamp is a global provider of AI-powered identity verification and authentication solutions. With a focus on privacy-first security, Trust Stamp offers innovative biometric technology to enhance digital identity management. For more information, visit http://www.truststamp.net.

    About Xjenza Malta: Xjenza Malta is the government agency responsible for promoting and coordinating scientific research, technological innovation, and science communication in Malta.

    Inquiries                                                                                                     Email: dgrima@truststamp.net
    Trust Stamp

    David Grima      
    Director of Product Innovation, Trust Stamp

    Safe Harbor Statement: Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Remarks 

    All statements in this release that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements,” including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The information in this announcement may contain forward-looking statements and information related to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events-based information currently available and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sunrun Builds and Operates New York’s Largest Residential Power Plant in Partnership with Orange and Rockland Utilities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PEARL RIVER, N.Y. and SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED), one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, have successfully activated New York’s largest residential power plant using more than 300 solar-plus-storage systems. During dozens of peak electricity demand events this summer, the home batteries supplied stored solar energy to help stabilize the electric grid.

    The Sunrun-managed power plant was initiated by O&R and approved as a demonstration project by the New York State Public Service Commission. The year-round program supports New York’s transition to clean and reliable energy and helps the state reach its nation-leading storage and electrification goals. Under this program, Sunrun synchronizes the discharging of the participating batteries to deliver stored solar power to reduce stress on the electric grid during times of peak energy usage. The solar-plus-storage systems also provide a source of backup power to the homes of participating customers.

    “This is an important step toward the future of fortifying New York’s energy grid, utilizing innovation to build a more affordable and reliable way to deliver power. We are excited to see residents of New York benefit from the sharing of stored solar power and know this partnership with Orange and Rockland will show the path forward for the rest of the state,” said CEO of Sunrun, Mary Powell.

    “The creation of this virtual power plant unlocks incredible benefits to the electric grid that will provide our customers with the clean and reliable energy that they expect and deserve,” said Andre Wellington, O&R director of Distributed Resource Integration. “Home solar-plus-storage is an innovative, flexible resource that can be called upon during times of stress on our electric system and O&R is happy to be part of this opportunity to advance New York State’s clean energy goals.”

    Enrolled customers received a free or heavily discounted home battery in exchange for participating in the 10-year program to help the resiliency of the electric grid. Sunrun receives an upfront payment from O&R based on the battery capacity installed, which allows Sunrun to offer the battery for free or at a heavily discounted price to customers. Customers will also benefit from consuming their own stored solar power and from utility bill credits for the excess energy they supply to the electric grid. Even when O&R dispatches the batteries for load relief, customers’ batteries will still retain 20% or more of the stored solar power to provide their homes with backup power in the event of a local power outage.

    “We quickly signed up once we learned that a Sunrun solar and battery system could protect our home from outages while also bolstering the grid for our community,” said Joseph Ortiz, a Sunrun and O&R customer in Rockland County. “It’s gratifying to know that—without us even lifting a finger—our home is supplying clean solar energy back to the grid to benefit everyone.”

    With more than 1 million customers and 116,000 installed storage systems, Sunrun is the nation’s largest developer of residential clean energy systems. Sunrun is responsible for nearly half of all new home battery installations in the country. Sunrun operates more than a dozen power plants across the country, including the nation’s largest single-owner virtual power plant.

    About Sunrun
    Sunrun Inc. (Nasdaq: RUN) revolutionized the solar industry in 2007 by removing financial barriers and democratizing access to locally-generated, renewable energy. Today, Sunrun is the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, offering residential solar and storage with no upfront costs. Sunrun’s innovative products and solutions can connect homes to the cleanest energy on earth, providing them with energy security, predictability, and peace of mind. Sunrun also manages energy services that benefit communities, utilities, and the electric grid while enhancing customer value. Discover more at http://www.sunrun.com

    About O&R
    Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, is a regulated utility. O&R provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey (through its subsidiary Rockland Electric Company) and natural gas service to approximately 140,000 customers in New York State. Visit http://www.oru.com for more.

    Sunrun Media Contact
    Wyatt Semanek
    Director, Corporate Communications
    press@sunrun.com

    Sunrun Investor & Analyst Contact
    Patrick Jobin
    SVP, Deputy CFO & Investor Relations Officer
    investors@sunrun.com

    O&R Media Contact
    Vito Signorile
    Manager, Media Relations
    signorilev@oru.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Vimeo Delivers Spatial App Experience Built for Apple Vision Pro Enabling Users to View, Upload, and Share Spatial Videos

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vimeo (NASDAQ: VMEO), the world’s most innovative video experience platform, today announced the launch of its groundbreaking app for Apple Vision Pro. This immersive app brings viewers into the content and empowers Vision Pro users to view, upload, and share their spatial videos with others to enjoy. The free app is now available to download on the visionOS App Store.

    With its ability to add remarkable depth and dimension to a scene, spatial video delivers an innovative way to tell powerful stories, as it offers a more engaging and immersive experience for both personal and professional use cases. Spatial videos can be recorded on Apple Vision Pro, the iPhone 16 line, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Canon has also announced the development of a new stereoscopic lens, the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL Lens, compatible with the popular EOS R7 camera body that will capture gorgeous spatial video.

    With the Vimeo app for Vision Pro, users can relive previous moments and experiences in ways never before possible, or explore the growing library of content from the Vimeo community. After capturing spatial video, users can upload their content and share it privately or with the Vimeo community. Users can upload and catalog their spatial videos to their Vimeo library from the Vimeo app for iOS, visionOS, or vimeo.com. Professional content creators and video pros also gain an innovative new way to tell stories and engage with their audiences. Businesses can leverage spatial videos to bring their customers to new places, provide immersive training experiences for their employees, and even showcase new products in a truly unique way. Apple has announced an update to Final Cut Pro later this year that will enable creators to edit spatial videos on their Mac and add dynamic titles and effects to their projects.

    “Vimeo has always been known for supporting video creators with the highest quality formats and most innovative technologies to tell their stories,” said Philip Moyer, CEO at Vimeo. “The launch of our Apple Vision Pro app marks a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to push the boundaries of video experiences. This kind of spatial content is the future of storytelling, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this revolution.”

    To celebrate the launch of its Vision Pro app, Vimeo has partnered with award-winning filmmaker and Staff Pick winner Jake Oleson to create exclusive content that demonstrates the experiences made possible by spatial video, and to inspire others to experiment with it themselves.  

    For more information and to download the Vimeo App on the visionOS App Store, please click here.

    About Vimeo
    Vimeo (NASDAQ: VMEO) is the world’s most innovative video experience platform. We enable anyone to create high-quality video experiences to better connect and bring ideas to life. We proudly serve our community of millions of users – from creative storytellers to globally distributed teams at the world’s largest companies – whose videos receive billions of views each month. Learn more at http://www.vimeo.com.

    Contact:
    Frank Filiatrault
    Director of Communications
    frank.filiatrault@vimeo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Manufacturer and Distributor Chooses Bridgeline’s AI-Powered HawkSearch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WOBURN, Mass., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bridgeline Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLIN), a provider of AI-driven marketing technology, announced a leading manufacturer and distributor of life safety gear, equipment, and training for first responders and law enforcement selected HawkSearch to improve their on-site search and merchandising powered by Salesforce Commerce Cloud.

    The distributor will use HawkSearch to enhance website performance by delivering a more tailored search experience. They were particularly drawn to features like advanced merchandising for promoting or boosting specific products, burying out-of-stock items, and adjusting ranking and sort order. The scope also includes incorporating Instant Engage for surfacing trending items, categories, and content as soon as the user clicks on the search box.

    HawkSearch will also power product category landing pages for consistency between browsing and searching, along with natural language search capabilities. These enhancements will help deliver a more engaging customer experience, aligning with marketing goals and improving traffic, conversion rates, and order values.

    Ari Kahn, CEO of Bridgeline, said, “We’re excited to support this global leader in optimizing their search experience. HawkSearch will enhance their digital performance and help achieve key business outcomes.”

    About Bridgeline Digital

    Bridgeline helps companies grow online revenue by increasing traffic, conversion rates, and average order value. To learn more, please visit http://www.bridgeline.com.

    Contact:
    Danielle Colvin
    SVP of Marketing
    Bridgeline Digital
    press@bridgeline.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LM Funding America, Inc. Announces Ryan Duran Expands Leadership Role to President of its Bitcoin Mining Subsidiary – USDM

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tampa, FL, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LM Funding America, Inc. (NASDAQ: LMFA) (“LM Funding” or the “Company”), a cryptocurrency mining and technology-based specialty finance company, is pleased to announce the promotion of Ryan Duran from Vice President of Operations to President of its digital mining subsidiary, US Digital Mining and Hosting Co LLC.

    Bruce Rodgers, Chairman and CEO of LM Funding, stated, “As we continue to focus and expand our Bitcoin mining operations, it is clear that strong, dedicated leadership is essential to drive our hosting and mining infrastructure. With his expertise and leadership skills, Ryan Duren is the perfect choice to accelerate our growth in the Bitcoin mining business.”

    With this promotion, Ryan Duran will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and enhancing the operational efficiency of the Company’s mining operations, ensuring that LM Funding remains at the forefront of the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency industry.

    Mr. Duran has worked with the Company since 2008 and has developed broad operational experience in the digital mining and hosting area and the specialty finance operations of the business. Mr. Duran has a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Finance from Florida State University.

    About LM Funding America
    LM Funding America, Inc. (Nasdaq: LMFA), together with its subsidiaries, is a cryptocurrency mining business that commenced Bitcoin mining operations in September 2022. The Company also operates a technology-based specialty finance company that provides funding to nonprofit community associations (Associations) primarily located in the state of Florida, as well as in the states of Washington, Colorado, and Illinois, by funding a certain portion of the Associations’ rights to delinquent accounts that are selected by the Associations arising from unpaid Association assessments.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” and “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guaranties of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, uncertainty created by the risks of entering into and operating in the cryptocurrency mining business, uncertainty in the cryptocurrency mining business in general, problems with hosting vendors in the mining business, the capacity of our Bitcoin mining machines and our related ability to purchase power at reasonable prices, the ability to finance and grow our cryptocurrency mining operations, our ability to acquire new accounts in our specialty finance business at appropriate prices, the potential need for additional capital in the future, changes in governmental regulations that affect our ability to collected sufficient amounts on defaulted consumer receivables, changes in the credit or capital markets, changes in interest rates, and negative press regarding the debt collection industry.  The occurrence of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

    Contact:
    Crescendo Communications, LLC
    Tel: (212) 671-1021
    Email: LMFA@crescendo-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: One Stop Systems to Report Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ESCONDIDO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One Stop Systems, Inc. (“OSS” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: OSS), a leader in rugged Enterprise Class compute for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and sensor processing at the edge, announced today that the Company will release its third quarter 2024 financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. A webcast and conference call will be held that same day at 10:00 a.m. ET to review the Company’s results.

    Conference Call and Webcast

    Domestic: 1-800-717-1738
    International: 1-646-307-1865
    Conference ID: 13748 (required for entry)
    Webcast:  https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1692609&tp_key=bc360380ca

    Conference Call Replay

    Domestic: 1-844-512-2921
    International: 1-412-317-6671
    Passcode: 1113748

    A replay of the call will be available after 1:00 p.m. ET on November 6, 2024, through November 20, 2024.

    About One Stop Systems
    One Stop Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSS) is a leader in AI enabled solutions for the demanding ‘edge’. OSS designs and manufactures Enterprise Class compute and storage products that enable rugged AI, sensor fusion and autonomous capabilities without compromise. These hardware and software platforms bring the latest data center performance to harsh and challenging applications, whether they are on land, sea or in the air.

    OSS products include ruggedized servers, compute accelerators, flash storage arrays, and storage acceleration software. These specialized compact products are used across multiple industries and applications, including autonomous trucking and farming, as well as aircraft, drones, ships and vehicles within the defense industry.

    OSS solutions address the entire AI workflow, from high-speed data acquisition to deep learning, training and large-scale inference, and have delivered many industry firsts for industrial OEM and government customers.

    As the fastest growing segment of the multi-billion-dollar edge computing market, AI enabled solutions require-and OSS delivers-the highest level of performance in the most challenging environments without compromise.

    OSS products are available directly or through global distributors. For more information, go to http://www.onestopsystems.com. You can also follow OSS on X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    One Stop Systems cautions you that statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company’s current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by One Stop Systems or its partners that any of our plans or expectations will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risk and uncertainties inherent in our business, including risks described in our prior press releases and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    Media Contacts:
    Robert Kalebaugh
    One Stop Systems, Inc.
    Tel (858) 518-6154
    Email contact

    Investor Relations:
    Andrew Berger
    Managing Director
    SM Berger & Company, Inc.
    Tel (216) 464-6400
    Email contact

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Publication of Prospectus

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Octopus Apollo VCT plc

    Publication of Prospectus

    Octopus Apollo VCT plc (the ‘Company’) has issued a prospectus, dated 23 October 2024, relating to a proposed offer for subscription for ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the Company (‘New Shares’) to raise up to £50 million with an over-allotment of up to a further £25 million (the ‘Offer’), following the approval of the prospectus from the Financial Conduct Authority.

    Pursuant to an agreement dated 23 October 2024 relating to the Offer between, inter alia, the Company and Octopus Investments Limited, the Company’s portfolio manager (the ‘Portfolio Manager’), which constitutes a related party transaction falling within UK Listing Rule 8.2.1R, the Portfolio Manager will receive:

    • an initial charge of 3 per cent. of the gross funds raised under the Offer by the Company; and
    • a further charge of up to 2.5 per cent of gross funds raised under the Offer by the Company from investors who have not invested their money through a financial intermediary (‘Direct Investors’); and
    • an additional ongoing charge of 0.5% of the net asset value of the investment amount received by the Company under the Offer from Direct Investors, payable for up to nine years, provided the Direct Investors continue to hold the New Shares.

    The Board of the Company believes that the above arrangements are fair and reasonable as far as the shareholders of the Company are concerned and have been so advised by Howard Kennedy Corporate Services LLP, as sponsor to the Company.

    The Offer is now open and will close on or before 5 April 2025 for the 2024/2025 tax year and on 22 October 2025 for the 2025/2026 tax year, or earlier if the Offer is fully subscribed. The Board of the Company reserves the right to close the Offer earlier.

    The prospectus will shortly be available for inspection at the National Storage Mechanism, which is located at:

    https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

    and on the Company’s website

    https://octopusinvestments.com/apollo-vct/

    For further information please contact:
    Rachel Peat
    Octopus Company Secretarial Services Limited
    Tel: +44 (0)80 0316 2067

    LEI: 213800Y3XEIQ18DP3O53

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RN-Yuganskneftegaz Releases Over 9 Million Fry of Valuable Fish Species into Yugra’s Rivers

    Source: Rosneft

    Headline: RN-Yuganskneftegaz Releases Over 9 Million Fry of Valuable Fish Species into Yugra’s Rivers

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz, Rosneft’s largest oil production asset, continues to implement a large-scale programme to preserve biodiversity and restore aquatic bioresources. The enterprise released into the water bodies of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug of  Yugra more than 9 million fry of valuable species of commercial fish, including more than 700 thousand fry of the red-listed Siberian sturgeon and sterlet.

    Conserving biodiversity and ecosystems in the regions of operation is one of the priorities of “Rosneft-2030” strategy. The release of young fish of valuable species is carried out annually.

    On the order of oil workers, the young fish are raised by special fish breeding organisations, which create the best environmental conditions for the fry: temperature regime, nutrition and water quality to ensure maximum survival of the young fish after release.

    The release of young fish was supervised by a commission, which includes representatives of the Ugra Nature Supervision Agency, the Nizhneobsk Territorial Department of the Federal Agency for Fishing and Conservation of Aquatic Bioresources, the Russian Federal Research Institute Of Fisheries and Oceanography, and the Environmental Protection Department of RN-Yuganskneftegaz.

    Release of young fish is an important step in the conservation and restoration of aquatic bioresources. It allows increasing the number of valuable fish species in the rivers of the Ob-Irtysh basin and ensuring sustainable population growth in the future.

    Reference:

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz is a key production asset of Rosneft Oil Company. The enterprise is conducting geological exploration and field development at 40 licence areas with a total area exceeding 21,000 km2 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District—Yugra. The accumulated output of RN-Yuganskneftegaz has exceeded 2.7 billion tonnes of oil since the start of commercial operation.

    The company has been participating in the artificial reproduction of aquatic bioresources since 2019 and has released more than 288 million fry of valuable fish species into the water bodies of Ugra.

    Rosneft
    Information Division
    August 29, 2020

    Keywords: Environmental news 2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Rosneft Builds a New Educational Centre in Bashkiria

    Source: Rosneft

    Headline: Rosneft Builds a New Educational Centre in Bashkiria

    With the support of Bashneft (a subsidiary of Rosneft), a new multifunctional educational centre was opened in the village of Elan-Chishma in the Ermekeyevsky District of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The 2,000 square metre school was built under the cooperation agreement between Rosneft and the region.

    Rosneft implements social projects aimed at creating favourable living conditions in the regions where it operates. This includes supporting initiatives in the field of education and upbringing of the younger generation.

    The multifunctional educational centre was built on the site of an old rural school that was constructed 70 years ago. It was housed in five wooden rooms, which significantly complicated the learning process and created everyday difficulties for schoolchildren.

    The building accommodates three institutions at once: a kindergarten, a comprehensive school and an art school. The centre has spacious classrooms, a workshop, a large library, a canteen, and a multifunctional gym that can be easily transformed into an assembly hall.

    The new educational centre has become a real attraction spot for people of all ages of Yelan-Chishma village and other nearby settlements, where about 2 thousand people live. The centre is fully autonomous: it has its own modular boiler house and substation transformer. In addition, the surrounding territory has been landscaped – children’s and sports grounds have been equipped, gazebos have been installed, shrubs and large trees have been planted.

    In total, more than 40 projects on construction and reconstruction of educational institutions have been implemented over the last 5 years within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between Bashkortostan and Rosneft. These include the construction of a 300-seat polylingual boarding school in Neftekamsk, kindergartens in the village of Kushnarenkovo, Kushnarenkovsky district, and in the village of Stary Kurdym, Tatyshlinsky district, an educational building in the children’s health camp ‘Orlyonok’ in Ilishevsky district, a school in the village of Raevsky, Alsheyevsky district, and a major overhaul of the Ufa forestry school, the oldest secondary specialised educational institution in the capital of Bashkortostan.

    Reference:

    Bashneft is one of the oldest oil and gas enterprises in the country engaged in oil extraction and processing. Bashneft’s main production facilities are located in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Oil and gas exploration and production are also carried out in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area–Yugra, Nenets Autonomous Area, Orenburg Region and the Republic of Tatarstan.

    Rosneft
    Information Division
    September 2, 2024

    Keywords: Social News 2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Quality of life continues to slide in South Africa’s key economic province, Gauteng – new survey

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Christian Hamann, Researcher, Gauteng City-Region Observatory

    The Gauteng City-Region, which has long been South Africa’s economic engine, is in decline. The region contributes about 35% of the country’s total economic output, and is home to more than 15 million people, about 25% of the country’s population of 62 million people.

    Many in the province have come from far and wide hoping to “make it” in the land of opportunity. Yet both the media and the public raise critical questions about its future amid decaying infrastructure, poor delivery of basic government services, and a steady uptick in violent crime.

    New research from the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) reveals that development outcomes in the province are declining. The GCRO is an independent institute that produces research and analysis to inform decision making and policy in the Gauteng City-Region. It is a partnership between the Gauteng provincial government, the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, and organised local government (Salga-Gauteng).

    The GCRO constructs a multidimensional index of wellbeing that combines 33 variables into one measure, known as the Quality of Life Index, from survey data that has been collected every two to three years since 2009.

    This includes measures of health, safety, life satisfaction, socio-economic status, public services, satisfaction with government, and social and political participation. The latest index (2023/24) shows that quality of life in Gauteng has fallen to its lowest level ever since the survey began in 2009. This suggests that the wellbeing of many households has been compromised by the complex and interconnected global challenges, known as the polycrisis, that have emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Many of these challenges are linked to the local governance crisis, characterised by unstable political party coalitions. The interaction of complex crises amplifies harmful effects, profoundly affecting quality of life.

    A governance crisis emerged in South Africa in the wake of state capture, marked by a stark decline in the provision of quality public services. So, the government has struggled to shield citizens from the worst impacts of the polycrisis. Households face an acute convergence of global and local crises, reflected in health, economic instability, societal unrest, climate challenges, and rising safety concerns.

    The research

    The 7th Quality of Life Survey involved 13,795 adult residents of Gauteng. Respondents were randomly sampled in every ward of the province. Data was collected by a team of fieldworkers from 28 August 2023 to 16 April 2024. The data is made freely available, and is used by government, academics and civil society. The findings inform policy and strategic planning by government entities across the Gauteng City-Region.

    The latest survey results paint a complex picture about the quality of life in Gauteng. Some of the most significant findings which relate to the challenges that household face, and the ways people respond to challenges, are highlighted below. The list of crises includes concerns about public service delivery, satisfaction with government, safety, poverty, and overall quality of life.

    Unreliable service delivery

    Basic services in Gauteng are characterised by interruptions to supply, inadequate coverage and quality problems. While most residents have access to water, electricity, sanitation and refuse removal, satisfaction with these levels has declined substantially since the previous survey in 2020/21.

    The latest survey shows that only 61% of respondents were satisfied with their sanitation, only 60% perceived their water as always clean, and only 64% were satisfied with their refuse removal. These are all lower than in the past when satisfaction ranged between 70% and 75%. The impact, for example, is that those who do not have weekly refuse removal are more likely to dump their rubbish in public spaces or burn it – causing various environmental challenges.

    Gauteng households use various resources at their disposal to deal with the impacts of unreliable services. For instance, one in seven households (15%) are now generating some or all their own electricity, compared to 4% in 2017/18. This is partly related to the unreliability of electricity provision, and growing efforts to gain independence from the “grid”. But the unreliability and cost of electricity have varied impacts, depending on household income.

    Declining satisfaction with government

    Only a fifth (21%) of respondents were satisfied with the performance of the national government. A similar proportion (22%) of respondents were satisfied with the performance of provincial and local governments. Satisfaction for all these spheres has declined by between 15 and 20 percentage points since 2017/18.

    The effect of dissatisfaction with government is increasing disengagement. Just over half of respondents (54%) felt that politics was a waste of time, and 57% said that South Africa was a failed state. When the survey was conducted, before the 2024 provincial elections, 21% of respondents said they were not planning to vote. Thus, government dissatisfaction and disengagement helps to understand the low voter turnout during the elections.

    Poverty

    While poverty rates measured in 2023/24 have improved from their peak during the pandemic, the recovery is partial. Sixteen percent of respondents lived below the food poverty line of R760 per month (about US$43). This remains higher than pre-pandemic levels (it was 12% in 2017/18). It shows that a large portion of Gauteng’s households have struggled to meet their basic needs for a long time.

    South Africa’s welfare systems remain a lifeline for many households. The proportion of respondents that benefited from any kind of social grant (including child support and old age pensions has increased steadily from 30% in 2011 to just over 50% in 2023/24.

    Low-income households are also less likely to recover from shocks because they lack financial safety nets, and cannot afford to replace public services with costly private alternatives.

    Safety concerns

    Another kind of problem experienced by respondents is insecurity as a result of crime and violence. A fifth of respondents (21%) said that they had been the victim of crime in the last year. This was a two percentage point increase from 2020/21, when lockdowns reduced crime levels. The proportion of respondents who said that the crime situation had worsened was also higher (increasing from 43% in 2020/21 to 48% in 2023/24).

    Much larger proportions of respondents felt unsafe in their homes, and when walking in their neighbourhood in the daytime or at night. For example, in 2023/24, 81% of respondents felt unsafe walking in their area at night, compared to 75% in 2020/21. The effect is that 62% of respondents in 2023/24 were dissatisfied with the security services provided by the government, compared to 54% in 2020/21.

    Overall quality of life is lower

    Overall, in the latest index quality of life reached its lowest point yet since the index was first calculated. The 2023/24 value was calculated at 59.5 out of 100, compared to 61.4 in 2020/21 and a high of 63.9 in 2017/18.

    Most of the dimensions declined, suggesting that the wellbeing of many households has been adversely affected by the interplay between the governance crisis and the polycrisis. Households’ ability to navigate these challenges is strongly shaped by inequality, which remains very high.

    The 2023/24 quality of life report shows that the Gauteng City-Region grapples with a series of wicked problems. Public and private sector leaders, along with civil society, need to assess the current situation and collaborate on innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life of all residents in the City-Region.

    Shannon Arnold, a junior researcher at the Gauteng City-Region Observatory, contributed to the research and this article.

    Christian Hamann is employed by the Gauteng CIty-Region Observatory which receives funding from the Gauteng Provincial Government.

    Rashid Seedat is employed by the Gauteng CIty-Region Observatory which receives funding from the Gauteng Provincial Government. He is also a Board member of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

    – ref. Quality of life continues to slide in South Africa’s key economic province, Gauteng – new survey – https://theconversation.com/quality-of-life-continues-to-slide-in-south-africas-key-economic-province-gauteng-new-survey-241714

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: As more Americans go ‘no contact’ with their parents, they live out a dilemma at the heart of Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeanette Tran, Associate Professor of English, Drake University

    Losing a connection to your family, intentionally or not, is tragic. catscandotcom/E+ via Getty Images

    Is blood thicker than water? Should family always come first?

    These clichés about the importance of family abound, despite the recognition that familial relations are oftentimes hard, if not downright dysfunctional.

    But over the past few years, a discussion has emerged about a somewhat taboo move: cutting ties altogether with family members deemed “toxic.”

    Called going “no contact,” this form of estrangement usually involves adult children cutting ties with their parents. It might happen after years of abuse or when a parent disapproves of a child who has come out as LGBTQ+. Or it might be spurred by political or religious differences. Even Vice President Kamala Harris has been mostly estranged from her father since her parents’ divorce.

    The “no contact” movement has its proponents and detractors.

    Those in favor say people should disentangle from unhealthy relationships without shame, and that family should be held to the same standards as friends and romantic partners.

    Those against say the bar for what constitutes familial trauma has become too low, and that some kids who cut off all contact are being selfish.

    At the heart of the debate over the ethics of estrangement is a cultural attachment to the idea of family. The field of family estrangement is still in its early stages, but discussions of the collapsed parent-child relationship – its sources, its ethics, its consequences – can be found in literature across history. As I’ve encountered more articles, forums and social media posts devoted to family estrangement, I can’t help but see connections to Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” which I teach to my students as a tragedy about dysfunctional families.

    The tragedy features characters who are cast out by their families, and while the work is over 400 years old, it offers uncanny insight into the logic of modern family estrangement.

    Early modern family

    In Shakespeare’s time – the English early modern era, which spanned from the beginning of the 16th century to the start of the 18th century – Protestantism reinforced the idea that people had special obligations to their kin.

    As the English Puritan preacher John Foxe wrote in “The Book of Martyrs,” “Among all the affections of nature, there is none that is so deeply graved in a father’s mind, as the love and tender affection towards his children.”

    In Foxe’s teaching, children were blessings from God who required nurturing, spiritual guidance and material support from their parents. Children, in turn, were obliged to honor and obey their parents who cared for them.

    While this sounds simple enough, the early modern family was no less prone to dysfunction than the modern family.

    Just like today, parent-child relationships were dynamic and evolved across the life span of the parents. As historian Ilana Krausman Ben-Amos argues, the family bond was not sustained by adhering to God’s commands, but through giving and reciprocation that was asymmetrical.

    Parents could invest a lot into their children and get very little in return, and vice versa. Due to shorter life expectancy, many parents did not live to see their children come of age, and if they did, children rarely earned enough to pay their parents back for the cost of raising them. Thus, children might reciprocate in less material forms, such as through offering affection.

    When a parent died, the children might receive some form of inheritance, but this was largely determined by class status, gender and the order of birth.

    Shakespeare’s characters go ‘no contact’

    “King Lear” features two storylines. Each relates to the disintegration of the family.

    In ‘King Lear,’ Edgar cuts his family off after his father, Gloucester, disavows him.
    Heritage Images/Hulton Archive via Getty Images

    The first plot involves Gloucester and his two sons, Edgar and Edmund. Edmund is a bastard, which means when Gloucester dies, his legitimate brother, Edgar, will inherit everything. To get his revenge, Edmund forges a letter in which Edgar reveals plans to murder Gloucester to expedite his inheritance. Once Gloucester sees the letter, he writes Edgar off as a villain. Feeling betrayed, Edgar assumes a new identity as a beggar and goes no-contact with his family.

    In the second plot, King Lear attempts to divide his kingdom among his daughters. Because it is impossible to equally divvy up cities, towns and villages, he invents a contest: Each daughter will give a speech articulating their love for their father. He’ll award the best parts of the kingdom to the daughter who does the finest job stroking his ego.

    Lear expects Cordelia, his favorite, to outshine her sisters. But she refuses to play along and instead calls him out for his vanity. Feeling disrespected, Lear disinherits Cordelia. With no money, she’s forced to marry the first man who will take her and moves to France.

    In these family dramas, the parents are unfair, even vindictive, toward their children. But the conflict is still compelling and relatable to readers today because so many families are characterized by inequality.

    The favorite child, the preferred parent and the inheritance dispute are as timeless to families as birthday parties and funerals.

    Right and wrong get muddied

    Deception inspires Gloucester’s disavowal and disinheritance of Edgar. And, yes, Edmund’s scheme to destroy Edgar and Gloucester’s relationship is diabolical. But at the same time, Gloucester’s decision to throw away his decades-long relationship with his son over a letter – phony or not – seems rash.

    Was Edgar right to flee from his father? Or could something have been done to save the relationship?

    Cordelia is correct that Lear is vain for expecting his daughters to compete for their inheritance. At the same time, complimenting her father seems like a small price to pay for an entire kingdom.

    Is Cordelia acting like a spoiled brat by refusing to honor and obey her father? Or is she doing him a favor by calling out his unbecoming behavior?

    Shakespeare doesn’t offer us any clear answers to these questions; he just asks readers to wade in the complexity of them and experience the unique grief that comes from watching a family fall apart over something that maybe could have been avoided.

    No envy for the estranged

    No one gets a happy ending in “King Lear” – not the children who reject their parents, and most certainly not the parents, who need their children to protect them and care for them in old age.

    Edmund’s grief over his bastard status begets the grief he brings to Gloucester and Edgar. For failing to see the truth of Edgar’s innocence, Gloucester is physically blinded by one of Edmund’s unwitting co-conspirators, a punishment he accepts. When Edgar reunites with Gloucester, his eyes fill with tears as he witnesses his father’s physical suffering. Before Gloucester dies, Edgar asks his father for a blessing.

    Even though Lear cut off contact with Cordelia, she still returns to England once she learns her sisters have thrown Lear out onto the streets with nothing but the clothes on his back. The sisters come off as villains, but one could also see their abandoning Lear as karmic retribution. When Lear reunites with Cordelia, he begs for her forgiveness, suggesting he recognizes his failures, and she begs for his, recognizing her enduring love for him despite his faults.

    Cordelia comforts her father, King Lear, after he’s been betrayed by his other daughters.
    Universal History Archive/Getty Images

    Then and now, family estrangement often leads to loneliness, along with social stigma.

    Parents can be ashamed to say their children no longer speak to them. People who are estranged from their parents speak of the impulse to share milestones with family, but fear eroding the boundaries they’ve worked so hard to maintain.

    Just like in “King Lear,” not having a family also means being economically vulnerable: It remains difficult to get a loan or lease as a young adult without a co-signer.

    The advantages of belonging to a family are so obvious that losing that affiliation, intentionally or not, is tragic. “King Lear” ends with almost all the characters dying, but because this is a play – a fiction, a fantasy – they get to ask for and receive forgiveness before the curtain closes.

    Real life doesn’t usually work like that, nor should it be expected to. If “King Lear” and Kamala Harris’ estrangement from her father make anything clear, it is that no amount of money, power or threat of bad publicity can fully protect a family from dysfunction and disintegration.

    Jeanette Tran 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. As more Americans go ‘no contact’ with their parents, they live out a dilemma at the heart of Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ – https://theconversation.com/as-more-americans-go-no-contact-with-their-parents-they-live-out-a-dilemma-at-the-heart-of-shakespeares-king-lear-239916

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: From the Streets to the Fleet: How Navy Training Transformed a Philadelphia Native’s Life

    Source: United States Navy

    “Growing up, I knew I wanted more,” Segarra recalled. “Where I come from, people don’t usually make it out. The Navy was my way out and my way forward, and joining was a decision that truly saved my life.”

    As he approaches 10 years of Navy service, Segarra is the Systems Administration Course supervisor and leading petty officer at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) San Diego, a position that allows him to mentor young Sailors who might come from similar backgrounds. He also dedicates his free time to being an active father to his daughter and providing her with a caring childhood.

    Turning a New Page with NETC

    Segarra’s story is a testament to how Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) has the power to set Sailors on a new course. Through NETC’s robust training programs, Sailors like Segarra receive not only technical skills but also the discipline and support they need to change their lives. For Segarra, his first encounter with NETC came during boot camp at Recruit Training Command (RTC), an experience that he describes as transformative.

    “Boot camp was the first time in my life that I experienced real silence,” he said. “Coming from a neighborhood where sirens and gunshots were constant, it was powerful to be in a place where I could focus and grow. That’s when I realized I was becoming part of something bigger than myself.”

    From RTC, Segarra moved on to Information Technician “A” School, where he faced the challenge of intense coursework. He credits his instructor, Chief Information Systems Technician Kelley Torranto, for believing in him and pushing him to succeed.

    “Chief Torranto was the first person outside of my uncle who truly believed in me,” he reflected. “She kept pushing me, even when I felt like giving up. I still have the challenge coin she gave me after I graduated—it reminds me every day of what I’ve overcome.”

    A Career Defined by Service and Mentorship

    Since those early days, Segarra’s career has been marked by rapid advancement and recognition. He served at the Naval Communications Security Material System in Washington, D.C., where he quickly advanced in rank, and earned titles like Bluejacket of the Year and Junior Sailor of the Year. Later, while serving aboard littoral combat ships, Segarra deployed on pioneering missions, including counter-drug operations in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

    Now, as an instructor at IWTC San Diego, Segarra focuses on preparing the next generation of Navy information warriors. He shares his background with new Sailors, especially those from difficult upbringings, offering hope and encouragement as someone who understands their challenges.

    “I’ve been where they are, and I know what it’s like to think there’s no way out,” he said. “My goal is to help them see what’s possible with hard work and commitment.”

    The Impact of NETC Training

    Segarra’s story highlights the strengths of NETC’s training programs, which combine technical instruction with personal mentorship to create well-rounded, fleet-ready Sailors. He emphasizes that NETC’s focus on real-world skills and fleet-relevant training helps Sailors gain confidence and expertise.

    “NETC isn’t just about teaching us the basics,” he explained. “It’s about setting us up for success, both on and off the ship. The Navy has given me stability, purpose and the ability to give my daughter a life I never had. For me, that’s worth everything.”

    Looking Ahead

    As he continues his Navy career, Segarra remains deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped his journey. He looks forward to furthering his career in the Navy and using the skills and values he has gained to inspire others.

    “My peers sometimes joke about how motivated I am, but they don’t realize how much I feel indebted to the Navy for giving me this second chance,” Segarra said. “Thanks to the Navy, I can be the dad I always wanted to be, and I can provide a better future for my family. That’s something I never take for granted.”

    Conclusion

    Segarra’s story is a powerful reminder of how the Navy and NETC’s training programs can transform lives. From the streets of Philadelphia to his current role at IWTC San Diego, Segarra’s journey is a testament to resilience, dedication and the life-changing impact of military service. Through his continued work, he helps shape the next generation of Sailors, showing them that, with hard work and determination, they too can achieve their dreams.

    For more information on how NETC prepares Sailors for success in the fleet, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Assistance from the OSCE Presence in Albania helps enhance informant management for Albanian law enforcement bodies

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

    Headline: Assistance from the OSCE Presence in Albania helps enhance informant management for Albanian law enforcement bodies

    Assistance from the OSCE Presence in Albania helps enhance informant management for Albanian law enforcement bodies | OSCE
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reminder to sign in at every hearing

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Recent joint working between LAA and HMCTS has identified the need for greater consistency across all courts in the way advocates sign in on all hearing days.

    New guidance has been issued by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to all court staff and the expectation is that counsel and defence practitioners will be required to sign in at every hearing.

    This will improve the data within Common Platform and enable the Legal Aid Agency to process claims without the need to request an attendance note and delay any payments.

    Evidence of attendance via the court log or attendance note is vital to ensure that the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) can evidence that payments are being made in compliance with the Criminal Procedure Rules. All payments must be evidenced for Crown Court hearings.

    Detailed guidance for how to sign in is available on the HMCTS GOV.UK pages: Check in to a Common Platform hearing – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Further information

    Crown Court fee guidance

    Legal aid guidance page has the following resources:

    Criminal Bills Assessment Manual

    Regulatory links:

    Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 – regulation 13(3)

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Child Poverty Taskforce aims to ‘give all children the best start in life’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Voices of struggling families, anti-poverty organisations and local leaders will be put at the centre of the Child Poverty Taskforce’s work to build an ambitious strategy to give all children the best start in life, ministers have pledged in a new framework published today [Wednesday 23 October].

    • Child Poverty Taskforce co-chairs Liz Kendall and Bridget Phillipson speak to parents and Barnardo’s CEO at a charity centre in Brent  

    • Comes as new framework sets out how Child Poverty Taskforce will build a bold strategy to break down barriers to opportunity and give all children the best start in life  

    • Ministers to host events and travel across the United Kingdom to hear views and experiences of local leaders, charities and those living in poverty

    The Taskforce today publishes a framework for the strategy that will come out in the Spring. 

    Over the coming months the Taskforce will focus on reducing the number of children in relative poverty after housing costs, reducing the number of children who are going without essentials, and giving all children the best start in life.

    The publication outlines how the Taskforce will work with key anti-poverty organisations around targets such as reducing costs, increasing incomes and improving access to early year’s support for struggling families.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP kicked off this engagement by visiting a Barnardo’s Family Centre in Brent alongside Barnardo’s CEO Lynn Perry MBE. They joined a children’s session focused on healthy eating and heard how parents – including single parents – are struggling with the cost of essentials.

    Later today, ministers will meet with the likes of Ofgem, The Food Foundation, Water UK and other leading organisations on the theme of reducing household costs.

    The new document sets out how ministers will take part in events across the nations and regions of the United Kingdom, bringing together a diverse range of voices and expertise to address the systemic drivers of poverty – ranging from employment to housing – as it creates an ambitious strategy to be set out in the Spring.

    Taskforce co-chair and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP will visit Scotland next month to bring together local leaders, key charities and organisations as well as parents, children and frontline workers.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP said:  

    Children can’t fulfil their potential without food in their bellies or a roof over their head. And Britain cannot fulfil its potential when the talents of so many children are being denied.

    It is unacceptable that more than 4m children are now growing up in poverty. Under our new government, this will change.

    We will work with campaigners and experts – and struggling families across the country to deliver a bold and ambitious strategy that drives down poverty and drives up opportunity in every corner of the land.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP said:  

    The stain of poverty of child poverty in this country has jeopardised the life chances of too many children for too long.

    Ending child poverty is a complex and difficult task, but our defining mission is to break down the unfair link between background and success – so every child believes that opportunity can belong to them.

    Today’s framework sets the clear direction on this mission, ensuring we are united across government and with stakeholders to drive down household costs.

    A new forum of parents and carers living across the UK will be set up to ensure the experiences of children in poverty, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, feed into the final strategy.

    Leading organisations such as Barnardo’s, Citizens Advice, the National Children’s Bureau and Save the Children will share their knowledge with Ministers, and a new board of leading academics and experts on tackling poverty will inform, test and scrutinise the work being done on the Strategy.

    Barnardo’s Chief Executive, Lynn Perry MBE, said:    

    We are seeing epidemic levels of poverty amongst children in the UK. Across the country, families are facing a desperate struggle to put food on the table, keep the lights on and heat their homes this winter. More than 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty, with one in four families saying they’ve struggled to afford food in the last 12 months alone.   

    Growing up in poverty can have a devastating impact on a child’s life, affecting their learning, mental and physical health long into adulthood, while limiting their life chances.  

    We’re grateful to the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Education for their visit to meet children and families at our Brent service which supports those struggling with the cost-of-living. We look forward to working with ministers to find long-term solutions to these issues whilst recognising families also need immediate help this winter.

    Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive at Citizens Advice, said:  

    The cost-of-living crisis has squeezed household finances and tipped many into significant hardship. Our frontline advisors are still seeing families doing all they can but unable to afford essentials for their children.

    A clear strategy to combat child poverty is urgently needed. It must be ambitious and ensure that people facing acute pressures get the help they need soon, while also delivering change that will last.

    Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau, said:  

    4.3 million children living in poverty in the UK is an unacceptable blight on our society and children deserve better.

    NCB welcomes the Government’s commitment to consulting with a broad range of stakeholders to understand how to make this happen. It is crucial that the voices of children and families with lived experience of poverty are central not just to the development of the strategy, but to implementing it as well.

    We desperately need to see progress for children in this area – asking the right questions is a good start.

    Dan Paskins, Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children UK, said:  

    For too long child poverty has been shamefully high, so we welcome the recognition from the UK Government today that tackling it is a moral imperative.

    The root causes of poverty are complex and can only be solved by listening to and working with those most affected. We are therefore really pleased to be working with the UK Government to facilitate the Child Poverty Taskforce hearing directly from children, their families, and our partners in communities across the UK.

    We look forward to working with UK Government, with organisations across the sector, and across the regions and nations of the UK, to develop a Child Poverty Strategy that ensures all children have the guaranteed support that they desperately need and deserve.

    The development of this ambitious strategy will be guided by the internationally recognised measure ‘Relative Poverty After Housing Costs’. 

    To support struggling families, we have already boosted the Household Support Fund by a further £421 million in England while the Warm Home Discount remains in place for low-income households as the Government stands firms on its commitment to protect those most at risk this winter.  

    This comes alongside Government plans to deliver quality work and better pay through the Employment Rights Bill, create 3,000 new nurseries, and lower energy bills through Great British Energy.  

    Additional Information   

    • There are currently 4.3m children in relative poverty after housing costs in the United Kingdom as of 2022/23.  

    • Relative Poverty After Housing Costs takes into account the proportion of families with below 60% of the median income after housing costs are deducted.  

    • The Barnardo’s Family Centre in Brent offers a wide range of free advice to families while providing crisis funding through vouchers, hosts cooking sessions and holds activity days for children to give them the best start in life and ease the burden on those living in poverty.  

    • The ’Tackling Child Poverty: Developing our Strategy’ document is available here: Tackling Child Poverty: Developing Our Strategy – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

    • Following the Household Support Fund extension, an estimated £79million will be made available to the Devolved Governments to support their citizens as they see fit.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Metro Celebrates 3 Years of Biometric Payments, Sets New Cashless Payment Record

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Metro

    Moscow Metro celebrates milestone: three years of successful biometric payment

    Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, noted the convenience of this payment method, which is now available at turnstiles throughout the city:

    – the metro and the Moscow Central Circle (MCC)

    – Aeroexpress

    – regular river transport

    – several stations of the Moscow Central Diameter (MCD).

    Here are some impressive numbers:

    – More than 1,100 turnstiles equipped with a biometric payment system

    – More than 160,000 daily travel tickets issued using biometrics

    – About 375,000 users have registered with the service

    In 2021, we launched biometric payment in the metro. Passengers no longer need cards, phones or wallets to pass through the turnstiles. They just look into the camera, and the passage opens. Users have already made more than 125 million passes. Nowhere in the world is this service as convenient as in the Russian capital. Over these 3 years, it has proven its maximum security and reliability, – Liksutov noted.

    The Moscow Metro also set a new record:

    The Moscow Metro system has reached a new milestone: a record 91.2% of passengers now use non-cash payment methods. This is the highest figure since the launch of these services, and it is a clear sign of the transition to more convenient and efficient transport for our citizens. By introducing digital solutions, we have made convenient, fast and environmentally friendly payment instruments easily accessible, – added Maxim Liksutov.

    The most popular methods of cashless payment include:

    – Biometric payment

    – Virtual card “Troika”

    – Fast Payment System (FPS)

    – Bank cards and payment stickers

    Moscow is becoming a world leader in the number of available payment methods for public transport. Following the instructions of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, we will continue to develop modern, domestic services in our city’s transport system, Liksutov concluded.

    This achievement highlights Moscow’s commitment to modernising its infrastructure and introducing innovative technologies to improve the lives of its citizens.”

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/23/2024, 11-34 the values of the lower limit of the repo price corridor, the rollover rate and the range of interest rate risk assessment of the CIAN security (CIAN-addr) were changed.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    10/23/2024

    11:34

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 10/23/2024, 11:34 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the repo price corridor with settlement code Y0/Y1Dt (up to -20.0%), the transfer rate and the range of interest rate risk assessment (up to -1.36 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 104.28%) of the CIAN security (CIAN-addr) were changed.

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

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

    https://www.moex.com/n74229

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 10/23/2024, 13-25 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A1009L8 (RZhD 1P-15R) were changed.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    10/23/2024

    13:25

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 10/23/2024, 13-25 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 88.35) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 935.27 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 15.0%) of the security RU000A1009L8 (RZhD 1P-15R) were changed.

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

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

    https://www.moex.com/n74237

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Congress.gov Interview with Christy Amatos, Assistant Parliamentarian for the US Senate

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    Today’s Congress.gov interview is with Christy Amatos, an Assistant Parliamentarian at the United States Senate. 

    Describe your background.

    I am a native Ohioan who attended The Ohio State University and later Boston University for law school. I have been working in non-partisan legislative work for about a decade – I started my career in the Ohio General Assembly as a bill drafter. After about a year of that, I was offered the chance to move to another legislative agency that was in the process of rolling out software to fully digitize the lawmaking process. I had no background in tech but they promised me if I knew the legislative process, they would teach me everything I needed to know about being a business analyst.

    I had no idea what I was getting into but I loved it! I served as the liaison between the clerks in the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives and the team designing and developing the software. I learned so much about communication – both the unique language used in software development but also how to confront and address problems in a productive and congenial way, particularly in high stress situations. At the time, I had no idea how much those skills were going to help me in the future.

    A few years later, I joined the Office of the Senate Parliamentarian in Congress, another non-partisan role but one that was more traditionally connected to my legal training. I have been here for about six years and love it. The people who work on Capitol Hill are what make this job so great – from the Secretary of the Senate staff I work with every day to the folks at the Library of Congress who engage with us on Congress.gov.

    How would you describe your job to other people?

    The Senate Parliamentarian is kind of like the referee of the Senate. We interpret and apply the rules of the Senate on a daily basis.

    What is your role in the development of Congress.gov?

    It just so happened that when I started working in the Senate, there was an opportunity to join the Secretary of the Senate’s Congress.gov team and because of my past experience, my boss suggested I join. I was definitely excited to be able to dip my toes back into some of the type of work I had been doing in Ohio. At that time, Congress.gov was live but so was the previous resource, LIS, which was a website only accessible to Congress with some additional features that the public-facing site THOMAS did not have. There were a lot of growing pains getting Congress.gov to the point where it could provide the same level of service to users that LIS had . . . and a lot of staff who were always going to like LIS better no matter what. So we had a big challenge working to gain the trust of the internal users while also continuing to work on bettering Congress.gov.

    Fortunately, we were able to gather a great group of staff, both on the Secretary of the Senate side of things and on the Library of Congress side, and were able to get buy-in from some important, but previously uninvolved, stakeholders and then things really started to improve.

    All of that to say that I think of my role in two parts – provide important feedback on how data is used and presented from the perspective of my office, but also to help facilitate the good conversations and working relationships that are critical to the success of Congress.gov.

    One thing I do take great satisfaction in is fixing errors in really old data – we recently fixed one from five years before I was born – you know the errors have been out there for decades and maybe no one has looked at that particular piece of legislation or maybe they did not notice the misspelled word but fixing it is one more tiny step to getting Congress.gov to be as perfect as we can make it and I find that so satisfying.

    What is your favorite feature of Congress.gov?

    I think someone described the folks in my office as “power users” of Congress.gov, which sounds much more impressive than I ever actually feel on a daily basis. But I do use the search functions on Congress.gov every single day, so my favorite feature is absolutely one of the advanced searches. The command line search lets the user input search terms and connectors to tailor the results to be very specific without having to click a lot of boxes or choose from dropdown menus. There is nothing more satisfying than getting good search results on the first try!

    What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the legislative process while working for Congress?

    I have been working in the legislative branch for about a decade at this point, so I am not entirely sure I can pin down one in particular. Something I have started to spend time learning, however, is the history of the legislative process, and by extension, the history of the people working in the legislature.

    One of my favorite anecdotes is that before the Russell Senate Office Building was named for Richard Russell, it was just called the Senate Office Building and Senator Harry Truman would joke that his constituents could address his mail to “Harry Truman S.O.B.” and the Post Office would know where to deliver it.

    One of the important things I have learned about the legislative process is that it is made up of all of the people who have worked and served here, not just the elected members. For example, last year I read the obituary of former Senate Committee on Foreign Relations staffer Bertie Bowman and immediately went in search of his autobiography. He started working at the Capitol in the 1940s when he was 13 years old and did not fully retire until 2021. His story of service to his country is just one example of why so many people have done this work over more than two centuries and serves as an inspiration for those of us currently doing it.

    What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?

    This is the opposite of something people do not know about me, I am telling everyone because it makes me laugh! I just got a kitten and I named him John Quincy Catams.

    John Quincy Catams, picture courtesy of Christy Amatos.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Cloud Storage Market Expected to Reach $234 Billion By 2028 as Tech Stocks Chase Big Opportunities in Big Data

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The cloud storage market is witnessing significant growth due to the expanding realms of IoT and big data. Cloud storage services offer an agile, flexible, and scalable model for data storage on the Internet, managed and operated by service providers. This model provides enterprises with advantages such as rapid deployment, scalability, reduced CAPEX, and uninterrupted business continuity. A report from MarketsAndMarkets projected that the global Cloud Storage Market size is expected to grow to USD $234.9 Billion by 2028 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 18.8% during the forecast period. The report said: “The rising investments by governments and investors in tailored Cloud Storage solutions offerings along with the increasing need for flexible, scalable, efficient storage and disaster recovery, backup solutions and services, are expected to drive the market growth. The demand across enterprises worldwide for Cloud Storage solutions in a shift to cloud-based technologies from on premises is expected to drive the market growth. Surge in demand to provide remote work force with omnipresent access to data and files has been a key driving factor to foster market adoption largely.” Active tech companies in the markets this week include: Scope Carbon Corp. (OTCQB: SCPCF) (CSE: SCPE), Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL), Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD).

    MarketsAndMarkets continued: “Based on use cases, Backup & Recovery will hold the highest market share in the Cloud Storage market during the forecast period. Backup & Recovery is crucial in safeguarding data and ensuring business continuity. These applications are purpose-built to address the unique challenges of modern, dynamic, and often distributed IT environments. By seamlessly integrating with cloud technologies and containerized workloads, they provide a layer of resilience that protects data against loss, corruption, or disasters. These solutions enable organizations to efficiently create backups, perform granular recoveries, and maintain data integrity, thereby supporting cloud applications and services reliable and uninterrupted operation. In an era where data is a paramount asset, Backup & Recovery applications in cloud storage are indispensable for mitigating risks and ensuring the availability and integrity of critical information.”

    Scope Carbon Corp. (CSE: SCPE) (OTCQB: SCPCF) Launches Subscription Model for Round-Trip Encrypted, Quantum-Resilient Cloud Storage for Individuals and Small Businesses – Scope Carbon Corp. (“Scope” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the official launch of its subscription model, now offering individuals and small businesses full access to its industry-leading round-trip encrypted and quantum-resilient decentralized cloud storage solutions.

    This launch builds on Scope Technologies’ commitment to providing top-tier, next-generation data security. With the QSE (Quantum Security Entropy) platform, individuals and small businesses can now leverage the same advanced encryption and decentralized storage infrastructure that Scope delivers to mid-sized and enterprise clients, ensuring their data remains safe from current and future cyber threats. The platform is designed for seamless scalability, allowing users to expand their storage and security needs as they grow, without compromising performance or protection. Additionally, QSE’s efficiency-driven model ensures competitive pricing, reflecting our ability to deliver premium security solutions with exceptional value. Readers are encouraged to visit Scope Technologies’ QSE platform at: https://www.qse.group/#services

    A New Era of Data Security for Individuals and Small Businesses

    Following the successful completion of platform updates and closed-group testing, individuals and small business users now have access to QSE’s cloud storage services, featuring:

    • Quantum-Proof Encryption: Utilizing quantum entropy to generate encryption keys that remain unbreakable, even by future quantum computing power.
    • Immutable, Decentralized Storage: A decentralized infrastructure ensures data is protected from ransomware, over-encryption, or tampering, offering a significant advantage over traditional cloud backups.
    • Seamless Integration: Easy-to-use APIs allow for quick setup and smooth integration with existing data systems, providing flexibility and scalability.
    • Accessible Pricing Plans: Tiered subscription options make enterprise-grade security affordable and accessible for both individuals and small businesses.

    “Data protection should not be a luxury,” said Sean Prescott, Founder and CTO of Scope Technologies Corp. “With this launch, we’re making the same round-trip, quantum-resistant encryption and decentralized storage vaults available to individuals and small businesses that we already provide to mid-sized and enterprise corporations. Now everyone can protect their data from today’s risks and the future challenges posed by quantum computing.” CONTINUED… Read this full release and more for Scope Technology at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-scpe/

    In other tech industry news of interest:

    Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) – To ease patient settlement and payment reconciliation, Oracle recently announced Oracle Health Payments. With the end-to-end payment solution, including gateway routing, processing, and acquiring under a single agreement, healthcare facilities can help reduce costly, unexpected service fees. It also makes it easier for patients to cover a copay, elective surgery, or an existing bill using a variety of payment options including, traditional chip and pin pay methods, or simply tapping to pay with the latest digital options including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

    Payment processing costs can vary widely between payment providers, card brands, or payment types. Compliance and service fees can also make it difficult for healthcare facilities to estimate and factor these costs into their financial planning. Built on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Oracle Health Payments offers a payment card industry (PCI)-compliant, fixed-rate pricing model with no additional service or convenience fees. Integrated with Oracle’s point-of-sale hardware and Oracle Health Patient Accounting, Oracle Health Payments uses end-to-end encryption and tokenization, empowering health systems to securely capture payments and automate revenue posting, which helps reduce fraud and collection costs.

    Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), the AI Data Cloud company, recently announced the launch of the AI Data Cloud for Travel and Hospitality, uniting Snowflake’s data platform, AI capabilities, and industry-specific solutions to deliver best-in-class data insights for the travel and hospitality industry. Snowflake empowers airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and travel technology providers to harness data and artificial intelligence to improve operations and power five-star customer experiences across the sector.

    As the travel and hospitality industry transitions from recovery to stable growth, businesses face new challenges and opportunities. Snowflake is uniquely positioned to support this growth, offering a unified platform that streamlines AI and ML development, providing top-tier security and governance capabilities, and democratizing data access. With robust data collaboration capabilities and effortless scalability, Snowflake enables organizations to harness their data’s full potential.

    NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) recently announced that it has contributed foundational elements of its NVIDIA Blackwell accelerated computing platform design to the Open Compute Project (OCP) and broadened NVIDIA Spectrum-X™ support for OCP standards.

    At this year’s OCP Global Summit, NVIDIA will be sharing key portions of the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 system electro-mechanical design with the OCP community — including the rack architecture, compute and switch tray mechanicals, liquid-cooling and thermal environment specifications, and NVIDIA NVLink™ cable cartridge volumetrics — to support higher compute density and networking bandwidth.

    NVIDIA has already made several official contributions to OCP across multiple hardware generations, including its NVIDIA HGX™ H100 baseboard design specification, to help provide the ecosystem with a wider choice of offerings from the world’s computer makers and expand the adoption of AI.

    Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) and Intel Corp. (INTC) recently announced the creation of an x86 ecosystem advisory group bringing together technology leaders to shape the future of the world’s most widely used computing architecture. x86 is uniquely positioned to meet customers’ emerging needs by delivering superior performance and seamless interoperability across hardware and software platforms. The group will focus on identifying new ways to expand the x86 ecosystem by enabling compatibility across platforms, simplifying software development, and providing developers with a platform to identify architectural needs and features to create innovative and scalable solutions for the future.

    For over four decades, x86 has served as the bedrock of modern computing, establishing itself as the preferred architecture in data centers and PCs worldwide. In today’s evolving landscape—characterized by dynamic AI workloads, custom chiplets, and advancements in 3D packaging and system architectures—the importance of a robust and expanding x86 ecosystem is more crucial than ever.

    About FN Media Group:

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Scope Technology Corp. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Amplify ETFs Launches the Amplify Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (NYSE Arca: SMAP)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amplify ETFs announces the launch of the actively managed Amplify Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (NYSE Arca: SMAP), offering investors targeted exposure to high-quality U.S.-listed small- and mid-cap growth and value equity securities.

    SMAP seeks to invest in companies with market capitalizations between $400 million and the largest companies in the Russell 2500 Index, giving successful companies room to run into mid-cap without forced premature selling. Curi RMB Capital actively manages SMAP by using a proprietary economic return framework to identify attractively priced small- to mid-cap companies across all stages of the corporate lifecycle while building a portfolio diversified by corporate lifecycle stage and sector.

    “SMAP offers investors a compelling opportunity to capitalize on the growth potential of professionally selected small and mid-cap companies in a rate-cutting environment,” said Christian Magoon, CEO of Amplify ETFs. “The Curi RMB Capital team prides itself on a rigorous selection process in search of high-quality small- and mid-cap companies. SMAP is a natural complement to our growing suite of ETFs that meet the diverse needs of today’s investors.”

    Curi RMB Capital also runs the RMB SMID Cap Fund (RMBMX), a mutual fund with a 20-year track record. RMBMX is led by Christopher Faber, senior vice president and portfolio manager, who has a history of identifying market inefficiencies and uncovering high-growth potential small and mid-sized companies. Christopher Faber is also the lead portfolio manager for SMAP.

    “We are pleased to enter the ETF market with Amplify ETFs as our partner,” said Faber. “Market conditions are favorable for small- and mid-cap companies driven by lower rates, strong earnings potential and current valuations.”

    For more information about SMAP, visit AmplifyETFs.com/SMAP.

    About Amplify ETFs
    Amplify ETFs, sponsored by Amplify Investments, has over $10 billion in assets across its suite of ETFs (as of 10/11/2024). Amplify ETFs deliver expanded investment opportunities for investors seeking growth, income, and risk-managed strategies across a range of actively managed and index-based ETFs. To learn more visit AmplifyETFs.com.

    Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund’s statutory and summary prospectuses, which may be obtained at AmplifyETFs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

    Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The fund is new with limited operating history. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), may trade at a discount or premium to NAV and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

    Investments in small and mid-cap companies may have limited liquidity and greater price volatility than large-capitalization companies.

    Amplify Investments LLC serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Curi RMB LLC and Penserra Capital Management LLC each serve as investment sub-advisers to the Fund.

    Amplify ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis partners with Michigan State Housing Development Authority to launch Rate Relief Mortgage Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an effort to make homeownership more accessible and affordable in Michigan, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBank Indianapolis or the Bank) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) have created the MSHDA Rate Relief Mortgage Program to benefit low-income, first-time homebuyers in the state.

    This new program will allow qualified low-income first-time homebuyers to reduce the cost of their mortgage by one full percentage point if they finance through a MSHDA-approved lender that also is a Bank member. This will allow hundreds of Michigan’s first-time homebuyers to save money every month on their mortgage.

    “Every Michigander should be able to raise their family in a home they love,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “That is why we have made historic investments to build or rehabilitate 34,000 housing units and announced the largest housing investment in state history. The MSHDA Rate Relief Mortgage program will lower the mortgage interest rate for eligible homebuyers by a full percentage point, saving families hundreds each year, keeping money in their pockets, and helping more Michigan families achieve their dream of homeownership. Let’s keep working together to build more affordable housing and create a brighter future for Michigan families.”

    FHLBank Indianapolis is supporting the program by purchasing a $50 million MSHDA bond (Series F), allowing Bank members the opportunity to sell single-family mortgage loans to MSHDA at below-market rates.

    “Everyone should have the opportunity to own a home,” said Cindy Konich, President and CEO of FHLBank Indianapolis. “That’s why the MSHDA Rate Relief Mortgage Program — and our growing partnership with MSHDA — is so important. It reflects our shared vision and values of providing affordable housing solutions, eliminates financing barriers, and opens the door to a brighter future for hundreds of first-time homebuyers in Michigan.”

    Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of MSHDA, agreed.

    “This program is a game changer for Michigan families. Saving first-time homebuyers a full percentage point on their mortgages will make a big difference, helping more families make it in Michigan,” Hovey said.

    MSHDA’s Homeownership Division offers mortgages with competitive interest rates, connections to homebuyer education and counseling, and up to $10,000 in down-payment assistance. Last year, this team backed mortgages and down-payment assistance worth more than $728 million, helping 5,082 first-time homebuyers achieve access to this important wealth-building tool. The Michigan Legislature is currently considering House Bill 5032, which would eliminate the current cap of $224,500 on mortgages eligible for MSHDA support.

    Key facts about the program:

    • Who’s eligible? First-time homebuyers with a qualifying income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI); a credit score of 640 or higher; and must work through an FHLBank Indianapolis member that is also a MSHDA-participating lender.
    • Other qualifications: New or existing single-family residences, including some types of manufactured homes; 30-year terms; and a maximum sales price limit of $224,500 (per Michigan law. Other restrictions may apply.)
    • Launch date: The program opened Oct. 21, 2024, and will continue until funds are depleted on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • How to apply: Interested first-time homebuyers can get more information at their local lending institution. FHLBank Indianapolis members can find more specifics on the Bank’s MemberLink portal and through the Bank’s direct member communications.

    Current MSHDA participating lenders who also are FHLBank Indianapolis members are below:

    • 1st State Bank
    • Adventure Credit Union
    • Bank of Ann Arbor
    • Case Credit Union
    • ChoiceOne Bank
    • Commercial Bank
    • Dart Bank
    • Dort Federal Credit Union
    • Financial Plus Credit Union
    • First Merchants Bank (Level One Bank)
    • Grand River Bank
    • Horizon Bank
    • Independent Bank
    • Kellogg Community Credit Union
    • Lake Michigan Credit Union
    • Macatawa Bank
    • Mercantile Bank of MI
    • Metro Community Development, Inc.
    • Michigan First Mortgage, a division of Michigan First Credit Union
    • Northland Area Credit Union
    • Northpointe Bank
    • Superior National Bank and Trust
    • United Bank of Michigan
    • United Federal Credit Union
    • University Bank
    • West Shore Bank
         

    This is the second housing partnership the Bank and MSHDA have created this year. In January, they jointly announced the launch of the Tribal Nations Housing Development Assistance Program (TNHDAP). That program is aimed at building on tribal nations’ existing capacity and providing resources and support to develop affordable housing programs and projects that respond to their unique housing needs. FHLBank Indianapolis is supporting the program with a grant of up to $3 million.

    Media contacts:
    FHLBank Indianapolis Corporate Communications
    Scott Thien, Sr. Communications Lead
    sthien@fhlbi.com

    Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
    Katie Bach, Communications Director
    Partnerships and Engagement Division
    BachK@michigan.gov

    About Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis:
    FHLBank Indianapolis is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to provide access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with particular attention paid to providing solutions that support the housing and small business needs of members’ customers. FHLBanks are privately capitalized and funded, and they receive no Congressional appropriations. One of 11 independent regional cooperative banks across the U.S., FHLBank Indianapolis is owned by its Indiana and Michigan financial institution members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. For more information about FHLBank Indianapolis, visit http://www.fhlbi.com and follow the Bank on LinkedIn, and Instagram and X at @FHLBankIndy.

    About MSHDA
    The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), established in 1966, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Humans of Samsung: Embracing Mindfulness on a Transformative Journey to Korea

    Source: Samsung

    On July 14, 2024, I stepped off the plane in Seoul, South Korea, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement, curiosity, and nervousness. I was about to embark on a journey that would touch me both professionally and personally as part of the pilot Samsung Ambassador Program. Little did I know that this trip would not only deepen my understanding of Samsung’s rich history, philosophy, and leadership but also introduce me to some of the kindest, most passionate, and most dedicated individuals from around the world.
    My first day started promptly at 8 a.m. on July 15th. The Ambassador Program participants gathered in front of the hotel, awaiting a shuttle bus that would take us to Samsung University. After about an hour-long ride, we arrived at the campus, which is nestled near Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi, roughly an hour outside of Seoul. The university grounds were perfectly manicured, with trees that resembled huge bonsais and wild peacocks basking in the sunlight. The natural beauty of the surroundings was stunning, especially since we were just outside one of the largest urban areas in the world. From the moment we arrived, I was struck by the warmth and hospitality of the Samsung University team.

    As we gathered in the “Vision Hall,” one of the main training rooms at the university, we quickly dove into the program following introductions. There was no time like the present! While we learned about Samsung’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, it was the kindness, generosity, and warmth of my fellow ambassadors that truly left a permanent mark on my heart.
    Throughout the week-long program, we explored Samsung’s fascinating history, its humble beginnings, its visionary leadership, and the guiding principles that have propelled the company to global success. We engaged in thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and an exclusive tour of the Samsung Guide Dog School, founded by late chairman Lee Kun-hee in June 1993. The school, which supports the visually impaired, as well as therapy and search-and-rescue efforts, proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: This Atlanta neighborhood hired a case manager to address rising homelessness − and it’s improving health and safety for everyone

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ishita Chordia, Ph.D. Candidate in Information Science, University of Washington

    Mural by artist Chris Wright on Metropolitan Avenue in East Atlanta. Art Rudick/Atlanta Street Art Map, CC BY-ND

    Homelessness has surged across the United States in recent years, rising 19% from 2016 though 2023. The main cause is a severe shortage of affordable housing. Rising homelessness has renewed debates about use of public space and how encampments affect public safety.

    The U.S. Supreme Court recently weighed in on these debates with its 2024 decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson. The court’s ruling grants cities the authority to prohibit individuals from sleeping and camping in public spaces, effectively condoning the use of fines and bans to address rising rates of homelessness.

    East Atlanta Village, a historically Black neighborhood in Atlanta with about 3,000 residents, is trying something different. In the fall of 2023, with support from the Atlanta City Council, the mayor’s office and Intown Cares, a local nonprofit that works to alleviate homelessness and hunger, the neighborhood hired a full-time social worker to support people experiencing homelessness.

    Michael Nolan, an Intown Cares social worker, is trained in an approach that emphasizes individual autonomy and dignity, recognizes that being homeless is a traumatic experience, and prioritizes access to housing. His role includes helping individuals get the documentation they need to move off the streets, such as copies of their birth certificates and Social Security cards. He also has a dedicated phone line that community members can use to alert him about dangerous situations that involve homeless people.

    Michael Nolan, East Atlanta Village’s social worker, spends 40-plus hours weekly providing supplies, services and other help to people experiencing homelessness.

    I am a researcher at the University of Washington studying programs and technologies that help urban neighborhoods flourish. I’m also a resident of East Atlanta Village and have helped the neighborhood organize and evaluate this experiment.

    For the past year, my colleagues and I have collected data about the neighborhood social work program to understand how well it can support both people without housing and the broader community. Our preliminary findings suggest that neighborhood social work is a promising way to address challenges common in many neighborhoods with homelessness.

    I believe this approach has the potential to provide long-term solutions to homelessness and improve the health and safety for the entire neighborhood. I also see it as a sharp contrast with the punitive approach condoned by the Supreme Court.

    Resolving conflicts over public space

    One of the people I interviewed while evaluating this initiative was Rebecca, a resident of East Atlanta Village who walks her dog in the local park every day. In the fall of 2023, she noticed that a man had moved into the park and set up a tent. At first, the area was clean, but within a few weeks there was garbage around the tent and throughout the park.

    Rebecca felt that the trash was ruining one of the few green spaces in the neighborhood. She decided to contact Nolan. Nolan told her that he knew the unhoused man, was working with him to secure permanent housing and in the meantime would help him move his tent to a less-frequented space.

    Such negotiations around public spaces are common challenges for neighborhoods with large homeless populations, especially in dense urban areas. Other examples in our data included conflicts when a homeless person began sleeping in his car outside another resident’s home, and when a homeless man wandered into a homeowner’s yard.

    The standard approach in these situations is to fine, ban or imprison the unhoused individual. But those strategies are expensive, can prolong homelessness and do little to actually resolve the issues.

    In contrast, hiring a social worker has enabled East Atlanta Village to resolve conflicts gently, through conversation and negotiation. The solutions address concerns about public health and safety and also offer people without homes an opportunity for long-term change.

    Meeting basic needs

    Over the past year, this program has helped 13 people move into housing. Nolan has facilitated over 180 medical and mental health care visits for people living on the street.

    Eighty-six people have been connected to Medicaid, food assistance or Social Security benefits. Thirty-five people have health care for the first time, and six people have started receiving medication for their addictions.

    Research shows that addressing people’s basic needs by helping them obtain food, medicine, housing and other necessities not only supports those individuals but also produces cascading benefits for the entire community. They include reduced inequality, better health outcomes and lower crime rates.

    Managing mental and behavioral health

    Studies have found that about two-thirds of unhoused individuals struggle with mental health challenges. Unmet mental and behavioral health needs can contribute to unsafe and illegal behavior.

    The United States does not have a comprehensive system in place for supporting people who are living on the street and struggling with chronic mental and behavioral health challenges. While much more infrastructure is needed, in East Atlanta Village, Nolan is able to check in on people experiencing homelessness, work with clinics to deliver medication for addiction and mental health needs and alert community members about dangerous situations.

    As an example, in December 2023 a homeless man was arrested in East Atlanta Village for trespassing, stealing mail and other erratic behavior. When concerned residents posted to the neighborhood Facebook group, Nolan responded that he knew the man well, that this behavior was not typical and that he would look into the situation.

    Nolan later updated his post, commenting that the man had been arrested but that he would “continue to follow up and ensure that his current behaviors do not return upon his release.”

    In other examples, Nolan has helped de-escalate situations when people experienced mental health episodes in local coffee shops and churches.

    A model for other cities

    Cities around the U.S. have decisions to make about addressing homelessness and its associated challenges. Neighborhood social work is not a magic bullet, but my colleagues and I see it as a promising approach to address the most common challenges that neighborhoods with high rates of homelessness face.

    East Atlanta Village is currently working with the Atlanta City Council to renew funding for this program, which cost US$100,000 in its initial year. We hope that other neighborhoods also consider this strategy when deciding how to address homelessness in their own areas.

    Ishita Chordia is affiliated with the East Atlanta Neighborhood Association. She volunteers for the neighborhood association and has helped organize and evaluate the neighborhood social work program.

    – ref. This Atlanta neighborhood hired a case manager to address rising homelessness − and it’s improving health and safety for everyone – https://theconversation.com/this-atlanta-neighborhood-hired-a-case-manager-to-address-rising-homelessness-and-its-improving-health-and-safety-for-everyone-236466

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank Signs term Sheet for US$3Million Facility for Mediwood Studios’ Expansion

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ALGIERS, Algeria, October 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

     African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and Mediwood Studios in Tunisia have signed a Term Sheet for a US$3 million facility aimed to Strengthen Mediwood’s position as a key contributor to the growth of the Tunisian film industry.  

    As part of the agreement, signed on 19 October 2024 on the sidelines of the just concluded Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024, Mediwood Studios will use the proceeds of the term loan facility for the expansion of its studio facilities so as to showcase Tunisia as a filmmaking destination and provide world class facilities for both domestic and international productions in the Middle East and North Africa. 

    Signing the Term Sheet on behalf of Afreximbank was Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, and Mr. Mehdi Ajroudi, Chief Executive Officer of Mediwood Studios, on behalf of his company. 

    Commenting on the deal, Mrs. Awani stated that Afreximbank was committed to ensuring that Africa’s creative economy remained relevant on the global stage while enhancing economic integration, job creation and bridging of cultural divides. 

    “By enhancing Tunisia’s filmmaking infrastructure, we hope to attract international productions, foster local talent and promote authentic regional narratives, thereby reinforcing Africa’s cultural influence globally. This is part of our mandate to support Africa’s creative industries through the CANEX Programme. The expansion of Mediwood Tunisia’s studio facilities will position Tunisia as an attractive hub for domestic and international film productions, enhancing the country’s visibility and appeal to global filmmakers and support the promotion of Africa’s narratives and talent.” 

    Mr. Ajroudi, on his part, said that the expanded studio facilities would foster job creation and skills development across pre-production, production and post-production activities as the world-class infrastructure would accommodate large-scale productions capable of stimulating economic activity in Tunisia’s creative sector.  

    “At Mediwood Studios, we believe it’s time for Africa to become the storyteller – sharing our heritage, dreams, and voices with the world,” he said. 

    The four-day CANEX WKND 2024, organised by Afreximbank was held from October 16 to 19 under the theme “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World” and was attended by almost 4,000 participants — representing a diversity of creative sectors from across Africa. 

    It featured live performances, speeches by industry leaders and experts, masterclass sessions, fashion shows, sporting events, high energy music concerts and gastronomical showcases alongside a vibrant market and exhibition. 

    MIL OSI Africa –