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Category: Artificial Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Mann, Schmidt, Sens. Marshall, Moran, Mullin Introduce Landmark Legislation to Reform Haskell University

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

    Legislation would transfer governance from Bureau of Indian Education to Haskell Board of Regents

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Derek Schmidt (KS-02), alongside U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), introduced legislation that would federally charter Haskell Indian Nations University, transferring governance from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to the Haskell Board of Regents, while maintaining federal funding and assistance for the university.

    In December, Rep. Mann and Sen. Moran released an initial draft of the legislation. Throughout the last five months, the Members solicited and reviewed feedback from the Native American, Lawrence, and higher education communities to make certain the legislation would effectively address issues at Haskell and best serve Native students and staff.

    “As a one-of-a-kind, historic institution established to meet the educational needs of students of federally recognized tribes, Haskell Indian Nations University should be a crown jewel for both Native Americans and Kansas,” said Rep. Mann. “For far too long, the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Education have mismanaged the university, turned a blind eye to misconduct to the detriment of its students, and failed to comply with federal oversight. Our legislation offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect Haskell’s rich heritage and culture by transferring its governance to a Board of Regents nominated by Tribal communities and removing BIE from its governing structure. I am grateful for the tribal members, Haskell students, staff, and alumni, and the Haskell Board of Regents who weighed in to help us get this bill right. Today begins a new chapter that empowers Haskell to thrive and serve tribal communities in the way it was always meant to serve.”

    “Haskell University once provided Native American students the opportunity to receive a high-quality, tuition-free education in an environment that understood and prioritized indigenous heritage and culture,” said Sen. Moran. “Over the last few years, the university has been neglected and mismanaged by the Bureau of Indian Education. The bureau has failed to protect students, respond to my congressional inquiries or meet the basic infrastructure needs of the university. It is clear that the best path forward is for the university to be led by an independent Board of Regents nominated by the Tribal community and no longer obstructed by the BIE. I am grateful for the input I have received from the Haskell Board of Regents, tribal members and Haskell University students and staff to make certain Haskell, as the sole Tribal Nations University in the country, receives the reforms necessary to best serve the Native American community in Kansas and across the country.”

    “For over 140 years, Haskell University has provided Native American students with an educational setting rooted in Tribal heritage,” said Sen. Marshall. “However, for too long, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Education have failed Haskell students through chronic mismanagement, lack of oversight, and ignoring instances of serious misconduct. To protect and preserve Haskell’s mission and future, governance of the university should shift to an independent Board of Regents nominated by the Tribal community.”

    “Haskell Indian Nations University is a Kansas gem that has yet to reach its full potential,” said Rep. Schmidt. “By transferring control of the university to the Haskell Board of Regents, our legislation would strengthen accountability by entrusting management of the university to those closest to it. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this critical effort.”

    “The BIE has failed the students of Haskell University and improvements are long overdue,” said Sen. Mullin. “With Oklahomans leading the way in highest attendance for first-time and first-year students, and as a Cherokee myself, I am proud to join my colleagues on this critical legislation.”

    “I am thankful that Sen. Moran and Rep. Mann have introduced this legislation to strengthen Haskell as a federally chartered university to further the federal government’s treaty and trust responsibility to Indian people,” said Joseph Rupnick, Chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. “I look forward to discussions in the new year with Tribal leaders and Haskell alums, faculty and students so that this bill can safeguard Haskell’s future and its funding.”

    “For decades, Haskell Indian Nations University has served as a unique institution dedicated to advancing Native students and strengthening Tribal nations,” said Dalton Henry, President of the National Haskell Board of Regents. “Yet, persistent challenges under federal oversight have limited its potential. Shifting oversight from the Bureau of Indian Education to a Native-led Board of Trustees affirms that Tribal Nations are best positioned to guide Haskell’s future. This is how we secure Haskell’s legacy, not just for today’s students, but for the next seven generations. We thank Senator Moran and Congressman Mann who have taken on this effort.”

    “NIEA’s top priority is always Education Sovereignty. When Tribes, students, and communities say that something needs to change, and that the leaders and the community are ready to take charge, we will always support that initiative,” said Jason Dropik, NIEA Executive Director. “We applaud Senator Moran and Congressman Mann for undertaking this effort in support of Native students across the country.”

    “We support the efforts to establish Haskell Indian Nations University as a federally chartered education institution independent of federal agencies,” said Bonnie S. Lowe, President & CEO of The Chamber of Lawrence, Kansas. “The students, faculty and staff deserve the opportunity to study, live and work in a university that is supported to meet its astounding potential. These efforts are important steps toward ensuring the University’s success for generations of students to come.”

    “NCAI supports the independence of the HINU Board of Trustees in governing HINU, we feel this legislation aligns with the broader goals of Tribal self-determination by empowering Tribal representatives to have a direct role in the success of HINU,” said National Congress of American Indians Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “We are committed to working with Congress to unlock educational opportunities and career pathways that will empower the next generation to thrive.”

    “The American Indian Higher Education Consortium is proud to support the Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act because this legislation honors the priorities of the Haskell Board of Regents and respects Tribal self-determination,” said Moriah O’Brien, Vice President of Congressional & Federal Relations of American Indian Higher Education Consortium. “Specifically, the legislation reaffirms the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibility for post-secondary education; reaffirms that high quality, culturally relevant education is essential for the survival and strengthening of Tribal Nations; provides a charter to the University; and rightfully empowers the Haskell Board of Regents with decision-making authority in lieu of their current advisory-only capacity. Thank you to Senator Moran and Representative Mann for their leadership on this important issue.”

    “I am proud to support the Haskell Indian Nation University Improvement Act,” said Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben, Mississippi Band of Choctaw of Indians. “Haskell holds a special place in the hearts of many of our Tribal students—past, present, and future—who attend with deep pride and commitment. This Act will strengthen the University by establishing a federally charted corporation with an independent Board of Trustees. These changes will provide Haskell with the stability, autonomy, and leadership it needs to thrive. Thank you, Senator Moran and Congressman Mann for introducing this much needed legislation.”  

    “As a proud Haskell alumna, I’ve witnessed the strength of our students and the chronic neglect Haskell has faced for far too long. This bill is a vital step toward restoring dignity and sovereignty,” said Brittany Kathleen Hall, Former President, Haskell Board of Regents. “By placing leadership with an independent, Tribal-nominated board, we honor our ancestors’ vision for Indigenous education. Our students deserve more than broken promises—they deserve action and let’s work together to create that and build a stronger community for Indian Country and Lawrence, KS.”

    Haskell University is the only four-year, postsecondary institution under the governance of the BIE and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Over the last several years, the agencies have failed to respond to congressional inquiries and address concerns raised by the Tribal community—including delays and redactions in a report on a sexual harassment investigation. Additionally, Haskell University’s infrastructure is outdated, non-ADA compliant, and contains obsolete technology. Haskell University faces high dropout rates and a lack of resources for essential programs.

    Text for the legislation can be found here, and a section-by-section summary of the legislation can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Mann, Schmidt, Sens. Marshall, Moran, Mullin Introduce Landmark Legislation to Reform Haskell University

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

    Legislation would transfer governance from Bureau of Indian Education to Haskell Board of Regents

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Derek Schmidt (KS-02), alongside U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), introduced legislation that would federally charter Haskell Indian Nations University, transferring governance from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to the Haskell Board of Regents, while maintaining federal funding and assistance for the university.

    In December, Rep. Mann and Sen. Moran released an initial draft of the legislation. Throughout the last five months, the Members solicited and reviewed feedback from the Native American, Lawrence, and higher education communities to make certain the legislation would effectively address issues at Haskell and best serve Native students and staff.

    “As a one-of-a-kind, historic institution established to meet the educational needs of students of federally recognized tribes, Haskell Indian Nations University should be a crown jewel for both Native Americans and Kansas,” said Rep. Mann. “For far too long, the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Education have mismanaged the university, turned a blind eye to misconduct to the detriment of its students, and failed to comply with federal oversight. Our legislation offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect Haskell’s rich heritage and culture by transferring its governance to a Board of Regents nominated by Tribal communities and removing BIE from its governing structure. I am grateful for the tribal members, Haskell students, staff, and alumni, and the Haskell Board of Regents who weighed in to help us get this bill right. Today begins a new chapter that empowers Haskell to thrive and serve tribal communities in the way it was always meant to serve.”

    “Haskell University once provided Native American students the opportunity to receive a high-quality, tuition-free education in an environment that understood and prioritized indigenous heritage and culture,” said Sen. Moran. “Over the last few years, the university has been neglected and mismanaged by the Bureau of Indian Education. The bureau has failed to protect students, respond to my congressional inquiries or meet the basic infrastructure needs of the university. It is clear that the best path forward is for the university to be led by an independent Board of Regents nominated by the Tribal community and no longer obstructed by the BIE. I am grateful for the input I have received from the Haskell Board of Regents, tribal members and Haskell University students and staff to make certain Haskell, as the sole Tribal Nations University in the country, receives the reforms necessary to best serve the Native American community in Kansas and across the country.”

    “For over 140 years, Haskell University has provided Native American students with an educational setting rooted in Tribal heritage,” said Sen. Marshall. “However, for too long, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Education have failed Haskell students through chronic mismanagement, lack of oversight, and ignoring instances of serious misconduct. To protect and preserve Haskell’s mission and future, governance of the university should shift to an independent Board of Regents nominated by the Tribal community.”

    “Haskell Indian Nations University is a Kansas gem that has yet to reach its full potential,” said Rep. Schmidt. “By transferring control of the university to the Haskell Board of Regents, our legislation would strengthen accountability by entrusting management of the university to those closest to it. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this critical effort.”

    “The BIE has failed the students of Haskell University and improvements are long overdue,” said Sen. Mullin. “With Oklahomans leading the way in highest attendance for first-time and first-year students, and as a Cherokee myself, I am proud to join my colleagues on this critical legislation.”

    “I am thankful that Sen. Moran and Rep. Mann have introduced this legislation to strengthen Haskell as a federally chartered university to further the federal government’s treaty and trust responsibility to Indian people,” said Joseph Rupnick, Chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. “I look forward to discussions in the new year with Tribal leaders and Haskell alums, faculty and students so that this bill can safeguard Haskell’s future and its funding.”

    “For decades, Haskell Indian Nations University has served as a unique institution dedicated to advancing Native students and strengthening Tribal nations,” said Dalton Henry, President of the National Haskell Board of Regents. “Yet, persistent challenges under federal oversight have limited its potential. Shifting oversight from the Bureau of Indian Education to a Native-led Board of Trustees affirms that Tribal Nations are best positioned to guide Haskell’s future. This is how we secure Haskell’s legacy, not just for today’s students, but for the next seven generations. We thank Senator Moran and Congressman Mann who have taken on this effort.”

    “NIEA’s top priority is always Education Sovereignty. When Tribes, students, and communities say that something needs to change, and that the leaders and the community are ready to take charge, we will always support that initiative,” said Jason Dropik, NIEA Executive Director. “We applaud Senator Moran and Congressman Mann for undertaking this effort in support of Native students across the country.”

    “We support the efforts to establish Haskell Indian Nations University as a federally chartered education institution independent of federal agencies,” said Bonnie S. Lowe, President & CEO of The Chamber of Lawrence, Kansas. “The students, faculty and staff deserve the opportunity to study, live and work in a university that is supported to meet its astounding potential. These efforts are important steps toward ensuring the University’s success for generations of students to come.”

    “NCAI supports the independence of the HINU Board of Trustees in governing HINU, we feel this legislation aligns with the broader goals of Tribal self-determination by empowering Tribal representatives to have a direct role in the success of HINU,” said National Congress of American Indians Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “We are committed to working with Congress to unlock educational opportunities and career pathways that will empower the next generation to thrive.”

    “The American Indian Higher Education Consortium is proud to support the Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act because this legislation honors the priorities of the Haskell Board of Regents and respects Tribal self-determination,” said Moriah O’Brien, Vice President of Congressional & Federal Relations of American Indian Higher Education Consortium. “Specifically, the legislation reaffirms the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibility for post-secondary education; reaffirms that high quality, culturally relevant education is essential for the survival and strengthening of Tribal Nations; provides a charter to the University; and rightfully empowers the Haskell Board of Regents with decision-making authority in lieu of their current advisory-only capacity. Thank you to Senator Moran and Representative Mann for their leadership on this important issue.”

    “I am proud to support the Haskell Indian Nation University Improvement Act,” said Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben, Mississippi Band of Choctaw of Indians. “Haskell holds a special place in the hearts of many of our Tribal students—past, present, and future—who attend with deep pride and commitment. This Act will strengthen the University by establishing a federally charted corporation with an independent Board of Trustees. These changes will provide Haskell with the stability, autonomy, and leadership it needs to thrive. Thank you, Senator Moran and Congressman Mann for introducing this much needed legislation.”  

    “As a proud Haskell alumna, I’ve witnessed the strength of our students and the chronic neglect Haskell has faced for far too long. This bill is a vital step toward restoring dignity and sovereignty,” said Brittany Kathleen Hall, Former President, Haskell Board of Regents. “By placing leadership with an independent, Tribal-nominated board, we honor our ancestors’ vision for Indigenous education. Our students deserve more than broken promises—they deserve action and let’s work together to create that and build a stronger community for Indian Country and Lawrence, KS.”

    Haskell University is the only four-year, postsecondary institution under the governance of the BIE and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Over the last several years, the agencies have failed to respond to congressional inquiries and address concerns raised by the Tribal community—including delays and redactions in a report on a sexual harassment investigation. Additionally, Haskell University’s infrastructure is outdated, non-ADA compliant, and contains obsolete technology. Haskell University faces high dropout rates and a lack of resources for essential programs.

    Text for the legislation can be found here, and a section-by-section summary of the legislation can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: AI Data Drop: What happens when you give 20,000 people Copilot

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: AI Data Drop: What happens when you give 20,000 people Copilot

    This story is featured in the WorkLab newsletter. Sign up for it here.

    Every leader wants to know: how do you turn AI into real results at scale?  

    In a first-of-its-kind study, the UK government gave Microsoft 365 Copilot to 20,000 employees for three months. The findings, based on participant feedback and usage data, offer a rare look at how AI performs at scale in a complex public sector environment. While the results reflect self-reported experiences, they suggest that with the right support, AI can help even the largest organizations operate more like Frontier Firms. 
     
    What they did
    The UK’s Government Digital Services office gave Copilot to participants across 12 departments—including the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Employees received onboarding support in the form of FAQs, tip sheets, videos, community sessions, and workshops. To evaluate the impact, government researchers collected both usage data and direct feedback from employees.

    Government workers report saving time with Copilot

    In a UK user perception study, 20,000 government workers who used Copilot for three months reported saving time across all roles.

    What they found
    On average, employees who took part in the user perception study reported saving more than 25 minutes a day using Copilot—nearly two weeks per year. Over 70% said Copilot helped them spend less time on routine tasks and more time on strategic work.

    Beyond productivity, the study surfaced strong positive sentiment: More than 80% said they wouldn’t want to give up Copilot. And many didn’t have to—nine of the 12 departments opted to continue their licenses, and the UK government has since expanded to 31,000 Copilot seats. 

    These results were realized in just three months, in keeping with our previous research that shows it can take up to 11 weeks to start building the AI habit. The UK government’s report also notes that “there was strong positive feedback surrounding Microsoft 365 Copilot agents, with many departments eager to explore the tool further.” 

    What it means 
    The UK government’s study shows that large-scale AI adoption doesn’t have to be slow-going. With careful planning and thoughtful guidance, organizations can unlock meaningful impact in just a few months. The reported time savings are equivalent to giving 1,130 civil servants a full year back—every year—to focus on higher-value work.  

    For leaders, the message is clear: AI can deliver measurable ROI, fast. But success depends on more than just access—it requires intentional rollout and a culture ready to embrace change. The UK government’s approach offers a blueprint for how large, complex organizations can move toward becoming Frontier Firms. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Olszewski announces support to help Alberta businesses diversify, scale up and thrive

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    These targeted investments will help seven Alberta businesses and organizations in various sectors navigate a rapidly evolving economic landscape

    June 24, 2025 – Edmonton, Alberta – PrairiesCan

    Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced federal investments of over $10.9 million for seven Alberta-based businesses and organizations leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), digital adoption and advanced manufacturing. These investments will help them grow, diversify and adapt to a rapidly evolving economic landscape.

    Building on the Prairies’ established strengths in areas such as artificial intelligence and technology, today’s announcement reinforces the province’s reputation as an innovation hub.

    They include:

    • Over $1.9 million for RAM Elevators + Lifts to expand the manufacturing capacity of its elevators and lifts for home and commercial spaces.
    • $1.8 million for samdesk to commercialize and accelerate marketplace adoption of its AI-powered platform for crisis and travel risk management.
    • $2.5 million for Promise Robotics to establish a robotics-driven homebuilding factory that will support the production of sustainable and affordable homes.

    This strategic investment advances the Government of Canada’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Minister Olszewski announces support to help Alberta businesses diversify, scale up and thrive

    Source: Government of Canada News

    PrairiesCan is investing $10,901,711 in repayable and non-repayable funding for seven projects in Alberta through the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program, the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII), and the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII).

    These targeted investments will help businesses and organizations access diverse funding opportunities to enhance their productivity, scale up, boost production efficiencies, and tackle challenges with new and innovative technologies. They are expected to support approximately 200 jobs and enable Alberta businesses to capitalize on new opportunities.

    Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program – $5,189,535

    The BSP program supports high-growth businesses that are seeking to improve productivity, scale-up, and commercialize technology. It offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated businesses that have been in operation for a minimum of two years.

    PrairiesCan announced investments for three projects under BSP:

    • 48Hour Discovery ($1,149,504)
      Enhance the organization’s drug discovery platform through AI to gain access to new markets.
    • Crust Craft ($2,040,270)
      Expand commercial baking capacity in Edmonton by relocating and installing advanced automated production lines.
    • RAM Elevators + Lifts ($1,999,761)
      Expand the manufacturing capacity of its elevators and lifts for home and commercial spaces in North America, including the introduction of the Flex Lift to market.

    Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) – $3,212,176

    The RAII provides $200 million to help businesses bring new AI technologies to market and speed up adoption in critical sectors such as agriculture, clean technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. This repayable and non-repayable interest-free funding is part of the government’s 2024 budget commitment to ensure Canada is a world leader in AI.

    PrairiesCan announced investments for three projects under the RAII:

    • Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network ($494,000)
      Establish and launch a technology demonstration program to support the commercial adoption of AI-based agriculture technology.
    • Phoenix Farms Ltd. ($918,176)
      Adopt an optical sorter with AI detection to grade and sort potatoes to expand on-farm efficiency and quality market offerings.
    • samdesk ($1,800,000)
      Commercialize and accelerate the marketplace adoption of an AI-powered platform for crisis and travel risk management.

    Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) – $2,500,000

    Through the RHII, the Government of Canada is investing $50 million over two years to support innovative housing solutions across the country. The RHII provides repayable interest-free funding to pursue new approaches for building houses, including designing and upscaling modular homes, using 3D printing, leveraging panelized construction, as well as implementing net-zero and climate resilient homebuilding practices.

    PrairiesCan announced investment for one project under the RHII:

    • Promise Robotics Inc. ($2,500,000)
      Establish a robotics-driven homebuilding factory in Calgary that will support the production of sustainable and affordable homes.

    Related products

    Associated links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casten, Beatty, Kiggans Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Empower Women in Abusive Situations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

    June 24, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) introduced the bipartisan Financial Empowerment and Protection Act, legislation to remove barriers to the financial insights often necessary for people to leave abusive relationships safely.

    “Far too often, we hear of victims of abuse who feel trapped in their situation due to limited or no insight into their household finances,” said Congressman Casten. “This bipartisan legislation, which came out of one such story from a constituent who called my office, aims to take away that lever of control from an abuser, empowering women in these situations to make their own financial decisions.”

    “Financial control is often used to trap victims of abuse and prevent them from moving forward,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “This critical legislation puts power back in the hands of women and men in abusive situations, ensuring equal access to and control over shared household finances. Every individual deserves financial transparency in their romantic relationships, along with the tools to live independently. I’m proud to join Congressman Casten in advancing this bill to empower couples with equal financial rights so that everyone has the freedom to live a secure, independent life if they so choose.”

    “Financial control is one of the most common—and devastating—tools used by abusers to trap their victims,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “When someone can’t access the bills in their own home or the accounts they rely on for housing or childcare, it becomes nearly impossible to leave safely. The Financial Empowerment and Protection Act takes meaningful, bipartisan action to fix that. By ensuring equal access to shared household accounts and removing penalties for leaving unsafe housing, this bill gives survivors a real chance to reclaim their independence and start fresh.”

    “Survivors of domestic violence deserve safety, financial stability and broader economic security. As the Trump Administration attempts to defund programs for survivors in its war on diversity, equity, and inclusion, maintaining their access to shared accounts, such as utility and mortgage accounts, is just one way survivors can preserve their economic well-being. Providing survivors with the ability to sever rental agreements without further financial penalties in the event of violence supports survivors’ ability to seek safety,” said Sharita Gruberg, vice president of the economic justice team at the National Partnership for Women & Families. “The Financial Empowerment and Protection Act would give power back to survivors by providing them with the tools to regain or retain their independence. We are grateful to Representatives Casten, Beatty, and Kiggans for their tremendous efforts to support survivors and their families.”

    “Too often, survivors fear the financial repercussions of their decision to leave—and every survivor trapped by an abuser deserves the chance to break free,” said Stefan Turkheimer, Vice President for Public Policy at RAINN. “The Financial Empowerment and Protection Act will change lives by offering survivors a way out. RAINN is proud to support this bipartisan effort, which provides protections—like equal access to joint accounts and relief from lease termination penalties when fleeing abuse—that help remove barriers to safety and security.”

    Under the Financial Empowerment and Protection Act, mortgage lenders, landlords, utility providers, and childcare providers would be required to offer joint accounts for cohabitating or co-parenting couples. 

    Oftentimes, abusive partners use financial limitations as a method of control to prevent a victim from leaving the situation. This means that people leaving abusive relationships may have limited access to pay their own bills and may lose access to housing and childcare. Domestic violence shelters report that information about these accounts is commonly withheld during the dissolution of abusive relationships. 

    The Financial Empowerment and Protection Act would circumvent this, allowing victims equal insight into their household finances.

    This bill is endorsed by the National Organization for Women, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and RAINN.

    Text of the legislation can be found here. A section-by-section summary of the legislation can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL Welcomes 30 Participants To Join Energy to Communities Peer-Learning Cohorts on Utility Engagement and Load Growth

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    30 Local Leaders Join Two New Energy to Communities (E2C) Peer-Learning Cohorts on Electricity Load Growth and Utility Engagement

    The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is excited to announce the 30 local participants across 25 states, territories, and Tribes selected for two new Energy to Communities (E2C) peer-learning cohorts, managed on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

    These cohorts will bring together local leaders, energy experts, and community organizations to tackle critical challenges related to electricity load growth, grid impacts, and electric utility partnerships. From July to December, the 15 participants in each cohort will convene monthly to learn from energy experts—and each other—about best practices, strategies, and tools for addressing these energy topics.

    The “Navigating Electricity Load Growth and Associated Utility Grid Impacts” cohort will focus on strategies for adapting to increasing electricity demand driven by emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and data centers. Participants will explore how grid infrastructure can evolve to meet new economic opportunities while maintaining reliability and resilience.

    The “Engaging With Electric Utilities for Successful Local Partnerships” cohort will equip local leaders with knowledge on electric utility regulation, core functions, and business models. Participants will gain insights into collaborative approaches for working effectively with electric utilities, fostering innovation, and advancing policies that support local energy needs.

    Participants from more than 200 communities have already participated in E2C peer-learning cohorts for educational resources, case studies, analysis and modeling tools, templates, trainings, and facilitated collaboration.

    Learn more about E2C’s three different technical assistance offerings, and apply for short-term expert match support today.

    “These peer-learning cohorts represent an exciting opportunity for communities to deepen their understanding of the evolving energy landscape while building strong partnerships to navigate these challenges,” said Jenny Sumner, the E2C program lead at NREL. “We look forward to facilitating these cohorts and providing participants with the tools and expertise needed to shape their energy futures.”

    The cohort topics and participants in the July 2025 cycle are:

    Navigating Electricity Load Growth and Associated Utility Grid Impacts

    • Bennett, Colorado
    • Blaine County, Idaho
    • Cherokee Nation (Tahlequah, Oklahoma)
    • Chester, Pennsylvania
    • Columbus Municipal Division of Power, Ohio
    • Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Inc. (EDGE), Nebraska
    • Frisco, Texas
    • Guam Power Authority, Guam
    • Madelia Municipal Light and Power, Minnesota
    • Middle Tennessee Electric, Tennessee
    • Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, Indiana
    • Prince William County, Virginia
    • Redmond, Washington
    • Somerville, Massachusetts

    Engaging With Electric Utilities for Successful Local Partnerships

    • Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
    • Blaine County, Idaho
    • Boston, Massachusetts
    • Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, Vermont
    • Delray Beach, Florida
    • Douglas County, Kansas
    • Greater Portland Council of Governments, Maine
    • Johnstown, Colorado
    • Las Cruces, New Mexico
    • Lucas County, Ohio, with Toledo, Ohio
    • Missoula, Montana
    • Sedona, Arizona
    • Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments, Alabama
    • Washoe County, Nevada
    • Windsor, Colorado

    Peer-learning cohorts are one of three technical assistance offerings from the E2C program, ranging from short-term technical assistance to address near-term energy challenges to more in-depth technical partnerships that support communities in developing abundant, reliable, affordable, and secure energy systems.

    E2C is funded by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with support from Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

    Learn more about E2C.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: FastBots Launches Multi-LLM Testing Tool to Help Businesses Easily Fine-Tune AI Chatbots

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FastBots.ai, the SaaS platform helping businesses create powerful AI chatbots in minutes, has released a new feature that allows users to test up to four leading large language models (LLMs) side-by-side — making it faster and easier to find the ideal model for brand tone, accuracy, and customer intent.

    LLM Testing Area

    The feature, now live for all FastBots users, enables chatbot owners to compare responses from OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Anthropic Claude models within a single interface. This empowers users to refine their chatbot’s performance based on their exact use case — whether it’s handling support queries, qualifying leads, or providing detailed product info.

    “Most business owners aren’t sure which AI model is right for them,” said Jason West, CEO of FastBots. “Some models are more creative, others are more precise — and that difference matters when you’re automating conversations with your customers. This new tool removes the guesswork and lets you choose what works best for your brand.”

    Until now, selecting the right model often required trial and error or developer support. With FastBots’ new testing area, users can interact with their chatbot and instantly see how each model would respond — all while keeping the same knowledgebase and prompt settings.

    Key Features:

    • Test 4 AI models at once in a clean side-by-side view
    • Keep your chatbot data, training prompts, and knowledgebase intact
    • See which model gives the best brand-aligned tone and accuracy
    • Switch models instantly without changing chatbot setup

    This is the latest in a string of updates aimed at giving users more control and flexibility over how their chatbot performs. Earlier this month, FastBots also introduced live chat handover, enhanced lead form triggers, and faster response speeds.

    The multi-LLM testing feature is now available to users on all plans.

    About FastBots.ai

    FastBots helps businesses create powerful AI chatbots trained on their own content — including websites, documents, and custom prompts — without writing any code. With integrations for WhatsApp, Facebook, and Slack, FastBots makes customer support, sales, and lead generation seamless.

    Visit https://fastbots.ai to learn more or test the feature.

    Set Custom Prompts For Each LLM

    Press inquiries

    FastBots
    https://fastbots.ai
    Jason West
    info@fastbots.ai
    71-75 Shelton Street
    Covent Garden
    London
    WC2H 9JQ

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.youtube.com/embed/taZb_KM8XNA

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FastBots Launches Multi-LLM Testing Tool to Help Businesses Easily Fine-Tune AI Chatbots

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FastBots.ai, the SaaS platform helping businesses create powerful AI chatbots in minutes, has released a new feature that allows users to test up to four leading large language models (LLMs) side-by-side — making it faster and easier to find the ideal model for brand tone, accuracy, and customer intent.

    LLM Testing Area

    The feature, now live for all FastBots users, enables chatbot owners to compare responses from OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Anthropic Claude models within a single interface. This empowers users to refine their chatbot’s performance based on their exact use case — whether it’s handling support queries, qualifying leads, or providing detailed product info.

    “Most business owners aren’t sure which AI model is right for them,” said Jason West, CEO of FastBots. “Some models are more creative, others are more precise — and that difference matters when you’re automating conversations with your customers. This new tool removes the guesswork and lets you choose what works best for your brand.”

    Until now, selecting the right model often required trial and error or developer support. With FastBots’ new testing area, users can interact with their chatbot and instantly see how each model would respond — all while keeping the same knowledgebase and prompt settings.

    Key Features:

    • Test 4 AI models at once in a clean side-by-side view
    • Keep your chatbot data, training prompts, and knowledgebase intact
    • See which model gives the best brand-aligned tone and accuracy
    • Switch models instantly without changing chatbot setup

    This is the latest in a string of updates aimed at giving users more control and flexibility over how their chatbot performs. Earlier this month, FastBots also introduced live chat handover, enhanced lead form triggers, and faster response speeds.

    The multi-LLM testing feature is now available to users on all plans.

    About FastBots.ai

    FastBots helps businesses create powerful AI chatbots trained on their own content — including websites, documents, and custom prompts — without writing any code. With integrations for WhatsApp, Facebook, and Slack, FastBots makes customer support, sales, and lead generation seamless.

    Visit https://fastbots.ai to learn more or test the feature.

    Set Custom Prompts For Each LLM

    Press inquiries

    FastBots
    https://fastbots.ai
    Jason West
    info@fastbots.ai
    71-75 Shelton Street
    Covent Garden
    London
    WC2H 9JQ

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.youtube.com/embed/taZb_KM8XNA

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: sonnen Pioneers Canada’s First Home Battery-Based VPP Embedded in a Master Planned Community

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. and EDMONTON, Alberta, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, sonnen, a global leader in energy storage and virtual power plant (VPP) technology, launched its first VPP in Canada at Blatchford Lands, a master planned community designed for net-zero living and a reduced environmental footprint. Landmark Homes, a recognized leader in sustainable and innovative home construction and the builder behind Blatchford Lands, collaborated with sonnen, along with utility provider EPCOR, electric retail provider Solartility and the University of Alberta. Together, these energy leaders developed the VPP that can be considered the vanguard of a newly decentralized and digitalized clean energy system for the future of Canada.

    With this inaugural VPP launch into Canada, sonnen once again sets the standard for innovation in solar powered battery storage systems deployed across master planned communities as a virtual power plant. The Blatchford Lands VPP is the first of its kind on scope and scale for Canada. As a primer for broad adoption throughout the EPCOR service territory, this project constitutes the beginning of renewable energy and grid coordination’s evolution. sonnen, with its partners, is providing the community and its residents with emergency back-up power, daily management of peak energy use and demand response, among other grid services, for the overall management of the electric grid.

    As a prototype, the Blatchford Lands VPP begins with 100 sonnen batteries deployed throughout the master planned community, representing nearly a half a megawatt (MW) of power and over two megawatt hours (MWh) of storage capacity that will support the Canadian energy grid. Following this initial deployment, sonnen plans to launch VPPs throughout Alberta and into other Canadian regions, with potential to reach over 3,000 individual sites, providing more than18 MW of energy and 60 MWHs of grid support over the next 3 years.

    “What has been achieved at Blatchford Lands is extremely special, and even beyond many of the VPP market designs in America,” said Blake Richetta, Chairman and CEO of sonnen Inc. USA. “sonnen proudly stands behind our Canadian colleagues and customers, as our sister market, and as the closest of friends to the American people.”

    sonnen, Solartility and the University of Alberta envision this highly innovative master planned community VPP project to become a replicable model for communities across the province and throughout Canada. This model can also be replicated in select U.S. markets, like Texas, where sonnen recently announced a Virtual Power Plant Power Purchase Agreement (VPA) and launched behind-the-meter, battery-enabled VPPs.

    “Canada has developed into a rich and innovative VPP market thanks to the pioneering efforts and support from great partners,” said Geoff Ferrell, Senior Vice President – Global C&I and VPP Project Business of sonnen Inc. USA. “The coming together of builders like Landmark Homes, the utility EPCOR, retail providers like Solartility, and academics like those at the University of Alberta, are working together to build this innovative VPP program at Blatchford Lands and beyond.”

    With awards from Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), the Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), among others, Blatchford Lands has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and innovative community planning. Residents can enjoy diverse housing options equipped with renewable energy sources for heating and cooling—all in a centrally located neighborhood that once served as Edmonton’s municipal airport, now reimagined as a model for sustainable urban development.

    Blatchford Lands is the latest sonnen VPP to launch at a master planned community, following wildly successful deployments at Soleil Lofts and Soleil Tech Park in Utah, Pearl Homes’ nationally renowned Hunters Point in Cortez Florida, and Mandalay Homes in Arizona, among other projects.

    ABOUT sonnen
    sonnen is a global leader in smart energy storage systems for residential use and a pioneer in residential battery-based virtual power plants. The sonnen VPP is recognized as a model for the decentralized, digitalized, and decarbonized energy system of the future. As one of the most experienced and rapidly growing VPP energy storage companies worldwide, sonnen has earned numerous international awards for its technological achievements. The sonnenCommunity, a network of visionaries worldwide, utilizes sonnen’s products and services to promote clean and affordable energy for all. With offices in Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, and the USA, sonnen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell. Learn more at: https://sonnenusa.com

    Media Contact
    sonnen@fischtankpr.com
    FischTank PR

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The Apache Software Foundation Announces Schedule for Community Over Code North America

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Wilmington, DE, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), the global home of open source software the world relies on, today announced the schedule for Community Over Code North America. As the flagship event of the ASF, Community Over Code aims to unite a global network of open source contributors to ASF projects. Community Over Code North America will take place at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 11-14, 2025. The full event schedule is now available.

    For more than 25 years, Community Over Code has brought together ASF project participants at all levels – including ASF members and committers, ASF Project Management Committee members, and ASF leadership – in a collaborative, vendor-neutral environment.

    Community Over Code North America will span four days and include sessions to cover key topics impacting the open source community including – big data, Internet of Things, financial tech, geospatial, and search, among others. Each evening will feature Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions, where ASF community members have an opportunity for freeform discussion and planning around their respective projects.

    The full event schedule can be found on the Community Over Code website.

    Registration
    Registration is offered at the price of $650 USD through June 28, a savings of $150 USD. ASF committers can use their @apache.org email to register for the Committer Rate of $250 USD. To view all registration rates, deadlines, and room block information, visit the Community Over Code registration page.

    Event Sponsorship
    For organizations interested in joining the sponsor lineup for Community Over Code, visit the Community Over Code sponsorship page.

    Social Media
    Join the conversation on social media with the event hashtag #CommunityOverCode.

    About The Apache Software Foundation (ASF)
    The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) is the global home for open source software, powering some of the world’s most ubiquitous software projects including Apache Airflow, Apache Camel, Apache Cassandra, Apache Groovy, Apache HTTP Server, and Apache Kafka. Established in 1999, the ASF is at the forefront of open source innovation, setting industry standards to advance software for the public good. Learn more at https://apache.org.

    ASF’s annual Community Over Code event is where open source technologists convene to share best practices and use cases, forge critical relationships, and learn about advancements in their field. https://communityovercode.org/

    © The Apache Software Foundation. “Apache” is a registered trademark or trademark of the Apache Software Foundation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    Media Contact
    press@apache.org

    ### 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Little Pepe Closes Stage 2 Presale Early After Raising Over $1.3 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  The Little Pepe ($LILPEPE) team has announced the early conclusion of its second presale stage, raising a total of $1,325,000 ahead of schedule. The strong demand for $LILPEPE tokens resulted in the rapid sale of over 1.20 billion tokens at $0.0011 per unit, just before the planned transition to a higher price tier.

    The Stage 2 presale was initially structured to distribute 1.25 billion tokens. However, given the accelerated pace of contributions and rising market attention, the sale concluded before reaching the full allocation. The early close signals growing investor interest in the project’s Layer 2 blockchain, which is being developed to support and scale meme-based cryptocurrency ecosystems.

    With Stage 3 of the presale now approaching, tokens will be offered at a slightly higher rate of $0.0012. The presale process is part of a multi-phase fundraising strategy supporting the technical buildout and marketing of the Little Pepe blockchain.

    Layer 2 Blockchain Designed for Meme Token Utility

    Little Pepe is developing a Layer 2 blockchain platform purpose-built for meme token projects. The network aims to provide a high-speed, low-cost, and secure environment tailored to the needs of culturally-driven crypto assets. According to the development team, Little Pepe’s blockchain will feature:

    • EVM compatibility for seamless deployment of smart contracts
    • Built-in anti-sniping mechanisms to improve fairness during token launches
    • A native launchpad to simplify token creation and ecosystem integration

    This infrastructure is intended to address issues often faced on general-purpose blockchains, such as network congestion, high transaction costs, and limited community tooling.

    Token Allocation and Roadmap

    The total supply of $LILPEPE tokens is capped at 100 billion, with a structured allocation plan to ensure long-term project growth and sustainability:

    • 26.5% allocated to presale rounds
    • 10% reserved for decentralized exchange (DEX) listings
    • 13.5% for staking and user rewards
    • 30% for chain reserves
    • 10% for marketing
    • 10% for liquidity provisioning

    Following the presale, the team plans to list $LILPEPE on multiple exchange platforms and continue development of its blockchain architecture. Roadmap milestones include the rollout of the testnet, support for third-party developers, and the launch of the token creation platform.

    Ongoing Community Campaign

    In parallel with its presale activities, Little Pepe has launched a giveaway campaign with a total prize pool of $777,000. Rewards will be distributed to top participants as a way to encourage early engagement and increase visibility across the broader crypto community.

    With Stage 2 now closed and momentum building, Stage 3 of the presale is expected to begin shortly. The team states that further updates on token listings and network deployment will follow in the coming weeks.

    Learn More:

    Contact Details:
    James Stephen
    media@littlepepe.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Little Pepe. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9ba80281-1ae7-47f6-a920-33d6858118c6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Smarter Regulatory Sandbox developed to increase compliance

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    New Smarter Regulatory Sandbox developed to increase compliance

    HSE and the Safetytech Accelerator developed the Smarter Regulatory Sandbox, a collaborative environment to test digital products and increase compliance.

    Two construction workers in a building site

    Background

    Construction workers face a wide range of challenges – from physical health risks to exposure to hazardous substances.

    Importantly, a range of factors, such as the diverse nature of construction projects, varying levels of expertise among contractors and complex supply chains, create fragmented health and safety practices, presenting unique challenges.

    For example, smaller companies or subcontractors may lack the resources or knowledge to implement robust safety measures, leading to higher risk of accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Therefore, protecting construction workers often requires going beyond regulatory compliance; it requires a proactive approach to creating safer, healthier work environments.

    The Knowledge Asset solution

    The team at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explored approaches to strengthen health and safety practices in the construction industry in order to reduce injuries, improve regulatory compliance, and foster a culture where workers’ wellbeing is prioritised at every level.  

    One of the findings resulted in a partnership with the Safetytech Accelerator to develop the Smarter Regulatory Sandbox (SRS), the first of its kind.   

    The groundbreaking Smarter Regulatory Sandbox applied digitised health and safety data to several health and safety challenges, increasing regulatory compliance, boosting efficiency across the construction sector and enabling the development of innovative products.   

    By combining a Sandbox approach with regulatory data, HSE and the Safetytech Accelerator created a flexible and collaborative environment where regulators, construction companies, and technology developers could come together to explore the potential of digital innovation, such as AI and robotics.   

    One example of this innovative approach involved exploring how using CCTV footage from construction sites not only to monitor project progress but also – when combined with regulatory data- to distinguish between compliant sites and those posing health risks to workers.

    Who will this help?

    • The construction industry: Making health and safety regulations machine-readable helps reduce the regulatory burden and provides clearer guidance on compliance.  

    • The workforce: Better understanding of regulatory compliance  and application of safety standards enhances protection from work-related injuries   

    • Tech companies: Combining the Sandbox approach with regulatory data, supports innovation, creates a collaborative space to test digital products, and understand their real-world impact.  

    • Regulators: Creating a safe and collaborative environment allows exploration of how new technologies affect compliance and safety outcomes.

    Funding awards

    The HSE was awarded £249,580 in the ‘Extend’ band of the Knowledge Assets Grant Fund in September 2023.

    GOTT’s role

    GOTT provided grant funding to the project.

    Early results

    The SRS project provided several positive results:  

    • Accessing content directly from the regulator improved the accuracy of the Large Language Model by 30%  

    • Using CCTV images helped track construction progress against plans and identify potential risks in advance  

    • Creating common data standards facilitated the development of automatic compliance checks  

    • Using AI-driven compliance solutions positively impacted the construction sector, although accessing quality source data remained challenging  

    • Trialling a workplace fatigue app helped detect acute fatigue, provided user feedback to improve performance, and highlighted gaps in fatigue management

    Next steps

    The team continue to make products enhancements and collaborate with industry partners.   

    The next steps for the SRS project include:  

    • Continuing collaboration with industry partners to broaden health and safety data and improve AI models for better compliance checks  

    • Adding synthetic knowledge to increase prediction accuracy and help AI better understand compliance data  

    • Improving structured audit, assurance data, and training AI with more diverse datasets  

    • Combining AI insights with human expertise to make compliance monitoring more effective and support the shift to automated checks 

    • Developing a blueprint for a regulatory Sandbox design, so that other Regulators can apply learnings and insights gained through this work

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Torres Leads Amendments to protect Americans’ Privacy, Ensure Safe Baby Formula, and Address the Threat of Bird Flu

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    June 24, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Norma Torres led three amendments during the Appropriations Committee Markup of the FY2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Bill, offering critical amendments to safeguard tens of millions of Americans’ personal information from DOGE and protect the public servants who work to ensure the safety and supply of infant formula and address the ongoing threat of bird flu from the indiscriminate and lawless firings implemented by the Trump Administration and DOGE.  

    “I voted against this bill, which, like so much of what the Trump Administration and Republicans have been pushing, throws families and children under the bus, and in this case, our farmers and agricultural communities, too. The bill recklessly cuts vital programs that support our farmers and help hardworking families put food on the table, all under the hypocritical reasoning of “responsible spending” as Republicans push for trillions in tax breaks to billionaires,” said Congresswoman Torres. “But Republicans also rejected three amendments I led that aimed to improve the bill, from protecting Americans’ privacy from DOGE, protecting those who work tirelessly to ensure infant formula that many mothers rely on is safe, and ensuring the Trump Administration and DOGE can’t recklessly fire these critical public servants.”

    The House Republican FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bill cuts overall funding by more than $1 billion, underfunding programs that support farmers and ranchers, lower costs for consumers, and help families put food on the table.

    For example, the Republican bill underfunds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which helps pregnant mothers and babies not only access free healthy foods, but also receive breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and connects mothers with resources like medical, dental, and mental healthcare. On top of this, the bill included an additional 10% cut on WIC benefits for fruits and vegetables, making it harder for women and children to have access to healthy, nutritious foods. The bill also cuts rural wastewater funding, even though many communities in California struggle with water issues. 

    Congresswoman Torres led three amendments to help improve the bill that Republicans rejected: 

    No Sharing Personal Information with DOGE: This amendment prohibits agencies from sharing personally identifiable information with DOGE. It protects the privacy of tens of millions of Americans by preventing USDA, FDA, and other covered agencies from providing sensitive data to DOGE, safeguarding families’ personal information from unnecessary exposure.

    No Infant Formula Employee Firings: This amendment prohibits the firing of employees who work to ensure the safety and supply of infant formula. Congresswoman Torres is committed to protecting the dedicated public servants at the FDA who work tirelessly to maintain a safe, reliable supply of infant formula for families and babies nationwide.

    No Bird Flu Employee Firings: This amendment protects employees working on bird flu (also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza or HPAI) issues by prohibiting their dismissal. Bird flu continues to threaten poultry, livestock, and frontline workers, and these employees play a crucial role in addressing this ongoing threat. As of June 20, 38 of the 70 human cases in America have occurred in California.

    “These amendments reflect my commitment to protecting families’ privacy, ensuring the safety of mothers and babies, and defending our communities against bird flu. We must prioritize funding for programs that prevent families from going hungry, safeguard our food supply, and invest in our communities — not fund tax breaks for billionaires.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Jitterbit No. 1 in G2 Enterprise Implementation Index for iPaaS

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company earns ‘Most Implementable’ and ‘Fastest Implementation’ badges, as well as 17 ‘Leader’ or ‘High Performer’ badges across iPaaS, API Management, EDI, Workplace Innovation and Low- or No-code Application Development categories

    ALAMEDA, Calif., June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jitterbit, a global leader in accelerating business transformation for enterprise systems, today announced it received the highest ranking among vendors in the G2 Enterprise Implementation Index for iPaaS, Summer 2025. Jitterbit solutions have been recognized in various reports by G2 for eight consecutive years.

    “Jitterbit makes it easier and faster for enterprises to design integrations across complex environments and infrastructures, while also providing the expert service and support to deliver maximum return of the business,” said Jitterbit President & CEO Bill Conner. “This recognition underscores the value we’re delivering to enterprises through a renewed focus on customer-focused product enhancements, world-class service and support, improved feature functionality and overall ease of use.”

    The recognition for Harmony, Jitterbit’s unified, AI-infused low-code platform, includes 19 badges in Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS), API Management, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Rapid Application Development (RAD), Workplace Innovation and No-Code Development. These accolades span the global grid reports for enterprises, mid-market and small businesses.

    Jitterbit iPaaS takes top spots for ease of setup, over implementation
    Jitterbit has been named the top vendor in the Enterprise Implementation Index for iPaaS, Summer 2025, earning the highest Implementation Score among products evaluated by users at companies with more than 1,001 employees.

    “From faster iPaaS implementations to enterprise-grade support, Jitterbit helps organizations operate more efficiently, innovate with confidence, and scale transformation on their own terms,” said Jitterbit Chief Technology Officer Manoj Chaudhary.

    This score reflects key implementation factors such as ease of setup, average user adoption, and speed to value, where Jitterbit outperformed other vendors with a go-live timeline less than half the category average. As a result, Jitterbit was awarded two badges for Most Implementable and Fastest Implementation, reinforcing its commitment to delivering enterprise-grade automation solutions that are quick to deploy and easy to adopt.

    Jitterbit EDI delivers returns a month earlier than industry average
    Jitterbit was also recognized in the Enterprise Implementation Index for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Summer 2025, outperforming the category average for implementation speed.

    In the Enterprise Results Index for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Jitterbit was acknowledged for its quick ROI, delivering returns in 12.86 months — more than a full month faster than the category average. With 1000-plus pre-built trading partner connections and easy setup for new trading partners, Jitterbit EDI simplifies B2B workflow automation. Integrated with Jitterbit iPaaS, it connects EDI to ERP and other systems to eliminate silos and boost operational efficiency.

    Key G2 Grid Report highlights

    Fortune 500 companies consult G2 as their trusted industry source to guide their software decisions. G2 Grid Reports are released quarterly, ranking products based on authentic peer evaluations collected from the G2 community and aggregated data from online sources. For the summer 2025 quarter, Jitterbit earned the following badges:

    ● 6 Leader Badges for iPaaS and No-Code Development Platforms
    ● 7 High Performer Badges for Workplace Innovation, RAD, Low- and No-Code Development
    ● 3 Badges for iPaaS – Best Estimated ROI, Most Implementable and Fastest Implementation
    ● 2 Badges for EDI – Best Estimated ROI and Fastest Implementation
    ● 1 Badge for Low-Code Development Platforms – Fastest Implementation

    To learn more about Jitterbit iPaaS, visit https://www.jitterbit.com/product/ipaas/.

    To learn more about Jitterbit EDI, visit https://www.jitterbit.com/product/edi/.

    About G2

    G2 is the world’s largest and most trusted software marketplace. More than 90 million people annually — including employees at all Fortune 500 companies — use G2 to make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews. Thousands of software and services companies of all sizes partner with G2 to build their reputation and grow their business — including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoom, and Adobe. To learn more about where you go for software, visit www.g2.com.

    About Jitterbit
    For organizations ready to modernize and innovate, Jitterbit provides a unified AI-infused low code platform for integration, orchestration, automation, and app development that accelerates business transformation, boosts productivity, and unlocks value. The Jitterbit Harmony platform, including iPaaS, API Manager, App Builder and EDI, future-proofs operations, simplifies complexity and drives innovation for organizations globally. Learn more at www.jitterbit.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    Geoff Blaine
    Jitterbit
    Email: geoff.blaine@jitterbit.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: China audit: Foreign Secretary’s statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Oral statement to Parliament

    China audit: Foreign Secretary’s statement

    The Foreign Secretary made a statement to the House of Commons, updating members on the government’s approach to China following the cross-Whitehall audit.

    With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on the China audit.  

    China’s rise has shaped the geopolitical landscape. Over the past decade, their military expenditure doubled. Their armed forces became the world’s largest. They established dominance over most critical mineral supply chains. They pursued relentless innovation in electric vehicles, AI and even space travel.

    And over this same period, China has delivered a third of global economic growth, becoming the world’s second largest economy. And, together with Hong Kong, the UK’s third largest trading partner.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, not engaging with China is therefore no choice at all. Chinese power is an inescapable fact.

    After what the Intelligence and Security Committee in 2023 described as a “completely inadequate” approach over the past decade to dealing with China’s “size, ambition and capability”, we must now look at the facts.

    [Political content redacted]

    Madam Deputy Speaker, this Government conducted an audit of our most complex bilateral relationship to deliver a long-term strategy – moving beyond cheap rhetoric to a data-driven, cross-government approach. I would like to thank the hundreds who contributed – Honourable Members of course, experts, businesses, diaspora communities, Devolved Governments, and close allies.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the audit is less a single act, than an ongoing exercise which will continue to guide the UK’s approach to China.

    It informed the Government’s Strategic Defence Review, which assessed China was a “sophisticated and persistent challenge”. It informed the National Security Strategy, published today, which sets out China’s impacts on each strategic pillar of our UK national security. And it has steered our Trade and Industrial Strategies, which analysed where greater engagement is possible – given the important role China can play in delivering UK growth.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, Honourable Members will understand that much of the audit was conducted at high classification, and most of the detail is not disclosable without damaging our national interests. I am therefore providing a broad summary of its recommendations today, in a manner consistent with that of our Five Eyes partners.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, on security, the audit described a full spectrum of threats – from espionage and cyber-attacks, to the repression of Hong Kongers, and attacks on the rules-based order. It made clear that our protections must extend more widely than they currently do, from the security of this House, to our critical national infrastructure.

    Honourable Members will again recognise that disclosing the detail of these responses would undermine their effectiveness.

    But I can confirm that, following the audit, we are investing £600 million in our intelligence services. We are updating our state threats legislation, following Jon Hall’s review. We are strengthening our response to transnational repression, introducing training for police and launching more online guidance to support victims.

    We are launching, as announced in the Industrial Strategy, a 12-week consultation on updating the definitions covering the 17 sensitive areas under the National Security and Investment Act. And we are working bilaterally with China to enhance intelligence flows related to illicit finance specifically, organised immigration crime and scam centres, using National Crime Agency capabilities.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, on global security, the audit underlined the extent of Beijing’s support for the Kremlin. The Government has already tripled the number of Chinese entities sanctioned for equipping Russia’s illegal war. And we will continue to confront that.

    The audit reiterated that our approach to China must stay rooted both in international law and deterrence. We will continue to confront China’s dangerous and destabilising activity in the South China Sea, which I saw for myself when I visited the Philippines.

    And we will continue to work with our regional partners to support freedom of navigation and call out China’s abuses. We will double down on AUKUS.

    We will not change our longstanding position on Taiwan, while sustaining unofficial but vibrant ties with Taiwan on trade, on education and innovation. We will also never shy away from shining a spotlight on human rights, notably the situations in Xinjiang and Tibet.  

    While on Hong Kong, we will insist that China honours its commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, including by repealing the National Security Law and releasing Jimmy Lai.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the audit made clear that our approach will always be guided by the UK’s long-term economic growth priorities. It provided ample evidence of the extent to which our economies are intertwined.

    China is our third biggest trading partner. Our universities’ second-largest source of international students. China will continue to play a vital role in supporting the UK’s secure growth.

    But over the past decade, we have not had the structures, either to take the opportunities, or protect us from the risks which those deep links demand. Businesses told us time and again that they have lacked senior political engagement. Lacked adequate government guidance.

    We have already begun to develop new structures. Regular Economic and Financial Dialogues, with my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor setting us on course to unlock £1 billion of economic value for the UK economy, and positioning the UK’s world leading financial sector to reflect China’s importance to the global economy.

    Joint Economic and Trade Commissions, and Joint Commission Meetings on science. We will also launch a new online hub bringing together detailed and specific business advice.

    And the forthcoming Trade Strategy will set out how we will support British firms to enhance links with China’s vast and growing consumer market, as well as assess new tools to keep goods made by forced labour anywhere in the world off Britain’s high streets.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the audit recognised that China’s global role does not fit into simple stereotypes. China is the world’s biggest emitter, but also the biggest producer of renewables. It offers $80 billion towards development annually. And China is the UK’s second largest research collaborator – 11% of British research output included Chinese authors.

    So, the audit was clear. The UK must develop new dialogues with China on issues like climate, development, global health and science, as well as on trade. In doing so, we are driving our long-term interests and creating secure opportunities for UK plc.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, we cannot deal with China’s complexity, unless we improve our capability to understand it – for our national security and for secure trade and growth.

    The audit showed that [political content redacted] there was a profound lack of confidence in how to deal with China, and a profound lack of knowledge regarding China’s culture, its history and – most importantly – its language.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, over the past year I have found that far too few mandarins speak Mandarin. We are already taking action to address this. Introducing a new China Fast Stream in the FCDO. Creating an FCDO global China network. Training over 1000 civil servants on China policy in the past year.

    Enhancing these capabilities still further will be a core focus for the £290 million FCDO Transformation Fund, announced in the National Security Strategy by my Honourable Friend a short time ago. The new strategy which proceeds from this audit will ensure that the Government examines the full spectrum of interests in its decision-making processes [political content redacted].

    Madam Deputy Speaker, anyone expecting a simple prescription on China is not living in the real world. The audit has painted a complex picture, but it has provided us with a clear way forward.

    The UK’s approach to China will be founded on progressive realism: taking the world as it is, not as we would wish it to be. Like our closest allies, we will cooperate where we can and we will challenge where we must.

    Never compromising on our national security. Recognising the complexity of the world as it is. Engaging confidently, carefully and pragmatically. Delivering secure growth. These are the hallmarks of grown-up government, acting in the long-term national interest.

    I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Sift Once Again Secures #1 Spot in all Fraud Prevention Categories in G2’s 2025 Summer Reports

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sift, the AI-powered fraud platform securing identity trust for leading global businesses, today announced its ranking in G2’s 2025 Summer Reports, once again earning the #1 ranking across all fraud-related categories. This marks the second consecutive year that Sift has achieved the top ranking in Fraud Detection, E-Commerce Fraud Protection, and Risk-Based Authentication (RBA).

    G2 is the world’s largest and most trusted software marketplace and Sift’s recognition is based on the reviews of 500 real Sift users, a 42% increase since the 2024 Summer Reports and 52% more reviews than the closest category competitor.

    “Earning the #1 ranking across all fraud categories on G2 sends a clear message—Sift leads in fast, accurate fraud decisioning and seamless, secure user experiences,” said Armen Najarian, CMO of Sift. “It’s powerful validation that we’re helping businesses grow fearlessly, without the friction and complexity of legacy fraud solutions.”

    “According to G2’s 2024 Buyer Behavior Report, 69% of software buyers globally say they only engage a salesperson once they have arrived at their purchasing decision,” said Sydney Sloan, CMO of G2. “As software buyers increasingly turn to trusted customer reviews to inform their purchasing decisions, they know they can rely on G2, the world’s largest software marketplace. G2’s quarterly Market Reports are rooted in the authentic voice of customers. Simply put, their feedback guides our rankings—including Sift’s position in the G2 2025 Reports.”

    G2’s quarterly reports rank the best products across thousands of reports by category, company size, geography, and report type. These reports serve as tailored guides for software buyers researching solutions that meet their specific business needs, informed by real user experience.

    Highlights of recent Sift user reviews on G2 include:

    • “We’ve been using Sift for over 8 years now, and it’s been nothing short of excellent. The platform is reliable, easy to work with, and constantly improves to stay ahead of new fraud trends. It’s a tool we trust and highly recommend to any business serious about fraud protection.”
    • “What I like best about Sift is its powerful machine learning capabilities that allow for real-time analysis of transaction patterns. The platform’s ability to identify subtle fraud trends and provide actionable insights has been incredibly valuable in helping us prevent fraud and mitigate compliance risks efficiently. The user-friendly interface and customizable features also make it easier to tailor solutions to specific business needs, ensuring that I can stay ahead of potential threats.”
    • “Sift is one of the best tools for fraud detection; it is straight-forward, the data analytics keep getting better and better, and the information is very complete, which helps us make decisions with more assertiveness.”
    • “What I like about Sift is how fast and automatic everything is. It helps us catch fraud in real time without messing up the experience for our customers. The interface is super easy to use, and it’s clear why certain decisions are made, which helps our team act quickly. I also love how flexible the rules are—we can adjust them to fit exactly what our business needs.”

    Learn more about what real users have to say about Sift on G2’s review page.

    About Sift

    Sift is the AI-powered fraud platform securing digital trust for leading global businesses. Our deep investments in machine learning and user identity, a data network scoring 1 trillion events per year, and a commitment to long-term customer success empower more than 700 customers to grow fearlessly. Brands including DoorDash, Yelp, and Poshmark rely on Sift to unlock growth and deliver seamless consumer experiences. Visit us at sift.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    About G2

    G2 is the world’s largest and most trusted software marketplace. More than 100 million people annually — including employees at all Fortune 500 companies — use G2 to make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews. Thousands of software and services companies of all sizes partner with G2 to build their reputation and grow their business — including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoom, and Adobe. To learn more about where you go for software, visit www.g2.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    Victor White
    VP, Corporate Marketing, Sift
    press@sift.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: How AI is helping build new solutions for government social services 

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: How AI is helping build new solutions for government social services 

    An indigenous elder suffering chronic health conditions in a remote village needs help traveling to receive medical care. A single mother in in a crowded city loses her job and seeks unemployment and childcare benefits. A young worker in a multilingual country cannot access housing assistance because he doesn’t speak the official language. 

    These are just a few of the incredibly broad range of scenarios in which people around the world look to government social services entities for help and support. In fact, more than half the world’s population (52.4%) are covered by at least one social protection benefit.1 As these services expand, dedicated public organizations and agencies strive to administer benefits programs, enhance access to healthcare, and protect vulnerable populations—even as they face growing pressure to do more with less. 

    Helping government agencies and organizations explore the potential of AI and build new solutions that deliver both near-term impact and long-term transformation is central to our work at Microsoft for Government. We cultivate longstanding partnerships with government organizations of all types to help innovate and deliver secure, trustworthy services that promote safety, health, and prosperity. 

    Discover solutions with Microsoft for Government

    How generative AI is opening new avenues of impact 

    Fueled by a convergence of modern challenges, AI has quickly emerged as a uniquely transformative solution in delivering social services. Budgetary and workforce pressures, the proliferation of data, and constituents’ demands for services that mirror private sector offerings all add to the pressure. And that’s not to mention escalating cyberthreats and the complexity of business and technology.  

    Generative AI—with its unique abilities to synthesize data, understand natural language, retain contextual information, summarize content, and write documents and code—is uniquely suited to help answer these challenges. With powerful solutions like Microsoft 365 Copilot, custom-developed agents and chatbots, and other innovations that integrate AI into regular workflows and processes, governments have the opportunity to not just fix the old but invent the new.  

    Around the world, agencies and organizations have had remarkable success in early AI use cases designed to help improve efficiency, streamline service delivery, and gain powerful insights from data and predictive analytics. Here are three examples of critical impact we’ve seen in the past year:  

    1. Enhance constituent experiences with easier access to information 

    As expectations for fast, personalized digital services grow, many governments are seeing immediate impact with AI-powered chatbots or other virtual assistants to handle ranges of inquiries and assistance.  

    These innovations are available at any hour of the day and are well equipped to handle large volumes of requests for help with things like licensing, transit, taxation, and more. They let people engage on the channel of their choice—such as phone calls, digital chat, and social media—and use different languages to rapidly get the right information, apply for benefits, receive updates, and report incidents. 

    A great example is a chatbot called Boti, which the government of the City of Buenos Aires recently revamped using Microsoft Azure OpenAI services to revolutionize public interactions. Trained on an extensive government database, the chatbot uses natural language interaction to handle 2 million queries per month, helping citizens find services—everything from basic services like driver’s license renewals to public health information and personalized information for tourists. Along the way, it has lowered the operational burden by 50%. 

    The beauty of these kinds of solutions is that they ease the burden of finding and getting the best possible service, even when people have little idea of who or what agency to contact. AI makes it easier for a constituent to explore their options. And then, when they do engage, they only need to provide their critical information one time.

    Not forcing someone to continually supply the same information as they move through the system is a huge consideration in cases where people have experienced traumatic, emotional, or embarrassing events. Participation is strained when a person is forced to re-explain and re-live unpleasant experiences. So, AI’s ability to retain essential details through a case management process and retain context from queries helps ensure an experience that is not only more efficient but also more dignified.  

    AI also plays a role in helping constituents when they are unhappy with their services. An AI-powered contact center, like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Center, can provide new levels of support that can enhance human decision-making. For example, an AI-powered contact center can trigger an escalation to a customer service representative when sentiment analysis detects a person getting frustrated or upset. Using intelligent routing, it can connect the constituent to the best representative based on context and need, and assist the representative by summarizing the person’s situation, suggesting optimal solutions, and even drafting response recommendations. 

    2. Boost the efficiency and effectiveness of staff 

    One of the most vital advances in the digital evolution of government is the shift away from cumbersome tasks involving antiquated websites, electronic forms, even paper-based processes, to automated, intelligent systems that not only ease data collection but also interpret data, learn from it, and even act on it.  

    With AI acting as an intelligent, ever-present assistant, social services case workers and caregivers are able to focus more on helping people and spend less time on tedious tasks than before. These new tools give workers instant access to relevant information from across data silos—including unstructured data such as content in PDFs, files, websites, and even digitized hand-written documents—all of which had largely been unavailable to analysis before. 

    For example, the Torfaen County Borough Council in Wales, United Kingdom, saw gains in productivity after they adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot, which integrates generative AI into everyday applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook. The process of taking and recording notes, for example, has been dramatically simplified, which is freeing workers to spend more time engaging with residents and providing personalized services. 

    With the help of AI assistance, a case worker can serve constituents far more effectively. Client meetings, for example, can be completely transformed. Meeting preparation can be done faster and far more comprehensively, with insights and recommendations gleaned from information across the enterprise, including from files that were previously inaccessible, restricted, or difficult to extract meaningful insights from. The meeting can be recorded and automatically transcribed, which enables the case worker to focus on their client versus note-taking. Afterwords, Microsoft Teams can transcribe and summarize the meeting, with details and action items imported directly into case management systems. 

    3. Enhance processes and outcomes with advanced analytics 

    Perhaps the most transformative aspect of AI is the power of advanced analytics. This refers to AI’s unique ability to turn raw data into actionable insights by identifying patterns, making connections, and even predicting outcomes. In health and social services, this can translate into a variety of useful benefits. 

    For instance, AI can help turn the often-cumbersome process of evaluating applications for benefits or other social services into a faster, more precise, and user-friendly process. It can analyze information against policy rules, interpret regulations to help ensure criteria are met, and cross-check submitted data with official records. This means fewer errors that might lead to incorrect approvals or denials, and greater client satisfaction. 

    Collectively, these abilities can transform important social services initiatives. For example, they play a crucial role in a new digital platform built by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in South Australia to modernize how high-risk domestic violence cases are managed. Previously, agencies relied on physical documents and semi-structured Excel spreadsheets to track cases, which hindered information sharing, decision making, and coordination across agencies. The new Family Safety Portal, integrating AI with Microsoft Power BI, transformed DHS’s domestic violence response into a proactive, highly adaptive, and evidence-based system. Referrals that once took days are now done in real-time, and 10 agencies now share data in a centralized system that is highly secure.  

    In terms of improving public health and wellbeing, AI and analytic tools can collect, analyze, and report on public health or program data to gain a holistic view of individuals receiving services to improve care. A case worker, for example, can use AI to see beyond isolated data points and gain a far more complete view of a person’s situation, needs, and history. With less administrative burden, this provides critical context to ensure that the constituent receives precisely the right support and enhance care coordination and interventions.  

    The other essential benefit provided by analytics is in the realm of fraud, waste, and abuse. By analyzing vast amounts of information in real time and leveraging data from past records and experiences, AI can spot patterns, identify irregularities, and flag suspicious behaviors far more effectively and faster than traditional methods. This can help organizations proactively detect and mitigate fraud risks—for example, by evaluating submissions as they arrive instead of through audits, automating verification in seconds by cross-checking IDs and application details, or comparing an applicant’s behavior with previous submissions to ensure they are legitimate. 

    Move forward in your AI journey 

    Virtually any government agency can derive immediate benefits from generative AI. However, to unlock the full power of modern analytics and advanced AI, an organization needs to modernize their cloud environment and ensure an AI-ready data estate.  

    Every organization’s journey is unique, and it’s important to build a long-term strategy with trusted technology partners. To help your government organization take the next step, contact your local Microsoft representative or certified Microsoft technology partner. They can help explore options, identify use cases, and transform your ideas into meaningful solutions.  

    Discover more

    Microsoft for Government

    Create opportunities innovative technologies

    1 International Labour Organization, “World Social Protection Report 2024,” September 2024.

    Eric Basha

    Director of Business Strategy, Worldwide Government Industry

    Eric Basha is Director of Business Strategy in Microsoft’s Worldwide Government industry group. With 30-plus years of experience in the technology industry, he joined Microsoft in 2002 and has been part of the Worldwide Government organization since 2007. In his current role, he leads Microsoft’s global solution strategy in this area, partnering with government customers, Microsoft teams, and industry partners to develop solutions that address the evolving needs of public sector organizations and the communities they serve.

    See more articles from this author

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: How AI is helping build new solutions for government social services 

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: How AI is helping build new solutions for government social services 

    An indigenous elder suffering chronic health conditions in a remote village needs help traveling to receive medical care. A single mother in in a crowded city loses her job and seeks unemployment and childcare benefits. A young worker in a multilingual country cannot access housing assistance because he doesn’t speak the official language. 

    These are just a few of the incredibly broad range of scenarios in which people around the world look to government social services entities for help and support. In fact, more than half the world’s population (52.4%) are covered by at least one social protection benefit.1 As these services expand, dedicated public organizations and agencies strive to administer benefits programs, enhance access to healthcare, and protect vulnerable populations—even as they face growing pressure to do more with less. 

    Helping government agencies and organizations explore the potential of AI and build new solutions that deliver both near-term impact and long-term transformation is central to our work at Microsoft for Government. We cultivate longstanding partnerships with government organizations of all types to help innovate and deliver secure, trustworthy services that promote safety, health, and prosperity. 

    Discover solutions with Microsoft for Government

    How generative AI is opening new avenues of impact 

    Fueled by a convergence of modern challenges, AI has quickly emerged as a uniquely transformative solution in delivering social services. Budgetary and workforce pressures, the proliferation of data, and constituents’ demands for services that mirror private sector offerings all add to the pressure. And that’s not to mention escalating cyberthreats and the complexity of business and technology.  

    Generative AI—with its unique abilities to synthesize data, understand natural language, retain contextual information, summarize content, and write documents and code—is uniquely suited to help answer these challenges. With powerful solutions like Microsoft 365 Copilot, custom-developed agents and chatbots, and other innovations that integrate AI into regular workflows and processes, governments have the opportunity to not just fix the old but invent the new.  

    Around the world, agencies and organizations have had remarkable success in early AI use cases designed to help improve efficiency, streamline service delivery, and gain powerful insights from data and predictive analytics. Here are three examples of critical impact we’ve seen in the past year:  

    1. Enhance constituent experiences with easier access to information 

    As expectations for fast, personalized digital services grow, many governments are seeing immediate impact with AI-powered chatbots or other virtual assistants to handle ranges of inquiries and assistance.  

    These innovations are available at any hour of the day and are well equipped to handle large volumes of requests for help with things like licensing, transit, taxation, and more. They let people engage on the channel of their choice—such as phone calls, digital chat, and social media—and use different languages to rapidly get the right information, apply for benefits, receive updates, and report incidents. 

    A great example is a chatbot called Boti, which the government of the City of Buenos Aires recently revamped using Microsoft Azure OpenAI services to revolutionize public interactions. Trained on an extensive government database, the chatbot uses natural language interaction to handle 2 million queries per month, helping citizens find services—everything from basic services like driver’s license renewals to public health information and personalized information for tourists. Along the way, it has lowered the operational burden by 50%. 

    The beauty of these kinds of solutions is that they ease the burden of finding and getting the best possible service, even when people have little idea of who or what agency to contact. AI makes it easier for a constituent to explore their options. And then, when they do engage, they only need to provide their critical information one time.

    Not forcing someone to continually supply the same information as they move through the system is a huge consideration in cases where people have experienced traumatic, emotional, or embarrassing events. Participation is strained when a person is forced to re-explain and re-live unpleasant experiences. So, AI’s ability to retain essential details through a case management process and retain context from queries helps ensure an experience that is not only more efficient but also more dignified.  

    AI also plays a role in helping constituents when they are unhappy with their services. An AI-powered contact center, like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Center, can provide new levels of support that can enhance human decision-making. For example, an AI-powered contact center can trigger an escalation to a customer service representative when sentiment analysis detects a person getting frustrated or upset. Using intelligent routing, it can connect the constituent to the best representative based on context and need, and assist the representative by summarizing the person’s situation, suggesting optimal solutions, and even drafting response recommendations. 

    2. Boost the efficiency and effectiveness of staff 

    One of the most vital advances in the digital evolution of government is the shift away from cumbersome tasks involving antiquated websites, electronic forms, even paper-based processes, to automated, intelligent systems that not only ease data collection but also interpret data, learn from it, and even act on it.  

    With AI acting as an intelligent, ever-present assistant, social services case workers and caregivers are able to focus more on helping people and spend less time on tedious tasks than before. These new tools give workers instant access to relevant information from across data silos—including unstructured data such as content in PDFs, files, websites, and even digitized hand-written documents—all of which had largely been unavailable to analysis before. 

    For example, the Torfaen County Borough Council in Wales, United Kingdom, saw gains in productivity after they adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot, which integrates generative AI into everyday applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook. The process of taking and recording notes, for example, has been dramatically simplified, which is freeing workers to spend more time engaging with residents and providing personalized services. 

    With the help of AI assistance, a case worker can serve constituents far more effectively. Client meetings, for example, can be completely transformed. Meeting preparation can be done faster and far more comprehensively, with insights and recommendations gleaned from information across the enterprise, including from files that were previously inaccessible, restricted, or difficult to extract meaningful insights from. The meeting can be recorded and automatically transcribed, which enables the case worker to focus on their client versus note-taking. Afterwords, Microsoft Teams can transcribe and summarize the meeting, with details and action items imported directly into case management systems. 

    3. Enhance processes and outcomes with advanced analytics 

    Perhaps the most transformative aspect of AI is the power of advanced analytics. This refers to AI’s unique ability to turn raw data into actionable insights by identifying patterns, making connections, and even predicting outcomes. In health and social services, this can translate into a variety of useful benefits. 

    For instance, AI can help turn the often-cumbersome process of evaluating applications for benefits or other social services into a faster, more precise, and user-friendly process. It can analyze information against policy rules, interpret regulations to help ensure criteria are met, and cross-check submitted data with official records. This means fewer errors that might lead to incorrect approvals or denials, and greater client satisfaction. 

    Collectively, these abilities can transform important social services initiatives. For example, they play a crucial role in a new digital platform built by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in South Australia to modernize how high-risk domestic violence cases are managed. Previously, agencies relied on physical documents and semi-structured Excel spreadsheets to track cases, which hindered information sharing, decision making, and coordination across agencies. The new Family Safety Portal, integrating AI with Microsoft Power BI, transformed DHS’s domestic violence response into a proactive, highly adaptive, and evidence-based system. Referrals that once took days are now done in real-time, and 10 agencies now share data in a centralized system that is highly secure.  

    In terms of improving public health and wellbeing, AI and analytic tools can collect, analyze, and report on public health or program data to gain a holistic view of individuals receiving services to improve care. A case worker, for example, can use AI to see beyond isolated data points and gain a far more complete view of a person’s situation, needs, and history. With less administrative burden, this provides critical context to ensure that the constituent receives precisely the right support and enhance care coordination and interventions.  

    The other essential benefit provided by analytics is in the realm of fraud, waste, and abuse. By analyzing vast amounts of information in real time and leveraging data from past records and experiences, AI can spot patterns, identify irregularities, and flag suspicious behaviors far more effectively and faster than traditional methods. This can help organizations proactively detect and mitigate fraud risks—for example, by evaluating submissions as they arrive instead of through audits, automating verification in seconds by cross-checking IDs and application details, or comparing an applicant’s behavior with previous submissions to ensure they are legitimate. 

    Move forward in your AI journey 

    Virtually any government agency can derive immediate benefits from generative AI. However, to unlock the full power of modern analytics and advanced AI, an organization needs to modernize their cloud environment and ensure an AI-ready data estate.  

    Every organization’s journey is unique, and it’s important to build a long-term strategy with trusted technology partners. To help your government organization take the next step, contact your local Microsoft representative or certified Microsoft technology partner. They can help explore options, identify use cases, and transform your ideas into meaningful solutions.  

    Discover more

    Microsoft for Government

    Create opportunities innovative technologies

    1 International Labour Organization, “World Social Protection Report 2024,” September 2024.

    Eric Basha

    Director of Business Strategy, Worldwide Government Industry

    Eric Basha is Director of Business Strategy in Microsoft’s Worldwide Government industry group. With 30-plus years of experience in the technology industry, he joined Microsoft in 2002 and has been part of the Worldwide Government organization since 2007. In his current role, he leads Microsoft’s global solution strategy in this area, partnering with government customers, Microsoft teams, and industry partners to develop solutions that address the evolving needs of public sector organizations and the communities they serve.

    See more articles from this author

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: For Mining Beginners：PFM Crypto Launches Free BTC, ETH, DOGE and XRP Cloud Mining Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following the U.S. government’s landmark decision in March 2025 to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve, the global crypto market has entered a new era of recognition and legitimacy. Riding this momentum, UK-based PFM Crypto has announced the official launch of its free-to-start cloud mining platform, offering support for BTC, ETH, DOGE and XRP, and other major cryptocurrencies.
    In a fast-evolving regulatory climate, PFM Crypto positions itself as the go-to solution for crypto newcomers and passive investors alike. Built on AI-optimized cloud infrastructure and compliant with ESG regulations, the platform enables anyone to start earning crypto with as little as a mobile device and $0 upfront.

    Explore cloud mining: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    What Makes PFM Crypto Cloud Mining Different?
    PFM Crypto offers a unique set of features designed to eliminate traditional mining complexity while maximizing profitability:

    – Cloud-Based Mining Leases
    Users gain remote access to eco-certified mining power without buying or managing hardware. PFM CRYPTO operates high-efficiency, ESG-compliant mining centers in the UK, US and EU.

    – Beginner-Friendly Mining Setup
    Activate your mining contract in minutes using just your PC or phone. No tech skills or wallet configuration required.

    – Daily Mining for BTC、ETH、DOGE 和 XRP
    Enjoy seamless, 24/7 mining with no system downtime. All infrastructure is monitored by professionals to ensure uninterrupted income.

    – Instant Withdrawals, No Lockups
    Unlike traditional mining setups, PFM Crypto allows users to withdraw earnings anytime—with zero withdrawal fees.

    – Free Start for New Users
    First-time users receive a $10 welcome bonus, enough to activate their first mining contract and start earning daily rewards immediately.

    – Sustainable Blockchain Mining
    With ESG compliance at its core, PFM CRYPTO incorporates green energy sources and reforestation initiatives as part of its broader commitment to environmental sustainability.

    PFM Crypto Mining Performance (Jun 2025):
    5-Day BTC Mining Contract: +6.15% ROI
    15-Day DOGE Mining Contract: +20.7% ROI
    30-Day XRP Mining Contract: +55.6% ROI
    These returns, coupled with minimal barriers to entry, have attracted a surge of retail participation—especially among younger investors exploring crypto income for the first time.

    How to get started on the most trusted Cloud Mining platform in 2025
    1. Sign up on PC or mobile device here
    2. Receive a free $10 welcome bonus
    3. Active the first free cloud computing power with the bonus
    4. See a breakdown of your expected earnings and monitor rewards using its real-time analytical tool
    5. Access your free withdrawal anytime
    “We built PFM Crypto so that anyone, anywhere can earn from crypto—without needing to understand blockchain or manage hardware,” said PFMCrypto CEO.

    About PFM Crypto
    Founded in 2018, PFM Crypto is a next-generation digital asset mining platform that empowers global users to mine Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin, and 7 other top coins—all through AI-optimized cloud infrastructure. With a focus on security, sustainability, and accessibility, PFM Crypto provides a legally compliant, high-yield alternative to traditional crypto investing.
    Start mining smarter—visit https://pfmcrypto.net  to claim your $10 bonus.

    Amelia Elspeth
    info@pfmcrypto.net
    71 Grasmere Avenue, Farington, Leyland, England 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HAProxy Leads All Categories In G2 Summer 2025 Grid® Reports

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEWTON, Mass., June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HAProxy Technologies, the company behind HAProxy One, the world’s fastest application delivery and security platform, today announced a landmark achievement in the G2 Summer 2025 Grid® and Index Reports, showcasing unprecedented momentum and sustained leadership. The company was named a Leader in 24 Grid® Reports and five Momentum Grid® Reports. Along with an exceptional Satisfaction Score of 99 and badges including Best Results, Best Relationship, and Best Usability, HAProxy was recognized across multiple G2 categories with Leader positions in Load Balancing, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall (WAF), Web Security, API Management, Container Networking, and DevOps.

    HAProxy has the distinction of being named a Leader in every G2 category where it is listed, demonstrating the breadth and depth of the HAProxy One platform in comparison with traditional load balancing appliances, single-purpose security or API tools, and products that are available only as-a-service and in the cloud. HAProxy One is perfectly positioned to enable significant cost reduction, enhanced privacy and security, and new use cases such as LLM routing and cloud mesh.

    “HAProxy’s industry leadership tells a unique story of a company and community that are dedicated to user satisfaction, continually adapting to a changing tech landscape, with performance and security in the DNA of everything we do,” said Dujko Radovnikovic, CEO, HAProxy Technologies. “As a result, our unified platform delivers unbeatable value – as shown in the hundreds of user reviews on G2.”

    G2 category leadership builds on 2025 momentum

    These impressive results wrap up an outstanding Spring season for HAProxy Technologies, in which the company continued to build momentum in cloud native and security categories, while pushing the limits of performance at scale.

    HAProxy was created in 2001, and next year will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary. Speaking in his keynote at HAProxyConf earlier this month, Kelsey Hightower, a well-known technologist and cloud computing expert, said, “When you do something really well, for a really long time, you become legendary.”

    Also at HAProxyConf, Ben Meidell, Sr. Site Reliability Engineer at Roblox, showed how the immersive gaming and creation platform uses hundreds of HAProxy instances to manage and secure millions of requests per second. Commenting on the performance impact of HAProxy Enterprise WAF, Meidell said, “One of the big points about scaling up a web application firewall is the potential impact. We have been extremely impressed with the performance of HAProxy Enterprise WAF. When we first activated it, CPU increase was so negligible that I wondered if I’d made a mistake somewhere. But then I saw all the violations it was catching and realized just how effective it was.”

    Roblox presents at HAProxyConf 2025

    Exceptional user reviews praise security, scalability, and support

    G2 product ratings are based on customer and user reviews and aggregated data from online sources. In the Momentum Grid® Report, the Satisfaction Score is affected by several factors, including customer satisfaction with end user-focused and administration-specific product attributes, popularity and statistical significance of reviews, and timeliness and quality of reviews. The Leader designation signifies that HAProxy has earned best-in-class ratings from verified customers for both user satisfaction scores and market presence.

    G2 awarded HAProxy 68 badges, including naming HAProxy a Leader in 24 Grid® Reports and five Momentum Grid® Reports:

    • Grid® Report for API Management
    • Grid® Report for Container Networking
    • Grid® Report for DDoS Protection
    • Grid® Report for DevOps
    • Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Grid® Report for Web Application Firewall (WAF)
    • Grid® Report for Web Security
    • Enterprise Grid® Report for DevOps
    • Enterprise Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Mid-Market Grid® Report for API Management
    • Mid-Market Grid® Report for DevOps
    • Mid-Market Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Mid-Market Grid® Report for Web Application Firewall (WAF)
    • Small-Business Grid® Report for API Management
    • Small-Business Americas Regional Grid® Report for API Management
    • Small-Business Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Americas Regional Grid® Report for API Management
    • Europe Regional Grid® Report for API Management
    • Europe Regional Grid® Report for DevOps
    • Europe Regional Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • EMEA Regional Grid® Report for API Management
    • EMEA Regional Grid® Report for DevOps
    • EMEA Regional Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • EMEA Regional Grid® Report for Web Application Firewall (WAF)
    • Momentum Grid® Report for API Management
    • Momentum Grid® Report for Container Networking
    • Momentum Grid® Report for DDoS Protection
    • Momentum Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Momentum Grid® Report for Web Application Firewall (WAF)

    In a five-star review, one user wrote, “HAProxy replaces a proprietary and costly hardware load balancing solution, in addition to providing advanced WAF and anti-DDoS features. This helps us stay online and load faster.”

    “I’m using [HAProxy] to secure LLM data backends to reduce prompt poisoning,” said another five-star review. “It’s been my default load balancer for years, since college, then they added a WAF and I was floored. Now, between advanced features, amazing logging, and a level of scalability that is ACTUALLY scalable? I’m going to be using it for years to come.”

    An Enterprise Systems Administrator wrote in a five-star review, “We use HAProxy to load balance and stabilize on-premises and cloud environments, Windows and Kubernetes-based applications. We’ve enjoyed the feature set of the HAProxy Fusion Control Plane and all that it has to offer, gaining valuable insights into our application requests, frontend and backend statistics, and usage data.”

    Commenting on HAProxy Technologies’ legendary customer experience, one user wrote, “The support team is phenomenal. They’re available through Slack, providing near-instantaneous responses and practical solutions. We’ve dealt with companies charging 10x or 30x more for support that pales in comparison. HAProxy’s support team sets a new standard.”

    These and other G2 user reviews show why HAProxy has become the most recommended enterprise-grade solution for high-performance traffic management, security, and observability.

    About HAProxy One

    HAProxy One is the world’s fastest application delivery and security platform, from the company behind HAProxy. It combines the performance, reliability, and flexibility of our open source core (HAProxy) with the capabilities of a unified enterprise platform. Its next-generation security layers are powered by threat intelligence from HAProxy Edge, enhanced by machine learning and optimized with real-world operational feedback. The platform consists of a flexible data plane (HAProxy Enterprise and HAProxy ALOHA), a scalable control plane (HAProxy Fusion), and a secure edge network (HAProxy Edge), which together enable multi-cloud load balancing as a service (LBaaS), web app and API protection, API/AI gateways, Kubernetes networking, application delivery network (ADN), and end-to-end observability.

    About HAProxy Technologies

    HAProxy Technologies is the company behind HAProxy One, the world’s fastest application delivery and security platform, and HAProxy, the most widely used software load balancer. Leading companies and cloud providers trust HAProxy to simplify, scale, and secure modern applications, APIs, and AI services in any environment. HAProxy Technologies is headquartered in Newton, MA, with multiple offices across the US and Europe.

    For questions or comments, please contact press@haproxy.com.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97db8f1b-2fd1-42f8-bcef-008a6a751073

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bab3f618-fac3-4959-af89-b576206b604c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HAProxy Leads All Categories In G2 Summer 2025 Grid® Reports

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEWTON, Mass., June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HAProxy Technologies, the company behind HAProxy One, the world’s fastest application delivery and security platform, today announced a landmark achievement in the G2 Summer 2025 Grid® and Index Reports, showcasing unprecedented momentum and sustained leadership. The company was named a Leader in 24 Grid® Reports and five Momentum Grid® Reports. Along with an exceptional Satisfaction Score of 99 and badges including Best Results, Best Relationship, and Best Usability, HAProxy was recognized across multiple G2 categories with Leader positions in Load Balancing, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall (WAF), Web Security, API Management, Container Networking, and DevOps.

    HAProxy has the distinction of being named a Leader in every G2 category where it is listed, demonstrating the breadth and depth of the HAProxy One platform in comparison with traditional load balancing appliances, single-purpose security or API tools, and products that are available only as-a-service and in the cloud. HAProxy One is perfectly positioned to enable significant cost reduction, enhanced privacy and security, and new use cases such as LLM routing and cloud mesh.

    “HAProxy’s industry leadership tells a unique story of a company and community that are dedicated to user satisfaction, continually adapting to a changing tech landscape, with performance and security in the DNA of everything we do,” said Dujko Radovnikovic, CEO, HAProxy Technologies. “As a result, our unified platform delivers unbeatable value – as shown in the hundreds of user reviews on G2.”

    G2 category leadership builds on 2025 momentum

    These impressive results wrap up an outstanding Spring season for HAProxy Technologies, in which the company continued to build momentum in cloud native and security categories, while pushing the limits of performance at scale.

    HAProxy was created in 2001, and next year will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary. Speaking in his keynote at HAProxyConf earlier this month, Kelsey Hightower, a well-known technologist and cloud computing expert, said, “When you do something really well, for a really long time, you become legendary.”

    Also at HAProxyConf, Ben Meidell, Sr. Site Reliability Engineer at Roblox, showed how the immersive gaming and creation platform uses hundreds of HAProxy instances to manage and secure millions of requests per second. Commenting on the performance impact of HAProxy Enterprise WAF, Meidell said, “One of the big points about scaling up a web application firewall is the potential impact. We have been extremely impressed with the performance of HAProxy Enterprise WAF. When we first activated it, CPU increase was so negligible that I wondered if I’d made a mistake somewhere. But then I saw all the violations it was catching and realized just how effective it was.”

    Roblox presents at HAProxyConf 2025

    Exceptional user reviews praise security, scalability, and support

    G2 product ratings are based on customer and user reviews and aggregated data from online sources. In the Momentum Grid® Report, the Satisfaction Score is affected by several factors, including customer satisfaction with end user-focused and administration-specific product attributes, popularity and statistical significance of reviews, and timeliness and quality of reviews. The Leader designation signifies that HAProxy has earned best-in-class ratings from verified customers for both user satisfaction scores and market presence.

    G2 awarded HAProxy 68 badges, including naming HAProxy a Leader in 24 Grid® Reports and five Momentum Grid® Reports:

    • Grid® Report for API Management
    • Grid® Report for Container Networking
    • Grid® Report for DDoS Protection
    • Grid® Report for DevOps
    • Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Grid® Report for Web Application Firewall (WAF)
    • Grid® Report for Web Security
    • Enterprise Grid® Report for DevOps
    • Enterprise Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Mid-Market Grid® Report for API Management
    • Mid-Market Grid® Report for DevOps
    • Mid-Market Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Mid-Market Grid® Report for Web Application Firewall (WAF)
    • Small-Business Grid® Report for API Management
    • Small-Business Americas Regional Grid® Report for API Management
    • Small-Business Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Americas Regional Grid® Report for API Management
    • Europe Regional Grid® Report for API Management
    • Europe Regional Grid® Report for DevOps
    • Europe Regional Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • EMEA Regional Grid® Report for API Management
    • EMEA Regional Grid® Report for DevOps
    • EMEA Regional Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • EMEA Regional Grid® Report for Web Application Firewall (WAF)
    • Momentum Grid® Report for API Management
    • Momentum Grid® Report for Container Networking
    • Momentum Grid® Report for DDoS Protection
    • Momentum Grid® Report for Load Balancing
    • Momentum Grid® Report for Web Application Firewall (WAF)

    In a five-star review, one user wrote, “HAProxy replaces a proprietary and costly hardware load balancing solution, in addition to providing advanced WAF and anti-DDoS features. This helps us stay online and load faster.”

    “I’m using [HAProxy] to secure LLM data backends to reduce prompt poisoning,” said another five-star review. “It’s been my default load balancer for years, since college, then they added a WAF and I was floored. Now, between advanced features, amazing logging, and a level of scalability that is ACTUALLY scalable? I’m going to be using it for years to come.”

    An Enterprise Systems Administrator wrote in a five-star review, “We use HAProxy to load balance and stabilize on-premises and cloud environments, Windows and Kubernetes-based applications. We’ve enjoyed the feature set of the HAProxy Fusion Control Plane and all that it has to offer, gaining valuable insights into our application requests, frontend and backend statistics, and usage data.”

    Commenting on HAProxy Technologies’ legendary customer experience, one user wrote, “The support team is phenomenal. They’re available through Slack, providing near-instantaneous responses and practical solutions. We’ve dealt with companies charging 10x or 30x more for support that pales in comparison. HAProxy’s support team sets a new standard.”

    These and other G2 user reviews show why HAProxy has become the most recommended enterprise-grade solution for high-performance traffic management, security, and observability.

    About HAProxy One

    HAProxy One is the world’s fastest application delivery and security platform, from the company behind HAProxy. It combines the performance, reliability, and flexibility of our open source core (HAProxy) with the capabilities of a unified enterprise platform. Its next-generation security layers are powered by threat intelligence from HAProxy Edge, enhanced by machine learning and optimized with real-world operational feedback. The platform consists of a flexible data plane (HAProxy Enterprise and HAProxy ALOHA), a scalable control plane (HAProxy Fusion), and a secure edge network (HAProxy Edge), which together enable multi-cloud load balancing as a service (LBaaS), web app and API protection, API/AI gateways, Kubernetes networking, application delivery network (ADN), and end-to-end observability.

    About HAProxy Technologies

    HAProxy Technologies is the company behind HAProxy One, the world’s fastest application delivery and security platform, and HAProxy, the most widely used software load balancer. Leading companies and cloud providers trust HAProxy to simplify, scale, and secure modern applications, APIs, and AI services in any environment. HAProxy Technologies is headquartered in Newton, MA, with multiple offices across the US and Europe.

    For questions or comments, please contact press@haproxy.com.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97db8f1b-2fd1-42f8-bcef-008a6a751073

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bab3f618-fac3-4959-af89-b576206b604c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Delivers Fiery Remarks in Opposition to Trump’s Reckless Rescissions Package with Cuts to USAID, PBS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) spoke on the House Floor in strong opposition to Trump’s rescissions package codifying DOGE’s cuts to USAID, PBS, and other Congressionally-appropriated funding. The package passed the House on a party-line vote of 214-212.

    The clawback of $9.4 billion in funding that House Republicans themselves voted for last Congress would cut programs that prevent deadly diseases and pandemics, support democracy abroad, create markets for American businesses, and provide trusted public news, emergency alerts, and educational programming. 

    Her remarks as delivered can be viewed here or read below: 

    “Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this package. It is embarrassing, it is trifling. This is a funding package that Republicans actually agreed to and voted on last Congress when they were in the majority. Republicans must be missing Biden now because they actually had more influence under him than under Trump. 

    Now Republicans are going back on their own agreement and giving up their own power with this package. The real question is, why show up here if you have an orange daddy doing your work for you? 

    This vote actually puts every Republican on record as supporting Elon’s attack on democracy when even Steve Bannon said that Elon and DOGE found no waste. 

    With this package Republicans are one step closer to a country that looks more like the adversaries we profess to oppose. Americans will be left to clean up this mess. We will have zero standing in the international community and we will have zero claim to global leadership–while you all have killed off Elmo. 

    I urge my colleagues to vote no on this trash and I yield back.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NSF invests $25.5M in research to drive new U.S. manufacturing technologies and talent pipelines

    Source: US Government research organizations

    The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced a $25.5 million investment to support fundamental research and workforce development aimed at enabling future generations of U.S. manufacturing. This year’s awards will support seven research grants and nine seed projects across 36 institutions and companies through the NSF Future Manufacturing (NSF FM) program.

    The NSF FM program focuses on areas such as biomanufacturing, cyber manufacturing and ecomanufacturing, with some efforts exploring intersections with quantum manufacturing. The program emphasizes convergence, bringing together teams from across disciplines to create new, potentially transformative manufacturing capabilities, going far beyond improvements to current manufacturing processes.

    “The FM program targets critical technical gaps and lays the foundation for emerging sectors, including technologies that haven’t yet been imagined,” said Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. “NSF is investing in teams that bring together scientific, engineering and manufacturing expertise to equip the American workforce for leadership in advanced manufacturing.”

    This year’s FM awards include:

    • Seven research grants, each receiving up to $3 million over a four-year period, to support multidisciplinary teams conducting fundamental research to enable new manufacturing capabilities, materials, or systems. Projects span a range of topics, including bioengineering in resource-constrained environments, “recyclofacturing” using artificial intelligence to create products from metal scrap, and using robotics and digital twins for additive manufacturing of multi-material systems.
    • Nine seed grants, each receiving up to $500,000 over a two-year period, to support early-stage teams exploring novel concepts and partnerships that could shape future directions in manufacturing. Seed projects include efforts in future photonic quantum manufacturing using DNA, self-learning tools to create superconducting circuits, using cyanobacteria and water for low-energy cement manufacturing, and enabling domestic lithium extraction from unconventional sources.

    By advancing research in areas such as the manufacture of critical materials, quantum devices and semiconductor production, human-robot collaboration and biologically based manufacturing, the program strengthens U.S. leadership in science and technology, expands innovation capacity, and prepares a skilled American workforce to compete and lead in the global economy.

    This brings NSF’s total investment through the FM program to over $163 million in the five years of the program. Funding comes from across almost all of NSF’s directorates, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the supported projects. Since its inception, the FM program has made 104 awards to projects that involve over 475 principal investigators at 136 institutions and companies in 40 states and territories.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Blumenthal Call for Investigation into Cancelled Contracts Impacting Veterans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) Ranking Member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General to launch an investigation into the Trump Administration’s controversial, unilateral cancellation of VA contracts at the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite multiple requests from Senators King and Blumenthal, VA Secretary Doug Collins refuses to send Congress the complete and updated list of VA contracts canceled or proposed for cancellation — a list Secretary Collins consistently touts in public hearings, on social media and in interviews.

    The Senators began, “We write to request the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiate a review of the mass cancellation of VA contracts launched by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Secretary Collins, and other officials of the Department and the impact of these actions on veterans and VA operations. These activities began soon after January 20 and are ongoing.”

    “Since February of this year, Committee Minority staff have investigated these activities using public government contracting databases, internal VA documents, conducting interviews with VA employees and contractors, and other methods. The preliminary findings after analyzing more than 650 VA contracts ‘terminated for convenience’ between January 20 and May 30, 2025, extracted from federal contracting databases, are that a majority appear to be for services directly for veterans or critical VA operations to include for safe health care delivery,” wrote the Senators. While Collins and VA officials have refused to turn over the complete and updated list of contracts canceled, contract data is available online in near real time — including information on the cancellation of VA contracts.

    “To add to these alarming facts, recent media investigations, to include two stories released by ProPublica on June 6, have found evidence that DOGE and VA officials used ill-conceived Artificial Intelligence (AI) formulas and algorithms to make or inform contract cancellation decisions — cutting out meaningful input from VA career experts to assess the impact of ending these services. This adds an entire new level of unease connected to the decision-making, security, governance, and quality control of the entire process,” continued the senators. The damning reporting from ProPublica outlined in the letter exposes the careless nature of Secretary Collins and DOGE’s contract cancellation process at VA, including the use of flawed, error-prone AI tools to determine what contracts would be canceled.

    “However, this process which included cancelling hundreds of contracts, many in a several-day period, then restoring dozens just a few days later, is not an indication of good program management but rather waste, carelessness, and chaos. We are deeply concerned about how these cancellations, which are ongoing, are or will impact veterans’ health care, benefits, and other services; harm VA’s ability to perform oversight and program improvement; and eliminate or significantly hinder the availability of critical tools to maintain safe and clean facilities. A non-partisan and independent review of these matters is critical,” concluded the Senators.

    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Recently, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Senator King joined his colleagues in urging for immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a measure that would protect millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families.

    Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation alongside SVAC Chairman Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. In February, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.” Senator King recently joined SVAC Ranking Member Senator Blumenthal in writing a letter to Secretary Collins raising concerns over proposed $1 spending limits on VA purchase cards which are used to pay for gas to transport disabled veterans to apportionments, buy medical supplies and more. Senator King also joined his colleagues in raising concerns over proposed plans to terminate 83,000 VA employees, and participated in a special investigative SVAC hearing to question witnesses who were terminated due to DOGE cuts. Last month, Senators King and Blumenthal wrote again to Secretary Collins demanding an explanation for DOGE cuts at VA that would impact health care for Maine veterans.

    The full text of letter can be found here or below.

    +++

    Dear Acting Inspector General Case,

    We write to request the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiate a review of the mass cancellation of VA contracts launched by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Secretary Collins, and other officials of the Department and the impact of these actions on veterans and VA operations. These activities began soon after January 20 and are ongoing.

    Since February of this year, Committee Minority staff have investigated these activities using public government contracting databases, internal VA documents, conducting interviews with VA employees and contractors, and other methods.

    The preliminary findings after analyzing more than 650 VA contracts “terminated for convenience” between January 20 and May 30, 2025, extracted from federal contracting databases, are that a majority appear to be for services directly for veterans or critical VA operations to include for safe health care delivery. They include more than two dozen for medical supplies and equipment; four for cancer and tumor registries; more than 110 for construction and infrastructure services to include maintenance of boilers; prosthetics, including the conversion of a van for a veteran; more than 15 nursing home care contracts; more than 150 dealing with a wide range of quality of care, medical oversight, and hospital accreditation preparedness services; PACT Act implementation; and more. These are all areas that have been the subject of hundreds of OIG reports and investigations and known to be matters in which VA needs more support, not less. In addition, to date, no evidence has been provided by VA that any thoughtful contingency planning was put into place before these services were cancelled. Compounding our concerns are the hiring freeze, deferred resignations, terminations, and planned mass reductions of VA’s workforce that in theory is responsible for absorbing some of this work.

    To add to these alarming facts, recent media investigations, to include two stories released by ProPublica on June 6, have found evidence that DOGE and VA officials used ill-conceived Artificial Intelligence (AI) formulas and algorithms to make or inform contract cancellation decisions—cutting out meaningful input from VA career experts to assess the impact of ending these services. This adds an entire new level of unease connected to the decision-making, security, governance, and quality control of the entire process.

    As way of background, on February 24 and 25, 2025, Secretary Collins announced on social media his plan, carried out with Elon Musk and DOGE, to cancel hundreds of VA contracts he claimed were for “PowerPoint slides and meeting minutes” and indicated were valued at $2 billion. After directing career officials in the Department to start the cancellations, a list of more than 870 contracts was leaked to Congress and the media. The reality was that these contracts were predominantly for direct services for veterans or supporting VA operations including: suicide prevention and mental health treatment; disability claims processing, exams and auditing; radiology services; outreach regarding burial benefits and health care services; and contracts to conduct oversight activities to identify and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

    When the true content of mass contract cancellations was exposed, VA’s leadership team directed career officials to pause some cancellations. Public records show some contracts previously cancelled at the Secretary’s direction were then reversed while others remain cancelled and new contracts are being cancelled each week. On March 3, 2025, VA announced that instead of more than 870 contracts, it would cancel 585 contracts with an alleged value of $1.8 billion but provided no details. This has been a consistent pattern and problem. Despite repeated requests in letters to the Secretary, questions at hearings, and dozens of emails to VA officials, as of the date of this letter, the Department has not provided a single briefing or a complete and accurate list of the contracts it has cancelled, descoped, modified, or otherwise changed as part of this process or the underlying methodology, reasoning, and contingency planning. On May 16, VA provided Congress with a list of more than 445 contracts which it indicated were “terminated and closed.” This list was so riddled with errors and inaccuracies to call into question the veracity of the entire document.

    Since the beginning of this process, Secretary Collins and VA officials have repeatedly denied—without supporting evidence—that the cancellations will negatively affect veterans or VA operations, including saying:

    • “[t]he termination of these contracts will not negatively affect Veteran care, benefits or services, and will help VA better focus on its core mission: providing the best possible care and services to Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors”, VA Press Release, March 3, 2025;
    • “as part of its review, VA career subject-matter expert employees responsible for the contract cancelations were given the option to stop a cancellation if they felt it would negatively impact health care, benefits or services for Veterans or VA beneficiaries”, VA Press Release, March 3, 2025;
    • “VA will not cancel contracts for work that provides services to veterans or that the agency cannot do itself without a contingency plan in place”, VA Spokesperson, “DOGE Developed Error-Prone AI Tool to “Munch” Veterans Affairs Contracts,” ProPublica, June 6, 2025;
    • “[c]ontracts that directly support Veterans, beneficiaries or provide services VA cannot do itself, such as a nurse who sees patients or an organization that provides third-party certification services, respectively, were not canceled. Contracts that involved services VA has the ability to perform itself were typically canceled”, Secretary Collins, letter to Congress, May 2, 2025.

    Based on these findings and information, we ask VA OIG to conduct a review of these matters which may include a focus on:

    • the impact of these cancellations on veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors health care, benefits, memorial affairs and related services;
    • the impact of these cancellations on VA operations such as quality of care oversight, patient safety, accreditation, medical supplies and equipment, IT security, research, construction and maintenance;
    • the use of AI and/or algorithms to guide decision-making to include the recipient and purpose each VA contract identified by DOGE VA employee Mr. Sahil Lavingia that has been terminated; the formal assignment and instructions given to Mr. Lavingia with respect to assessment of VA contracts to include whether they included the use of AI and the approval of relevant code; the data integrity and protection measures taken, if any, to ensure the safeguarding of any personally identifiable information; and the extent to which this and any other related use of AI by DOGE or the VA violated any policy, procedure, regulation, or statute;
    • the extent, timing, and substantive involvement, if any, of VA career subject matter experts in the decision-making regarding cancellations;
    • the existence of contingency plans to replace the services prior to contract cancellations;
    • an identification of the contracts cancelled, descoped, stopped or allowed to expire at part of this mass cancellation effort;
    • the financial transfer of funding from cancelled contracts to other VA activities; and
    • other relevant matters as determined by VA OIG

    We firmly support VA efforts to regularly review services procured by the Department and that process should be built into any functioning acquisition and program management operation at VA. However, this process, which included cancelling hundreds of contracts, many in a several-day period, then restoring dozens just a few days later, is not an indication of good program management but rather waste, carelessness, and chaos. We are deeply concerned about how these cancellations, which are ongoing, are or will impact veterans’ health care, benefits, and other services; harm VA’s ability to perform oversight and program improvement; and eliminate or significantly hinder the availability of critical tools to maintain safe and clean facilities.

    A non-partisan and independent review of these matters is critical. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Scientists join classrooms to inspire teenagers to become innovators

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

    Peking University life sciences professor Zhang Yan, who has been researching Alzheimer’s disease for two decades, has taken on a new mission this semester: educating young teens.

    Beyond lectures and experiments, Zhang is committed to giving her young students an authentic glimpse into the world of scientific research. She believes such hands-on learning should begin early in basic education, and as a scientist, she sees it as her responsibility to contribute.

    Zhang is one of thousands of researchers to be appointed as a “vice principal of science” — a position introduced by China’s Ministry of Education two years ago, in an initiative aiming to ensure every primary and secondary school engages the services of at least one scientific researcher from a university, research institute or technology company to strengthen science education.

    Scientist-led classes

    Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, sipping milk tea and switching seamlessly between Chinese and English, Zhang teaches her middle school students much like she does her doctoral candidates in university labs.

    This casual approach is the first message she hopes to convey: scientists are not always solemn, bookish or eccentric. During her first lecture at Beijing Guangqumen Middle School in late May, she said that in reality, many scientists have diverse interests, lead balanced lives and possess both intellectual and emotional intelligence.

    Similarly, Zhang seeks to dispel another common misconception about careers in science: success comes solely from hard work, much like scoring high in college entrance exams.

    “You may spend years with few breakthroughs, and that is the first challenge scientists must face — learning to deal with frustration,” she said in English during a recent class.

    Her students listened carefully, not distracted by phones or computers. They are preparing to enter senior high school after their summer vacation, and in three years, they will choose a university and a major.

    “The earlier they learn, the more they benefit,” Zhang said, noting that understanding scientific careers as teens will help them make choices in the future.

    Using examples ranging from the discovery of penicillin to the gene-editing of white mice in labs, Zhang also encouraged her young students to develop habits of critical thinking, questioning authority and pursuing lifelong learning.

    Next month, she plans to take them to her university lab, where they will observe and conduct basic scientific experiments.

    “They will experience real scientific work,” she said.

    National push

    To make classes more engaging, researchers nationwide are adopting diverse approaches. Besides lab experiments, some organize field expeditions or showcase models of scientific facilities such as lunar probes, submarines and large telescopes.

    The study of emerging technologies like AI and humanoid robots has also made its way into classrooms, becoming part of the content being taught by scientists.

    Tasked with more than teaching, these vice principals of science also help schools with science curriculum planning, teacher training and bringing in scientific resources, forming part of the country’s broader picture of science education.

    Since 2023, under a national “double reduction” policy launched in 2021 to ease the burdens of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring that students face in their compulsory education years, greater emphasis has been placed on enhancing science education and nurturing young people with both the potential to become scientists and aspirations to dedicate themselves to scientific research.

    According to a January report by the state broadcaster CCTV citing the latest data from the Ministry of Education, 45 percent of primary and secondary schools have appointed a vice principal specializing in science over the past two years.

    Schools are also striving to nurture their own science teaching staff. Beijing Haidian Aerospace Tuqiang Primary School, for example, employs 15 full-time or part-time science teachers. The number of science teachers in the country’s junior high schools has increased by more than 8,400 nationwide, and by over 28,000 in senior high schools.

    And technology firms are also joining this national push for improved science education. Leading AI company iFlytek has launched study tour programs to showcase its voice-recognition tools and robots to students, and carmaker Geely has opened its workshops to students, allowing young people to learn about the manufacturing process of new energy vehicles.

    Duty of educators

    However, serving as a school educator does not offer extra pay or benefits for her research work, Zhang said. “It is purely driven by a sense of duty.”

    China has intensified efforts to encourage scientist participation in science education. A revised Science and Technology Popularization Law came into effect last year and introduced concrete measures, such as those on professional recognition and evaluation, to reward researchers for public engagement.

    Zeng Fankui, a researcher at the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is passionate about popularizing his potato studies and serves as vice principal of science at three local schools.

    He applauds the progress the country has made in science education, but points to some problems: many rural schools lack proper science equipment and specialized teachers, and traditional mindsets that prioritize rote learning over scientific thinking remain.

    Xiong Bingqi, dean of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said that the goal of the vice principal of science role is to cultivate true scientific literacy.

    “If science classes only assign mechanical exercises, AI could replace them,” he warned, adding that science education should shift focus from knowledge delivery to the cultivation of self-directed learning and nurturing innovation.

    Students crammed with scientific knowledge alone will find it difficult to adapt to the rapid changes of the future, Xiong said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cooperation needed to combat cybercrime threats: Malaysian official

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

    Stronger and more coordinated cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is needed to counter the rising threats of cybercrime, which have emerged as a serious and pressing challenge, Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said here on Tuesday.

    In his opening remarks at the 25th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime and related meetings, Saifuddin Nasution cautioned that the increasingly complex nature of cybercrime and the rapid adoption of technology by criminal networks require a proactive and timely response.

    “The rising threat of cybercrime, everything from financial scams to ransomware attacks, clearly shows us that this isn’t just a future problem; it’s a pressing issue right now,” he said.

    “Our digital defenses must evolve as fast as technology does. This means we must adopt new technologies, including using artificial intelligence responsibly, to significantly improve how we detect, prevent, and enforce against these crimes,” he said.

    Saifuddin Nasution emphasized that in today’s increasingly fragmented global environment, international cooperation remains the cornerstone of regional stability.

    He said such cooperation is not only vital in addressing shared security threats but also in preserving economic resilience and maintaining public trust in institutions, adding that ASEAN must ensure its commitment to consensus is matched by a readiness to act decisively in the face of evolving challenges. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: AIIB’s first decade marks a path of multilateral, sustainable development

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

    As the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) marks its 10th anniversary, the multilateral development bank is playing an increasingly prominent role in advancing connectivity, green growth, and sustainable development across regions.

    Founded in 2015, AIIB has grown from 57 founding members to 110 across six continents, covering 81 percent of the world’s population and 65 percent of global GDP.

    Over the past decade, it has approved over 60 billion U.S. dollars in financing for 320 projects, leveraging more than 200 billion U.S. dollars in infrastructure investment.

    From electrifying rural Bangladesh to building roads in Cote d’Ivoire, AIIB-supported projects are narrowing infrastructure gaps and improving lives across continents.

    Infrastructure transforming lives

    In Padmo Para village near Dhaka, Bangladesh, local resident Najma Aktar recalls a time when her family studied by the light of a kerosene lamp. That changed in 2016, when the AIIB provided a 165 million U.S. dollar loan to upgrade the local power grid.

    As the bank’s first standalone financed investment, it brought electricity to 12.5 million rural residents, transforming their daily lives.

    By the end of 2024, AIIB has supported over 51,000 kilometers of transport infrastructure — enough to circle the Earth more than once — and benefited more than 410 million people.

    In Indonesia, AIIB supported the upgrading of urban slums, improving the lives of nearly 10 million people. In China’s Yunnan Province, airport expansion enhanced flower exports and boosted farmers’ incomes by 25 percent. In Uzbekistan, AIIB helped extend access to clean water for 660,000 residents.

    “AIIB’s concrete actions have effectively helped bridge global infrastructure investment gaps, advanced regional development, and contributed positively to global economic growth,” said Lu Feng, professor at Peking University.

    Multilateral platform for cooperation

    “AIIB was established on the principles of multilateralism and high international standards,” the bank’s president Jin Liqun told Xinhua in a recent interview, noting that these principles have enabled the bank to earn broad trust and participation across the globe.

    AIIB’s investments span not only Asia but also Africa, Latin America, and beyond, reflecting its commitment to promoting global sustainable development.

    “Asia cannot thrive in isolation,” Jin said, noting that while the bank’s primary focus is Asia, its work also supports broader cooperation that contributes to meaningful development outcomes around the world.

    Reflecting this vision, AIIB has actively expanded its global partnerships and collaborative financing efforts. It is now the largest co-financing partner of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, and has built partnerships with over 100 organizations, including multilateral and regional institutions, policy banks, private sector players and philanthropy foundations.

    On the capital markets side, AIIB had issued over 54 billion U.S. dollars equivalent bonds in multiple currencies as of the end of May, and has consistently maintained triple-A credit ratings from Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch. Moody’s, for instance, credited the bank’s top rating to its strong financial footing, well-performing assets, and ample liquidity.

    “AIIB has become a new model for multilateral cooperation through its innovative operations and collaborative approach,” said Bai Chong’en, dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University, noting its flexible and pragmatic support for infrastructure development in developing countries.

    Investing in infrastructure for tomorrow

    Amid rising global challenges, AIIB is positioning itself as a future-oriented development bank that supports both traditional and digital infrastructure for the long haul.

    In 2020, the bank launched its corporate strategy themed “Infrastructure for Tomorrow,” with priorities including green infrastructure, technology-enabled infrastructure, connectivity and cross-border cooperation, and private capital mobilization.

    By 2025, at least 50 percent of its approved financing was expected to support climate-related projects, a target the bank achieved in 2022, three years ahead of schedule.

    In Cote d’Ivoire, an AIIB-financed rural road project approved in 2023 has made it easier for villagers to reach hospitals and sell cashews and cocoa, even during flood seasons. Local project coordinator Gilbert Ekpini said residents were thrilled with the changes.

    By the end of 2024, AIIB-supported projects had added 21.3 gigawatts of installed power generation capacity of renewable energy, helping to reduce nearly 30 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually.

    The bank is increasingly helping its members embrace the digital era. Last year, AIIB launched InfraTech Portal, a digital platform that shares comprehensive, neutral and free information on infrastructure technologies.

    “Artificial intelligence holds vast potential and offers developing countries an opportunity to leap ahead in their development,” Jin said.

    “That’s why our infrastructure investments must evolve with the times. We should ensure that emerging technologies like AI help narrow, but not widen, the digital divide, especially for the developing world,” he added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – End of the academic year at the Sheshan Seminary. Bishop Shen Bin encourages students to read “the signs of the times”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    xinde.org

    Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) – This year’s study courses at the Sheshan Seminary, in the Diocese of Shanghai concluded with the awarding of six degrees to six seminarians from the 2019 class and diplomas to the religious sisters who participated in the second formation course for Religious.The conclusion of the academic year was celebrated on Saturday, June 21, with a solemn ceremony attended by Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai, Bishop Francis Xavier Jing Yangke of Ningbo, Sister Wang Min, Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Presentation, and representatives of the civil authorities.Bishop Shen Bin, who is also the Rector of the Sheshan Seminary, awarded the diplomas to the seminarians and religious sisters and thanked all the teachers and families of the seminarians, priests, and nuns who participated in the courses. Bishop Shen Bin also urged the graduates to “follow the signs of the times, including the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the changing international scenario.”Fr. Francis Fang Buke, Vice-Rector of the Seminary, addressed the students, urging them all to dedicate themselves to the mission, to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to their faith in Christ, to actively participate in social works, and to approach all people according to the Church’s spirit of mercy. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 24/6/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to announce support for artificial intelligence-driven health care solutions

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 24, 2025 – Toronto, Ontario

    The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, will make an important announcement in support for AI-driven health care solutions. 

    A media availability will follow the in-person announcement.

    Please note that details are subject to change. All times are local.

    Date:  Wednesday, June 25, 2025

    Time: 1:00 p.m.

    Location:       
     Vector Institute – Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus
    108 College Street
    2nd Floor – Multipurpose room
    Toronto, ON
    M5G 0C6

    R.S.V.P: Please submit your request to fdo.rsvp-rsvp.fdo@feddevontario.gc.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –