Category: Americas

MIL-OSI USA: Testimony on the Congressional Budget Office’s Request for Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026
Source: US Congressional Budget Office

Chairman Valadao, Ranking Member Espaillat, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the Congressional Budget Office’s budget request. CBO requests appropriations of $75.8 million for fiscal year 2026. Most of that amount—86.6 percent—would be for pay and benefits; 9.8 percent would be for information technology (IT); and 3.6 percent would be for training, expert consultant services, office supplies, and other items. The requested amount is an increase of $5.8 million, or 8.2 percent, above the funding provided for this year.

Of the increase, 52 percent would primarily cover increases in current employees’ salaries and benefits and would enable CBO to expand its staff in key areas of Congressional interest. The remaining 48 percent would address increased costs to enhance the agency’s cybersecurity and IT infrastructure; such improvements are critical to protecting sensitive data and improving the agency’s computing power for analyzing complex data sets. CBO is prioritizing advancements in a security strategy called zero trust architecture, which requires verification before allowing access to any user or device.

The requested budget is based on continued strong interest in CBO’s work from the Congressional leadership, committees, and Members. In 2024, CBO published about 1,100 cost estimates for legislation and devoted significant resources to analyzing the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159); the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L. 118-42); the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L. 118-47); and H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024. For those bills and many others, the agency also fulfilled thousands of requests for technical assistance. In addition, CBO prepared dozens of reports, many at the request of Chairs or Ranking Members of Congressional committees.

CBO will provide many estimates and a large amount of technical assistance to the 119th Congress as lawmakers consider significant legislative initiatives. With additional resources, the agency could provide even more. Under the funding provided for this year, CBO will maintain its staffing at about 270 employees and focus on the highest priority current needs, including preparing cost estimates, providing technical assistance as the Congress crafts legislation, and analyzing the economic and dynamic budgetary effects of proposed policies. CBO will reduce expenditures elsewhere, by deferring hiring for some positions and deferring some activities, including not undertaking some longer-term improvements in its IT infrastructure.

The fiscal year 2026 request would allow CBO to grow to 285 employees. That number would allow the agency to better meet its responsibilities under the Congressional Budget Act. The request also would allow for IT enhancements, including some currently on hold.

Of the 15 additional staff members CBO would hire in 2026:
- 9 would improve CBO’s capabilities to provide timely analysis of changes to health care programs, border security, credit programs (like student loans), and the U.S. population (particularly because of changes in immigration) and of dynamic policy effects (that is, determining how changes in fiscal policies would affect the economy and how those economic changes would, in turn, affect the federal budget);
- 2 would enhance CBO’s responsiveness in producing cost estimates and providing technical assistance in the legislative process;
- 1 would be an addition to the agency’s editing staff to enhance the readability and accessibility of CBO’s materials;
- 1 would provide increased legal assistance;
- 1 would enhance CBO’s IT security; and
- 1 would boost outreach to Congressional staff and the press.
CBO plans to use expert consultants more than it has in the past—enabling the agency to shift to the Congress’s key areas of focus more easily and to be more nimble in conducting facility management, work in IT, and financial management.

MIL OSI USA News –
April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Angola exported more liquefied natural gas to Europe and less to Asia in 2022 and 2023

Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

April 9, 2025

Angola exported more liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe and less to Asia in 2022 and 2023, according to estimates from the Statistical Review of World Energy, when Europe increased LNG imports to offset reduced natural gas imports by pipeline from Russia following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Prior to 2022, most of Angola’s LNG exports went to the Asia-Pacific region, primarily India. In 2023, however, Europe received 75% of Angola’s total 175 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of LNG exports; France and the United Kingdom were the largest recipients in Europe, taking about 32 Bcf and 28 Bcf, respectively, in 2023. The Asia-Pacific region received the remaining 25%, with India receiving the most at about 35 Bcf for the year.

Most of the natural gas produced in Angola is associated gas produced at its offshore oil fields. However, a substantial amount of that natural gas is flared as a byproduct of oil operations or is reinjected into oil fields to increase oil recovery. Angola does not import any natural gas because it produces enough natural gas to meet domestic demand. The natural gas that Angola does not consume or flare domestically is exported in the form of LNG.

Angola LNG Limited (ALNG) owns and operates Angola’s sole LNG export terminal in Soyo, which has a liquefaction capacity of 250 Bcf per year. The LNG facility produced its first cargo of LNG in 2013, but it subsequently shut down as a result of technical failures and did not restart operations until 2016. The LNG facility uses associated gas produced at Angola’s offshore fields as feedstock, and ALNG also plans to draw additional supplies from non-associated gas projects. One such project is the Northern Gas Complex, where operator Eni plans to begin production from the Quiluma and Maboquerio fields in 2026.

The Northern Gas Complex is Angola’s first non-associated gas project, and Eni aims to develop two offshore platforms, an onshore natural gas-processing plant, and pipelines to transport natural gas from the two fields to the Angola LNG terminal in Soyo. The Northern Gas Complex is expected to reach peak production of about 141 Bcf per year.

For more on Angola’s energy sector, please see the latest version of the Country Analysis Brief: Angola.

Principal contributor: Eric Han

MIL OSI USA News –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI: Spine Wave Announces the Commercial Launch of Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SHELTON, Conn., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spine Wave is pleased to announce the successful completion of its limited market release of Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers and its entry into the cortical fiber segment of the spinal allograft market. This appealing new allograft broadens Spine Wave’s position in the large and growing spinal biologics market and well complements its established biologics and graft delivery portfolio. Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers is now fully launched and available from Spine Wave, effective immediately.

Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers is composed entirely of human allograft cortical bone with osteoconductive and osteoinductive potential. Because no carrier materials are included, surgeons are confident that they are getting the absolute most from each graft. The proprietary processing technology used to formulate Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers maintains tissue integrity and maximizes allograft surface area for cellular proliferation and fiber adhesion. Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers has ideal handling characteristics for fluid retention and expansion and is moldable and pliable to fit into any space. Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers rehydrate quickly with bone marrow aspirate, platelet rich plasma, antibiotics, whole blood, or saline and it resists irrigation after implantation.

Spine Wave’s GraftMag® Graft Delivery System, which is designed to safely and rapidly deliver large amounts of bone graft, can be used together with Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers. The GraftMag® Graft Delivery System can transform the tedious and sometimes frustrating graft delivery process into a more efficient part of spine fusion surgery. And using GraftMag® Graft Delivery System may reduce injury risk because it reduces instrument passes by sensitive patient anatomy.

The patented GraftMag® Graft Delivery System is comprised of two single use graft magazines that are loaded with bone graft on the back table. The magazines couple with the system’s specially designed funnels to rapidly deliver large amounts of graft into the graft site. This appealing grafting approach can reduce frustrating funnel jams and requires only one instrument pass into the graft site to complete the grafting procedure. The GraftMag® Graft Delivery System can be used in virtually any thoracolumbar spine fusion procedure and with any interbody device. However, it integrates particularly well with Spine Wave’s exciting line of titanium expandable interbody fusion products; the recently launched Exceed® Biplanar Expandable Interbody Device and the well-established Leva® Interbody Device, each of which uniquely accommodates large amounts of bone graft.

“Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers are my allograft choice for spine fusion surgery,” said Stuart D. Kinsella, MD, MSTR. “My procedures often require large amounts of allograft. I appreciate that Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers maximizes the amount of actual bone in each implanted graft because it is one hundred percent human cortical bone tissue. Also, Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers is versatile because it has great handling and is compatible with GraftMag® Graft Delivery System, which allows delivery of a lot of bone graft safely, quickly and easily.” Dr. Kinsella is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon at the Steadman Clinic and the Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Aspen, Colorado, USA.

“We are very excited to launch Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers as our newest biologic product. This new allograft performed well in its limited market release and is a great addition to our established line of biologics and graft delivery products,” said Laine Mashburn, Spine Wave’s Executive Vice President for Global Marketing and Business Development. He continued, “Spine Wave partnered with the respected LifeLink® Tissue Bank to bring Tempest® DCF Demineralized Cortical Fibers to market and our sales team has hit the ground running. We are making the most of this new opportunity, right now.”

About Spine Wave
Spine Wave is a leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and expandable interbody devices. The company is committed to offering differentiated product and procedure solutions for spine surgeons and their patients. Spine Wave offers a broad portfolio of advanced spine implant and biologic products. The company is always looking to expand and continues to recruit sales managers and independent distributors to fuel growth. For more information on Spine Wave and its products please visit www.spinewave.com.

Contact
Laine Mashburn, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and Business Development
lmashburn@spinewave.com
(203) 712-1863

The MIL Network –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why you should think twice before using shorthand like ‘thx’ and ‘k’ in your texts

Source: The Conversation – USA – By David Fang, PhD Student in Marketing, Stanford University

When a texter chops words down, recipients sometimes sense a lack of effort. 35mmf2/iStock via Getty Images Plus

My brother’s text messages can read like fragments of an ancient code: “hru,” “wyd,” “plz” – truncated, cryptic and never quite satisfying to receive. I’ll often find myself second-guessing whether “gr8” means actual excitement or whether it’s a perfunctory nod.

This oddity has nagged at me for years, so I eventually embarked upon a series of studies with fellow researchers Sam Maglio and Yiran Zhang. I wanted to know whether these clipped missives might undermine genuine dialogue, exploring the unspoken signals behind digital shorthand.

As we gathered data, surveyed people and set up experiments, it became clear that those tiny shortcuts – sometimes hailed as a hallmark of efficient communication – undermine relationships instead of simplifying them.

Short words lead to feeling shortchanged

Most people type “ty” and “brb” – for “thank you” and “be right back” – without batting an eye.

In a survey we conducted of 150 American texters ages 18 to 65, 90.1% reported regularly using abbreviations in their daily messages, and 84.2% believed these shortcuts had either a positive effect or no meaningful impact on how the messages were perceived by the recipients.

But our findings suggest that the mere inclusion of abbreviations, although seemingly benign, start feeling like a brush-off. In other words, whenever a texter chops words down to their bare consonants, recipients sense a lack of effort, which causes them to disengage.

It’s a subtle but pervasive phenomenon that most people don’t intuit.

We started with controlled lab tests, presenting 1,170 participants ages 15 to 80 with one of two near-identical text exchanges: one set sprinkled with abbreviations, the other fully spelled out. In every single scenario, participants rated the abbreviating sender as less sincere and far less worthy of a reply.

The deeper we dug, the more consistent the pattern became.

Whether people were reading messages about weekend plans or major life events, the presence of truncated words and phrases such as “plz,” “sry” or “idk” for “please,” “sorry” or “I don’t know” made the recipients feel shortchanged.

The phenomenon didn’t stop with strangers. In more experiments, we tested whether closeness changed the dynamic. If you’re texting a dear friend or a romantic partner, can you abbreviate to your heart’s content?

Evidently not. Even people imagining themselves chatting with a longtime buddy reported feeling a little put off by half-spelled words, and that sense of disappointment chipped away at how authentic the interaction felt.

From Discord to dating apps

Still, we had nagging doubts: Might this just be some artificial lab effect?

We wondered whether real people on real platforms might behave differently. So we took our questions to Discord, a vibrant online social community where people chat about everything from anime to politics. More importantly, Discord is filled with younger people who use abbreviations like it’s second nature.

We messaged random users asking them to recommend TV shows to watch. One set of messages fully spelled out our inquiry; the other set was filled with abbreviations. True to our lab results, fewer people responded to the abbreviated ask. Even among digital natives – youthful, tech-savvy users who are well versed in the casual parlance of text messaging – a text plastered with shortcuts still felt undercooked.

If a few missing letters can sour casual chats, what happens when love enters the equation? After all, texting has become a cornerstone of modern romance, from coy flirtations to soul-baring confessions. Could “plz call me” inadvertently jeopardize a budding connection? Or does “u up?” hint at more apathy than affection? These questions guided our next foray, as we set out to discover whether the swift efficiency of abbreviations might actually short-circuit the delicate dance of courtship and intimacy.

Our leap into the realm of romance culminated on Valentine’s Day with an online speed dating experiment.

We paired participants for timed “dates” inside a private messaging portal, and offered half of them small incentives to pepper their replies with abbreviations such as “ty” instead of “thank you.”

When it came time to exchange contact information, the daters receiving abbreviation-heavy notes were notably more reluctant, citing a lack of effort from the other party. Perhaps the most eye-opening evidence came from a separate study running a deep analysis of hundreds of thousands of Tinder conversations. The data showed that messages stuffed with abbreviations such as “u” and “rly” scored fewer overall responses and short-circuited conversations.

If you can’t take the time to spell it out, is it sincere?
Roman Didkivskyi/iStock via Getty Images Plus

It’s the thought that counts

We want to be clear: We’re not campaigning to ban “lol.” Our research suggests that a few scattered abbreviations don’t necessarily torpedo a friendship. Nor does every one of the many messages sent to many people every day warrant the full spelling-out treatment. Don’t care about coming across as sincere? Don’t need the recipient to respond? Then by all means, abbreviate away.

Instead, it’s the overall reliance on condensed phrases that consistently lowers our impression of the sender’s sincerity. When we type “plz” a dozen times in a conversation, we risk broadcasting that the other person isn’t worth the extra letters. The effect may be subtle in a single exchange. But over time, it accumulates.

If your ultimate goal is to nurture a deeper connection – be it with a friend, a sibling or a prospective date – taking an extra second to type “thanks” might be a wise investment.

Abbreviations began as a clever workaround for clunky flip phones, with its keypad texting – recall tapping “5” three times to type the letter “L” – and strict monthly character limits. Yet here we are, long past those days, still trafficking in “omg” and “brb,” as though necessity never ended.

After all of those studies, I’ve circled back to my brother’s texts with fresh eyes. I’ve since shared with him our findings about how those tiny shortcuts can come across as half-hearted or indifferent. He still fires off “brb” in half his texts, and I’ll probably never see him type “I’m sorry” in full. But something’s shifting – he typed “thank you” a few times, even threw in a surprisingly heartfelt “hope you’re well” the other day.

It’s a modest shift, but maybe that’s the point: Sometimes, just a few more letters can let someone know they really matter.

Sam Maglio, an Associate Professor of Marketing and Psychology at the University of Toronto, contributed to the writing of this article.

David Fang 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. Why you should think twice before using shorthand like ‘thx’ and ‘k’ in your texts – https://theconversation.com/why-you-should-think-twice-before-using-shorthand-like-thx-and-k-in-your-texts-248812

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Shark AI uses fossil shark teeth to get middle school kids interested in paleontology and computer vision

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christine Wusylko, Postdoctoral Fellow in Educational Technology, University of Florida

A student creates their model using Google Teachable Machine. Christine Wusylko, CC BY-ND

Most kids have a natural curiosity about sharks − especially their sharp and abundant teeth. Our team had the idea to use the appeal of this charismatic apex predator to teach how scientists use artificial intelligence.

We are researchers in AI literacy and STEM education who helped create a series of lessons that use fossil shark teeth to demonstrate the power and pitfalls of AI.

The curriculum guides middle school students and teachers through building and evaluating computer vision models that can reliably classify fossil shark teeth. Computer vision is a type of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms and a lot of image data to classify and identify objects. It’s the same technology that enables Google Lens to identify plant species in photographs or self-driving cars to recognize people, cars and bicycles.

Our free Shark AI curriculum has five modules, which are aligned with national and state science education standards. These standards outline the key knowledge and skills students should learn at each grade level. The lessons are designed to cultivate students’ interest in AI, data science, paleontology and the nature of science.

Students learn about the different types of shark teeth and what they look like.
Department of Education, University of Florida, CC BY-ND

Shark AI students analyze various types of shark teeth.
Bruce MacFadden photo composite, CC BY-ND

The overall objective of Shark AI is to show that one does not have to be a computer scientist to use, teach or learn AI. We believe all teachers can and should be prepared to teach about AI in order to facilitate the technology’s meaningful integration into K-12 education.

Teaching science with AI

AI is already transforming our lives at a dizzying pace.

To help prepare kids to live and work in an AI world, it is important for them to learn about the technology in school. Most of the resources available to teach AI in K-12 classrooms focus on the technology itself. As a result, these lessons may be offered only in specialty classes such as computer science and engineering, which may not be offered to all students at all schools.

Systematic integration of AI in education is relatively new, so many teacher preparation programs are just beginning to incorporate it. There’s a need for professional learning opportunities for teachers already working in schools to learn about AI.

Our research shows science teachers have a variety of preconceptions about AI. Additionally, many teachers are worried about teaching something they have little experience with. Nearly half of educators told EdWeek in a survey that “they’re uncomfortable with AI technology,” suggesting they are unlikely to add AI lessons to their already packed curriculum.

Sorting sharks’ teeth

To break down that unfamiliarity, the curriculum starts by introducing the various types of AI, such as natural language processing, automated speech recognition and computer vision. Students then get to work with fossil kits containing 15 real fossil shark teeth and one 3D-printed megalodon tooth. Megalodons were behemoth sharks that roamed the waters starting 20 million years ago and are now extinct. Students sort teeth in any way they want – such as by size, color or shape. Then, they learn how scientists typically classify fossils and practice sorting the teeth by species of shark and by what it eats.

A student examines the features of a shark tooth fossil.
Christine Wusylko, CC BY-ND

After this, students use Google Teachable Machine, a free, online tool that uses the powerful TensorFlow.js machine learning model trained on millions of images. That creates their own computer vision model to classify fossil shark teeth. The data they use can be pictures they take of the real teeth in their kits or pictures they upload from databases such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History paleobiology digital collection or iDigBio.

The models occasionally misclassify teeth, which creates an opportunity for teachers to discuss bias and limitations of computer vision, such as why it is important to train AI on lots of high-quality and diverse images.

The Shark AI curriculum concludes with students creating, showcasing and discussing their own computer vision models.

Different ways students classify fossils.
Christine Wusylko, CC BY-ND

Through these activities, students learn about AI concepts such as the strengths and weaknesses of AI compared with human intelligence along with paleontology concepts such as the fossil record or the information that can be learned about the history of life on Earth by studying fossils.

Teachers have the flexibility to modify the activities, sequence and time they want to spend on the curriculum. This allows them to highlight the aspects that make most sense for their instructional needs and goals.

To prepare teachers to use Shark AI, we host a weeklong professional learning session in which teachers learn how AI is used in science. They also practice doing the activities in the curriculum, and we leave plenty of time for discussion to demystify the technology.

An important component of the training is to create a community for the teachers. They have opportunities to check in, brainstorm and troubleshoot together throughout the year.

The Shark AI staff also checks in frequently with teachers individually to provide personalized support, usually troubleshooting questions about Google Teachable Machine. The teachers meet as a group once every few months to build community.

Instructors work with Shark AI teachers during the weeklong professional learning session.
Photos courtesy of the UF College of Education., CC BY-ND

With these supports, we have found that teachers can change their understanding and beliefs about AI, and feel comfortable and prepared to teach science with AI methods.

Christine Wusylko works for the University of Florida and receives funding from the NSF.

Pavlo Antonenko works for the University of Florida and receives funding from the NSF.

– ref. Shark AI uses fossil shark teeth to get middle school kids interested in paleontology and computer vision – https://theconversation.com/shark-ai-uses-fossil-shark-teeth-to-get-middle-school-kids-interested-in-paleontology-and-computer-vision-251125

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Colorado’s early childhood education workers face burnout and health disparities, but a wellness campaign could help

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jini Puma, Clinical Associate Professor of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Early childhood education workers face high stress and burnout. FatCamera/GettyImages

A lot of research has been done on the outcomes of young children who receive care in early education programs across the country. High-quality early childhood education programs positively shape young children’s development. Far less research has focused on the early childhood workforce that powers these programs.

We set out to better understand how to support workers who care for our youngest and most vulnerable children.

Workers who provide care for children under 5, such as teachers, administrative leaders and support staff, play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation. But research suggests they are underpaid, overburdened and have limited resources.

For example, in Colorado, about 46% of the early education workforce receives public assistance, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and Medicaid. These workers earn a median hourly pay of $18.50.

Across the country, between 43% of child care workers receive public assistance.

Additionally, teaching in early childhood settings takes a toll. According to the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, nearly half of early childhood education teachers report high levels of daily stress during the school year, compared with approximately 25% of U.S. workers.

Stressed-out teachers impact children, too. Poor well-being in early childhood teachers can reduce child care quality. This may lead to poor social-emotional development and increased behavioral issues in young children.

Research shows that chronic underfunding of early childhood education programs, coupled with the inherent stressors of the job, leads to burnout and turnover.

We are clinical associate and research assistant professors of public health at the Colorado School of Public Health. We have researched the early childhood education community in Colorado for more than 15 years. Our team is currently one of six federally funded national research teams investigating the well-being of this workforce and creating strategies to prevent burnout and turnover.

Mental and physical stress

There are many causes of health disparities within the early childhood education workforce. The job involves managing children’s challenging behaviors, working 9-12 hours a day, sitting in child-sized furniture, taking few breaks – and having a lack of support from co-workers and supervisors.

In St. Paul, Minn., organizers at a rally call for more public funding for both child care costs and pay increases for teachers.
Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Researchers have found that early childhood educators in the U.S. experience higher rates of chronic health conditions as compared with national samples of workers with comparable income, education and other characteristics. These conditions include severe headaches, lower back pain, obesity and diabetes, as well as mental health conditions, including depression.

Past studies, including our own, suggest that poor psychological and physical well-being may be particularly pronounced among early childhood education staff employed in Head Start settings. Head Start is the largest federally funded early childhood education program in the U.S. It often provides care for young children living in poverty.

Head Start teachers report depression rates ranging between 25% and 32%, compared with the national average of 18% among the U.S. workforce.

Urban and rural teachers in Colorado

The well-being of early childhood educators also varies by where they live.

In our recent work, we explored differences in job-related demands and resources among 332 Head Start staff in rural and urban areas in Colorado.

A higher percentage of our rural sample in southeast Colorado reported lower family incomes and lower levels of education. This would suggest that early childhood education staff in rural settings may experience higher levels of stress because of increased economic hardships.

However, on average, our rural sample had a lower level of emotional exhaustion, which is a key indicator of burnout, than our urban sample.

Rural settings tend to foster close-knit relationships, strong social support networks and a slower-paced work environment than urban settings. These social situations could be why workers in rural areas report lower levels of emotional exhaustion. Alternatively, in urban settings, educators may experience larger class sizes and more stringent licensing and training standards, which could translate to increased stress.

While workers in urban settings face higher rates of burnout, we also found that they had higher levels of hope, optimism, self-efficacy and resilience than those of rural child care workers. These positive feelings helped to decrease the effects of their high-stress work environments.

Our findings suggest a need to improve the work environment and provide caregivers with healthy coping strategies – especially urban Head Start staff.

The WELL program

To address the workplace needs we identified, we launched the Well-Being of the ECE Workforce in Low-Resourced Locations program, or WELL program. The program looks at workplace policies, culture and safety, plus a person’s health status, home life and community, to create a program that supports an individual’s well-being at work.

We partnered with five Head Start agencies to test Head Start well-being programs.

The Head Start staff we worked with across Colorado identified mindfulness, coping strategies and sleep as areas of need. We tailored WELL in response to their requests. WELL provides workplace training and supports related to these topics, texts weekly tips and strategies to promote well-being, and even helps sites design a relaxation lounge as a place for staff to unwind.

Our preliminary findings suggest that the majority of staff were satisfied with the WELL program, and participants reported increased confidence in practicing behaviors that promote their well-being, like mindfulness.

“[The WELL program] has helped me within the classroom, too,” said one study participant. “So when you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh! This child’s driving me crazy. I can’t deal with it!’ it’s like, ‘Just take a step back. It’s OK to take a break and ask somebody for help.’”

We also found that 77% felt that their early childhood education center supported participation in WELL. These findings, while preliminary, highlight the likelihood of this program to be successfully implemented in other early childhood education centers in Colorado.

Read more of our stories about Colorado.

Jini Puma receives funding from the Administration for Children and Families.

Charlotte Farewell receives funding from the Administration for Children and Families.

– ref. Colorado’s early childhood education workers face burnout and health disparities, but a wellness campaign could help – https://theconversation.com/colorados-early-childhood-education-workers-face-burnout-and-health-disparities-but-a-wellness-campaign-could-help-250880

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Americans die earlier at all wealth levels, even if wealth buys more years of life in the US than in Europe

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sara Machado, Research Scientist in Health Economics, Brown University

Wealth can buy health – but only to a point. marekuliasz/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Americans at all wealth levels are more likely to die sooner than their European counterparts, with even the richest U.S. citizens living shorter lives than northern and western Europeans. That is the key finding of our new study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

We also found that while the wealthiest Americans live longer than the poorest, the wealth-mortality gap in the U.S. is far more pronounced than in Europe.

We are a team of health policy researchers who study health systems and how their performance compares across countries.

We analyzed survey data from 73,838 adults ages 50 to 85 across the United States and 16 European countries over a 12-year period and compared how long people across the wealth spectrum lived during the course of our study. The 16 European countries are grouped into European regions: northern and western, southern and eastern Europe.

Our research revealed that people in the wealthiest 25% of the study population across the U.S. and Europe were 40% less likely to die during the study period than the poorest quarter of people. The wealthiest 25% of people in northern and western Europe had mortality rates that were about 35% lower than participants in the wealthiest quartile in the U.S. For those from southern Europe, during the study period this value ranged from 24% to 33%. For those from eastern Europe, the value ranged from 1% to 7%. The poorest individuals in the U.S. appear to have the worst survival, including when compared with the poorest quarter of people in each European region.

Why it matters

Wealth inequality has been rising for decades, but more so in the U.S. than in Europe due to a widening gap between the wealth of the richest and the poorest. At the same time, despite spending significantly more on health care than other wealthy nations, overall, the U.S. consistently demonstrates worse health outcomes, such as higher infant mortality rates and avoidable mortality.

Our study also reveals a wider wealth-mortality gap in the U.S. when compared with Europe. In other words, personal wealth does buy more years of life in the U.S. than in Europe. These findings suggest that personal wealth alone is not enough to compensate for other factors that tend to affect how long people live, such as health behaviors like smoking or heavy drinking, education or social support.

At its core, our research suggests that health outcomes are shaped by much more than just health care systems. It is likely that economic and social policies − from education and employment to housing and food security − play a crucial role in determining how long people live, including across the wealth distribution.

European countries have found ways to reduce health disparities without dramatically increasing health spending. By distributing health-promoting resources more equally across wealth groups, these nations may have created environments where longevity is less dependent on individual wealth.

What still isn’t known

While our study shows clear longevity differences between Americans and Europeans across wealth levels, more work still needs to be done to determine which specific aspects of European social systems − whether health care delivery, education access, retirement security or tax policies − most effectively protect health regardless of personal wealth.

Pinpointing exactly how these factors interact with wealth to influence health outcomes would allow researchers to identify which European policies could be most successfully adapted to improve longevity for all Americans.

What’s next

Looking ahead, we plan to identify which of those policy levers might be most effective in reducing mortality gaps.

The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

Irene N. Papanicolas receives funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Commonwealth Fund, the Health Foundation, the National Institute for Health Care Management and the World Health Organiation.

Sara Machado 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. Americans die earlier at all wealth levels, even if wealth buys more years of life in the US than in Europe – https://theconversation.com/americans-die-earlier-at-all-wealth-levels-even-if-wealth-buys-more-years-of-life-in-the-us-than-in-europe-253620

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: What would happen if Section 230 went away? A legal expert explains the consequences of repealing ‘the law that built the internet’

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daryl Lim, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Penn State

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., are vocal critics of Section 230. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, passed in 1996 as part of the Telecommunications Act, has become a political lightning rod in recent years. The law shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content while allowing moderation in good faith.

Lawmakers including Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., now seek to sunset Section 230 by 2027 in order to spur a renegotiation of its provisions. The senators are expected to hold a press event before April 11 about a bill to start a timer on reforming or replacing Section 230, according to reports. If no agreement is reached by the deadline Section 230 would cease to be law.

The debate over the law centers on balancing accountability for harmful content with the risks of censorship and stifled innovation. As a legal scholar, I see dramatic potential effects if Section 230 were to be repealed, with some platforms and websites blocking any potentially controversial content. Imagine Reddit with no critical comments or TikTok stripped of political satire.

The law that built the internet

Section 230, often described as “the 26 words that created the internet,” arose in response to a 1995 ruling penalizing platforms for moderating content. The key provision of the law, (c)(1), states that “no provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” This immunizes platforms such as Facebook and Yelp from liability for content posted by users.

Importantly, Section 230 does not offer blanket immunity. It does not shield platforms from liability related to federal criminal law, intellectual property infringement, sex trafficking or where platforms codevelop unlawful content. At the same time, Section 230 allows platform companies to moderate content as they see fit, letting them block harmful or offensive content that is permitted by the First Amendment.

Some critics argue that the algorithms social media platforms use to feed content to users are a form of content creation and should be outside the scope of Section 230 immunity. In addition, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has signaled a more aggressive stance toward Big Tech, advocating for a rollback of Section 230’s protections to address what he perceives as biased content moderation and censorship.

What Section 230 does and how it came about.

Censorship and the moderation dilemma

Opponents warn that repealing Section 230 could lead to increased censorship, a flood of litigation and a chilling effect on innovation and free expression.

Section 230 grants complete immunity to platforms for third-party activities regardless of whether the challenged speech is unlawful, according to a February 2024 report from the Congressional Research Service. In contrast, immunity via the First Amendment requires an inquiry into whether the challenged speech is constitutionally protected.

Without immunity, platforms could be treated as publishers and held liable for defamatory, harmful or illegal content their users post. Platforms could adopt a more cautious approach, removing legally questionable material to avoid litigation. They could also block potentially controversial content, which could leave less space for voices of marginalized people.

MIT management professor Sinan Aral warned, “If you repeal Section 230, one of two things will happen. Either platforms will decide they don’t want to moderate anything, or platforms will moderate everything.” The overcautious approach, sometimes called “collateral censorship,” could lead platforms to remove a broader swath of speech, including lawful but controversial content, to protect against potential lawsuits. Yelp’s general counsel noted that without Section 230, platforms may feel forced to remove legitimate negative reviews, depriving users of critical information.

Corbin Barthold, a lawyer with the nonprofit advocacy organization TechFreedom, warned that some platforms might abandon content moderation to avoid liability for selective enforcement. This would result in more online spaces for misinformation and hate speech, he wrote. However, large platforms would likely not choose this route to avoid backlash from users and advertisers.

A legal minefield

Section 230(e) currently preempts most state laws that would hold platforms liable for user content. This preemption maintains a uniform legal standard at the federal level. Without it, the balance of power would shift, allowing states to regulate online platforms more aggressively.

Some states could pass laws imposing stricter content moderation standards, requiring platforms to remove certain types of content within defined time frames or mandating transparency in content moderation decisions. Conversely, some states may seek to limit moderation efforts to preserve free speech, creating conflicting obligations for platforms that operate nationally. Litigation outcomes could also become inconsistent as courts across different jurisdictions apply varying standards to determine platform liability.

The lack of uniformity would make it difficult for platforms to establish consistent content moderation practices, further complicating compliance efforts. The chilling effect on expression and innovation would be especially pronounced for new market entrants.

While major players such as Facebook and YouTube might be able to absorb the legal pressure, smaller competitors could be forced out of the market or rendered ineffective. Small or midsize businesses with a website could be targeted by frivolous lawsuits. The high cost of compliance could deter many from entering the market.

Reform without ruin

The nonprofit advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation warned, “The free and open internet as we know it couldn’t exist without Section 230.” The law has been instrumental in fostering the growth of the internet by enabling platforms to operate without the constant threat of lawsuits over user-generated content. Section 230 also lets platforms organize and tailor user-generated content.

The potential repeal of Section 230 would fundamentally alter this legal landscape, reshaping how platforms operate, increasing their exposure to litigation and redefining the relationship between the government and online intermediaries.

Daryl Lim 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. What would happen if Section 230 went away? A legal expert explains the consequences of repealing ‘the law that built the internet’ – https://theconversation.com/what-would-happen-if-section-230-went-away-a-legal-expert-explains-the-consequences-of-repealing-the-law-that-built-the-internet-253326

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Minister Steven Guilbeault on International Day of Pink 2025

Source: Government of Canada News

April 9, 2025 – Gatineau, Quebec — Women and Gender Equality Canada

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant, who is responsible for the Department for Women and Gender Equality, made the following statement on International Day of Pink 2025:

“Today, the International Day of Pink has one purpose to create a more inclusive and diverse world. It is a day to recognize the great leadership and influence young people can have.

This day began in 2007, when two Nova Scotia students demonstrated solidarity with a classmate being bullied for wearing pink clothing. They rallied their peers to also wear pink and send a powerful message: that it’s ok to be exactly who you are.

Since then, hundreds of people have answered the call, and now, around the world, we honour this gesture of leadership every second Wednesday in April. Commemorating this annual event is an opportunity to express solidarity against bullying whether it be at school, at work, in sports, or online.

2SLGBTQI+ communities across the country continue to be stigmatized and subjected to discrimination in many aspects of their lives, such as in the labour market, when looking for housing, and with respect to their physical and mental health and safety. According to mental health research, the majority of young people (66%) who are part of 2SLGBTQI+ communities have reported experiencing situations that have negatively impacted their mental health, whether it be to a big or small extent.

Today, and every day, the Government of Canada recognizes that it’s necessary to provide the 2SLGBTQI+ communities – including youth – with safe spaces. Through Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, the federal government is committed to eliminating bias and harmful practices against the 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

The Government of Canada’s actions are also guided by the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and aim to build a future where everyone is free to be themselves.

A society where people are safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential is one where everyone thrives. Together, let’s show our support for equality by proudly wearing pink.”

MIL OSI Canada News –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “WE ARE UNIFIED IN OUR OPPOSITION TO THE LARGEST MEDICAID CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Washington, DC – Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press availability with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House and Senate Democratic leaders where they made clear that Democrats remain united in pushing back against the reckless Republican tax scheme.

Leader Jeffries: We had another excellent meeting with our Senate Democratic colleagues. Thank you, Leader Schumer, for hosting us today. We are unified in our opposition to the Republican effort to enact the largest Medicaid cut in American history. That’s a disgrace and it will hurt people all across the country. We are unified in our effort to protect and strengthen Social Security. It’s not an entitlement program. It’s an earned benefit. Senate Democrats and House Democrats will continue to stand together in defense of Social Security. We are unified in our effort to improve the quality of life of the American people.

America right now is too expensive. The cost of living is too high. President Donald Trump promised that costs would go down on day one. He lied to the American people. Costs aren’t going down. They’re going up. Inflation is going up. And Republicans are crashing the economy in real time, increasing costs, reducing retirement savings and driving America toward a Republican recession. So House and Senate Democrats are unified in defense of the American people, pushing back against their extreme budget plan to take away healthcare, nutritional assistance and veterans benefits from the American people, all in service of tax cuts for their billionaire donors like Elon Musk. As Leader Schumer indicated, House Democrats and Senate Democrats together next week will have a Save Social Security Day of Action on Tuesday, and then a Medicaid Matters Day of Action on Thursday, and then the week after that, a week of action around the cost of living in America.

Leader Jeffries’ remarks can be found here.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: LIVE: SecDef Pete Hegseth provides remarks at the CENTSEC 25 Opening Ceremony in Panama.

Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth provides remarks at the CENTSEC 25 Opening Ceremony in Panama.
—————
Your military is an all-volunteer force that serves to protect our security and way of life, but Service members are more than a fighting force. They are leaders, humanitarians and your fellow Americans. Get to know more about the men and women who serve, who they are, what they do, and why they do it.

For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
—————
Keep up with the Department of Defense on social media!

Like the DoD on Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeptofDefense
Follow the DoD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeptofDefense
Follow the DoD on Instagram: http://instagram.com/DeptofDefense
Follow the DoD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DeptofDefense

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNorMK3wQjI

MIL OSI Video –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI: Fideres Announces Affiliation of Leading Financial Economist Dr. Matthew D. Cain

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fideres, a global economic consultancy renowned for supporting complex financial litigation for its law firm clients, is proud to announce the affiliation of Dr. Matthew D. Cain.

Under this agreement, Dr. Cain will serve as a testifying expert and lead Fideres’ expanding securities litigation practice in the United States.

One of the most prominent testifying experts in U.S. securities litigation, Dr. Cain has provided expert analysis in more than 60 major securities and regulatory enforcement matters, including numerous headline cases brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“This is a game-changing move for Fideres and our clients in the plaintiff bar,” said Alberto Thomas, co-founder and managing partner at Fideres USA. “Matt’s partnership with us signals our deep commitment to supporting our clients’ most challenging and impactful cases.”

This partnership will enable Fideres’s clients to pursue high-stakes, complex litigation with best-in-class economic analysis and support.

“Working directly with Fideres affords me the ability to focus and lend my experience to an organization with a rich history of affecting change through securities litigation, rooted in academic rigor, innovative economic analysis, and strategic execution,” said Dr. Cain.

Dr. Cain has held senior academic appointments at the New York University School of Law and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. He also served as a Financial Economist in the SEC’s Office of Litigation Economics and as an advisor to SEC Commissioner Robert J. Jackson, Jr. His research has been widely published in leading academic and legal journals, with a focus on securities litigation, disclosure, and corporate governance. Dr. Cain holds a Ph.D. in Finance from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Grove City College.

About Fideres
Founded in 2009, Fideres is a consultancy specializing in economic analysis and expert witness services for complex litigation, particularly in the areas of antitrust, financial markets, and consumer protection. The firm has advised claimants in some of the most significant economic and antitrust cases globally and maintains offices in New York and other major jurisdictions worldwide.

For more information click here.

Media Contact:
Mark Firmani
mark@firmani.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0306a3cf-81d8-4a84-9c34-0246e55e8900

The MIL Network –

April 10, 2025

MIL-OSI: Ormat Technologies, Inc. to Host Conference Call Announcing First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

RENO, Nev., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ORA) (the “Company” or “Ormat”), a leading geothermal and renewable energy company, today announced that it plans to publish its first quarter financial results in a press release that will be issued on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, after the market closes. In conjunction with this report, the Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss the results at 09:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Participants within the United States and Canada, please dial 1-800-715-9871, approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call. If you are calling from outside the United States or Canada, please dial +1-646-960-0440. The access code for the call is 3818407. Please request the “Ormat Technologies, Inc. call” when prompted by the conference call operator. The conference call will also be accompanied by a live webcast on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

A replay will be available one hour after the end of the conference call. To access the replay within the United States and Canada, please dial 1-800-770-2030. From outside of the United States and Canada, please dial +1-647-362-9199. Please use the replay access code 3818407. The webcast will also be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES

With six decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company, and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation (“REG”), with robust plans to accelerate long-term growth in the energy storage market and to establish a leading position in the U.S. energy storage market. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter – a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed for utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 3,400 MW of gross capacity. Ormat leveraged its core capabilities in the geothermal and REG industries and its global presence to expand the Company’s activity into energy storage services, solar Photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage plus Solar PV. Ormat’s current total generating portfolio is 1,538MW with a 1,248MW geothermal and solar generation portfolio that is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe, and a 290MW energy storage portfolio that is located in the U.S.

Ormat Technologies Contact:
Smadar Lavi
VP, Head of IR and ESG Planning & Reporting
775-356-9029 (ext. 65726)
slavi@ormat.com

Investor Relations Agency Contact:
Joseph Caminiti or Josh Carroll
Alpha IR Group
312-445-2870
ORA@alpha-ir.com

The MIL Network –

April 10, 2025

MIL-OSI: Diamond Equity Research Initiates Coverage on Brillia Inc. (NYSEAM: BRIA)
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New York, NY, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diamond Equity Research, a leading equity research firm with a focus on small capitalization public companies has initiated coverage of Brillia, Inc. (NYSEAM: BRIA). The in-depth 28-page initiation report includes detailed information on Brillia Inc’s business model, services, industry overview, financials, valuation, management profile, and risks.

The full research report is available below.

Brillia Initiation Report

Highlights from the report include:
- Stable, Cash Flow Positive, Asset-Light Business Model with Underappreciated Optionality and Upside from High-Margin Brand Expansion: BrilliA’s established business model, anchored by enduring partnerships with global industry leaders, delivers stable cash flow and reliable revenue streams. Its integrated operations provide room for expansion into higher-margin opportunities through the DIANA brand rollout. Further enhancing operational agility, BrilliA’s asset-light structure, maintained by minimizing physical assets, allows the company to channel resources more effectively into its core competencies. From our vantage point, this robust financial foundation enables BrilliA to respond to market shifts and invest strategically in long-term growth initiatives. Given the current valuation, the market may not yet fully appreciate BrilliA’s ability to leverage its asset-light model and established relationships to pursue profitable brand-driven expansion initiatives, providing meaningful upside potential.
- Strategic Market Positioning Enabled by Long-Standing Global Partnerships and Industry Expertise: Long-term relationships with over 20 major brands, including (but not limited to) Fruit of the Loom, Hanes Brands, Jockey International, Hennes & Mauritz, Canadelle, and Li & Fung, underscore BrilliA’s competitive advantage. These enduring partnerships not only secure a stable revenue base but also validate the company’s operational capabilities in the intimate apparel market. This strategic positioning strengthens its reputation and provides leverage for negotiating favorable terms in future contracts.
- Existing Business Supports Strategic Opportunity in the Rapidly Expanding Asian Lingerie Market: The global lingerie market is on a strong growth trajectory, expanding from $90 billion in 2024 to a projected $142 billion by 2030, driven by evolving consumer preferences, digital transformation, and increasing demand for comfort, inclusivity, and sustainability. While North America and Europe remain key markets, the Asia-Pacific dominates, contributing 40% of global lingerie revenues, with Southeast Asia emerging as a high-potential region led by Indonesia. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing comfort, inclusivity, and sustainability, fueling demand for innovative fabrics, diverse sizing, and ethical sourcing. Digital disruption is reshaping the competitive landscape, as traditional players like Victoria’s Secret, Hanesbrands, and Triumph International face mounting pressure from agile, direct-to-consumer brands. BrilliA’s DIANA brand is strategically positioned to tap into Southeast Asia’s growing demand by expanding product offerings, strengthening its digital presence, and integrating sustainability-focused initiatives, aiming to establish itself as a dominant player in the region’s evolving lingerie market. In our view, established businesses leveraging core competencies to enter new segments typically bear lower risk compared to startup enterprises lacking a proven operational track record.
- Vertically Integrated Supply Chain Model Efficiently Manages Lead Times, Reduces Production Risks, and Maintains Pricing Power, Representing a Significant Competitive Advantage : BrilliA’s end-to-end integration, from design & prototyping to production & quality control, promotes efficient operations and cost-effective manufacturing. This vertical integration supports competitive pricing, timely delivery, and consistent product quality, forming a robust foundation for scaling the business. By streamlining production processes and reducing lead times, the company is well-equipped to respond to market demands swiftly and efficiently. Additionally, BrilliA is finalizing a manufacturing agreement with Magic Link Garment Ltd in Cambodia to expand capacity and leverage trade benefits such as duty-free access to Canada and preferential treatment under the EU’s EBA program. This move is expected to enhance operational efficiency and support an internally projected revenue increase of up to $5 million in 2025, subject to market conditions.
- Analysis Indicates Meaningful Upside Potential from Geographical, Product, and Digital Expansion Initiatives: With plans to expand into key markets in Southeast Asia and Europe, along with diversifying into adjacent product categories such as sleepwear, activewear, baby wear, and period underwear, BrilliA is well-positioned to target new market segments. This strategy mitigates regional risks while driving long-term growth by broadening the customer base and enhancing cross-selling opportunities and revenue stability. We believe targeted investments in digital marketing can effectively drive online engagement and new customer acquisition, while the ongoing recruitment of design talent positions the company to sustain innovation and competitiveness. Additionally, based on preliminary analysis of reciprocal tariffs introduced by the Trump Administration on April 3, 2025, BrilliA’s production exposure in Indonesia (32% tarrif) could position it more favorably than peers with higher exposure to Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), or Cambodia (49%), potentially enabling the company to better manage cost volatility and trade disruptions. Collectively, our analysis suggests that BrilliA has multiple avenues available to expand beyond its existing business segments while being relatively insulated from near-term geopolitical trade risks.
- Valuation: BrilliA, Inc. is strategically positioned for growth, leveraging its established B2B operations to support the expansion of the high-margin D2C DIANA brand in the luxury intimate apparel market. With strong industry partnerships and a focus on quality, innovation, and digital transformation, BrilliA aims to capture significant opportunities in the multi-billion-dollar global lingerie market. Its dual business model balances the profitability and stability of its B2B segment with the high-growth potential of its D2C brand. We believe the market currently undervalues the embedded optionality associated with the successful expansion into the premium D2C segment, presenting additional upside potential. Using a valuation methodology weighted 80% toward a DCF analysis (WACC at 12.25%, terminal growth rate at 1.5%) and 20% toward a sum-of-the-parts approach, we model the company’s value at approximately $183.81 million, or $6.00 per share. Achieving this valuation hinges on successfully scaling DIANA, while preserving robust cash flows from its B2B operations and overall successful execution.
About Brillia, Inc.

Brillia Inc., established in 2023, specializes in the design, production, and distribution of women’s intimate apparel across global markets, including North America, the European Union, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. Its product range encompasses bras, panties, bodysuits, swimwear, dresses, and related apparel.

About Diamond Equity Research

Diamond Equity Research is a leading equity research and corporate access firm focused on small capitalization companies. Diamond Equity Research is an approved sell-side provider on major institutional investor platforms.

For more information, visit https://www.diamondequityresearch.com.

Disclosures:

Diamond Equity Research LLC is being compensated by BrilliA, Inc. for producing research materials regarding BrilliA, Inc. and its securities, which is meant to subsidize the high cost of creating the report and monitoring the security, however the views in the report reflect that of Diamond Equity Research. All payments are received upfront and are billed for research engagement. As of 04/09/25 the issuer had paid us $30,000 for our company sponsored research services, which commenced 12/30/2024 and is billed annually. Diamond Equity Research LLC may be compensated for non-research related services, including presenting at Diamond Equity Research investment conferences, press releases and other additional services. The non-research related service cost is dependent on the company, but usually do not exceed $5,000. The issuer has not paid us for non-research related services as of 04/09/2025. Issuers are not required to engage us for these additional services. Additional fees may have accrued since then. Although Diamond Equity Research company sponsored reports are based on publicly available information and although no investment recommendations are made within our company sponsored research reports, given the small capitalization nature of the companies we cover we have adopted an internal trading procedure around the public companies by whom we are engaged, with investors able to find such policy on our website public disclosures page. This report and press release do not consider individual circumstances and does not take into consideration individual investor preferences. Statements within this report may constitute forward-looking statements, these statements involve many risk factors and general uncertainties around the business, industry, and macroeconomic environment. Investors need to be aware of the high degree of risk in small capitalization equities including the complete loss of their investment.This report does not explicitly or implicitly affirm that the information contained within this document is accurate and/or comprehensive, and as such should not be relied on in such a capacity. All information contained within this report is subject to change without any formal or other notice provided. Investors can find various risk factors in the initiation report and in the respective financial filings for Brillia, Inc. Please review initiation report attached for full disclosure page.

Contact:
Diamond Equity Research
research@diamondequityresearch.com

Attachment
- Brillia Initiation Report
The MIL Network –
April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Why do Soldiers LIKE training in the field?

Source: US Army (video statements)

The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

Connect with the U.S. Army online:
Web: https://www.army.mil
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
#USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Shorts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le8gMxUsGuk

MIL OSI Video –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to social media posts by Global Affairs Canada expressing concern over China’s military exercises around Taiwan
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MOFA response to social media posts by Global Affairs Canada expressing concern over China’s military exercises around Taiwan
- Date：2025-04-03
- Data Source：Department of North American Affairs
April 3, 2025

Global Affairs Canada issued statements on the social media platforms X and Facebook on April 2 expressing Canada’s deep concern over China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan. The statements emphasized that these threatening actions increased regional tensions and instability and affected global security and prosperity. Canada urged China to resolve cross-strait differences by peaceful means.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks Canada for reaffirming its support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for opposing the use of force or coercion to change the status quo, as well as for explicitly stating that China’s threats to Taiwan and regional security undermine the status quo.

Since Canada issued its Indo-Pacific Strategy in November 2022, it has dispatched naval ships to transit the Taiwan Strait six times, repeatedly demonstrating its staunch determination to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait through concrete action. In the face of relentless harassment by China, the Taiwan government will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and bolster cooperation with allied nations to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order. Taiwan calls on all countries to express concern about China’s attempts at gray-zone coercion, including military threats and lawfare targeting Taiwan, and to condemn unilateral actions by China that escalate regional tensions.

MIL OSI China News –
April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: This Is Jeopardy! … With a UConn Professor

Source: US State of Connecticut

“An assistant professor from Storrs, Connecticut…..Kristen Ramsey.”

Those were the words of Johnny Gilbert, the famed announcer of Jeopardy!, on April 1 as the UConn molecular and cell biology assistant professor appeared on the game show. Ramsey finished second in her appearance and earned $8790, in addition to a lifetime of memories.

Ramsey, a native of Florida, is in her first year on the UConn faculty and focuses on structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics. She has lived all around the country, earning her undergraduate degree from Florida State, her doctorate from UC-San Diego, and did her post-doctorate work at Johns Hopkins.

UConn Today caught up with Ramsey following her Jeopardy! appearance.

First of all, how do you like teaching and working at UConn?

I fell in love with area when I came here for my interview. It’s really centrally located for me. It’s a rural campus, but I can get to Hartford, Boston, and New York. I have been here since August, and I am getting settled and getting my lab set up and starting to work with my graduate students. So, it has really been awesome.

How did your appearance on Jeopardy! happen?

I have been wanting and trying to get on Jeopardy! for many, many years. The process starts with an online test that anyone can take and is about 50 questions. You don’t find out how you did. If you do good enough, they contact you and you take another test on Zoom with video and eight other potential contestants and some show producers. They split you into groups of three, you use a pen as a buzzer, and you do a mock interview question.

After I did that part, I found out I was in the contestant pool, and you are in that for 18 months. If you don’t hear from them in 18 months, you start the whole process over. I took the online tests many times and in 2020, I got into the contestant pool, but never heard back.

I forgot about it for a while as I was doing my post-doc work. But last July, as I was getting ready to move out to Connecticut, I decided to take the online test again and two months later did the next online test.

In January, I got a call from a contestant producer, and they wanted to make sure I was not a convicted felon, didn’t have plans to run for public office in the next few years, and then he invited me to be on the show!

It was the most amazing thing, but also a bit terrifying!

When did you go out there to tape your show?

I was in California to tape the show on February 11. If I had won, I was going to have to go back on February 24 because of the taping schedule. I had to figure out my flight and hotel to Los Angeles quickly, that is all on the contestant. It was such a whirlwind.

Did you do much studying for the show?

My job here is pretty much all-encompassing, so I decided to rely on what got me to this point. The good thing is that the subjects I would have studied, my trivia weaknesses, did not come up in my show so I didn’t feel that bad.

So, for those that watch Jeopardy! at home and try to come up the answers, how much harder is it in real life?

It wasn’t so much that I found coming up with the answers as hard. The buzzer was the biggest difficulty. If another contestant is rock solid on the buzzer, it doesn’t matter if you know the answers because you’re just not going to beat them to buzz in.

Were you a trivia fan growing up?

I’ve always been into trivia and can’t remember a time that Jeopardy! wasn’t part of my life. My dad always tried to get on the show and both my parents are big fans. I like to go and do bar trivia, and I read a lot. I’m really curious about a lot of things and I end up going down a lot of rabbit holes when I am looking something up.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Solid or liquid? Scientists accurately predict complex tissue changes in fruit fly embryos

Source: US Government research organizations

Using techniques from early work in artificial intelligence, a model showed how certain fruit fly embryo tissue remains solid during development instead of liquefying

Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, scientists have accurately modeled particular cellular changes in Drosophila melanogaster, or the fruit fly, during embryonic development. When certain tissue shrinks dramatically to close a gap during the fruit fly embryo’s growth, the cells remain elastically solid rather than turning into a liquid form as expected. The model created by the researchers shows how this phenomenon happens and may lead to a new form of condensed matter physics with potential applications in neuroscience, biology and artificial intelligence.

The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also revealed a surprising connection to the work that earned the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics.

“During the dorsal closure process, tissue, called amnioserosa, is shrinking like mad, and by all accounts, it should turn into a fluid,” says Andrea Liu, University of Pennsylvania theoretical physicist and author on the research. “But it doesn’t. The cells stay locked in place with their neighbors, and we wanted to understand why.”

Time-lapse video of fruit fly dorsal closure

Credit: I. Tah, D. Haertter, J.M. Crawford, D.P. Kiehart, C.F. Schmidt, A.J. Liu, PNAS.

Time-lapse video showing the microscopic dorsal closure process in a fruit fly embryo. The superimposed yellow dots represent the cellular movements predicted by the researchers’ model.

The researchers used a method introduced by John Hopfield, who shared the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics with Geoffrey Hinton for their work developing computer technologies that mimic an organic brain’s ability to process information.

“Hopfield, essentially, applied physics to neuroscience and created a subfield of the discipline, as well as the basis of neural networks,” Liu says about the seminal work that laid the foundation for artificial intelligence. “He showed that by allowing the interactions between neurons to be individually adjustable, you could build a model of how the brain learns. So, we introduced tunable interactions among cells to see how a tissue of cells might remain rigid.”

By incorporating this concept into their novel model of fruit fly tissue, the team was able to predict changes in cell shape, orientation and other properties that were later confirmed through additional experimentation. Liu believes this work points to a new category of condensed matter, one in which interactions between particles or cells are individually tunable rather than fixed.

“In conventional condensed matter physics, you can’t and don’t change interactions. They are what they are,” Liu says. “But in biological systems, interactions are dynamic.”

“In systems with tunable interactions, scaling up can produce entirely new, emergent properties. The behavior of a system with a million interacting units can be vastly different from one with thousands.”

“This work beautifully combines features of biology, artificial intelligence and condensed matter physics to address a fascinating problem at the interface of biology and materials research,” says Daryl Hess, program director in the NSF Division of Materials Research.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Critically ill patients in African hospitals aren’t getting the care they need: new survey
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Tim Baker, Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet

When someone falls critically ill, hospitals are expected to provide life-saving care. But in many African countries, intensive care units are rare. Critically ill patients are treated in general hospital wards, and the provision of essential emergency and critical care is limited.

Critical illness refers to any life-threatening condition where at least one vital organ – such as the heart, lungs, or brain – is failing. It can arise from any underlying condition including infections, injuries, or non-communicable diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, and can affect anyone of any age.

In high-resourced settings some critically ill patients are treated in intensive care units. They receive continuous monitoring, oxygen support, medication to stabilise their blood pressure, and other life-saving treatments. Until now, most data on critical illness and critical care in Africa has come from small, single-hospital studies. These studies hinted at a serious problem.

For example, a study in Uganda found that 11.7% of inpatients were critically ill, with a 22.6% chance of dying within a week. However, there was no large-scale research showing how widespread this was across the continent.

That is why we, a collaboration of clinical researchers across Africa, conducted the African Critical Illness Outcomes Study, providing the first large-scale look at the state of critical illness care across the continent.

The study builds on a network of clinicians, researchers and policy makers that has been growing for over a decade now, working out how to identify and treat patients who are critically ill.

The findings, published in The Lancet, are striking. One in eight hospital inpatients in Africa is critically ill, over two-thirds of the critically ill are in general wards, and one in five dies within a week.

Most of these patients do not receive the essential emergency and critical care such as oxygen and fluids that could save their lives.

What we found

The African Critical Illness Outcomes Study investigated 20,000 patients at one point in time in 180 hospitals in 22 countries across Africa. Countries throughout the continent were included, from Tunisia in the north to South Africa in the south, from Ghana in the west to Tanzania in the east.

Between September and December 2023, all adult inpatients in each hospital were examined on a single day to collect data about their clinical condition and treatments, and then a week later, their in-hospital outcomes.

The key findings were:
- 12.5% of hospital inpatients were critically ill
- 69% of critically ill patients were treated in general hospital wards, not intensive care units
- more than half of critically ill patients didn’t receive the treatments they needed
- critically ill patients were eight times more likely to die in hospital than other patients.
The study also revealed gaps in the most basic life-saving interventions:
- only 48% of patients with respiratory failure received oxygen therapy
- just 54% of patients with circulatory failure (such as shock) received fluids or medications to stabilise blood pressure
- less than half of patients with a dangerously low level of consciousness received airway protection or were placed in the recovery position.
These findings highlight a clear and urgent problem: many critically ill patients in Africa are not receiving the essential treatments that could keep them alive.

What can be done?

The study suggests that thousands of lives could be saved if hospitals had better access to essential emergency and critical care. This is a set of simple, low-cost interventions that can prevent deaths from critical illness.

The care interventions include:
- ensuring oxygen is available for patients struggling to breathe
- providing fluids or medications to stabilise blood pressure
- training healthcare workers in basic life-support techniques to manage unconscious patients.
Unlike high-tech intensive care unit treatments, essential emergency and critical care can be given in general wards with minimal resources.

Strengthening these systems could dramatically reduce preventable deaths from conditions such as pneumonia, sepsis and trauma.

Urgent action is needed

This study sheds light on a healthcare crisis affecting millions of people, yet one that has remained largely overlooked.

Every critically ill patient, no matter where they are treated, should receive the basic life-saving care they need.

We call for urgent action.
- Governments in Africa should make essential emergency and critical care a core part of universal health coverage. It should be integrated into policies and health benefit packages.
- The World Health Organization should embed essential emergency and critical care measures into its resolutions.
- African health funders should support studies and implementation of essential emergency and critical care.
- Professional medical societies and institutions should include this care in clinical guidelines and training. Frontline healthcare workers must have the tools they need to save lives.
The EECC Network, a global community dedicated to sharing knowledge, research and best practices, has been started to help prevent needless deaths.

* Nick Leech, who works on the promotion of essential emergency and critical care on behalf of EECC Global, contributed to this article.

Tim Baker declares technical consultancies with UNICEF, the World Bank, USAID, and PATH, has received research funding from Wellcome Trust and the National Institute for Health and Care Research and is a board member at the non-profit organisation EECC Global.

Karima Khalid is a board member of EECCGlobal

– ref. Critically ill patients in African hospitals aren’t getting the care they need: new survey – https://theconversation.com/critically-ill-patients-in-african-hospitals-arent-getting-the-care-they-need-new-survey-253355
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Health and Social Care Secretary’s UNISON speech

Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Speech

Health and Social Care Secretary’s UNISON speech

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting’s speech at UNISON’s annual health conference in Liverpool today.

Good morning conference.

Let’s start on a point of agreement.

The killing of 15 health and rescue workers in Gaza was an appalling and intolerable tragedy.

Healthcare workers in any context, in any part of the world, should never be a target.

The international community, or indeed any actors in any conflict, all have a responsibility to protect health and humanitarian aid workers and also to protect innocent civilians.

And it’s clear that in Gaza, as well as in other conflict zones around the world at the moment the international community is failing and failing badly.

So I want to say, as a Unison member, I strongly support the sentiments expressed by our Healthcare Executive.

But on behalf of our government, we want to see a return to an immediate ceasefire.

We want to see aid in, people out of harm’s way, an end to this bloody conflict and a state of Palestine alongside a state of Israel, and the just and lasting peace that Israelis and Palestinians deserve.

I also have to say, having been to the West Bank with Medical Aid for Palestinians and seen first hand the work that they do supporting the health needs of Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territories, they do brilliant work.

And I would fully endorse the sentiment of the motion in supporting them, and each of us putting our hands in our pockets to do that.

But today, I’m here as the first health and social care secretary to address a Unison conference since my […] predecessor, Andy Burnham, did 15 years ago, and I am proud to do so as a Unison member.

[Political content has been removed]

Now we’re delivering the change people voted for.

It’s not all plain sailing and I expect you’ll want to question, even challenge some of the government’s decisions.

So there’ll be plenty of time for questions.

And I promise to give you honest answers.

[Political content has been removed]

You might not like some of the answers.

I might not like some of the questions, but the important thing is that we show up and we have that conversation.

For all the challenges we’re confronting, and there are plenty nothing I’ve experienced in the last nine months as our country’s Health and Social Care Secretary has shaken my confidence and conviction that this will be a government that not only gets our NHS back on its feet, but makes sure it’s fit for the future, and shows the bold leadership required to make sure that we also build a National Care Service worthy of the name.

Of course, it’s hard.

[Political content has been removed]

Six months ago, back here in Liverpool, I spent two hours with one of the most remarkable group of people I’ve ever had the honour of meeting in my life.

In that room were centuries of training and experience between them of working in the health service.

But all of that training, all of that experience couldn’t have prepared those people with what they were confronted with in Southport on Monday the 29th of July, as they rushed into that community centre to find children and adults lying on the floor bleeding, some tragically dying.

The aftermath of an unimaginable, senseless, mindless attack.

Those people were confronted immediately with the consequences.

For the staff I met, the trauma still runs deep.

But on the day itself, the whole NHS team kicked into action.

From the paramedics who arrived first on the scene and had to make split-second decisions of who to treat first in what order, to give them the best chance of survival.

The porters rushing children through busy hospital corridors, and the security guards trying to shield other patients and visitors from seeing the horror that the staff were confronting.

The lab teams who are mobilising blood supplies.

Receptionists fielding calls from panic-stricken parents.

The surgical teams fighting to save those young girls lives.

I’m filled with admiration for their care, their expertise and their values.

As I think about what happened in the aftermath of those brutal attacks, that admiration turns to anger.

[Political content has been removed]

Filipino nurses came under attack from racist thugs on their way into work wearing their NHS uniforms.

GP surgeries closed early out of fear of rioters.

A Nigerian care worker saw his car torched.

These people came to our country to care for our sick and vulnerable.

They bust a gut day in, day out to keep us well.

If those thugs represented the worst of our country, our health and care workers represent the best.

This government will never walk by on the other side when it comes to standing up against racist hate, intimidation or violence.

Because no one should go to work fearing violence, least of all those all of us rely on for our health care.

What happened after Southport was an extreme, but it wasn’t a one off.

One in every seven people employed by the NHS have suffered violence at the hands of patients, their relatives or other members of the public.

This should shame us all.

So today I can announce we will act to keep NHS staff safe at work.

Incidents will have to be recorded at a national level.

Data will be analysed so that those most at risk can be protected.

Trust boards will be made to report on progress they’re making to keep staff safe.

Protecting staff from violence is not an optional extra.

We are making it mandatory.

Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff, campaigned for by Unison.

[Political content has been removed]

We invest huge sums of money into training the NHS workforce.

Then they’re treated like crap.

Forced to leave the health service and often leave the country.

British taxpayers are investing billions in doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare assistants only for them to turn up treating patients in Canada or Australia.

We’ve got to retain the talent we have in the health service and treat our staff with the respect they deserve.

That means more training and opportunities for nurses who want to progress in their career, and making flexible working easier too.

It also means paying you for the job you actually do.

There have been too many disputes because NHS staff have not been paid according to their job description, rather than their job.

So we’re bringing in a new digital system to make sure the job evaluation scheme is applied fairly across the board.

[Political content has been removed]

A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.

Campaigned for by Unison.

[Political content has been removed]

I owe my life to the NHS.

Who cared for me when I went through kidney cancer.

It’s a debt of gratitude I will never be able to repay.

But I will certainly try.

You were there for me and I’ll be there for you.

As the chair said, the scale of the challenge in our NHS is huge.

[Political content has been removed]

So our job is twofold.

First, to get the service back on its feet and treating patients on time again.

And second, to reform the service for the long term so that it’s fit for the future.

And I say it’s our job deliberately, because this can’t be done with one man sat behind a desk in Whitehall.

We will only succeed if this is a team effort, from the Prime Minister to the 1.5 million people who work in the National Health Service.

When I visited Singapore General Hospital in opposition, they told me about a programme they run.

It’s called get rid of stupid stuff.

Does what it says on the tin.

I thought the NHS could probably do with that.

Some of you might think I could do with that.

It’s a common sense idea.

People working in the health service might have ideas about how to fix it.

So over the past few months, just as we did when we were in opposition, we’ve been asking NHS staff about the stupid stuff that’s holding them back.

More than a million people have engaged in what’s been the biggest national conversation since the NHS was founded.

NHS staff have attended more than 3,000 meetings across the country and online, and if you’ve not made your voice heard yet, you’ve got until 5pm on Monday to go to Change.NHS.uk

The plan, published later this spring, will take the best ideas from across the NHS, staff and workforce and patients and set out how we’ll deliver the change the NHS needs.

Shifting the focus of healthcare out of hospital and into the community, with more investment in primary and community care.

Bringing our analogue health service into the digital age, arming staff with modern equipment and cutting edge technology.

Turning our sickness service into a preventative health service to help people live well for longer and tackle the biggest killers.

The crisis in the NHS is not the fault of staff, but we can’t fix it without you.

I know how hard it is to battle against a broken system, to give patients the best care you can, only to go home at the end of the day, knowing your best wasn’t good enough.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The cavalry is coming.

My message to everyone working in the NHS is this.

Stay and help us to rescue and rebuild it.

The NHS was broken, but it’s not beaten.

And together we can turn it around.

Change takes time, but it has already begun.

In nine months, this […] government has awarded NHS staff an above inflation pay rise, ended the resident doctors strikes, invested an extra £26 billion in health and care, the biggest investment in hospices for a generation.

We’ve agreed the GP contract for the first time since the pandemic, with £889 million more in funding, the biggest uplift in a decade.

We’ve reversed the decade of cuts to community pharmacy.

We’ve delivered the extra 2 million more appointments we promised at the election than we did it seven months early.

NHS waiting lists have been cut for five months in a row and counting.

80,000 suspected cancer patients were diagnosed early, so lots done, but so much more to do.

We know there’s a long way to go.

There’ll be bumps along the way.

It won’t be plain sailing and we’ll make some mistakes.

But we are finally putting the NHS on the road to recovery.

On social care, we’ve been accused of not doing enough.

I totally understand the cynicism after years of inaction.

[Political content has been removed]

Our first step on the road to building a National Care Service, and I can announce today, will go further for our care professionals.

We are introducing the first universal career structure for adult social care, setting out four new job roles to give care workers the opportunities to progress in their career.

With millions of pounds of new investment in their skills and training.

Keir said his ambition for his sister, who is a care worker, is to command the same respect as her brother, the Prime Minister.

Her work is so important to the future of our country.

[Political content has been removed]

But be in no doubt about the weight on our shoulders.

I’m certainly not.

Not only the responsibility to millions of people who are being failed by the NHS and social care services, but also to prove to a sceptical public that the NHS can change and deliver the timely, quality care people expect in 2025.

On the 75th anniversary of the NHS, an opinion poll showed that the health service makes the majority of the British people proud of our country, greater than the pride we feel for any other aspect of our history or culture.

But the same poll revealed that 7 in 10 believe that the NHS founding principle of healthcare, free at the point of need, won’t survive the next ten years.

The failure of public services to meet the needs of the people is one of the fertilisers of populism we see across liberal democracies.

[Political content has been removed]

We will always defend the NHS as a public service, free at the point of use, so that when you fall ill, you never have to worry about the bill.

[Political content has been removed]

That’s why I say it’s change or die.

The stakes are high.

The challenge is enormous, but the prize is huge.

A service that values all of its workforce as an asset to be nurtured, not a cost to be minimised.

Where staff are proud to work because their patients receive the best possible care.

An NHS there for us when we need it.

Once again, it won’t be easy.

It will take time.

But if we get this right, we will be able to look back on this time and say that we were the generation that took the NHS from the worst crisis in its history, got it back on its feet and made it fit for the future, and built a National Care Service worthy of the name.

Change has begun, but the best is still to come.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 9 April 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Guthrie, First Lady Melania Trump, Chairman Bilirakis Join Advocates in Celebrating Committee Passage of TAKE IT DOWN Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with advocates for the TAKE IT DOWN Act, issued the following statements of support after the bill was reported out of Committee by a vote of 49 to 1.

“No man, woman, or child should be subjected to the spread of explicit AI images meant to target and harass innocent victims. I am so thankful for our outstanding advocates and legislators who have worked hard to raise awareness and build a strong coalition to support this bipartisan bill,”said Chairman Guthrie. “Today, the Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced the bill to the full House of Representatives, where I look forward to, once again, voting in favor of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, so that we can send it to the President’s desk for signature.”

“I remain dedicated to championing child well-being, ensuring that every young person can thrive and ‘Be Best.’ Thank you to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for advancing the TAKE IT DOWN Act. This marks a significant step in our bipartisan efforts to safeguard our children from online threats,” said First Lady Melania Trump. “I urge Congress to swiftly pass this important legislation. Together, we can create a safer, brighter future for all Americans!”

“I am glad we are one step closer to protecting victims of online sexual exploitation. Giving victims rights to flag non-consensual images and requiring social media companies to remove that content quickly is a pivotal and necessary change to the online landscape,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. “And by ensuring that AI-generated deep-fake content is included in these protections, Congress is showing its commitment to fighting 21st Century harms that are plaguing our children and grandchildren.”

“In February, our family mourned the loss of our loving son and brother, Elijah Heacock, after he fell victim to an extortion scheme on the internet,” said Shannon Cronister-Heacock, mother of Elijah Heacock. “We are grateful for the support of Chairman Guthrie and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for passing the TAKE IT DOWN Act today to ensure that no parent, sibling, or loved one experiences a similar tragedy in the future. This bill honors Elijah’s life, and we are appreciative of Congress’ actions to protect children online and save lives.”

“I was only fourteen years old when one of my classmates created deepfake, AI nudes of me and distributed them on social media. I was shocked, violated, and felt unsafe going to school. Thankfully, I was able to work with Senator Ted Cruz’s office to write the TAKE IT DOWN Act — and today is an important milestone towards that bill becoming law, so that no other girl has to go through what I went through without legal protections in place,”said Elliston Berry, survivor and advocate. “Thank you to Chairman Guthrie for prioritizing the TAKE IT DOWN Act for committee passage.”

“At 14, for almost two years, I stood alone, advocating for AI deep fake laws to protect us after my school’s inaction and lack of accountability insulted my self-respect. This journey is dedicated to every woman and teenager who was told to stay silent and move on. It is also a testament to the courageous bipartisan leaders who stood beside me, proving that change is possible. Today, we celebrate a critical step towards the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act into federal law,”said Francesca Mani, AI victim turned advocate & TIME100 AI Most Influential Person.“A heartfelt thank you to Chairman Guthrie for standing with us and making swift committee passage possible. We are no longer alone.”

“Today, we celebrate an important victory with House committee passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a federal safeguard against non-consensual AI-generated intimate images,”said Dorota Mani, an educator, advocate, and mother. “This important legislation, which is now well on its way to the President’s desk, staunchly defends our women and children while preserving every American’s dignity and rights.”

“Survivors—both minors and adults—deserve protection and justice. Every survivor should be able to report their abuse to law enforcement, have their abuse content removed fully and abusers should be found and held appropriately accountable. Image-based sexual abuse is sexual assault facilitated online. You cannot accidentally sexual assault someone offline and the same should be true for the online. The harms of all forms of image-based sexual abuse—including deepfake abuse—quickly follow that victim home, to school, to work and anywhere they try to exist after such a profound and public trauma,”said Andrea Powell, Co-Founder and Chief of Impact, Alecto AI. “Alecto AI supports the TAKE IT DOWN Act because we believe that in its passage, we will be getting closer to a world where young women and girls don’t have worry that being online means being targets of sexual violence. All survivors deserve protection and justice.”

MIL OSI USA News –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Bilirakis, Castor, Buchanan, and Soto Introduce Bill to Protect Florida’s Coasts from Offshore Drilling

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

TAMPA, FL – This week, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), and Darren Soto (FL-9) introduced critical bipartisan legislation to permanently prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production off Florida’s coast.

“We’ve seen the long-lasting harm that can come from oil spills including: damage to the environment, disruption to marine life, and the paralysis of local economies that depend heavily on fishing, tourism, and recreation,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Protecting Florida’s pristine coastline from future oil spills is crucial for preserving its unique ecosystems. Ensuring the health of the coastline will safeguard not only the environment but also the livelihoods of communities that rely on its natural beauty and resources.

“Florida is a special but fragile place, and our way of life depends on clean water. Dangerous offshore drilling can devastate both our environment and our economy, posing huge risks to everything that makes Florida special. Our Florida coasts are beloved by people across the globe. Tourism is the lifeblood of our coastal economy in the Sunshine State, so we must ensure our water, beaches, wildlife, and fishing industry in the Eastern Gulf are sustained,” said Rep. Castor. “It is imperative that future generations of Floridians see our coasts preserved. We must permanently protect these waters, our planet, our pocketbooks and our people from costly oil spills and irresponsible usage of our precious land.”

“While I support responsible investments in American energy, we must also recognize the unique importance of protecting Florida’s coastline,” said Rep. Buchanan. “The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 showed just how devastating an offshore spill can be to our economy, environment and way of life. As co-chair of the bipartisan Florida congressional delegation, I remain committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to safeguard our state’s beautiful beaches and coastal waters.”

“Florida’s coastline is more than a beautiful backdrop—it’s a vital part of who we are. Our beaches and marine ecosystems support hundreds of thousands of jobs, drive tourism, sustain our fishing industries, and provide a home to some of the most unique and fragile wildlife in the world,” said Rep. Darren Soto. “Offshore drilling puts all of that at risk. One spill could devastate our economy and irreparably damage ecosystems that took generations to build. This bipartisan legislation reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding our waters—not just for today, but for every generation that comes after us. Floridians deserve clean beaches, thriving marine life, and a resilient coastal economy—and that starts with keeping oil rigs off our shores for good.”

Endorsing organizations of the Florida Coastal Protection Act include Oceana, League of Conservation Voters, Surfrider Foundation, The CLEO Institute, Defenders of Wildlife, and Environment America.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 10, 2025

MIL-OSI: Bitdeer Announces March 2025 Production and Operations Update

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

— Completed mass production of SEALMINER A1s and 2.8 EH/s energized
— Regulatory approval for Tydal, Norway site finalized
— Retained Northland Capital Markets (“Northland”) to act as financial advisor for its HPC/AI data center development strategy

SINGAPORE, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) (“Bitdeer” or the “Company”), a world-leading technology company for blockchain and high-performance computing, today announced its unaudited mining and operations updates for March 2025.

Operational Update

Self-mined Bitcoin: 114 Bitcoins.
Mining Rig Manufacturing and R&D:
- SEALMINER A1:
  - Completed mass production of approximately 3.8 EH/s of mining rigs.
  - 2.8 EH/s are energized, 0.6 EH/s have been delivered for installation, 0.3 EH/s are in-transit to the Company’s datacenters, with remaining to be delivered in April.
- SEALMINER A2:
  - Wafer capacity disclosures will be paused temporarily. This decision was the result of a comprehensive consideration for maximizing the Company’s shareholders’ value. These disclosures were previously provided to assist potential mining rig buyers in making informed decisions. However, due to the current market uncertainty and the significant slowdown in mining rig demand, disclosure of total capacity is not currently useful. The Company’s self-mining hashrate forecast increased slightly this month and Bitdeer remains confident that the previously predicted hashrate targets in the second half of 2025 are achievable, on schedule, and can potentially exceed the Company’s expectations.
  - 0.8 EH/s of mining rigs have been shipped to customers and the Company’s own datacenters for self-mining, 0.4 EH/s have been manufactured and are ready for shipment and 1 EH/s are being assembled.
  - Sales of SEALMINER A2 are ongoing, ~0.3 EH/s of miners have been shipped to customers in March.
  - Launched SEALMINER A2 Pro series on March 17, 2025, featuring air-cooling (SEALMINER A2 Pro Air) and hydro-cooling (SEALMINER A2 Pro Hyd) models with a power efficiency ratio of 14.9 J/TH. The SEALMINER A2 Pro Air delivers up to 270 TH/s, while the SEALMINER A2 Pro Hyd reaches 530 TH/s, both with advanced efficiency, stability, and noise reduction. SEALMINER A2 Pro will be another commercialized product that is currently open for external sales.
- SEALMINER A3:
  - SEAL03 sample wafers achieved an energy efficiency of 9.7 J/TH at the chip level during chip verification and prototype testing while running at low voltage, ultra power-saving mode. More risk wafers will be delivered in April for further testing and mass production ready R&D.
- SEALMINER A4:
  - SEAL04 R&D remains on track to achieve an expected chip efficiency of approximately 5 J/TH with anticipated initial tape-out in Q4 2025.
HPC/AI:
- Bitdeer has now formalized an engagement with Northland Capital Markets (“Northland”) to act as financial advisor for its HPC/AI data center development strategy. Northland will assist Bitdeer with existing negotiations with potential development partners and provide guidance regarding capital providers.
- Discussions are ongoing with multiple development partners and potential end users for selected large scale sites in U.S. for HPC/AI clouding business.
- GB200 NVL72 reservations open – deployment is on schedule for 2025.
Hosting:
- Client-hosted mining rigs increased by 3,000 units or 0.6 EH/s in March 2025, due to existing customers increasing hosted mining rigs.
Infrastructure:
- Tydal, Norway: Regulatory approval has been obtained, with 70 MW set for energization and commissioning in early April and the remaining 105 MW scheduled for completion by mid-2025.
- Rockdale, Texas, USA: 1.4 EH/s of SEALMINER A1 hydro mining rigs have been energized into 100 MW hydro-cooling conversion.
- Clarington Phase 2, Ohio, USA: 304 MW land lease agreement signed and negotiating with regional utility.
- Jigmeling, Bhutan: All electrical equipment has been delivered and is being installed, with completion and energization in Q2 2025 on track (see Infrastructure Construction Update section below for further details).
- Oromia Region, Ethiopia: In early April, Bitdeer signed an SPA and a turnkey agreement for the acquisition and construction of a 50 MW mining datacenter in Ethiopia for US$7.5 million, including a local company with a mining permit, a 33kV substation connection, and a 4-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ethiopian Electric Power Company. The Company is collaborating with an EPC contractor with specialized experience in Bitcoin mining and targeting energization by Q4 2025.

Management Commentary

“We achieved significant operational progress in March,” stated Matt Kong, Chief Business Officer at Bitdeer. “First, we completed mass production of 3.8 EH/s our SEALMINER A1 mining rigs and energized 2.8 EH/s, increasing our self-mining hashrate to 11.5 EH/s at the end of March with the remaining to be installed and turned on in April. Second, we launched the SEALMINER A2 Pro series Bitcoin mining rigs, delivering an efficiency of 14.9 J/TH. Finally, we obtained regulatory approval for Phase 1 and 2 of our Tydal, Norway site and we expect to energize more than 600 MW of power capacity over the next few months, including our Bhutan site.”

Production and Operations Summary

Metrics	Mar 2025	Feb 2025	Mar 2024
Total hash rate under management¹(EH/s)	24.2	20.9	22.5
– Proprietary hash rate	12.1	9.4	8.4
• Self-mining	11.5	9.0	6.7
• Cloud Hash Rate	–	–	1.7
• Delivered but not hashing	0.6	0.4	0.0
– Hosting	12.1	11.5	14.1
Mining rigs under management	175,000	163,000	226,000
– Self-owned²	97,000	88,000	86,000
– Hosted	78,000	75,000	140,000
Bitcoins mined (self-mining only)	114	110	294
Bitcoin held³	1,156	1,039	58

¹Total hash rate under management as of March 31, 2025 across the Company’s primary business lines: Self-mining, Cloud Hash Rate, and Hosting.

Self-mining refers to cryptocurrency mining for the Company’s own account, which allows it to directly capture the high appreciation potential of cryptocurrency.
Cloud Hash Rate offers hash rate subscription plans and shares mining income with customers under certain arrangements. The Cloud Hash Rate stated above reflects the contracted hash rate with customers at month-end.
Hosting encompasses a one-stop mining machine hosting solution including deployment, maintenance, and management services for efficient cryptocurrency mining.

²Self-owned mining machines are for the Company’s self-mining business and Cloud Hash Rate business.
³Bitcoins held do not include the Bitcoins from deposits of the customers.

Infrastructure Construction Update

Rockdale, Texas – 100 MW Hydro-cooling conversion energization commenced:

All cooling system delivered and installed.
Approximately 1.4 EH/s of SEALMINER A1 hydro mining rigs have been energized.
Energization in accordance with the phase of delivery of mining rigs.

Tydal, Norway – 175 MW site expansion anticipated to be fully energized by mid-2025:

Regulatory approval has been obtained.
70 MW will be ready for energization and commissioning in early April, with the remaining 105 MW to be commissioned by mid-2025.
Installation of the transformers has been completed, with the delivery and installation of electrical equipment currently in progress. Additionally, the procurement and delivery of containers and hydro-cooling systems are underway, and drainage systems construction is ongoing.

Massillon, Ohio – 221 MW site construction has begun ahead of schedule:

Substation construction is underway and is expected to be completed in Q3 2025.
Building design is completed and construction has begun earlier than expected, estimated to be completed in phases between Q3 and Q4 2025.
Estimated energization is expected to be completed in phases over Q3 and Q4 2025.

Clarington Phase 2, Ohio – 304 MW: Signed lease agreement with the landlord and negotiating with regional utility.

Jigmeling, Bhutan – 500 MW site is progressing well and is expected to be energized in phases beginning in April through June 2025:

All electrical equipment has been delivered and is currently being installed, with completion expected by Q2 2025.
The first main 132kV transformer has been powered on. The second main 132kV transformer is expected to be powered on in April 2025.
Construction of the 220kV substation is underway and is expected to be completed by Q2 2025.
Delivery of containers and hydro-cooling systems are in progress and is expected to be completed in phases by Q2 2025.

Fox Creek, Alberta – 101 MW site acquired in Alberta, sitting on 19 acres, is fully licensed and permitted:

Acquisition includes all permits and licenses to construct an on-site natural gas power plant, as well as approval for a 99 MW grid interconnection with Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”).
Bitdeer will develop and construct the power plant in partnership with a leading engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) company and is expected to be energized by Q4 2026.

Oromia Region, Ethiopia – Signed an SPA and a turnkey agreement for the acquisition and construction of a 50 MW Bitcoin mining project in Ethiopia for US$7.5 million:

Acquisition includes local Ethiopian company with a mining permit, connected to a neighboring transmission substation at 33kV interconnection.
This local Ethiopian company has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ethiopian Electric Power Company for a duration of 4 years at an electricity price of approximately US$0.036/ kWh.
Bitdeer is working closely with an EPC contractor with specialized experience in Bitcoin mining and this mining project is expected to be energized in Q4 2025.

Site / Location	Capacity (MW)	Status	Timing⁴
Electrical capacity
– Rockdale, Texas	563	Online	Completed
– Knoxville, Tennessee	86	Online	Completed
– Wenatchee, Washington	13	Online	Completed
– Molde, Norway	84	Online	Completed
– Tydal, Norway	50	Online	Completed
– Gedu, Bhutan	100	Online	Completed
Total electrical capacity	895⁵
Pipeline capacity
– Tydal, Norway Phase 1	70	In progress	April 2025
– Tydal, Norway Phase 2	105	In progress	Mid 2025
– Massillon, Ohio	221	In progress	Q3-Q4 2025
– Clarington, Ohio Phase 1	266	In progress	Q3 2025
– Clarington, Ohio Phase 2	304	Pending approval	Estimate 2026
– Jigmeling, Bhutan	500	In progress	Q2 2025
– Rockdale, Texas	179	In planning	Estimate 2026
– Alberta, Canada	99	In planning	Q4 2026
– Oromia Region, Ethiopia	50	In planning	Q4 2025
Total pipeline capacity	1,794
Total global electrical capacity	2,689

⁴ Indicative timing. All timing references are to calendar quarters and years.
⁵ Figures may not add up due to rounding.

Upcoming Conferences and Events

April 8 – 9, 2025: Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada
April 16, 2025: Jefferies Power x Coin Virtual Conference
May 14 – 15, 2025: Macquarie Asia Conference 2025 in Hong Kong
May 19 – 20, 2025: Barclay 15^th Annual Emerging Payments and Fintech Forum in New York City
May 20, 2025: Benchmark Virtual Digital Asset Seminar
May 21 – 22, 2025: B. Riley 25^th Annual Investor Conference in Marina Del Rey, California
May 28, 2025: Orange Group & Blockware Sell-side and Buy-side Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada

About Bitdeer Technologies Group

Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive Bitcoin mining solutions for its customers. The Company handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, datacenter design and construction, equipment management, and daily operations. The Company also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed datacenters in the United States, Norway, and Bhutan. To learn more, visit https://ir.bitdeer.com/ or follow Bitdeer on X @ BitdeerOfficial and LinkedIn @ Bitdeer Group.

Investors and others should note that Bitdeer may announce material information using its website and/or on its accounts on social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Therefore, Bitdeer encourages investors and others to review the information it posts on the social media and other communication channels listed on its website.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “look forward to,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations
Orange Group
Yujia Zhai
bitdeerIR@orangegroupadvisors.com

Public Relations
BlocksBridge Consulting
Nishant Sharma
bitdeer@blocksbridge.com

The MIL Network –

April 10, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: How windfalls from commodity price booms come back to bite exporters

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lotanna Emediegwu, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Manchester Metropolitan University

Zhengzaishuru/Shutterstock

When the wholesale prices of essential goods like food or oil suddenly rise, it can cause deep shifts in the economy that upend trade balances and hike inflation rates. This is known as a commodity price boom.

The outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022 spurred European and US sanctions on Russian oil companies which restricted global oil supply. The ensuing shock hiked energy prices in the international market and meant that the price of Brent crude, a global benchmark for oil prices, reached US$122 (£95) a barrel on March 21 that year, its highest level since 2015.

Price inflation has forced households in importing nations like the UK to pay a premium to fill up cars. It has also raised food prices, as the cost of shipping food to supermarkets and restaurants has increased, as well as utility bills.

Meanwhile resource-rich exporter nations can make a killing and choose to use the additional revenue to subsidise energy for consumers, issue rebates, or increase funding for public services. Less evident, but no less significant however, are the environmental consequences of these booms.

A study I published with colleagues showed that democratic nations in oil-rich regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, are especially prone to increasing pollution when the oil price suddenly soars. This phenomenon stems from the need to ramp up production quickly, to capitalise on fleeting price hikes, which economies with less democratic oversight are able to bypass.

These (ostensibly) democratic economies appear most attentive to market signals, and in their unbridled rush for quick economic gain, typically raise pollution as they extract and sell more. This is especially true with oil extraction, which produces pollutants linked to cancer.

We investigated global commodity price booms using the commodity windfall index. This is a collection of prices that market analysts collate to track changes and detect booms as they develop. We measured the effect of price booms on the environment by analysing how air pollution changed in producer countries when the prices of commodities in the index changed.

The index covers 40 commodities across energy, metals, food and beverages, and agricultural raw materials such as wheat. One is particularly damaging to the environment: oil production.

The top five oil producers as of 2023 (the most recent year for which data exists) are developed nations: the US (22%), Saudi Arabia (11%), Russia (11%), Canada (6%), and China (5%). As global exporters, all benefit from windfalls caused by oil price spikes.

Increasing commodity prices justify more intense exploration for new reserves. In the case of oil exploration, this involves seismic surveys, drilling and the use of heavy machinery which consumes lots of fossil energy and releases greenhouse gases like CO₂.

Oil price surges could make democracies less green

Among oil-producing and exporting economies, democratic nations are more likely to experience increased pollution during commodity windfalls, compared with autocratic regimes. We characterised democracies by the presence of competitive political participation and regular free and fair elections, among other qualities.

This is because democratic nations are particularly prone to ramping up resource extraction during price booms. Political pressures drive this tendency, as governments seek to fund popular initiatives or bolster public services before elections. For example, in the US during the 2008 oil price spike, president George W. Bush advocated for increased domestic oil drilling and natural gas extraction with an aim to reduce energy prices and create jobs.

Autocratic regimes might appear less urgent to exploit commodity windfalls. There are, after all, fewer electoral or public accountability considerations. However, one-party state China’s position as the world’s largest polluter is primarily due to its manufacturing base, not raw material extraction.

The environmental consequences of commodity booms are a global issue that requires cooperation to solve.

Developing regions like sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean will struggle to reduce emissions from extractive activities, as much economic growth here depends on it. The US$300 billion (£235 billion) annual climate funding pledge for developing countries, agreed at the most recent UN climate summit in Azerbaijan, is not enough to finance the creation of new industries.

Advanced economies, which bear historical responsibility for the majority of global emissions, must take the lead in addressing this imbalance. This involves both reducing their emissions and providing substantial financial and technical support to resource-dependent nations. A failure to do so would perpetuate global inequalities, as developing nations are asked to sacrifice economic growth for environmental goals while industrialised countries continue to expand their economies.

The challenge, then, is not just in managing the financial rewards of commodity booms, but in ensuring they do not come at an unsustainable environmental cost.

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

– ref. How windfalls from commodity price booms come back to bite exporters – https://theconversation.com/how-windfalls-from-commodity-price-booms-come-back-to-bite-exporters-244878

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Donald Trump’s policies are more than dumb — they’re stupid, according to stupidity researchers
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jerry Paul Sheppard, Associate Professor of Business Administration, Simon Fraser University

Before he stepped down as Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau called Donald Trump’s tariff policies “very dumb.” This might be an accurate description of many Trump administration policies — but the more objectively correct word is “stupid.”

In fact, Québec’s largest newspaper, Le Journal de Montréal, published a front-page photo of Trump in early February with the word “stupid” in 350-point type. Some may call this an opinion, but the science of stupidity tells us that it’s more of a definition.

Recent research has produced a succinct label for the poorly calculated actions of decision-makers: stupidity.

This is not simple name-calling, but a phenomenon that comprises loss and features a set of actions that are either outright recognizably dysfunctional, or appear so at odds with any sensible course of action that it seems a hidden agenda could be involved.

Stupidity that causes everyone to lose

According to the seminal and transactional view of human stupidity by Carlo Cipolla, the late Italian economic historian, interactions fall into four categories:
1. Intelligent interactions that are beneficial to all – a positive-sum game like Scottish philosopher Adam Smith’s notion of wealth through specialization and trade;
2. Helpless interactions that result in a loss in a zero-sum game;
3. Bandit interactions that result in a gain in zero-sum game;
4. Stupid interactions that cause all parties to suffer a loss.
Free trade is based on an intelligent positive-sum interaction. Trump’s transactional zero-sum view is that for every winner there is a loser.

He apparently doesn’t understand that tariffs are only successful if other countries don’t retaliate. But other countries do retaliate, and as the world is now witnessing, the resulting trade war can decimate the global economy.

Trump’s protectionist measures aimed at boosting the U.S. economy can therefore be considered “stupid” interactions that deepen and lengthen economic depression.

Stupidity as recognizable actions

Modern-day researchers have also identified three recognizable sets of actions embodying stupidity:

Confident ignorance that involves people taking risks without having the necessary skills to deal with them. It’s not just being ignorant of one’s ignorance — explained by the Dunning-Kruger effect — but being self-assured despite contrary evidence.

Trump may know what he does not know, so he delegated many tasks to Tesla founder Elon Musk and trade tariff architect Pete Navarro, both of whom seem to possess no such awareness.

Absent-minded failure means people knew the right thing to do but were not paying sufficient attention to avoid doing something stupid. Organizations create agendas, but if issues don’t reach a point where they seriously impact the organization’s objectives, they are ignored.

An example is the recent U.S. strikes against Yemeni Houthis. U.S. officials ignored critical security components by sharing information about their plans over unsecure connections and with a member of the media.

Read more:
‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians

Lack of control means that autocratic decision-makers compromise their organizations by failing to accept objections from those charged with implementing the leader’s preconceived plans.

Such autocratic decision-makers may select biased information to support their proposals. Those working under these leaders either buy into efforts to selectively use information, limit alternatives and execute these preconceived plans or they leave the organization (either voluntarily or not).

In the U.S., witness the firing of Justice Department pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer. She failed to support restoring gun rights to actor Mel Gibson, who had been convicted of domestic violence in 2011. Gibson’s pardon was reportedly based on his personal relationship with the president.

Types of stupidity

Organizational researchers have used the term functional stupidity to describe those who refuse to use their intellectual capacities when making decisions and then avoid justification for their actions. This allows group members to quickly execute routine functions without much thought.

Dysfunctional stupidity is a lack of organizationally supported reflection, reasoning and justification. Organizations fail to use intellectual resources to process knowledge or question norms or claims of knowledge when confronted with new or non-routine decisions. By blocking communications, muffling criticism and squelching doubts, organizations ensure adherence to superiors’ edicts.

One Trump administration example is the unquestioning permission given to allow the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Musk, to access to a wide array of government data.

It can take the combined efforts of organizational officials on multiple levels to maintain stupidity.

Individually, stupidity is reinforced by ignoring crucial information because of a need for a rapid response.

Consequently, quick decisions and shortcuts made by individuals result in negative outcomes. An example would be the Trump administration’s apparent need to appear to find cost savings quickly to allow for tax cuts, overriding a more logical approach to find ways to achieve those savings without gutting legally mandated services.

Organizationally, stupidity is reinforced because organizations limit acceptable alternative behaviours when they cannot process all available information. Data is restricted, controls are tightened and organization officials fall back to using previously well-learned responses in their comfort zones. Inexperienced decision-makers fall back on uninformed assumptions, or no assumptions at all.

Witness Trump’s “reciprocal” trade tariffs currently decimating financial markets worldwide. No tariffs were calculated using current tariff rates, while others were based on American trade deficits with other countries. Other tariffs seem to be based on no rationale at all.

Read more:
No, that’s not what a trade deficit means – and that’s not how you calculate other nations’ tariffs

Stupidity as a hidden agenda?

Some actions that appear stupid may simply hide a hidden agenda. When the Trump administration erroneously detains and deports anyone under the Alien Enemies Act, is it an accident or a way to instil fear in everyone that authorities can detain, mistreat and deport them without due process at any point?

Many of the actions being taken by the Trump administration appear stupid.
Tariffs, for example, represent a loss — a transactionally negative sum game.

Trump’s decisions exhibit confident ignorance, absent-minded failure and lack of control. They also show dysfunctional stupidity as Trump officials seemingly refuse to use their full intellectual resources. Stupidity is also being reinforced through unfounded assumptions. Is this all hiding a secret agenda?

“You can’t fix stupid,” so the saying goes. But having capable administrators in place while other branches of government exercise their constitutionally mandated oversight role might dampen some of the Trump administration’s stupidity.

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

– ref. Donald Trump’s policies are more than dumb — they’re stupid, according to stupidity researchers – https://theconversation.com/donald-trumps-policies-are-more-than-dumb-theyre-stupid-according-to-stupidity-researchers-253009
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
April 10, 2025
MIL-OSI: Balko Technologies Enters into Agreement with Draganfly for Integration of Advanced Modular LiDAR Drone Solutions; Multiple Orders Placed

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Tampa, FL, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, is pleased to have been selected as the primary UAS provider by Balko Technologies, an industry-leading company specializing in the design and manufacture of high-performance LiDAR payloads and post-processing software.

This announcement follows the integration and testing of Balko LiDAR products on the Draganfly Commander 3XL and Apex UAS, providing Balko customers with a suite of modular LiDAR and Drone platforms supporting a wide variety of performance requirements, budgets, and operating scenarios.

Under this agreement, Balko becomes an official distributor of Draganfly’s products throughout North America, expanding access to cutting-edge drone technology for industrial, energy, and environmental monitoring applications. Since signing the agreement, multiple customers have issued purchase orders for the Draganfly Commander 3XL to be paired with Balko’s innovative modular Connectiv LiDAR sensor with one delivery completed in Q1.

“Draganfly’s mission has always been to deliver world-class UAV solutions tailored to critical applications,” said Cameron Chell, President and CEO of Draganfly. “Partnering with Balko enhances our ability to provide customers with advanced aerial mapping and data collection tools, leveraging Balko’s robust LiDAR payloads to further our reach across North America.”

“We’re excited to be working with Draganfly, a company that shares our commitment to innovation and reliability,” said Maude Pelletier, President of Balko Technologies. “Our LiDAR systems are built for performance and precision, and when paired with Draganfly’s drone platforms, we can unlock even greater capabilities for our shared clients.”

About Balko Technologies

Founded in 2021 and based in Quebec, Canada, Balko Technologies specializes in developing and manufacturing modular LiDAR systems for drones. Their flagship product, the Connectiv sensor, is designed to be versatile and fully configurable—allowing users to interchange lasers, inertial navigation systems (INS), and cameras to adapt to specific project requirements across industries. Backed by a team of seasoned experts with decades of combined experience in geospatial technologies, product and software engineering, Balko combines the agility of a startup with deep industry knowledge. Balko’s mission is to democratize geospatial data collection by offering flexible, cutting-edge tools that empower professionals across a wide range of applications. For more information on Balko, visit www.balkotechnologies.com

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a pioneer in drone solutions, AI-driven software, and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.

For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.

For investor details, visit:
CSE
NASDAQ
FRANKFURT

Media Contact
media@draganfly.com

Company Contact
info@draganfly.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking ‎‎‎‎information” as ‎‎‎‎defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information can ‎‎‎‎generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‎‎‎‎‎“may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, ‎‎‎‎‎“estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar ‎‎‎‎terminology. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information are based on forecasts of future ‎‎‎‎results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and ‎‎‎‎assumptions that, while believed by ‎‎‎‎management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant ‎‎‎‎business, economic and ‎‎‎‎competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎include, but are not ‎‎‎‎limited to, statements with respect to the fact that partnering with Balko enhances Draganfly’s ability to provide customers with advanced aerial mapping and data collection tools, leveraging Balko’s robust LiDAR payloads to further our reach across North America. Forward-‎‎‎‎looking statements and information are subject to various ‎known ‎‎and unknown risks and ‎‎‎‎‎uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to ‎control or ‎‎predict, that ‎‎‎‎may cause ‎the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be ‎materially ‎‎different ‎‎‎‎from those ‎expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions ‎about ‎‎such ‎‎‎‎risks, uncertainties ‎and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎impact of epidemics, ‎pandemics or other public health crises, including the ‎COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business, operations and financial ‎‎‎‎condition; the ‎‎‎successful integration of ‎technology; the inherent risks involved in the general ‎‎‎‎securities markets; ‎‎‎uncertainties relating to the ‎availability and costs of financing needed in the ‎‎‎‎future; the inherent ‎‎‎uncertainty of cost estimates; the ‎potential for unexpected costs and ‎‎‎‎expenses, currency ‎‎‎fluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, ‎competition, loss of key ‎‎‎‎employees and other related risks ‎‎‎and uncertainties disclosed under the ‎heading “Risk Factors“ ‎‎‎‎in the Company’s most recent filings filed ‎‎‎with securities regulators in Canada on ‎the SEDAR ‎‎‎‎website at www.sedar.com and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ‎‎‎no obligation to update forward-‎looking ‎‎‎‎information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-‎‎‎looking information represents ‎‎‎‎‎managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ‎‎‎No forward-looking ‎‎‎‎statement ‎can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ‎‎‎Accordingly, readers ‎‎‎‎are advised not to ‎place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ‎‎‎information.‎

The MIL Network –

April 9, 2025

MIL-OSI: APA Corporation Provides First-Quarter 2025 Supplemental Information and Schedules Results Conference Call for May 8 at 10 a.m. Central Time

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HOUSTON, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA) today provided supplemental information regarding certain first-quarter 2025 financial and operational results. This information is intended only to provide additional information regarding current estimates management believes will affect results for the first-quarter 2025. It is provided to assist investors, analysts and others in formulating their own estimates, and is not intended to be a comprehensive presentation of all factors that will affect first-quarter 2025 results. Actual results and the impact of factors identified here may vary depending on the impact of other factors not identified here and are subject to finalization of the financial reporting process for first-quarter 2025.

Estimated Average Realized Prices – 1Q25
	Oil (bbl)	NGL (bbl)	Natural Gas (Mcf)
United States	$72.40	$28.00	$2.00
International	$75.10	$51.00	$4.15

Egypt tax barrels:	32 – 33 MBoe/d
Realized gain on commodity derivatives (before tax):	$0 million
Dry hole costs (before tax):	$12 million
Net gain on oil and gas purchases and sales (before tax):	$120 million
General and administrative expense:	$115 million

Production update

APA curtailed approximately 8 MMcf/d of U.S. natural gas production and 500 barrels per day of U.S. natural gas liquids production in the first quarter in response to weak or negative Waha hub prices. First-quarter 2025 guidance issued in February did not contemplate any curtailments.

Weighted-average shares outstanding

The estimated weighted-average basic common shares for the first quarter is 364 million, compared with a weighted average of 369 million shares in the fourth-quarter 2024. APA repurchased 4.4 million shares at an average price of $22.87 per share during the first quarter.

First-quarter 2025 earnings call

APA will host a conference call to discuss its first-quarter 2025 results at 10 a.m. Central time, Thursday, May 8. The conference call will be webcast from APA’s website at www.apacorp.com and investor.apacorp.com. Following the conference call, a replay will be available for one year on the “Investors” page of the company’s website.

About APA

APA Corporation owns consolidated subsidiaries that explore for and produce oil and natural gas in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom and that explore for oil and natural gas offshore Suriname and elsewhere. APA posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its website, www.apacorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goals,” “guidance,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “possibly,” “potential,” “projects,” “prospects,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar references to future periods, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans, expectations, and objectives for operations, including statements about our capital plans, drilling plans, production expectations, asset sales, and monetizations. While forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance, and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. See “Risk Factors” in APA’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risk factors that affect our business. Any forward-looking statement made in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. APA and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future development or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Contacts

Investor: (281) 302-2286
Media: (713) 296-7276
Website: www.apacorp.com

APA-F

The MIL Network –

April 9, 2025

MIL-OSI: Climb Channel Solutions Recognizes Freshworks as Strategic Partner of the Year at 2025 Climb Partner Conference

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

EATONTOWN, N.J., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Climb Channel Solutions, an international specialty technology distributor and wholly owned subsidiary of Climb Global Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLMB) proudly honored Freshworks with the Strategic Partner of the Year award during its 2025 Climb Partner Conference in Miami, Florida. This award underscores the extraordinary success of the Climb–Freshworks partnership. The Strategic Partner of the Year award acknowledges joint commitment to growth, enablement, and driving value through the channel.

The award was presented by Carlos Rodriguez, Vice President of Sales for Canada at Climb Channel Solutions, to Chase Bertrand, National Partner and Alliances Manager at Freshworks. Bertrand was joined on stage by Logan Romaine, National Channel Account Manager at Freshworks.

Freshworks has solidified its position as a key player in the customer experience and employee experience software markets. Freshworks has demonstrated its ability to innovate, expand, and empower partners selling its IT service and customer service solutions. Additionally, Freshworks expanded its IT service management product portfolio through the acquisition of Device42.

“We’re grateful for the partnership and recognition from Climb. Our success has been driven by a shared commitment to radically improve the efficiency of IT departments with software and services that are enterprise-grade without the enterprise complexity. Customers quickly realize the value of easy to implement, easy use, and easy to configure ITSM and ITAM products and we’re excited for more to come,” said Laura Padilla, Senior Vice President of Channels and Alliances at Freshworks.

“Freshworks has been an outstanding partner—agile, committed, and truly channel-first. Together, we’ve built a foundation of mutual trust and momentum that continues to deliver real growth for our partners,” said Dale Foster, CEO of Climb Channel Solutions. “Recognizing Freshworks as our Strategic Partner of the Year was a natural choice, and we’re looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Those interested in distribution services and solutions should contact Climb by phone at +1.800.847.7078 (US), or +1.888.523.7777 (Canada), or by email at Sales@ClimbCS.com.

About Climb Channel Solutions and Climb Global Solutions

Climb Channel Solutions is a global specialty technology distributor focusing on Security, Data Management, Connectivity, Storage & HCI, Virtualization & Cloud, and Software & Application Lifecycle. What sets Climb apart is our commitment to transform distribution by providing emerging and established IT technologies, flexible financing, real-time quoting, best of breed channel operations, speed to market, and exceptional service to our partners worldwide. Climb Channel Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Climb Global Solutions (NASDAQ: CLMB). Experience the Climb difference and learn how our people-first approach empowers VARs and MSPs to grow, scale, and accelerate their business. Visit www.ClimbCS.com, call 1-800-847-7078, and connect with us on LinkedIn!

For Media & PR inquiries contact:
Climb Channel Solutions
Media Relations
media@ClimbCS.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Elevate IR
Sean Mansouri, CFA
T: 720-330-2829
CLMB@elevate-ir.com

The MIL Network –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to social media posts by Global Affairs Canada expressing concern over China’s military exercises around Taiwan

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to social media posts by Global Affairs Canada expressing concern over China’s military exercises around Taiwan

Date：2025-04-03
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

April 3, 2025Global Affairs Canada issued statements on the social media platforms X and Facebook on April 2 expressing Canada’s deep concern over China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan. The statements emphasized that these threatening actions increased regional tensions and instability and affected global security and prosperity. Canada urged China to resolve cross-strait differences by peaceful means.Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung thanks Canada for reaffirming its support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for opposing the use of force or coercion to change the status quo, as well as for explicitly stating that China’s threats to Taiwan and regional security undermine the status quo.Since Canada issued its Indo-Pacific Strategy in November 2022, it has dispatched naval ships to transit the Taiwan Strait six times, repeatedly demonstrating its staunch determination to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait through concrete action. In the face of relentless harassment by China, the Taiwan government will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and bolster cooperation with allied nations to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order. Taiwan calls on all countries to express concern about China’s attempts at gray-zone coercion, including military threats and lawfare targeting Taiwan, and to condemn unilateral actions by China that escalate regional tensions.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Namibia Strengthens Uranium Market with Exploration and Production (E&P) Expansion

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

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 9, 2025/APO Group/ —

Namibia is expanding its uranium industry through a combination of established operations and new Exploration and Production (E&P) initiatives. With an average production of 5,613 metric tons in recent years, Namibia has solidified its position as the world’s third-largest uranium producer.

As global interest in uranium increases to meet growing demand for nuclear electricity, the country is intensifying cooperation with international E&P companies to unlock the full potential of its uranium market. The upcoming African Mining Week – taking place October 1-3 in Cape Town – will connect investors with lucrative prospects within Namibia.

2025 Milestones

Recent developments highlight Namibia’s growth trajectory in the uranium sector. In February 2025, Canada’s Snow Lake Resources launched Phase 2 drilling at its Engo Valley project, targeting up to 7,500 meters of reverse circulation and diamond drilling. A maiden resource estimate for the project is expected in the second half of the year. Pioneer Lithium also acquired Rodon Metals, operator of the Warmbad Project, committing A$1.675 million to geological surveys and exploration to expand the mine.

Meanwhile, Connected Minerals commenced drilling at the highly prospective Swakopmund project in January 2025, after securing a prospecting license from the Namibian government. The company is also exploring the Etango North-East project, where high-grade uranium mineralization was confirmed in November 2024. Deep Yellow Limited is expected to make a final investment decision for its 79-million-pound Tumas Expansion Project in the first quarter of 2025. The project is projected to produce 6 million pounds per annum over 30 years as from 2026, increasing Namibia’s production capacity.

2024 Achievements

Namibia experienced several market growth milestones in 2024, with new discoveries made and new exploration and production campaigns launched. Australia’s Paladin Energy achieved a record production of 1.2 million pounds in the second half of 2024. The company aims to set a new record of 3.6 million pounds by June 2025. Beyond large-scale operations, Namibia has seen a surge in new market entrants and partnerships. Madison Metals and Star Minerals partnered to accelerate the development of the Cobra Project. Australia’s Gibb River Diamonds secured three new licenses in the Erongo District, while Hertz Energy applied for two prospecting licenses. Oar Resources secured A$1 million in funding from shareholders to finance two greenfield uranium projects.

Amidst these developments, African Mining Week will feature high-level panel discussions and exclusive networking sessions, connecting global investors with Namibia’s rapidly growing uranium sector. The event will foster collaboration between global mining firms and Namibian stakeholders, laying the foundation for accelerated growth across the country’s uranium market.

African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

MIL OSI Africa –

April 9, 2025

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