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Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Global: Investment in the Hundred could save UK cricket from a financial sticky wicket

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Robbie Millar, Lecturer, Academy of Sport, Sheffield Hallam University

    English cricket, up in the air? Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock

    Cricket is an old sport that has evolved over centuries. But 2025 is shaping up to be a historic – and lucrative – year for the game in England and Wales.

    For the first time, private equity investment has entered the domestic game, changing the business structure of professional cricket forever. The source of this corporate interest – worth around £550 million – is the league of eight teams known as the Hundred.

    Established in 2021 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the focus of the Hundred was appealing to new audiences who have not engaged with cricket before.

    It is a much shorter format than traditional forms of the game such as the four-day County Championship competition, or the One Day Cup, which is made up of 50 overs (300 balls) per side.

    With the Hundred, each side gets 100 balls to bowl at their opponent’s wickets. The highest number of runs wins. It’s very simple. And entertaining.

    Not everyone is a fan of course, and there has been criticism of the tournament’s design, its addition to an already congested cricket calendar, and the fact that only eight of the 18 county cricket clubs (CCCs) are involved.

    But the ECB stood firm. And given the recent investment into the Hundred, it will no doubt feel vindicated.

    Because the cash is sorely needed. Our research shows that CCCs have struggled financially for a while, and are overdue an economic boost.

    To help with this, the Hundred started off with the ECB owning all eight teams or “franchises” in the league. Now it has sold 49% of each franchise and gifted the remaining 51% to each Hundred-hosting county.

    So now, for example, 51% ownership of the Oval Invincibles is in the hands of Surrey CCC. Each hosting county was then given the option of selling their share – and so far Yorkshire and Lancashire have done just that.

    The total sale of the franchises has generated £550 million, far exceeding expectations. From that, 10% (£55 million) will be ringfenced by the ECB to invest in measures to increase participation in cricket throughout England and Wales.

    A slightly complicated division of the rest of the spoils then basically leaves each Hundred-hosting county cricket club with £18 million (plus the 51% ownership of the franchise). The non-hosting CCCs will receive around £32 million each.

    For context, in 2023, Surrey CCC had the highest revenue at £65 million, while Leicestershire had the lowest at £5.5 million. So a one-off injection of £18 million would represent significant growth for clubs across the scale.

    Not cricket?

    But it’s not all good news, as the influence of private equity may cause internal conflicts about a CCC’s strategy. For while the ECB has said it will remain in control of the Hundred as a competition, the primary goal of the franchise sales is to achieve a return for investors.

    This will probably mean that the Hundred is prioritised over the other formats of domestic cricket – and even international commitments. As many of the high-profile players play across the different formats, they will need to manage their schedules and are likely to choose whatever brings the greatest financial rewards.

    And while the ECB has hinted at increasing the number of franchises in the future, the worry will still be that some clubs benefit more than others.

    More traditional fans may feel alienated.
    Graeme Dawes/Shutterstock

    Yet investment in the future is essential if cricket is to remain relevant and appeal to new audiences. There are already suggestions that Gen Z prefers other sports such as basketball and boxing, over cricket.

    Investment must also be used to improve stadium infrastructure and facilities, to attract good crowds and to generate the superstars of the future. But the influx of money means the Hundred is likely to dominate the broadcast schedule, and prioritising the tournament in this way may alienate some more traditionally minded fans.

    The commercial interest now stretches towards international markets and other sports. Four of the investment groups now involved in the Hundred are owners of Indian Premier League cricket franchises, while others are linked to the worlds of professional football (Birmingham Phoenix and Birmingham City FC) and Silicon Valley (London Spirit).

    Eventually, this could lead to increasing levels of commercialisation, of the kind sports fans have become accustomed to within English Premier League football.

    Overall then, cricket fans may look back on 2025 as a year of major change in the sport in England and Wales. Success is far from guaranteed but the early indications, especially with regards to finance, are overwhelmingly positive.

    And that was probably the point of the whole exercise. It might not be cricket as it used to be – but as with other sports today, many of the biggest decisions come down to whether or not they make money.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Investment in the Hundred could save UK cricket from a financial sticky wicket – https://theconversation.com/investment-in-the-hundred-could-save-uk-cricket-from-a-financial-sticky-wicket-244989

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Joins Multistate Coalition to Defend EPA’s Chemical Accident Safety Rule

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, as part of a multistate coalition, filed a motion to intervene to defend the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) chemical accident safety rule adopted in 2024. The rule requires facilities, such as refineries and chemical manufacturing plants, to take steps to prevent chemical accidents, which includes requiring hazardous facilities to implement prevention plans, safety planning for employees, increase community transparency, and prepare for extreme weather risks. The rule protects communities, especially environmental justice communities, that are exposed to chemical accidents due to these facilities’ close proximity. Currently, the rule is being challenged by a coalition of 14 states, led by Oklahoma; separate challenges have also been filed by industry groups including the National Association of Chemical Distributors and the American Chemistry Council. Just this month, The Trump Administration has announced its intent to reconsider this rule as a part of its broader agenda to dismantle environmental and public health safeguards.

    “Chemical disasters pose serious risks, including long-term health effects and devastating economic consequences. Without stringent safety protocols, proper emergency response planning, and corporate accountability, communities will remain vulnerable to preventable catastrophes,” said Attorney General Bonta.  “That’s why I, alongside attorneys general nationwide, are filing this motion. Any attempt to rollback this rule would not only curtail the environmental and economic benefits but could also have irreversible impacts on lives that are preventable.” 

    Chemical accidents, including explosions, and releases of hazardous chemicals are an inevitable part of the operation of large, complex facilities using highly hazardous materials. The worst cases include large explosions and large releases of toxic gases or liquids, causing multiple injuries or deaths. Since 2001, there have been at least five chemical accidents in California large enough to require investigations by the United States Chemical Safety Board. Smaller accidents are even more prevalent. These chemical plants and refineries are disproportionately located in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the state. 

    In 1986, responding to a series of serious chemical accidents in the 1970s and 1980s, California created a risk management and prevention program, now called the California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) Program. Similar to the federal Risk Management Plan Rule, CalARP requires regulated entities to adopt a program, explaining how the facility will identify and mitigate the chemical accident risks specific to the facility. The facility must adhere to robust safety measures, including accident prevention and public transparency goals, and implement protections to mitigate potential consequences of chemical accidents. Facilities that are covered by both the federal and state programs must comply with the requirements of each. 

    Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, District of Columbia, and Harris County, Texas, in filing the motion.

    A copy of the motion is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: SafeCard Reviews (Read Before Buying): Does It Really Work or Is It a Scam?

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONROE, La., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The world is gradually going fully digital with the advent of many of the latest technologies. We have embraced the convenience it brings with each tap, swipe, and contactless payment, even though it brings with it a new set of vulnerabilities. The proliferation of digital technologies raises the possibility of illegal access to private data, and resultant theft of personal information. This is where RFID-blocking technology comes into play, and SafeCard is one gadget that has generated a lot of attention.

    SafeCard Reviews

    SafeCard is designed to serve as a portable protector for your personal and financial data. According to the manufacturer claims and many consumer reports, It successfully prevents unwanted scanning by erecting an imperceptible barrier around your credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices using an innovative RFID and NFC blocking technology. To put it another way, SafeCard quietly protects your sensitive information in the background so you may profit from online transactions without worrying about cybercrime all the time.

    The SafeCard has been trending online and on different blogs because of the many claims and features users stand to gain from getting it. Also, users have asked many questions with the aim of confirming the authenticity and manufacturer’s claims. Is the SafeCard Worth My Dime? SafeCard Consumer Reports? Benefits of SafeCard? How Is the SafeCard better than an RFID Blocking Wallet? You will get to learn the answers to these and even more by the end of this review.

    We will holistically be looking at SafeCards performance, features, consumer reports, usefulness, and design. We are aware that making an informed choice requires a clear, factual analysis of the device’s functionality in real-world situations and we will be giving you just that. We will also discuss actual user experiences of the SafeCard from people in the USA, and Canada. Let’s get started!

    What Is SafeCard?
    (SafeCard Reviews USA, Canada, Australia)

    SafeCard is a thin and lightweight innovative card designed to keep you safe from unwanted access to your digital information. SafeCard provides a crucial line of security for your credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices in this age of contactless payments and growing cyberthreats. It prevents possible scanners from intercepting your data by establishing an imperceptible electromagnetic barrier using innovative RFID and NFC blocking technologies. Even in crowded public areas, this protective field guarantees that your personal identification and financial information stay private.

    SafeCard has an incredibly tiny design, unlike traditional RFID-blocking devices that come in the form of large wallets or separate sleeves. It blends in perfectly with any wallet, pocketbook, or cardholder thanks to its slightly thicker than one millimeter thickness, which keeps the design simple and elegant without adding extra bulk. SafeCard is a great option for anyone looking for both style and security because of its small size.

    The SafeCard functions passively so it doesn’t need batteries, recharging, or complicated setup. It automatically starts protecting your data by thwarting unauthorized scanning efforts as soon as it is put next to your cards. Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or just running your daily affairs, its sturdy, water-resistant materials guarantee that it can endure normal wear and tear. Essentially, SafeCard offers 24/7 security against digital theft by fusing an innovative technology with a user-friendly design.

    Does The SafeCard Really Work?

    By employing RFID and NFC blocking technology, SafeCard creates an imperceptible electromagnetic barrier that protects your private information from unwanted scanning attempts. SafeCard actively blocks radio frequency signals that hackers could otherwise intercept when it is in your wallet with your credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices.

    Your financial and personal information is always safe because of this passive interference, which operates constantly without the need for batteries or any setup. SafeCard eliminates the risk of digital theft by creating a protective barrier around your cards that stops skimming devices from accessing or sending your data. Because of its incredibly thin and light form, it fits neatly into any wallet or pocketbook and offers strong yet covert security wherever you go.

    SafeCard essentially provides a hassle-free, automated solution to protect your digital data around-the-clock. It is indispensable for anyone interested in digital security.

    DON’T MISS OUT: SafeCard is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order From The Official Website

    What Are the Special Features Of SafeCard?
    (SafeCard Reviews United States)

    The SafeCard has become a must-have device, especially for frequent travelers. Let’s quickly look at the features of the SafeCard RFID/NFC blocking card.

    • Advanced NFC and RFID Blocking Technology: To protect your private data from online scammers, SafeCard uses state-of-the-art NFC (Near Field Communication) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) blocking technology. The SafeCard blocks unwanted scanning attempts before they can intercept your financial data by forming a strong undetectable electromagnetic barrier of about 5 centimeters. SafeCard provides complete protection for all RFID-enabled devices, including credit and debit cards, identification badges, smart passports, and tap-to-pay devices, in contrast to traditional security methods that might only protect a subset of cards. Even the most sophisticated skimming tools are made ineffective by the SafeCard tried-and-true protection system, providing you with peace of mind in any crowded or public location.
    • Slim and Compact Design: The days of compromising convenience and style for security are long gone. The smart thin design of the SafeCard, which is only 1.1 mm thick, makes it nearly identical to a regular credit card. Its incredibly thin profile makes it fit neatly into any wallet, pocketbook, or cardholder without adding extra bulk. SafeCard fits in perfectly with your lifestyle, regardless of whether you’re a minimalist who appreciates clean design or someone who carries numerous cards and documents on a regular basis. In addition to preserving your wallet’s overall appearance, its small size guarantees that all of the RFID-enabled cards in your collection are protected without the mess of bulky wallets or conventional RFID-blocking sleeves.
    • 24/7 Protection: SafeCard’s capacity to provide continuous protection without any active action is one of its best qualities. SafeCard offers 24/7 security without requiring batteries or recharging thanks to its passive operation. Its protection field is instantly activated when it is placed next to your RFID-enabled cards, guaranteeing that no unlawful scan is missed. Your personal information is always protected thanks to its always-on security system, whether you’re at home, on the road, or in a crowded public area. SafeCard’s dependable, continuous operation allows you to concentrate on your day while your digital security is taken care of automatically, eliminating the need for planned maintenance or downtime.
    • No Setup Required: SafeCard’s design philosophy is centered on ease of usage. There is no installation, configuration, or technical expertise needed. The SafeCard starts protecting you as soon as you put it in your wallet with your RFID-enabled cards. It’s a simple plug-and-play experience with no buttons to click, software upgrades to handle, or complicated instructions to follow. SafeCard is perfect for users of all ages and technical skill levels because of its simple usage.
    • Award-Winning Innovation: Both customers and industry professionals have acknowledged SafeCard’s superiority. This device, which has received praise and prizes from respectable organizations all around the world, is praised for its innovative approach to digital security. SafeCard has established itself as a reliable and creative solution in digital security thanks to thousands of good reviews and an expanding user base of over 10,000 happy customers. It is the preferred option for people looking for dependable, cutting-edge protection against digital theft due to its demonstrated track record of accomplishment. Choosing SafeCard ensures that you’re always one step ahead of cyber threats by investing in a device that has undergone extensive testing and been praised for its effectiveness and inventiveness.
    • Lightweight: SafeCard is the perfect addition for everyone who appreciates portability because, in spite of its strong security measures, it is remarkably light. Its feather-light design practically never adds weight to your daily carry, maintaining the convenience and comfort of your wallet.
    • Long-lasting and durable: SafeCard’s design places a strong emphasis on durability to make sure it can handle the rigors of regular use. SafeCard is made from high-quality, durable materials and is designed to withstand physical wear and tear, including scratches and water spillage. The sturdy design ensures that your card will stay in perfect shape for lengthy periods of time, offering ongoing protection without the need for regular replacements. SafeCard’s resilience guarantees that it will continue to be a reliable defender of your digital data regardless of the challenges provided by inclement weather or the demands of regular use..
    • Travel-Friendly: SafeCard is a necessary travel companion that blends ease and security for those who travel frequently. You may carry it covertly everywhere you go thanks to its small form, which fits neatly into any pocket or travel wallet without calling attention to itself. SafeCard’s dependable security is especially helpful in transit hubs where RFID skimming is more likely, like train stations, airports, and crowded cities. SafeCard guarantees that your sensitive information is protected during your travels. You can now concentrate on your experiences without having to worry about digital theft thanks to this travel-friendly feature.

    Are SafeCards Safe?

    SafeCards are designed to protect against illegal digital scanning and RFID skimming. SafeCard creates a barrier that keeps your RFID cards and documents protected when you slide them into your wallet.

    SafeCards provide complete protection for all RFID-enabled objects, including credit cards, passports, and even key cards, so it’s not just about stopping one kind of card. The verified efficiency reduces the possibility of illegal data collection in congested public areas such as busy transit stations, shopping malls, and airports.

    Once positioned next to your cards, they constantly protect your information around-the-clock because they don’t need batteries or active setup. Thanks to this hands-off design, you won’t have to bother about upkeep, which guarantees that your data is safe every day.

    The increasing quantity of glowing client testimonials also supports its safety. SafeCards are praised by users for providing peace of mind by lowering the danger of fraud and identity theft. Cybersecurity experts agree that SafeCards are a helpful personal security tool. The SafeCards is 100% safe and will not disappoint when you need them the most!

    How Do You Use SafeCard?

    SafeCard doesn’t require any technical setup and is incredibly user-friendly. Unlike other security devices, SafeCard runs passively, so you don’t need to charge it, turn it on, or do any other maintenance. Use SafeCard effectively by doing the following:

    • Unbox and Place SafeCard in Your Wallet: Place SafeCard in your wallet, purse, or cardholder just like you would with a regular credit card.
    • Place SafeCard Next to Your RFID-Enabled Cards: Keep your SafeCard near your contactless payment cards, identification cards, or passports for optimal security. One SafeCard can be used to protect several cards.
    • Take Advantage of Automatic RFID Protection: SafeCard begins to function as soon as it is in your wallet. By emitting a low-frequency signal that tampers with RFID scanners, it stops unauthorized access to private data.

    Is SafeCard Shield Legit?

    SafeCard Shield, a small and powerful RFID-blocking card made to protect your private data, is one product that has drawn a lot of interest. But is the SafeCard Shield genuine? The answer is definitely yes!

    SafeCard Shield’s innovative RFID and NFC blocking technology keeps data thieves at bay by erecting an imperceptible barrier around your RFID-enabled cards. Even with sophisticated scanning tools, SafeCard Shield ensures hackers cannot access your information, including your credit card, passport, or work ID. SafeCard Shield provides universal protection and is remarkably thin and light, unlike conventional RFID-blocking wallets that are large and costly.

    SafeCard Shield’s passive, battery-free operation is one of the things that makes it stand out as a genuine security tool. SafeCard Shield operates automatically around the clock, unlike other RFID blockers that need to be charged or powered by external sources. It offers immediate, continuous security without requiring setup, activation, or upkeep; just put it in your wallet next to your RFID-enabled cards.

    Thousands of excellent reviews from happy clients around the world are another indication of SafeCard Shield’s genuineness. Many users have reported feeling more at ease while traveling, shopping, or commuting in crowded areas. Additionally, tech reviewers and security experts have acknowledged SafeCard Shield as a straightforward and effective method of preventing unwanted RFID reading.

    Additionally, SafeCard Shield is composed of premium, long-lasting materials that guarantee protection for an extended period. Even after regular usage, its scratch-proof and water-resistant design ensures dependability. You can rely on SafeCard Shield to safeguard your private information for many years. SafeCard Shield is entirely legit!

    CLICK HERE NOW TO GET SAFECARD DIRECTLY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT A MASSIVE DISCOUNT

    Best Places To Use SafeCard (SafeCard Review)

    SafeCard is a flexible addition to your daily security routine because it is made to offer strong protection wherever you go. Your credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices will always be protected thanks to its sophisticated passive RFID and NFC blocking technology.

    Airports are one of the best places for frequent travelers to take advantage of SafeCard. SafeCard provides a covert layer of security in crowded terminals where digital skimming is common. As you move through congested security lines, lounges, and boarding gates, it guards against illegal scanning.

    Another situation where SafeCard excels is on public transit. Because of the close quarters and quick person turnover, buses, trains, and subways are frequently hotspots for digital pickpocketing. A proactive step that protects your personal information while you commute every day is keeping your SafeCard in your wallet.

    SafeCard is also used in restaurants and retail establishments. The possibility of illegal data collection rises as more companies use contactless payment methods. SafeCard helps guarantee that your digital payment information remains safe as you take advantage of the convenience of tap-to-pay transactions, whether you’re at a busy restaurant, a small boutique, or a retail mall.

    The device is equally useful in professional environments such as co-working spaces and offices. Credit, debit, and access cards are among the several cards that business workers frequently carry. By using SafeCard in these settings, possible data breaches that can happen in open-plan workplaces or while traveling for work are avoided. It adds an additional degree of protection without disrupting your productivity.

    Furthermore, SafeCard can be used most effectively at educational institutions and public gatherings like conferences, concerts, and festivals. SafeCard makes sure that your financial and personal information is safe from any cyber threats in these busy places where there are many distractions and personal security can occasionally take a backseat. The SafeCard blends in well with your lifestyle wherever you are because of its thin, light design.

    Pros of SafeCard (SafeCard Reviews)

    Below are a few benefits of having the SafeCard with you all the time:

    • Advanced RFID and NFC blocking technology.
    • Incredibly thin design blends in perfectly with any wallet without adding bulk.
    • No need for batteries
    • Offers round-the-clock protection.
    • Several RFID-enabled cards are protected at once
    • Sturdy, water-resistant, and scratch-resistant.
    • Thin and lightweight
    • User-friendly for people
    • No-setup installation needed.
    • 30-day money back guarantee

    Cons (SafeCard Reviews)

    Below are a few drawbacks of the SafeCard:

    • Only RFID-enabled devices are protected; physical theft is not covered.
    • Only works when kept in the same wallet as your cards.
    • Retail availability is limited because purchases can only be made on the official website.
    • Limited in stock so hurry while supplies last.

    DON’T MISS OUT: SafeCard is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order From The Official Website

    SafeCard Reviews Consumer Reports USA, Canada, Australia, UK

    Below are reviews from verified users of the SafeCard:

    • Melissa H. | Verified Buyer -“I love going to holiday markets, but after watching my friend lose hundreds to a scammer, I knew I needed protection. SafeCard blocks thieves silently, and I haven’t had an issue since. It’s the best purchase I’ve made for my security!”
    • Rachel T . | Verified Buyer – “While traveling through Rio, I discovered my bank account had been drained by scammers. I was devastated. A fellow traveler recommended SafeCard, and it’s been a lifesaver ever since. No more stolen data, no more stress. Now I can travel with confidence knowing my wallet is secure.”
    • James K. | Verified Buyer -“I bought a 3-pack of SafeCards so my wife and kids could have one too. Now, wherever we go, we know our data is secure. It’s such a relief!”

    How Much Does A SafeCard Cost?

    Right now, the SafeCard is currently being offered at a discounted price, especially if you purchase straight from the manufacturer. The SafeCard at its current price is unquestionably a fantastic deal for a product with such high-end features. The following costs are associated with obtaining your own SafeCard:

    Where Can I Order SafeCard in the USA, Canada, and Australia?

    To ensure that you receive the genuine product with full warranty coverage, it is recommended that you purchase SafeCard directly from the manufacturer’s official website.

    Buying from the official website not only guarantees authenticity but also gives you access to any special offers, discounts, or package discounts that might not be available from third-party sellers. Additionally, the official website ensures that your private card information is secure. On the manufacturer’s website, you can easily place your order with hassle-free shipping guaranteed.

    CLICK HERE NOW TO BUY SAFECARD DIRECTLY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT A MASSIVE DISCOUNT

    SafeCard Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions

    We will be providing answers to some frequently asked questions on the SafeCard RFID blocking device. Please go through it as you will gain extra information about the use and functioning of the device:

    Do Safe Shield Cards Really Work?

    SafeCard has been shown to be successful in preventing unwanted RFID scanning, according to several user reports and independent evaluations. It greatly lowers the risk of data skimming, a typical tactic used by fraudsters, by erecting an imperceptible barrier around your RFID-enabled cards. SafeCard’s innovative design and technologies provide a strong line of defense that improves your overall digital security.

    What is the difference between SafeCard and conventional RFID-blocking wallets?

    Conventional RFID-blocking wallets are designed to use integrated panels or several large sleeves, which can be inconvenient and add extra weight. Conversely, SafeCard provides an even higher degree of security but is made to be thin and undetectable. Multiple cards are protected simultaneously by its single-card design, which eliminates the need for separate compartments.

    Is it simple to use SafeCard?

    Definitely, SafeCard’s ease of use is one of its main benefits. No buttons need to be pressed, no complex setup, and no technical knowledge is required. SafeCard starts working as soon as you put it in your wallet with your RFID-enabled cards. It is the perfect answer for people from all walks of life because of its passive functioning, which guarantees users can enjoy continuous protection without worrying about configuration or recharging.

    Can other RFID-enabled devices be used with SafeCard?

    SafeCard is designed to provide all-around safety for many RFID-enabled devices all at once. SafeCard’s innovative technology builds a complete barrier that prevents unwanted scanning attempts on a variety of devices, including credit cards, debit cards, passports, access cards, and even identification badges. It is a practical option for anyone wishing to secure several RFID devices without having to deal with buying separate protective gear or tools.

    Who needs the SafeCard?

    Anyone who wants to improve their digital security and uses RFID-enabled devices should consider getting the SafeCard. This includes professionals with hectic schedules, frequent travelers, students, and even casual users who are worried about RFID skimming threats. It is a useful addition for people who appreciate convenience and security because of its simplicity of use, small size, and dependable protection. SafeCard can be easily incorporated into your lifestyle, regardless of whether you’re a tech expert or someone searching for a simple security solution.

    What are the opinions of actual users regarding SafeCard?

    The majority of actual user reviews have been favorable, with numerous clients complimenting SafeCard on its efficiency, ease of use, and stylish appearance. When traveling or shopping in congested areas, users report feeling more at ease. For those who are worried about the security issues associated with RFID, the high customer satisfaction percentage indicates that it is a smart investment.

    Conclusion on SafeCard RFID Blocking Card Reviews

    Modern RFID and NFC blocking technology employed by SafeCard prevents unwanted scanning and safeguards private data on credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices. It’s incredibly thin profile guarantees protection without the hassle of bulk or complicated setups, while also preserving the elegant appearance of contemporary wallets.

    During our review, we found that SafeCard’s smooth, passive protection sets it apart from other conventional RFID-blocking devices. The SafeCard starts protecting your digital data as soon as it is in your wallet and doesn’t require any further upkeep or power sources. Customers have praised the device’s longevity, highlighting its scratch- and water-resistant design as two significant daily-use benefits.

    SafeCard provides a practical and dependable defense against typical travel risks including digital theft and unauthorised data skimming. Its strong performance and simple design make it a desirable option for frequent travelers, busy professionals, and anybody else worried about the security of their personal information.

    Many USA consumer reports support the manufacturer’s claims with many real users stating that it exceeded their expectations. The SafeCard is a wise and proactive way to stay safe in these dangerous times of sophisticated data theft. Why travel scared when you can do your trips confidently with SafeCard? You can stay safe all through your trips by getting your own SafeCard!

    DON’T MISS OUT: SafeCard is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order From The Official Website

    Contact: SafeCard
    Email: support@safecardshield.com

    Disclaimer:
    This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, legal, or cybersecurity advice. While SafeCard may help reduce the risk of RFID-based digital theft, no security product can guarantee 100% protection in all scenarios. Individual results may vary based on usage and other factors. Always exercise general caution and follow best practices when safeguarding your financial and personal data. The publisher and all parties involved in the creation and distribution of this content are not liable for any misuse, loss, or damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided herein. Always consult the official product website or customer support for the most accurate and updated details.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b2f8b2b-7614-471e-bc04-df63db036bea

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1e8d76f-8ecf-4176-a754-f9f916e782ff

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e1131b2-5041-4305-8773-cc7188774ecf

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ad570a4-17b3-4a6f-aaa3-17fc4a2788e1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Signal-gate security blunder overshadows Black Sea ceasefire

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    Depending on what you think of Donald Trump, his administration could fit either of the following two descriptions. Chaotic, vindictive and accident-prone, marked by mendacity, driven by impulse and bent on securing the will of the leader, rather than – as in the US constitution – the will of the people. Or it could be a government masterminded by a man playing 4D chess while all around him are playing chequers. A president whose deal-making skills and focus on outcomes ensure the security and prosperity of America and its allies.

    If you base your assessment on the people Trump has chosen as his key national security advisers then, after the recent Signal chat group intelligence debacle, you’d almost certainly opt for chaotic and accident-prone, at the very least.

    Looking around the Signal chatroom, who do we have? National security advisor Mike Waltz, Vice-President J.D. Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio, defense secretary Pete Hegseth, director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA director John Ratcliffe and a supporting cast of other senior Trump staffers. And, unwittingly, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.

    Heads must roll, say Trump’s critics. But who from this hydra-headed beast should take the fall? Should it be Waltz, who invited Goldberg to the chat group? Or Hegseth, who posted operational details of a US attack, including the when, where and how, hours before it was due to take place? Should it be Vance, whose swipe at America’s freeloading European allies has caused considerable angst across the Atlantic?

    Or perhaps one or another of Gabbard and Ratcliffe, who sat in front of the Senate select committee on intelligence on Tuesday and maintained that no classified material or “war plans” had been revealed to the group – sworn evidence now revealed to be unreliable at best?

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    At present it seems as if none of them are going to pay for their dangerous incompetence. Instead their ire is turned on Goldberg, who has variously been called a “sleazebag” by Trump himself, “loser” and the “bottom scum of journalists” by Waltz and a “deceitful and highly discredited, so-called journalist who’s made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again” by Hegseth.

    Robert Dover of the University of Hull, whose research centres on intelligence and national security, believes this is a “national security blunder almost without parallel”. He points to the hypocrisy of people like Hegseth who savaged Hillary Clinton for using a private email server to conduct official business when she was secretary of state under Barack Obama.

    Dover also notes the damage the episode will have done to America’s already shaky relations with its allies in Europe. Being disparaged by the vice-president as freeloaders and dismissed by the defense secretary as “pathetic”, he believes, will be “difficult to unsee”.



    Read more:
    Signal chat group affair: unprecedented security breach will seriously damage US international relations

    But credit where it’s due, it appears that US diplomacy may at least be bearing some – limited – fruit. At least, that is, if the two partial ceasefires recently negotiated between Russia and Ukraine actually materialise. That’s a fairly big if, of course. Despite a pledge by both sides that they could support a deal to avoid targeting each other’s energy infrastructure, there’s no sign yet of a cessation of attacks.

    And there has been a degree of scepticism over the recently announced plan for a maritime ceasefire to allow the free passage of shipping on the Black Sea. Critics say this favours Russia far more than Ukraine. Over the course of the war, Ukraine has successfully driven Russia’s Black Sea fleet away from its base in Crimea, giving it the upper hand in the maritime war. But maritime strategy expert, Basil Germond, says the situation is more nuanced, and the deal represents considerable upside for Ukraine as well.



    Read more:
    Russia has most to gain from Black Sea ceasefire – but it’s marginal, and Ukraine benefits too

    Setting aside America’s eventful recent forays into foreign relations, there’s a major domestic fix brewing which many US legal scholars believe could plunge the country into a constitutional crisis.

    Anne Richardson Oakes, an expert in US constitutional law at Birmingham City University, anticipates a potential clash between between the executive and the judiciary which could threaten the separation of powers that lies at the heart of American democracy.

    Oakes observes there are more than 130 legal challenges to Trump administration policies presently before the courts, some of which will end up in front of America’s highest legal authority, the Supreme Court, which is tasked with assessing the constitutionality of those policies. She warns that we’ve already seen evidence that Trump and his senior officials resent what they consider to be interference from the judiciary into the legitimate executive power of the elected president.

    Will there be a stand-off where the Trump administration simply ignores the Supreme Court’s ruling? It’s happened before, says Oakes. In the mid-20th century, in Little Rock, Arkansas, when the governor used the state’s national guard to prevent the court-ordered desegregation of public schools. On that occasion the then president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, sent in federal troops to enforce the court’s ruling and a constitutional crisis was averted.



    Read more:
    US stands on the brink of a constitutional crisis as Donald Trump takes on America’s legal system

    But what if it’s the serving president who chooses to ignore a Supreme Court ruling? This was the case in the 1830s when greedy cotton farmers in Georgia were bent on forcing the Native American peoples off their lands. The Cherokee actually took the state of Georgia to the Supreme Court, which ruled that as a “dependent nation” within the United States they were entitled to the protection of the federal government and that the state of Georgia had no right to order their removal.

    As historian Sean Lang of Anglia Ruskin University recounts, Georgia ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling and sent in troops to expel the Cherokee who were then forced to move to new lands in a journey known as the “Train of Tears”. Lang writes that then US president, Andrew Jackson, a populist advocate of states’ rights and former “Indian fighter”, ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling, “sneering that [Chief Justice John] Marshall had no means of enforcing it”.

    Lang concludes: “It’s a history lesson Greenlanders, Mexicans and Canadians – and indeed many Americans who may fall foul of this administration and seek recourse to the law – would do well to study.”



    Read more:
    Trump’s America is facing an Andrew Jackson moment – and it’s bad news for the constitution

    Trump’s chilling effect

    The Trump administration’s antipathy towards judges who have opposed its policies have extended towards those law firms who have in some way crossed the US president. But the legal system is not the only sector to feel the chilling effect of Trump’s displeasure, writes Dafydd Townley.

    The world of higher education in the US is also apprehensive after the administration went after Columbia University, home to some of the most outspoken protest over US policies towards Israel and Gaza. Columbia has recently had to agree to allow the administration to “review” some of its academic programmes, starting with its Middle Eastern studies, after the administration threatened to cancel US$400 million (£310 million) of government contracts with the university.

    The news media is also under heavy pressure. The administration has taken control of the White House press pool from the non-partisan White House Correspondents’ Association and has blackballed Associated Press for refusing to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. We’ve also seen Trump himself bring lawsuits against media organisations he judges to have crossed him. And now the president has called for the defunding of America’s two biggest public broadcasters, NPR and PBL, for what he perceives as their liberal bias.

    Townley, an expert in US politics at the University of Portsmouth is concerned that this all adds up to a deliberate attempt to cripple institutions which underwrite American democracy.



    Read more:
    Donald Trump’s ‘chilling effect’ on free speech and dissent is threatening US democracy

    Popularity falls as prices rise

    Trump’s leadership continues to be very polarising, writes Paul Whiteley, a political scientist and polling specialist at the University of Essex, who has spent years studying political trends in the US. Looking at the most recent numbers, Whiteley finds that while Trump’s approval ratings are fairly steady at 48% approval and 49% disapproval, when you dig down you find that only 6% of registered Democrats approve of his performance, while 93% disapprove. For registered Republicans it’s almost exactly the opposite.

    Whiteley takes his analysis further, looking at measures such as consumer sentiment, which has fallen sharply since January, with talk of tariffs and the return of inflation affecting people’s confidence in the economy. He points out there tends to be a fairly strong historical correlation between confidence in the economy and popular approval of a president’s performance.



    Read more:
    Three graphs that show what’s happening with Donald Trump’s popularity

    Another factor which will surely affect people’s confidence in the government are the job losses flowing from Elon Musk’s work as “efficiency tsar”. Thomas Gift, the director of the Centre on US Politics at University College London, believes that federal job losses as a result of Musk’s cuts are spread indiscriminately among Democrat and Republican states. As a result there may be some Republican voters who are experiencing what he calls “buyer’s remorse”.

    At the same time, rising inflation is flowing into the cost of living, something many people voted for Trump to punish the Democrats for. As Gift points out, both parties are experiencing a dip in support at present as people reject politics for having a generally negative effect on their lives. But from now, it’ll be the Republicans who will feel the sting of popular disapproval more keenly.



    Read more:
    Trump’s job cuts are causing Republican angst as all parties face backlash

    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. Signal-gate security blunder overshadows Black Sea ceasefire – https://theconversation.com/signal-gate-security-blunder-overshadows-black-sea-ceasefire-253245

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint for $47 Million in Proceeds From the Sale of Iranian Oil

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

               WASHINGTON – A civil forfeiture complaint was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that $47 million in proceeds from the sale of nearly one million barrels of Iranian petroleum is forfeitable as property of, or affording a person a source of influence over, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or its Qods Force (IRGC-QF), designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).

               The forfeiture was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. of the Minneapolis Field Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso of the New York Office.

               The forfeiture complaint alleges a scheme between 2022 and 2024 to facilitate the shipment, storage, and sale of Iranian petroleum product for the benefit of the IRGC and IRGC-QF. The facilitators used deceptive practices to masquerade the Iranian oil as Malaysian, including by manipulating the tanker’s automatic identification system (AIS) to conceal that it onboarded the oil from a port in Iran. The facilitators presented falsified documents to the Croatian storage facility and port authority, claiming that the oil was Malaysian. The facilitators paid for storage fees associated with the oil’s storage at the Croatian facility in U.S. dollars, transactions that were conducted through U.S. financial institutions that would have refused the transactions had they known they were associated with Iranian oil. The petroleum product was sold in 2024, and the United States seized $47 million in proceeds from that sale.

               The civil forfeiture complaint further alleges that the petroleum product constitutes the property of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), which has perpetuated a federal crime of terrorism by providing material support to the IRGC and IRGC-QF. As alleged, profits from petroleum product sales support the IRGC’s full range of malign activities, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, support for terrorism, and both domestic and international human rights abuses.

               “We will aggressively enforce U.S. sanctions against Iran, in furtherance of President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “With the continued seizures of Iranian oil and U.S. dollar profits, we are sending a clear message to Iran that bypassing the sanctions put in place by the U.S. Government is not as easy as playing a shell game with tankers filled with oil. We remain committed to thwarting Iran’s devious attempts, and to deprive its terrorists of the funding they desire.”

               “The FBI will not allow hostile regimes to evade U.S. sanctions or exploit our financial systems to fund designated terrorist organizations,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Winston. “The FBI, alongside our partners, will relentlessly enforce U.S. sanctions against Iran and safeguard U.S. national security by disrupting illicit networks that seek to profit from sanctioned oil sales.”

               “Through the work of HSI’s Counterproliferation Investigations group, alongside the FBI, the U.S. government has seized $47 million worth of funds allegedly meant for terrorist groups intent on causing catastrophic harm,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Alfonso. “The expertise of HSI personnel, coupled with federal law enforcement’s whole-of-government approach, ensures the wellbeing of the United States and our innocent foreign counterparts, alike. We are relentlessly utilizing every tool at our disposal in pursuit of any and all security threats.”

               Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.

               FBI Minneapolis Field Office and Homeland Security Investigations New York are investigating the case.

               Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert, Maeghan O. Mikorski, and Brian Hudak for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Adam Small of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are litigating the case. They received assistance from former Paralegal Specialist Brian Rickers and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

               A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation.  The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Long-Time Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips Leader Charged in 43-Count Indictment Alleging Murder, Extortion, Fraud, and Tax Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury has returned a 43-count indictment charging a music label owner and purported anti-gang activist who is a long-time leader of a South Los Angeles street gang with dozens of felonies, including fraud, robbery, extortion, tax evasion, embezzlement of donations to his charity that receives public money, and running a racketeering conspiracy in which he allegedly murdered an aspiring musician, the Justice Department announced today.

    Eugene Henley, Jr., 58, a.k.a. “Big U,” of the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and extortion (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act robbery, nine counts of attempted Hobbs Act extortion, five counts of Hobbs Act extortion, one count of transportation of an individual in interstate commerce with intent that the individual engage in prostitution (Mann Act), 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of embezzlement, conversion, and intentional misapplication of funds from an organization receiving federal funds, one count of bank fraud, one count of tax evasion, and two counts of willful failure to file a tax return.

    Henley – a long-time member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang – has been in federal custody since March 19 after being charged in a federal criminal complaint. His arraignment is scheduled for April 8 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. He has a detention hearing scheduled for April 10, also in Los Angeles federal court.

    Also charged in today’s indictment are:

    • Sylvester Robinson, 59, a.k.a. “Vey,” of Northridge;
    • Mark Martin, 50, a.k.a. “Bear Claw,” of the Beverlywood area of Los Angeles;
    • Termaine Ashley Williams, 42, a.k.a. “Luce Cannon,” of Las Vegas;
    • Armani Aflleje, 38, a.k.a. “Mani,” of Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles;
    • Fredrick Blanton Jr., 43, of South Los Angeles; and
    • Tiffany Shanrika Hines, 51, of Yorba Linda.

    These defendants are in federal custody and are expected to be arraigned in the coming weeks.

    “As the indictment alleges, Mr. Henley led a criminal enterprise whose conduct ranged from murder to sophisticated fraud that included stealing from taxpayers and a charity,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. “Eradicating gangs and organized crime is the Department of Justice’s top priority. Today’s charges against the leadership of this criminal outfit will make our neighborhoods in Los Angeles safer.”

    According to the indictment returned on Wednesday, from 2010 until March 2025, Henley’s criminal group – identified in court documents as the “Big U Enterprise” – operated as a mafia-like organization that utilized Henley’s stature and long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals in Los Angeles. Henley is widely regarded as a leader within the Rollin’ 60s and rose to prominence in the street gang during the 1980s.

    While the Big U Enterprise at times partnered with the Rollin’ 60s and other criminal elements for mutual benefit, the Big U Enterprise is a distinct and independent criminal enterprise engaged in criminal activity including murder, extortion, robbery, trafficking and exploiting sex workers, fraud, and illegal gambling.

    Not only did the enterprise expand its power through violence, fear, and intimidation, but it also used social media platforms, documentaries, podcasts, interviews, and Henley’s reputation and status as an “O.G.” (original gangster) to create fame for – and stoke fear of – the Big U Enterprise, its members, and its associates.

    For example, in January 2021, Henley murdered a victim – identified in the indictment as “R.W.” – an aspiring musician signed to Uneek Music, Henley’s music label. Henley shot and killed R.W., who had recorded a defamatory song about Henley. Henley then dragged the victim’s body off Interstate 15 in Las Vegas and left it in a ditch.

    Henley also committed other crimes, including fraudulently obtaining a COVID-19 business-relief loan for Uneek Music, which operated at a loss and was ineligible for such relief. He used his anti-gang charity, Developing Options, as a front for fraudulent activities and to insulate other members of the Big U Enterprise from law enforcement suspicion.

    Henley further embezzled large donations that celebrities and award-winning companies made to Developing Options, which Henley immediately converted to his personal bank account. According to the indictment, Developing Options is primarily funded through the City of Los Angeles’s Mayor’s Office through the Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) Foundation, portions of which receive federal funding, but also receives donations from prominent sources, including NBA players.

    Finally, the indictment alleges that – as part of the racketeering conspiracy charge – that during the early morning hours of March 19, while law enforcement was arresting other members of the enterprise, Henley turned off his cellphones and fled his home. That day, Henley posted to the “Crenshaw Cougars” Instagram account, claiming racial profiling, blaming his co-defendants and opponents for the criminal charges filed against him in a federal criminal complaint, and instructing the public not to associate with his co-defendants and known opponents. Henley eventually surrendered to federal law enforcement without his phones.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, Henley, Robinson, Martin would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the racketeering conspiracy count. The bank fraud count is punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison. The Hobbs Act conspiracy, robbery, and extortion and the wire fraud counts each carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The Mann Act count and the theft concerning programs receiving federal funds count each carry a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison. The tax evasion count carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison while the willful failure to pay file a tax return count is punishable by up to one year’s imprisonment.

    The FBI’s Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs; IRS Criminal Investigation; the United States Department of Justice Office of Inspector General; the Los Angeles Police Department; and the North Las Vegas Police Department are investigating this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Flow Traders 1Q 2025 Pre-Close Call Script

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Flow Traders 1Q 2025 Pre-Close Call Script

    Eric Pan – Head of Investor Relations, Flow Traders

    Welcome to the Flow Traders 1Q 2025 pre-close call, which is being conducted post the European market close on 27 March. During this call I will highlight relevant publicly available data and industry trends in our markets as well as previously published data by Flow Traders and relate these data points to their impact on our business for the quarter. We will publish our 1Q 2025 Trading Update on 24 April at 07:30 CEST.

    Market Environment

    In general, the market trading volumes in Equity improved in the quarter, both when compared to the same period a year ago as well as compared to last quarter. Equity volatility was mixed, however, depending on the comparison period and region. Within Fixed Income, volume trends were mixed depending on the segment while volatility declined both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter. In Digital Assets, trading volumes increased compared to the same period a year ago but decreased compared to last quarter as fund flows into digital asset ETFs were lower than last year, which was expected given the spot Bitcoin ETF launches in January of 2024.

    Diving deeper into each of the asset classes and regions:

    Equity

    In Equity, European exchange operators Euronext, Deutsche Börse and the London Stock Exchange saw double-digit improvements in trading volumes both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter. In the Americas, volumes on both the Nasdaq and NYSE also increased by double-digits year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, for the most part. APAC saw mixed trading in the quarter as volumes across the Hong Kong and Shanghai Stock Exchange increased significantly year-on-year, but to a lesser extent quarter-on-quarter, while the Tokyo Stock Exchange saw volumes declined both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter.

    Volatility, as exemplified by the VSTOXX in Europe, VIX in the Americas, VHSI in Hong Kong, and JNIV in Japan, declined for the most part across the different regions. The VSTOXX declined by double-digits year-on-year and was flat quarter-on-quarter. The VIX also declined by double-digits year-on-year but was up slightly quarter-on-quarter. VHSI was flat year-on-year and declined slightly quarter-on-quarter, while JNIV increased year-on-year but declined quarter-on-quarter.

    FICC

    In Fixed Income, the market trading environment in the quarter continue to be mixed as trading volumes improved in some segments but declined in others, either on a year-on-year or quarter-on-quarter basis. Fixed income volatility, as indicated by the MOVE index, declined by double-digits both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter.

    Within Digital Assets, trading volumes in Bitcoin, the barometer of the industry, increased year-on-year but decreased quarter-on-quarter. Fund flows into digital asset ETFs were down meaningfully when compared to the spot Bitcoin ETF launches in the U.S. during the same period last year.

    ETP Market Volumes

    As per Flow Traders’ previously published monthly ETP Market Statistics, quarter-to-date, On and Off Exchange Value Traded was up 39% year-on-year in EMEA, up 1% in the Americas, up 67% in APAC, and up 11% globally. Average volatility, as indicated by the VIX, was up 22% quarter-to-date compared to the same period a year ago.

    Impact on Flow Traders

    Coming to Flow Traders’ quarterly performance, the improvement in trading volumes in the period within Equity positively contributed to NTI when compared to the same period a year ago, offset by the expected lower contribution from Digital Assets given the unprecedented spot Bitcoin ETF launches in the U.S. last year. From a regional perspective, EMEA and APAC improved compared to the same period a year ago, positively impacted by the market outperformance in these regions as a result of the current geopolitical climate, offset by the market underperformance in the Americas. On the cost front, Fixed Operating Expenses in the quarter were in-line with our previous guidance.

    Contact Details

    Flow Traders Ltd.

    Investors
    Eric Pan
    Phone:         +31 20 7996799
    Email:                investor.relations@flowtraders.com

    Media
    Laura Peijs
    Phone:         +31 20 7996799
    Email:                press@flowtraders.com

    About Flow Traders

    Flow Traders is a leading trading firm providing liquidity in multiple asset classes, covering all major exchanges. Founded in 2004, Flow Traders is a leading global ETP market marker and has leveraged its expertise in trading European equity ETPs to expand into fixed income, commodities, digital assets and FX globally. Flow Traders’ role in financial markets is to ensure the availability of liquidity and enabling investors to continue to buy or sell financial instruments under all market circumstances, thereby ensuring markets remain resilient and continue to function in an orderly manner. In addition to its trading activities, Flow Traders has established a strategic investment unit focused on fostering market innovation and aligned with our mission to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the financial ecosystem. With over two decades of experience, we have built a team of over 600 talented professionals, located globally, contributing to the firm’s entrepreneurial culture and delivering the company’s mission.

    Important Legal Information

    This publication is prepared by Flow Traders Ltd. and is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and you must not rely on the content of this document when making any investment decisions. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice and is not to be regarded as investor marketing or marketing of any security or financial instrument, or as an offer to buy or sell, or as a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, securities or financial instruments.

    The information and materials contained in this publication are provided ‘as is’ and Flow Traders Ltd. or any of its affiliates (“Flow Traders”) do not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and materials and expressly disclaim liability for any errors or omissions. This publication is not intended to be, and shall not constitute in any way a binding or legal agreement, or impose any legal obligation on Flow Traders. All intellectual property rights, including trademarks, are those of their respective owners. All rights reserved. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Flow Traders. No part of it may be redistributed or reproduced without the prior written permission of Flow Traders.

    Flow Traders expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any statements contained in this publication to reflect any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based. Unless the source is otherwise stated, the market, economic and industry data in this publication constitute the estimates of our management, using underlying data from independent third parties. We have obtained market data and certain industry forecasts used in this publication from internal surveys, reports and studies, where appropriate, as well as market research, publicly available information and industry publications. The third party sources we have used generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed and that the projections they contain are based on a number of assumptions.

    By accepting this publication you agree to the terms set out above. If you do not agree with the terms set out above please notify legal.amsterdam@nl.flowtraders.com immediately and delete or destroy this publication.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New Backbone One Xbox Edition transforms your phone into mobile gaming companion

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: New Backbone One Xbox Edition transforms your phone into mobile gaming companion

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: ASM announces the availability of the 2025 AGM materials

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Almere, The Netherlands
    March 27, 2025

    ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today announces that the information regarding the Annual General Meeting scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2025 (AGM) is now available on ASM’s website. This information includes the convocation, the agenda and annexes thereto. The U.S. market proxy materials for holders of New York Registry Shares are also posted on our website.

    The AGM will commence at 2:00 p.m. CET at the Van der Valk Hotel in Almere, located at Veluwezoom 45, 1327 AK in Almere, the Netherlands.

    The AGM can be attended in person by shareholders. Our shareholders are also offered the possibility to exercise their voting rights by proxy and to follow (view and hear only) the meeting through our live webcast.

    The agenda for the AGM includes, amongst others, approvals of:

    • the annual accounts of 2024;
    • the remuneration report 2024;
    • the proposal to declare a regular dividend of €3.00 (three euros) per common share;
    • the reappointment of Mr. Verhagen (for two years) as member of the Management Board;
    • the reappointment of Ms. Van der Meer Mohr (for four years), Mr. Sanchez (for four years) and Ms. Kahle-Galonske (for one year) as members of the Supervisory Board;
    • the appointment of EY Accountants B.V. as auditor to audit the annual accounts for the financial year 2026 and as assurance provider of sustainability information for the financial years 2025 and 2026.

    In accordance with applicable legal requirements in the Netherlands the record date for the AGM is April 14, 2025. The total number of issued shares in ASM International N.V. as per today amounts to 49,328,548 common shares. Considering the number of shares held in treasury as per today, amounting to 219,935 shares, the number of voting shares amounts to 49,108,613.

    About ASM International
    ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International’s common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: ASM). For more information, visit ASM’s website at www.asm.com.

    Contact

    Investor and media relations

    Victor Bareño
    T: +31 88 100 8500
    E: investor.relations@asm.com

    		  

    Investor relations

    Valentina Fantigrossi
    T: +31 88 100 8502
    E: investor.relations@asm.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Spartan Capital Securities, LLC Serves as Sole Book-Runner in LogProstyle, Inc.’s $10 Million Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spartan Capital Securities, LLC, a premier investment banking firm, is pleased to announce the successful pricing of the $10 million Initial Public Offering for LogProstyle, Inc. (NYSE American: LGPS). Spartan Capital Securities acted as Sole Book-Runner for the offering of 2,000,000 Japanese common shares at a price of $5.00 per share.

    The shares began trading on the NYSE American on March 25, 2025, under the ticker symbol “LGPS.” LogProstyle has also granted underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 300,000 shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

    LogProstyle Inc., headquartered in Japan, operates across real estate development, hotel management, and restaurant operations. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to expand its ProstyleRyokan hotel brand in Japan, the U.S., and the UAE, as well as to scale its real estate renovation and resale business across Asia and the United States.

    “Once again, the Spartan team has showcased exceptional performance as the Sole Book-Runner,” said John Lowry, CEO of Spartan Capital Securities. “It has been an honor to partner with LogProstyle and play a pivotal role in bringing them to the public market. This transaction demonstrates our commitment to introducing international issuers to the U.S. capital markets and supporting their global expansion strategies.”

    Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC served as U.S. securities counsel to LogProstyle, Inc., while Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC served as U.S. securities counsel to Spartan Capital Securities, LLC.

    A registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-283286) was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2025. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, available from the SEC at www.sec.gov and from Spartan Capital Securities, LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 45 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10006, or by email at: investmentbanking@spartancapital.com.

    About Spartan Capital Securities, LLC

    Spartan Capital Securities, LLC is a premier full-service investment banking firm offering a comprehensive range of advisory services to institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals. Known for its expertise in capital raising, strategic advisory, and asset management, Spartan Capital delivers tailored solutions to meet clients’ financial goals.

    For more information, visit www.spartancapital.com

    Contact:

    Spartan Capital Securities, LLC

    45 Broadway, 19th Floor

    New York, NY 10006

    investmentbanking@spartancapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The world is in crisis – what role should our universities play?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Vinita Srivastava, Host + Exec. Producer, Don’t Call Me Resilient | Senior Editor, Culture + Society

    It’s hard not to categorize our present global moment as a crisis. And just when we think things can’t get worse — they do.

    Across the globe, we’re witnessing a rise in far-right movements and governments.

    Just a few weeks ago, the AfD party in Germany secured second place. This marks the first time a far-right party has gained this level of power in the country since the Second World War. Germany is not alone in this trend: Italy, Hungary, Finland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Croatia are now led by far-right governments.

    And it may come as no surprise that many of these new leaders are increasingly hostile towards universities.

    In India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, universities have the lowest academic freedom since the 1940s. In Brazil, former president Jair Bolsonaro claimed that public universities transform students into leftists, gays, drug addicts and perverts.

    Meanwhile in the United States, Vice President JD Vance has called universities the enemy for allegedly teaching that America is “an evil, racist nation.” (Vance was echoing President Richard Nixon who called professors and the press the enemy. President Donald Trump even signed an executive order demanding higher education institutions dismantle their DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) programs. He’s also pulled federal funding from universities that allow “illegal protests”, and he’s demanded that Columbia University’s Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies Departments be independently reviewed.

    But, despite this hostility, universities — and students — have historically been springboards for progressive change. It was student protests 25 years ago that helped lead to the downfall of apartheid in South Africa. More recently, in Bangladesh, student protests helped topple the country’s authoritarian leader. This past year, students across the world have worked to raise public awareness of acts of genocide in Gaza.

    Meanwhile, here in Canada, universities are facing financial pressure because of reductions in international student permits. This drop in revenue has caused alarming budget constraints at universities, revealing a deep reliance on international students as a revenue source.

    This has led to existential questions about our universities. With today’s world in crisis, what should the role of the university be? And why are our public universities so underfunded? And how can they continue to serve their communities?

    Theses are big questions, ones that seemed fitting to tackle on our final episode of Don’t Call Me Resilient recorded live in front of an audience at the University of British Columbia. Joining us to tackle them was Annette Henry, a professor in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at UBC who is cross-appointed to the Institute for Race, Gender, Sexuality and Social Justice. Her work examines race, class, language, gender and culture in education for Black students and educators in Canada.

    We also spoke with Michelle Stack, an associate professor in UBC’s Department of Educational Studies whose work looks at educational policy, university rankings and equity and education.

    At a time when critical conversations in higher education are under attack worldwide, can Canadian universities rise to the challenge and be a force for good?

    Read more:

    Universities should stand up for integrity and public trust in university teaching

    How Commonwealth universities profited from Indigenous dispossession through land grants

    Universities should respond to cuts and corporate influence with co-operative governance

    Cops on campus: Why police crackdowns on student protesters are so dangerous

    Student protests: How the university perpetuates colonial violence on campus

    This episode was coproduced by Ateqah Khaki (associate producer), Marisa Sittheeamorn (student journalist) and Jennifer Moroz (consulting producer). Our sound engineer was Alain Derbez, with onsite assistance from Josh Mattson. Thank you to UBC’s Global Journalism Innovation Lab and its crew, The UBC School of Journalism and the Social Science Research Council of Canada for their generous support.

    – ref. The world is in crisis – what role should our universities play? – https://theconversation.com/the-world-is-in-crisis-what-role-should-our-universities-play-250235

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: High-level visit from Cambodia

    Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)

    Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala met Nimul Cham, Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce, during her country’s Trade Policy Review.

    The third review of the trade policies and practices of Cambodia takes place on 26 and 28 March 2025. Learn more: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp569_e.htm

    Download this video from the WTO website:
    https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1C8EdHNMi4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU pledges €3.4 billion to combat global malnutrition

    Source: European Union 2

    Today, at the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris, the European Commission announced a new pledge of €3.4 billion until 2027 to combat malnutrition globally. This commitment builds on the EU’s ongoing efforts to reduce all forms of malnutrition and drive progress in nutrition-related interventions worldwide.

    The EU’s investment will focus on supporting partner countries facing high levels of child malnutrition, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It will target children under five and young pregnant and lactating mothers suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The support will be tailored to address the specific needs of each country, with a strong emphasis on the most vulnerable populations in least developed and fragile settings.

    The EU’s engagement will also continue at global and regional levels, where the EU is successfully promoting initiatives to strengthen nutrition governance and international collaboration on research and development.

    Today’s pledge follows the EU’s previous commitment of €2.5 billion for 2021-2023, announced at the N4G Summit in Tokyo. The EU even exceeded its initial pledge by nearly €1.9 billion, ultimately contributing a total of €4.4 billion for 2021-2023.

    To maximise its impact, the EU invests through its Global Gateway strategy in essential infrastructure, improving access to public services, supporting local agri-food value chains, and promoting sustainable economic growth.

    Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, said: “Since the first Nutrition for Growth Summit in 2013, the EU has turned bold pledges into bold action, leading the fight against malnutrition. Today’s pledge is a renewed testament to our unwavering commitment to ensure better nutrition for mothers and children, stronger food systems, and better health and social protection where they are needed most. The European Union will continue to lead by example, leaving no one behind. We will work with partners to move closer to a world where every child wakes up nourished, grows strong, and dreams without limits.”

    Background

    The European Union supports global, regional, and country-level initiatives that strengthen nutrition governance, foster international collaboration on data, and advance nutrition research and technology development. Additionally, the EU provides humanitarian assistance to address severe acute malnutrition, delivering life-saving treatment to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children in remote, fragile or country-affected areas.

    By integrating nutrition into its programming, the EU reinforces the link between humanitarian and development actions, recognising that multi-sectoral approaches are essential to tackle the root causes of malnutrition.

    Results on the ground are promising: EU investments have significantly improved maternal and child nutrition, with partner countries on track to reduce the number of stunted children under five by at least 7 million by 2025.

    The Nutrition for Growth (N4G) summits have been instrumental in accelerating progress towards a malnutrition-free world. Since 2013, host countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan and now France, have leveraged these global events to mobilise commitments and coordinate efforts with governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector, yielding impactful results and improved global nutrition outcomes.

    Further information

    2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit 

    Many Pieces, One Goal – A Team Europe Compendium of External Nutrition Action

    EU Action plan on nutrition – 8th progress report

    Nutrition – humanitarian aid

    Council Conclusions on stepping up Team Europe’s support to global food security and nutrition

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New Development Bank and Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz sign Loan Agreement for Electricity Distribution Infrastructure Modernization Project

    Source: New Development Bank

    On March 21, 2025, New Development Bank (NDB) and Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL Paulista) signed a Loan Agreement for the Electricity Distribution Infrastructure Modernization Project to be implemented in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

    The Loan Agreement amounting to RMB 1,425 million  was signed at the NDB Headquarters in Shanghai, China by H.E. Mrs. Dilma Rousseff, NDB President, Mr. Vladimir Kazbekov, NDB Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Gustavo Estrella, Chief Executive Officer at CPFL Energia, Ms. Wang Kedi, Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer at CPFL Energia, Mr. Tiago da Costa Parreira, Corporate Finance Director (CPFL Paulista) and Mr. Flávio de Paula, Capital Market Manager (CPFL Paulista).

    The Project represents growing collaboration between NDB’s member countries, and this Loan demonstrates NDB’s commitment to expanding non-sovereign and local currency operations as well as increasing cross border use of its member countries’ currencies, as enshrined in NDB’s General Strategy.

    The implementation of the Project will help CPFL Paulista to expand and upgrade the power distribution infrastructure, achieve efficiency gains and provide access to electricity to new households and thereby contribute to the goal of providing universal access to electricity in Brazil.

    The Project will promote economic and social development through new grid connections. It is expected that the Project will provide electricity to over 370,000 future homes and business in the State of São Paulo in the coming years. Moreover, by reducing technical losses in the electricity distribution grid, the Project will improve energy efficiency and lead to economic savings for the end-users of energy.

    The Project will contribute primarily towards UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

    “This project strengthens Brazil’s energy infrastructure and benefits millions of Brazilians. Supporting initiatives like this is at the core of our mission, as reliable energy is essential for both economic and social development. This investment will help meet the growing electricity demand driven by urban expansion, reduce grid losses, and contribute to lower emissions,” said Mrs. Dilma Rousseff, NDB President.

    “CPFL has become the first Chinese-funded company in Brazil to receive credit support from the New Development Bank. This project will support the upgrading and transformation of the power distribution system in the concession area, serve the local economic and social development and improve people’s livelihood. Looking forward to the future, we hope to strengthen exchange and cooperation with the New Development Bank at all levels through multiple channels and in various forms, to continue to explore bank-enterprise cooperation opportunities,” said Mr. Yu Lei, President of State Grid International Development Limited (SGID).

    “This financing marks CPFL’s first RMB transaction. This relationship with the Bank has been developed over time, with the aim of diversifying funding sources and strengthening the company’s presence in the global market. This is expected to be the first of many transactions, considering that the CPFL Group has a robust investment plan for the next five years, estimated at approximately BRL 30 billion,” said Mr. Gustavo Estrella, Chief Executive Officer at CPFL Energia.

    Background information

    New Development Bank

    NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.

    For more information on NDB, please visit www.ndb.int

    Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz

    For more information on Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz, please visit www.grupocpfl.com.br/unidades-de-negocios/cpfl-paulista

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: National Register Adds 11 North Carolina Historic Places

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: National Register Adds 11 North Carolina Historic Places

    National Register Adds 11 North Carolina Historic Places
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    The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announces the addition of multiple sites across the state to the National Register of Historic Places. The newly recognized sites include a mix of districts, individual properties, and updated documentation, highlighting the state’s rich architectural and historical heritage. They include one boundary increase, two additional documentations, three new historic districts, and five individual properties. They were reviewed by the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee, subsequently nominated by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer, and forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register for consideration for listing in the National Register.

    “It’s good news for North Carolina when we add properties to the National Register of Historic Places,”  said Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “Preservation of these treasured places spurs local economic development and showcases the varied history of our state.”

    The listing of a property in the National Register places no obligation or restriction on a private owner using private resources to maintain or alter the property. Over the years, various federal and state incentives have been introduced to assist private preservation initiatives, including tax credits for the rehabilitation of National Register properties. As of January 1, 2025, there have been 4,391 completed historic rehabilitation projects with private investments of almost $3.85 billion statewide.

    In Central North Carolina

    Harriet Tubman YWCA, Durham, Durham County, listed 12/6/2024

    The locally significant Harriet Tubman YWCA in Durham, North Carolina, meets National Register of Historic Places Criterion A in the areas of Black ethnic heritage, social history, and civil rights and Criterion C for architecture. Located within the vibrant African American neighborhood known as Hayti, the building was a vital community center during the third quarter of the twentieth century. Many employees, volunteers, and program participants engaged in social and political advocacy in Durham and beyond, employing coordinated civil disobedience and legal action in myriad campaigns against racial, political, economic, and social injustice. The Harriet Tubman YWCA also epitomizes the functional Modernism often manifested in mid-twentieth-century buildings conceived in an economical manner that allowed for rapid construction, flexible use, ease of maintenance, and future expansion. The building is characterized by angular form, horizontal massing, and large metal-frame windows. The period of significance begins in 1953 with the main block’s completion and ends in 1978, when the Harriet Tubman YWCA closed.

    John Fisher House, Salisbury (vicinity), Rowan County, listed 12/10/2024

    The John Fisher House in rural Rowan County meets Criterion C for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for its local architectural significance. The Greek Revival-style farmhouse of vernacular hall-and-parlor form demonstrates the use of architectural pattern books of the period, especially Asher Benjamin’s popular Practical House Carpenter, to provide consistent decorative treatment on both exterior and interior. Although the John Fisher House is a country dwelling of modest size — only one-and-a-half stories — it is replete with pattern book detailing. Part of its significance lies in its demonstration of the sustained influence and use of architectural pattern books for building country houses, especially in the North Carolina Piedmont, during the mid-nineteenth century. The period of significance for the unusually well-preserved house with its high degree of physical integrity is ca. 1848, the date of construction noted by family tradition that fits within Fisher’s 1842 purchase of the land on which the house stands and the 1850 U. S. census, which provides information strongly suggesting that the house had been built by that time.

    Johnson’s Drive-In, Siler City, Chatham County, listed 2/5/2025

    The locally significant Johnson’s Drive-In in Siler City, North Carolina, epitomizes the proliferation of roadside quick-service restaurants in conjunction with the mid-twentieth-century development of a motorist-focused service industry along newly developed highway corridors, thus meeting National Register Criterion A for commerce. The restaurant is thought to be the first to offer both curbside and indoor dining on US 64 between Asheboro and Raleigh, a distance of approximately seventy-two miles. The building functioned as a three-dimensional billboard, with its proximity to the road, large plate-glass windows, and brightly lit interior. While the traditional gable-roofed style of the 1946 building resembled a house, the Modernist 1960 addition distinguished the restaurant from competitors and brought an urban commercial aesthetic to the small town. Notably, the establishment was not segregated, an anomaly in the Jim Crow South. All seating and facilities were available to Black and white customers, who used the same entrances. The period of significance is 1946-1975, the approximate date curbside service was discontinued.

    Mount Pleasant Historic District (Additional Documentation), Mount Pleasant, Cabarrus County, listed 12/4/2024

    The 1986 Mount Pleasant Historic District nomination claimed significance at the local level under Criterion A for commerce and industry as an example of a textile village with a small commercial core, its modest size primarily due to its lack of direct railroad connections. The 1986 nomination also identified significance at the local level under Criterion C for architecture as a collection of residential, religious, commercial, and industrial buildings representing nearly every major style popular during the period of significance, 1840 to 1935. The Additional Documentation serves to extend the period of significance through c.1976 to encompass the continued residential, commercial, and industrial growth within the Mount Pleasant Historic District through the mid-twentieth century. It also includes high integrity examples of these building types from the period 1935-c.1976. The Additional Documentation is locally significant for architecture, commerce, and industry and also serves to supplement context for commerce and industry before 1935, as well as providing context in all areas of significance for the post-1935 period.

    Robert and Frances S. Loewenstein House, Greensboro, Guilford County, listed 12/12/2024

    The Edward and Frances S. Loewenstein House is significant at the local level under Criterion C for Architecture and Engineering as an outstanding example of Modernist-style architecture in Greensboro. The house is also significant at the local level under Criterion B in the area of Architecture for its association with prominent architect Edward Loewenstein. Designed by Loewenstein as his personal residence, the house exhibits key tenets of Modernist architecture and design innovations engineered by Loewenstein for the building include canted exterior walls, the angle of which was carefully calculated maximize solar gain in winter and minimize direct light in summer and skylights fitted both with shutters to reduce light infiltration and light bulbs to provide diffused light on cloudy days and at night. In 1953, he joined with Robert A. Atkinson, Jr. to form the firm of Loewenstein-Atkinson. As supporters of the Civil Rights movement, the firm hired African American engineers and architects, when segregation was the norm. While Modernist designs were a small percentage of Loewenstein’s residential commissions, they are among the best in the region. Designs also included schools, office buildings, and shopping centers. The Period of Significance is 1954 to 1970.

    St. Joseph AME Church (Additional Documentation), Durham, Durham County, listed 1/2/2025

    St. Joseph African Methodist Episcopal Church possesses statewide significance under Criterion A for Black ethnic heritage, social history, and civil rights. Located within the African American neighborhood known as Hayti, the building was historically a vital community center as it is today. The construction of the 1891 sanctuary and 1952 education building and parsonage exemplifies the Black community’s resilience, growth, and prosperity. The building served as a forum for mid-20th-century civil rights movement planning and training sessions, meetings, and rallies. The church also possesses local significance under Criterion C as an intact example of Gothic Revival-style late-nineteenth-century ecclesiastical architecture. Designed by Philadelphia architect Samuel L. Leary and built with brick supplied by prominent Black Durham businessman Richard Burton Fitzgerald, the 1891 church is Durham’s second-oldest and the city’s most intact historic African American sanctuary of any denomination. The period of significance begins in 1891 when construction commenced and ends in 1976 when the congregation moved.

    South Benbow Road Historic District, Greensboro, Guilford County, listed 12/9/2024

    The South Benbow Road Historic District is significant at the local level under Criterion A for Black Ethnic Heritage and Civil Rights as a significant concentration of properties that share historical associations with the advancement of African American Civil Rights in Greensboro. One of a number of early-to-mid-20th century neighborhoods formed in east Greensboro in response to the growth of North Carolina A&T University and Bennett College, both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the district was developed as a consequence of, and in response to, systemic and de facto segregation in Greensboro. The district is also significant at the local level under Criterion A for Community Planning and Development. It is comprised of several smaller developments that followed Olmstedian planning principles, which called for curvilinear streets that follow the natural terrain, help slow traffic, and provide varied views as one moves through the area. Significant at the local level under Criterion C for Architecture, it is primarily residential, but also includes a small number of religious and medical buildings. Several homes and churches in the district were designed by prominent African American architects. The period of significance is c. 1946 – c. 1976.

    In Eastern North Carolina

    Hertford West Historic District, Hertford, Perquimans County, listed 2/11/2025

    Settlement in the Hertford West Historic District area began around the turn of the twentieth century, a period of industrial development and population growth sparked by the coming of the railroad to Hertford. Queen Anne houses number among the district’s oldest dwellings. The Woodland Circle development was built in the district in 1944 to provide housing for the nearby naval base in the Minimal-Traditional style. Following WWII, more Minimal-Traditional and later Ranch houses were built in the district. The Hertford West Historic District is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C in the architecture area of significance for the quality and diversity of its historic architecture with representatives of numerous styles popular in the early and middle decades of the twentieth century. The district is also eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A in the Community Planning and Development area of significance as the principal vector of community expansion in Hertford during the twentieth century. Orthogonal streets, an extension of the town’s original grid plan, and curvilinear subdivisions characterize the district. The period of significance extends from 1900-71.

    Shelter Neck Historic District, Burgaw (vicinity), Pender County, listed 12/10/2024

    Shelter Neck Historic District, containing a chapel, school, and dormitory built in the first decade of the 20th century, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance under Criterion A in the areas of Education and Social History. The Boston-based National Alliance of Unitarian Women built the church in 1900 as the first Unitarian building constructed in the state. Working side by side, educated urban women and male Unitarian ministers quickly established a school for day and boarding students in which a classical education was bolstered by industrial training that included handcrafts and instruction in agriculture, as well as exposure to the arts. Settlement schools like the one established at Shelter Neck were part of a social reform program inspired by the settlement movement. The period of significance is 1900-26, the year the Alliance of Unitarian Women closed the school. The property meets Criteria Consideration A as its significance stems from its role in educating local children and as a vehicle for social reform in a rural eastern North Carolina county.

    In Western North Carolina

    Hopkins Chapel AME Zion Church, Asheville, Buncombe County, listed 12/17/2024

    Hopkins Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church is locally significant under National Register Criteria A and C as an important African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion congregation in Asheville following the Civil War and an excellent example of Gothic Revival church architecture designed by renowned architect Richard Sharp Smith and built by master brick mason James Vester Miller. Free Black congregants from Asheville’s Central Methodist Church, dissatisfied with their treatment by white members of that church staged a protest march through Asheville and began worshipping independently at a brush arbor in the East End section of town and formally organized in 1868. After steady deterioration of the church’s 1883 second sanctuary, construction of an exquisite new Gothic Revival sanctuary began in 1910 and was completed in 1911. The period of significance for Hopkins Chapel begins in 1910, when construction of the present church building began, and ends in 1974.

    Marshall High School (Additional Documentation and Boundary Increase), Marshall, Madison County, listed 1/14/2025

    Marshall High School was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, with a period of significance beginning in 1926 when the school was built, and continuing through 1957, the 50-year cut-off for when the nomination was completed. This Additional Documentation and Boundary Increase extends the period of significance through 1974 when a consolidated Madison County High School building was built and Marshall High School closed. It adds into the boundary the adjacent Marshall High School Gymnasium, completed in 1956 to the west of the school building, and which was not included in the original nomination due to a separate owner objection at the time. The gymnasium is historically related to the school building and the inclusion of the additional building expands upon the school’s educational significance. It is locally significant under Criterion A for its contributions to the educational history of Marshall, North Carolina through the early 1970s. Included within this Additional Documentation and Boundary Increase is an updated description of the high school building, taking into account the renovation work completed under the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards in 2008.

    NOTE TO EDITORS — The above images are available in a higher resolution on the Dropbox Site.

    About the National Register of Historic Places
    The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts worthy of preservation for their significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture. The National Register was established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 to ensure that as a matter of public policy, properties significant in national, state, and local history are considered in the planning of federal undertakings, and to encourage historic preservation initiatives by state and local governments and the private sector. The Act authorized the establishment of a State Historic Preservation Office in each state and territory to help administer federal historic preservation programs.

    In North Carolina, the State Historic Preservation Office is a unit of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Dr. Darin Waters, the Department’s Deputy Secretary of Archives, History, and Parks, is North Carolina’s State Historic Preservation Officer. The North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee, a board of professionals and citizens with expertise in history, architectural history, and archaeology, meets three times a year to advise Dr. Waters on the eligibility of properties for the National Register and the adequacy of nominations.

    The National Register nominations for the recently listed properties may be read in their entirety on the NC Listings in the National Register of Historic Places page of the State Historic Preservation Office website. For more information on the National Register, including the criteria for listing, visit the NC State Historic Preservation Office National Register page.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Mar 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report by the OSCE Coordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities: UK response, March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Report by the OSCE Coordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities: UK response, March 2025

    Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown highlights the ongoing economic and environmental impacts of Russia’s illegal war of aggression on Ukraine and welcomes the activities of the OCEEA.

    Thank you, Ambassador Dzhusupov, for your presentation and welcome to the Permanent Council. 

    Since your last address to the Permanent Council, we have continued to see the devastating effects of Russia’s brutal and illegal war of aggression. Each day there is yet more impact on Ukraine’s – and the OSCE region’s – economy and environment. We are pleased to see the focus in your report on how your office is working to mitigate the effects of the war, which stretch right across the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security.  

    Your focus on Economic Good Governance is also particularly crucial. The OCEEA’s initiatives to combat corruption, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism are vital for promoting transparency and integrity within the region. The UK is proud to support the ExB project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets” to build capacity in Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, to deal with this fast-evolving area. 

    The UK is also pleased to be able to continue to support your office’s pioneering work on climate migration. There is still work to be done to fill knowledge gaps and ensure we have data which show us the relationship between climate change and human mobility. The UK is expanding its work to tackle upstream migration and we are interested in closer collaboration with the OSCE in this area. 

    Ambassador Dzhusupov, thank you again for your report, and we look forward to supporting you and your able team in the months ahead.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Oxford City Council encourages communities to mark the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day

    Source: City of Oxford

    Residents and community groups are encouraged to host street parties to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.

    Oxford City Council is waiving the road closure charge to encourage residents and community groups to host street parties marking the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, commemorating the end of the Second World War. 

    A national programme of events will take place across the UK, including a military procession, flypast, and street parties on Monday 5th May, a remembrance service at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 8th May, and a national service at the National Memorial Arboretum on Friday 15th August. 

    Celebrating in Oxford

    Community celebrations will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May, when millions across the UK are expected to join in the “Great British Food Festival” to celebrate 80 years of peace. 

    Local events include: 

    • Sunday 27th April – 10.30am service at St Michael at the North Gate church on Cornmarket Street. The church also contains Oxford’s Honour Rolls with the names of soldiers from Oxford who fell in WW1 and WW2. 

    Getting involved

    The City Council is now accepting applications for street parties (for small community events) on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May in the spirit of the 1945 celebrations. 

    Oxford residents and community groups interested in holding a street party should read the guidance on our website. 

    Applications must be submitted no later than Monday 7th April 2025. 

    The City Council has waived the road closure charge for small community events (£18). However, fees for large and commercial events, as well as events selling alcohol, will remain in place. 

    For more information, please visit the City Council’s Street Parties webpage. 

    Residents can also visit the official VE/VJ Day gov.uk website for downloadable resources, event listings and funding opportunities.

    “The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day are an important opportunity for us to come together to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the wartime generation.  

    VE Day is a defining moment in our history, and this may be one of the last opportunities we have to thank the surviving veterans, so we should celebrate them in style.  

    Gathering with our neighbours and local communities to share food, drink and stories will always be a very special thing to do. By waiving the road closure charge for small street parties, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to take part.  

    If you’re thinking about hosting a street party, please get in touch, and we’ll help make sure that you have what you need to create a fantastic community event here in Oxford to celebrate 80 years of peace.” 

    Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Mike Rowley

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Shares Memories of Northwest Arkansas Veteran Who Helped Paved the Way for Expanded Roles for Women

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON––The Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center, is marking its 25th year collecting and retaining the oral histories of our nation’s veterans. U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), whose office has actively promoted and participated in the program including training more than 1,200 Arkansans to engage with it and conducting more than 100 veteran interviews, continues to commemorate its impact and significance.

    One of Boozman’s latest submissions recognized the service and sacrifice of Northwest Arkansas U.S. Army veteran Debra Holmes in his office’s ‘Salute to Veterans’ series highlighting the military service of Arkansans.

    Holmes grew up in Derby, Kansas, a location that inspired her love of aviation.

    “We lived six miles off the Boeing Aircraft runway that was adjacent to an Air Force base, McConnell Air Force Base. And so, as a young girl, I would get to see the B-52s climbing slowly up into the air,” Holmes said. 

    As the daughter of a WWII Army medic who served at the Battle of the Bulge and stepdaughter of a Navy WWII veteran, she learned early on about the importance of patriotism and service. 

    In high school, she talked with her classmates’ parents stationed at the local Air Force base and gained their perspective on military service. 

    “It’s an incredible honor to serve your country,” she said. “That was very appealing to me.”

    While her family had a history of working at Boeing, Holmes had other plans. 

    “I wanted to see the world, so I couldn’t wait until I could get enough money or education and go out into the world. At that time the Army had a slogan ‘Join the Army, See the World.’”

    In 1974, the week of her 19th birthday, she went to a recruiting office to enlist in military service.

    “My brothers had had draft numbers so we had sat up and watched the draft. And my mother never thought in any way, shape or form that her youngest and only daughter would join the military. She was not thrilled,” Holmes recalled.

    The Army had recently started expanding opportunities for women beyond administrative and nursing roles to include military occupational specialties, allowing Holmes to pursue her interest in air traffic control.

    She attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

    While she didn’t know what to expect in basic training, she had some previous shooting experience that helped her on the range. Her first shots with an M16 hit the target and her sergeant asked her where she learned to shoot.

    “My uncle worked for Daisy BB company, and I’ve shot BB guns,” she shared with him. “He was not impressed.”

    Following basic training she attended air traffic control school at Fort Rucker, Alabama (today known as Fort Novosel.) Holmes was enrolled in an accelerated training course that was challenging, but the practice and persistence paid off giving her the tools to be a good controller. 

    She was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where the military was running simulations. She was often the only female air traffic controller.

    “The soldiers, sailors and marines that I primarily engaged with who had either been to Vietnam or who had been drafted – because I was a woman and also a volunteer – they were not happy,” she recalled, shaking her head. “They voiced the fact that they didn’t think it was appropriate for women in the miliary especially in these new roles that they were rolling out. The other male volunteers were much more accepting.”

    Holmes expected an assignment to Germany based on her enlistment. However, the Army reassigned her to Yongsan, South Korea, where she was initially nervous to be in a new location. She remembered asking for a sign that things would be okay.

    “We’re all going along on this bus and I look up, and I don’t think I ever saw another one after that and I was there for two years, but it was a Coca-Cola billboard in Korean,” she said. “That was the answer to my prayer. And I thought ‘oh yeah. I can do this now.’ I used to put in my letters a Korean Coca-Cola bottle cap to my family. It was kind of a fun message that I would make it.” 

    She recalled her living conditions in a Quonset Hut that included dangerously cold temperatures, forcing her to chip ice off the toilet, followed by the rainy monsoon season. 

    She was stationed close to the demilitarized zone which put her in dangerous situations, but her training gave her the tools to succeed.

    Her fondest memory of her time in South Korea was the engagement with locals on her way to do laundry. Every two weeks she looked forward to dancing and singing with area kids as she made her way through the village. She learned it was something her hosts also cherished when, on one of her last visits, the men, women and children showed their appreciation by bowing to her and honoring her with a gift.

    “They had heard that American women like two things: gum and perfume, so they put their money together and bought me a pack of Chanel No. 5 gum,” she said. “They had put this together to give me a gift because I had sang and danced and played with the kids. I was so honored.” 

    She recalled arriving stateside in her uniform to unexpected hostility. Not only were travelers at the airport calling her names, but a passenger on her domestic flight threw a drink on her. 

    “It was really difficult. It was really difficult,” she said. “Once I got out of the military I didn’t mention it for 33 more years. I wouldn’t tell anybody. I just didn’t mention it. I didn’t put it on any resume, anything. I’m not going to chance it,” she recalled.

    Holmes finished her military service at Fort Eustis, Virginia. By this point, she had been certified in all types of air traffic control.

    “There weren’t many of us in the world at that point in time that had that certification.” She credits her commander in South Korea for providing her with the opportunities that led to her success. 

    Holmes loved air traffic control, but things changed after she was in a tower hit by lightning during a tropical storm. She sustained serious injuries. 

    “I could go back to air traffic control, but I was never as sharp. I was never as quick at it. And I couldn’t settle for that.”

    Following military service, Holmes pursued a career in technology and later transitioned to a hospice chaplain.

    Today she calls Springdale home and participates in a number of veteran organizations to support her fellow servicemembers.

    “I have fulfilled a promise I made a very young girl in me, that I would see the world and I would have adventures. And the Army kicked that off for me. If you can go to a country where you know nobody and nothing, you can find your way. And in the military people do have your back. And I don’t think a civilian can quite understand what that means. I don’t think I could even put it into words, but it’s something sacred.”

    “I’m grateful for Debra Holmes’ dedication and service to our nation. Her time in uniform serves as a reminder of the adversity women faced on their path to military success and the responsibility we have to honor our commitment to support the men and women who answered the call to serve. I’m honored to collect and preserve her memories,” Boozman said.

    Boozman submitted Holmes’ entire interview to the Veterans History Project and will continue to mark the program’s 25th anniversary this year with events in several Arkansas communities to conduct interviews with veterans and train those interested in learning how to participate.

    An interview day is scheduled for April 30 at the Fort Chaffee Barbershop and Military Museum. To learn more, contact Kathy Watson in the senator’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Uncorking the past: new analysis of Troy findings rewrites the story of wine in the early bronze age

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stephan Blum, Research associate, Institute for Prehistory and Early History and Medieval Archaeology, University of Tübingen

    Depas amphikypellon from Schliemann’s excavations at Troy. Institute of Classical Archaeology at the University of Tübingen/Valentin Marquardt, CC BY-SA

    Wine drinking in ancient Troy was not restricted to the upper classes, as has long been supposed – something our new research has established for the first time. Colleagues at the University of Tübingen and I have discovered that wine was also enjoyed by the common folk, independent of upper-class celebrations and religious rituals.

    In the late 19th century, German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann (1822-1890) excavated the ancient city of Troy. He was hoping to discover the residence of Priam, the king of the city besieged by the Greek army under Agamemnon, as immortalised by Homer in the Iliad.

    Among Schliemann’s most outstanding achievements was – alongside the identification of the site of Troy itself – undoubtedly the discovery of the so-called “treasure of Priam”.

    The find included several hundred gold and silver objects. But during his excavations, Schliemann was captivated by a more humble item mentioned in the Iliad – the depas amphikypellon (two-handed drinking cup). He discovered numerous cylindrical, double-handled goblets thought to be the cup mentioned in the epic tale.

    Schliemann believed the vessels had been used either for ritual wine offerings to the Olympian gods or, more likely, by the royal elite for drinking. The characteristic double handles, he suggested, allowed the vessels to be passed easily between participants seated next to each other.

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    Despite fierce opposition to many of his interpretations in contemporary archaeological research, Schliemann’s hypotheses on the drinking customs of the early bronze age elite have become an enduring narrative.

    Further archaeological excavations at Troy (in modern Turkey) were led by the University of Tübingen between 1987 and 2012. Since then, my colleagues and I have been analysing the results, focusing on architectural findings and the vast array of artefacts uncovered.

    Over time, scientific methods have played an increasingly important role, with a particular focus on the analysis of organic residues in vessels (ORA). This method has proven particularly valuable, as it provides insights into what the early bronze-age inhabitants of Troy prepared in their cooking pots and enjoyed from their drinking vessels.

    Drilling into Troy’s wine culture

    Excavations over the past 150 years have shown that use of the two-handed drinking cup spanned from Greece in the west to Mesopotamia in the east.

    The silver example from the British Museum, found near Troy.
    The Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-SA

    They were produced in various forms between BC2500 and 2000. Likely inspired by now-lost metal prototypes, except for one silver example in the British Museum, these ceramic vessels were often made on the potter’s wheel, a technological innovation introduced from the near east during this period.

    Many of the double-handled goblets have been found not only in settlements but also in graves. This is an indicator of their special significance in cult and ritual. Written sources also suggest that wine was regarded as particularly precious during this time, though these are generally from distant geographical regions. It has therefore been inferred that only the social elite, through their control of long-distance trade, had access to it.

    For many inland and eastern Anatolian settlements, this may have been true. However, Troy, like many other sites in the Aegean and western Asia Minor, was located in a region particularly favourable for the cultivation of wine, which means it would have been more widely available.

    So it’s hardly surprising that two-handed vessels have been found not only in Troy’s fortified citadel with its monumental buildings, but also in areas of the outer settlement. It led us to wonder – does this mean that farmers, craftsmen and others could also consume it on special occasions, or even in their daily lives?

    To address this question, it was first necessary to prove scientifically that the goblets were actually used for drinking wine. Just because they might seem suitable for it doesn’t provide proof. To this end, two fragments from the collections of the Institute of Classical Archaeology in Tübingen were analysed for organic residues by Dr Maxime Rageot.

    Two grams of ceramic material was drilled from the inner walls of the vessel, and the collected ceramic powder was then treated with solvents to extract lipid and resin compounds. After further chemical processing, these were heated to a maximum of 380°C and then analysed. Several aldaric acids were identified in both specimens. Namely, succinic, fumaric, pyruvic, malic and – in significant quantities – tartaric acids.

    The latter can be interpreted as a grape marker, since such concentrations are not documented in other fruits available in the Mediterranean. The identification of succinic and pyruvic acids, commonly associated with fermentation markers, suggests the presence of wine (or vinegar) derived from ripe grapes.

    So Schliemann was right: the depas amphikypellon was certainly used for wine consumption. Whether this was tied to religious practices, rituals and public banqueting, or simply drinking wine as part of everyday life, remains uncertain.

    However, when it comes to who consumed it, our analysis results necessitate a correction of the conventional archaeological perspective. It seems that not only the elite enjoyed drinking wine – but also the common folk. For a counter-test, two simple cups, commonly found by the hundreds in early bronze-age Troy, were also sampled. The results were striking: the exact same organic residues were identified in both specimens.

    Wine for all?

    In archaeology, it is often the seemingly insignificant small finds that, when viewed in a broader context, have a profound impact. Based on organic residues –imperceptible to the naked eye and detectable only at a molecular level – the role of wine consumption in the second half of the 3rd millennium BC must be fundamentally reconsidered, at least in the case of Troy.

    Here, wine was far from being reserved solely for the rich and powerful. The two-handed depas amphikypellon wasn’t a status symbol for the elite – it was a widely appreciated drinking vessel. Furthermore, for everyday drinking, it seems any type of vessel would do, with no particular one set aside for the task.

    Whether and to what extent a shift in perspective can be expected at other sites of the Aegean and Anatolian early bronze age can, of course, only be definitively answered through comparable biomolecular analyses. After all, as in so many cases, it wouldn’t be surprising if Troy turned out to be the exception that challenges the norm.

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

    – ref. Uncorking the past: new analysis of Troy findings rewrites the story of wine in the early bronze age – https://theconversation.com/uncorking-the-past-new-analysis-of-troy-findings-rewrites-the-story-of-wine-in-the-early-bronze-age-252953

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Sholinghur Co-operative Urban Bank Limited, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 26, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.00 lakh (Rupees One lakh only) on The Sholinghur Co-operative Urban Bank Limited, Vellore, Tamil Nadu (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Exposure Norms and Statutory / Other Restrictions – UCBs’ and ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The bank had:

    1. sanctioned loans to nominal members more than the prescribed regulatory limit; and

    2. failed to upload the KYC records of customers onto Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR) within the prescribed timeline.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2486

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: RBI imposes monetary penalty on Mikhael Capitalize Pvt. Ltd., Kerala

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 25, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.00 lakh (Rupees One lakh only) on Mikhael Capitalize Pvt. Ltd., Kerala (the company) for non-compliance with certain provisions of ‘Master Direction – Non-Banking Financial Company – Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016’ read with ‘Master Direction- Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Company-Scale Based Regulation) Directions, 2023’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 58G(1)(b) read with Section 58B(5)(aa) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

    The correspondence pertaining to the intimation of multiple allotments done by the company through rights issue along with internal transfer of shares between existing shareholders, and appointment of an independent director revealed, inter-alia, non-compliance with RBI directions. Based on the same, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter-alia that the following charges against the company were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The company had:

    1. failed to take prior written permission of RBI for change in its shareholding in excess of 26 per cent of the paid-up equity capital; and

    2. failed to intimate RBI regarding the appointment of an independent director within the prescribed timeline.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the company.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2487

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Tumkur Veerashaiva Co-operative Bank Ltd., Karnataka

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 25, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹50,000/- (Rupees Fifty thousand only) on The Tumkur Veerashaiva Co-operative Bank Ltd., Karnataka (the bank) for non-compliance with specific directions issued by RBI under ‘Supervisory Action Framework (SAF)’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    In non-adherence with directions issued under SAF, the bank had:

    (i) sanctioned fresh loans and advances which were carrying risk-weight of more than 100%;

    (ii) not curtailed its exposure to the sector where level of NPAs were high; and

    (iii) not curtailed operating / administrative expenses.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2488

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE to accelerate decarbonization of road transport by developing harmonized provisions for electric vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell retrofit systems

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    As the world shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable mobility, the transport industry plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. To achieve climate goals and reduce air pollution, public authorities (primarily in Europe but also in Asia) are accelerating projects to restrict the number of vehicles with internal combustion engine (ICE) in circulation and replace them with zero-emission ones.  

    According to OICA, there are 1.9 billion vehicles in use globally. Since it is not possible and economically viable for all of them to be replaced by new electric cars, retrofitting is emerging as a cost-effective solution (esp. retrofitting of heavy-duty vehicles) that could accelerate the energy transition and reduce our carbon footprint. Retrofitting is a mechanical operation where the petrol/diesel engine and fuel tank are removed and replaced with an electric motor and battery, or a hydrogen fuel cell. 

    In recent years, multiple startups and innovative companies have emerged, offering tailored solutions to retrofit existing buses, trucks, and vans. According to North American firm Precedence Research, the global automotive retrofit electric vehicle powertrain market size accounted for USD 65.94 billion in 2024, and is predicted to surpass around USD 144.61 billion by 2034. 

    Substituting a traditional powertrain running on fossil energy with a powertrain with no tailpipe emissions provides immediate benefits in terms of air quality, and long-term benefit for the environment and climate. It extends the service life of the existing fleet, reducing both waste and carbon emissions from the manufacturing of new vehicles. 

    In France, where the national energy and environment agency ADEME estimated that electric retrofitting would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 61 and 87% compared with diesel, the government launched a national action plan in aid of retrofitting, providing  approximately 100 million euros to decarbonize transport.  

    Furthermore, retrofitting is mentioned in the European Commission’s industry action plan for the automotive sector and it will be particularly relevant for low- and middle-income countries that are importing ever growing amounts of used ICE vehicles and that need to accelerate the decarbonization of their vehicle fleets. 

    While hydrogen-powered vehicles are still in the early stages of deployment compared to those powered by electric batteries, their future could be promising if green hydrogen (H2) prices decline as projected. A price of 5 to 7 euros per kg of H2 is considered a critical threshold. 

    Against this background, the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and its Working Party on Pollution and Energy (GRPE) has launched a new informal working group to develop globally harmonized provisions for electric vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell retrofit systems. Such harmonized regulatory framework would ensure minimum requirements for retrofit systems, provide robust performance requirements for converted vehicles and support the deployment of retrofit systems that could be installed on many vehicles in the countries that adopt the developed requirements.  

    Activities undertaken by the new informal working group will focus on all vehicle categories, from two- and three-wheelers to heavy duty vehicles, with initial emphasis on technological readiness and economic viability. This work is led by France and Spain, with support from Sweden, Germany, UK, Japan and the European Commission. 

    The new UNECE informal working group is expected to deliver on harmonized requirements for targeted vehicle categories and powertrain types by 2027. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Secretary speech at the Community Security Trust

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Home Secretary speech at the Community Security Trust

    Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper gave a speech at the Community Security Trust where she announced new measures to protect places of worship from intimidation.

    Thank you, Sir Lloyd for those kind words, good evening everyone. 

    And let me start by thanking everyone involved in CST for the remarkable, tireless and crucial work you have done not just this year, but day-in, day-out for the past 3 decades to keep our Jewish communities safe and secure. The work CST does makes the difference every single day between confidence and fear, between safety and danger, between life and death, and we owe you all a huge debt of thanks. 

    For the research and analysis they undertake to expose the scourge of antisemitism. The critical security they provide for hundreds of Jewish communal buildings and events every year. The fact that every week, thousands of British Jews go to school, or to synagogue, more confident in the knowledge that CST are providing protection and support.  

    And I particularly want to thank all the volunteers keeping us safe here tonight. 

    It is a real honour for me to be here as Home Secretary and I want to talk tonight about why CST plays such a remarkable and important role not just in the security of Jewish families and communities across Britain, but also in the security of our entire nation. And why defending our national security – the first and foremost task of any government – means defending the security and safety of Britain’s Jews. 

    But there is no way to pay tribute to this extraordinary organisation, without first paying tribute to its extraordinary founder and chairman, Sir Gerald Ronson. Gerald you have been the most formidable champion for CST and for the wider Jewish community, but also whose philanthropic work on causes from protecting children to older care has had such a profoundly positive impact on society. 

    Since I came to Parliament in 1997, I have watched Gerald build CST into the pioneering and world-leading organisation that it is today. So Gerald thank you for being such an astonishing advocate – because without your determination and dedication, CST would not be what it is today.  

    And on a personal note, Gerald and Gail, let me thank you for being such good friends to Ed and I over these last 25 years. 

    Ed and I have come many times to CST dinners through the years in different roles. I think the first time we came was before 2010 government ministers, as shadow ministers. More recently for me as Home Affairs Select Committee Chair and for Ed as co-chair of the Holocaust Memorial Foundation. But we come not because of our jobs but because of what tonight is about – strongly supporting Britain’s Jewish communities and strongly supporting the remarkable work of CST. 

    Many of you have asked where Ed is tonight. He does send his apologies tonight – and this is a sentence I never thought I would hear myself say, certainly not 10 years ago – he is in Hong Kong with George Osborne recording a special edition of their podcast. Such is the life of the former politician turned dancer turned glamorous media star.  

    Although I did have a moment at a recent reception like this, when I introduced myself to a table of guests and started talking about my husband co-chairing the work on the memorial. Only for one of the older guests to nod wisely and tell her friends: “I knew I recognised her from somewhere – she’s married to Eric Pickles!”.

    But I do want to commend the work that the Holocaust Memorial Foundation is doing – chaired by Ed and Eric and backed by so many of you – to ensure that the Memorial and Learning Centre are built according to plan, next to the Palace of Westminster and the seat of our democracy, to ensure that future generations of young people in our country will learn about the evil of antisemitism and the horror of where it leads. 

    This government will continue the work of our predecessors ensuring that the Holocaust Memorial is built for future generations. Just as we will continue our steadfast support for the CST and for the security of Jewish communities across the UK. 

    And just as the Prime Minister was unrelenting in his mission to root out the stain of antisemitism from the Labour Party after that truly shameful period in our party’s history. Now in government, we will be equally unrelenting in our crackdown on those who spread the poison of antisemitism on our streets or online.  

    We may have disagreed with the previous government on many things. And we may have inherited difficult decisions on the economy and spending. But when it comes to our support for CST and keeping our communities safe, there will be absolute continuity and certainty.  

    I have spoken to 2 of my predecessors here tonight, Grant Schapps and James Cleverly here tonight and we have committed to maintaining the multi-year funding for CST that Rishi Sunak announced here last year. And why we will always seek to build the broadest cross-party consensus on public protection, so that no matter who has the keys to number 10 Downing Street, our Jewish communities know that the government is on their side. 

    And I know that for the community this has been another extremely difficult year. In the short months I have been in the Home Office, I and other ministers in my department have met with many of you – just as we did many times when we were on the opposition benches.  

    With the CST, the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Union of Jewish Students and many more. We’ve talked about the 3,500 incidents of anti-Jewish hate that were recorded by CST last year. 

    The second highest total ever reported in a single calendar year. Threats to kill sent to synagogues. Individuals spat on or assaulted in the street. Graffiti daubed on religious sites. Antisemitic bullying in schools.  

    And we’ve talked not just about the disgraceful crimes and the action needed, but about the real impact they have – for you and your families. 

    I have heard some of your personal experiences of what recent years have felt like. Holding your child’s hand that bit more tightly on the way to school, the extra worry about your teenagers away at university. And the sickening jolt in the stomach from the antisemitic hatred posted online, waved on placards, worn on t-shirts, or shouted openly in the streets. 

    It is those painful, personal experiences that lie behind the figures.  

    And make no mistake – these horrific incidents are a stain on our society that simply will not be tolerated. Not now and not ever. Because there is no place for antisemitism in Britain.  

    We all know that fear has grown since the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. And the past 16 months have seen intense anguish. The living nightmare of hostages and their families. The appalling devastation and destruction we have seen in Gaza.  

    The ceasefire deal agreed in January provided a glimmer of hope. I know the joy every one of us in this room will have felt seeing Emily Damari reunited with her mother Mandy, and the relief of so many hostage families, as well as the desperately needed aid flowed back into Gaza. 

    But the breakdown of the ceasefire and resumption of airstrikes has devastating consequences – both for the remaining hostage families and for innocent civilians in Gaza, as this cycle of suffering continues.  

    That’s why the Foreign Secretary has been clear that all parties must re-engage with negotiations, because diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we will achieve security for Israelis and for Palestinians. And that’s why the UK government will continue to strive for a return to a path of peace and the goal of a two-state solution. 

    But as Home Secretary, I am clear that we must never allow conflict happening elsewhere to lead to greater tension or hatred here on our streets, and we will never allow antisemites to use this or any conflict as an opportunity or as an excuse to spread poisonous hatred against our Jewish community here at home. 

    But let me be clear what zero tolerance means, because I know how wary you are of warm words that mean nothing in practice. Zero tolerance means that we cannot and will not accept people being abused, attacked or threatened because of who they are or what they believe.  

    It means where antisemitic hate crimes are committed – whether in a local community, on a national protest or on the internet – we will back the police in the action they need to take. Arrests, charges and convictions. Whenever and wherever it takes place. But zero-tolerance also means ensuring that Jewish people in this country can take part in communal life free from intimidation and fear.  

    Just as all communities are entitled to that right, but particularly when they attend their place of worship. Whether it’s going to synagogue for a Shabbat service; for a bar or bat mitzvah; for a wedding; to celebrate a festival or for any other community event. We know how sacred and special those moments are in the week, in the month and in the year for the family.  

    And there is no shying away from the fact that over the last 18 months – for congregants of Central Synagogue, Western Marble Arch and Westminster – those sacred and special moments have been hugely disrupted by protest activity.  

    On too many occasions, Shabbat services have been cancelled and people have stayed at home – worried to travel and attend shul as they normally would. We always say, and I say it again, so nobody is in any doubt. Protest and freedom of expression are cornerstones of our democracy, and of course that must always be protected. 

    People have made use of that right to peaceful protest through generations, and they will do so for many more to come. But the right to protest is not the right to intimidate.  

    And the right to protest must always be balanced against the freedom for everybody else to go about their daily lives. The police already have powers to place conditions on protests. And just as we supported officers last summer taking every possible action to defend mosques from appalling attacks violent disorder on Britain’s streets. 

    I have strongly supported action taken by the Metropolitan Police in recent weeks and months to divert protest routes away from synagogues on Saturday mornings. But I know how hard the community has had to fight for those conditions – each and every time. And I have listened to your calls for change.  

    So tonight I can announce that we will legislate in the Crime and Policing Bill currently going through Parliament to strengthen the law. And to give the police an explicit new power to prevent intimidating protests outside places of worship. To give the police total clarity – that where a protest has an intimidating effect, such that it prevents people from accessing or attending their place of worship – the full range of public order conditions will be available for the police to use. 

    Because the right to protest must not undermine a person’s right to worship. And everybody has a right to live in freedom from fear.  

    We will also never stand for the desecration of memorials and gravestones, or the vandalism and graffiti inflicted on synagogues, schools, shops and community centres. These are not minor acts of criminal damage, they are hateful acts of antisemitism and they will continue to be punished as such. 

    And we will make a further amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. 

    We have carried over from the previous government an important new proposal to make it a criminal offence to climb the most significant memorials in our country, such as the Cenotaph, with a maximum penalty of 3 months’ imprisonment and a £1,000 fine. So I can tell you tonight that I plan to extend the proposed list of protected memorials to include the new Holocaust Memorial in Westminster, to demonstrate our commitment to ensure it is valued as a place of reflection and respect. 

    And I don’t need to tell this audience why that matters so much. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

    And I had the enormous privilege of attending the special service at the Guildhall on Holocaust Memorial Day, to hear first-hand from those who witnessed those unimaginable horrors and still tell their stories. 

    When you hear the testimony of survivors – they so often start with a description of a happy childhood. Going to the park, enjoying school, playing with friends. The joy of being children – free from worry and from fear.  

    And they describe how quickly things changed. How almost overnight – peace became war; communities became ghettos; life became death.  

    There are only a couple of generations separating those brave survivors from our children today. So when students feel compelled to remove their kippahs or their star of David necklaces, when organisations like CST say their workload has doubled, I understand why – for this community – freedom feels so fragile and safety does not feel guaranteed. 

    But that is why understanding the history of antisemitism and where it can lead is so important. Not just for us to talk about tonight, but right across government and public services, and right across society. 

    And certainly, for us in the Home Office where our core responsibility is to keep the country and communities safe.  

    So I have agreed with the Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, that we will roll out antisemitism awareness training across the Home Office, and when Home Office staff seek to visit Auschwitz or other concentration camps with the Holocaust Educational Trust, March of the Living, and other organisations, that will not count towards their annual leave, because we will treat that experience as a crucial part and asset for their employment. 

    I want to thank the Holocaust Educational Trust, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the Anne Frank Trust and other brilliant organisations for the work they do to educate new generations about the horrors of the past, just as we thank the CST for its work to challenge antisemitism and keep our communities safe today. 

    But there must be no doubt. CST’s work and the work of the police and the government is not just about public safety, it is about our national security. 

    Because in the last few years we have seen the threats to UK national security change and become more complex. 

    Not just here, but across the world, we face a series of rapidly evolving and overlapping threats, from terrorism to malign state actors. 

    Just as we are updating our counter terrorism response to deal with the greatest threat from Islamist extremism, followed by far right extremism, including reforming Prevent and our counter terror laws. 

    And we are also upgrading our response to state threats here on our shores. As our Security Minister, Dan Jarvis set out in the House of Commons earlier this month, it is no secret that there is a long-standing pattern of the Iranian intelligence services targeting Jewish and Israeli people across the world. 

    And we are not prepared to stand for the increasingly brazen Iranian activity on British shores in recent years, with our security services thwarting an increasing number of direct plots.  

    This month we have announced that the whole of the Iranian State – including Iran’s intelligence services, like the IRGC – will be placed on to the enhanced tier of our new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. This is a critical disruptive tool that will mean those who are being directed by Iran to conduct activities in the UK must register that activity, whatever it is, or face 5 years in prison. 

    And we will not hesitate to go further when we need to – to protect our communities and protect our communities and democracy from the malign influence of the Iranian state. 

    And this government will continue to work in lockstep with the police, the security services, our partners overseas, we work too with partners in this country. And I speak on behalf of both the government and law enforcement when I say how important a partner CST is in that work.  

    Be it the response to different extremist ideologies or the interaction with state threats, CST’s work identifies how antisemitism is the poison that pollutes so many of our wider national security challenges.  

    And no one should be in any doubt about the unparalleled professionalism and extraordinary expertise with which Mark Gardner and all the teams and volunteers carry it out. The information and intelligence-sharing with police forces and government, which has contributed to the arrests and convictions of the removal of so many individuals intent on causing harm.  

    And the SAFE programme, through which CST shares expertise with other minority groups who want to keep their communities safe and secure – building the bonds and bridges across different faiths that help to keep our society as a whole cohesive and strong.  

    Through all of this work, CST play a pivotal role not just in securing the safety of the Jewish community but our country as a whole.  

    And for that, again, to Sir Gerald, to Mark, to Sir Lloyd and everyone at CST, I want to say a heartfelt and enduring thank you. In a few short weeks, I know many people here will be gathering with family and friends to mark Passover. Gathering around the Seder (say-der) table to recount the story of the Jews’ liberation from Egypt.  

    A story of hardship, of resilience and ultimately one of freedom. These are undoubtedly difficult and unstable times, we keep sight of the light in the darkness. And the light of the Jewish community continues to shine so brightly in our country. 

    Just look at the thousands of volunteers who work with CST every day.  

    The synagogues who, throughout the winter, have hosted homeless shelters or drop-in centres for refugees. 

    The life-saving humanitarian work of World Jewish Relief in Ukraine and across the world.  The brilliance of Mitzvah Day, inspiring thousands of people to contribute to their communities. The fantastic and essential work of Jewish Women’s Aid, who support survivors of domestic abuse.  

    And all of the other countless ways that our Jewish communities enrich and enhance communal life here in Britain.  

    As Home Secretary, I know that security and safety are the bedrock on which all of these other opportunities in our lives are built.  

    A Jewish community that feels secure means a Jewish community that can flourish. And a successful, vibrant, confident Jewish community means a better future for Britain. 

    Thank you very much.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Hakimo secures $10.5M to transform physical security with human-like autonomous security agent

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Menlo Park, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With surging crime rates, acute security staffing shortages, and mounting false alarms, organizations are desperately seeking smarter ways to strengthen their security while reducing costs. Today, Hakimo, a leader in AI-powered physical security monitoring, announced a $10.5 million funding round and the launch of AI Operator, a breakthrough autonomous security agent that monitors existing security hardware, detects threats in real time, and executes response protocols just like a human security professional. 

    The Series A funding round was led by Vertex Ventures and Zigg Capital with participation from RXR Arden Digital Ventures and existing investors Defy.vc and Gokul Rajaram. Hakimo has now raised a total of $20.5 million, including prior funding rounds led by Neotribe Ventures and Rocketship.vc.

    Hakimo founders: Sam Joseph and Sagar Honnungar.

    Hakimo’s AI Operator combines computer vision and generative AI to monitor existing security hardware such as cameras and badge readers. Unlike conventional systems, it can detect any anomaly or potential threat that can be described in words – a breakthrough in physical security monitoring. Beyond detection, the system issues real-time speaker warnings and executes standard operating procedures (SOPs) to respond to incidents, with human operators providing intervention only when necessary. This AI-human collaboration delivers superior protection at a fraction of the cost of traditional security approaches.

    “Hakimo has pioneered a new era of AI-driven security by creating an intelligent AI agent that understands and responds to threats like never before. We’re not just automating security—we’re redefining it with AI that can recognize and act on any security event and deliver unmatched protection for businesses worldwide.” said Sam Joseph, Co-Founder & CEO of Hakimo. 

    Hakimo was founded in early 2020 by Sam Joseph and Sagar Honnungar, Stanford-trained AI experts with backgrounds in building enterprise-grade software as a service (SaaS). The duo launched Hakimo after identifying converging trends: exploding camera deployments, plummeting hardware costs, and rapid advancements in computer vision. The founders recognized the potential for AI to reinvent physical security and have since assembled a talented, growing team of engineers and industry professionals to execute their vision of autonomous security monitoring.

    Hakimo’s solution comes at a critical inflection point for physical security. The traditional manned guarding industry struggles with severe hiring and quality challenges, while alarm monitoring services face growing issues with false alarms and police departments increasingly refusing to respond to unverified alerts. By leveraging existing cameras, AI capabilities, and remote operators, Hakimo eliminates these challenges while offering the advantages of both on-site guards and traditional alarm systems.

    Hakimo technology has a vast range of use cases including detecting tailgating.

    The company has experienced explosive growth over the past year, tripling its customer base and securing more than a hundred clients across diverse industries including multifamily apartments, car dealerships, construction sites, and Fortune 500 enterprises. In 2024 alone, Hakimo’s technology prevented thousands of security incidents, assisted law enforcement in multiple arrests, and even saved a life. “We got a drastic reduction in trespassing right after deploying Hakimo, and I now sleep better at night with the peace-of-mind provided by Hakimo’s AI agent,” said Rodrigo Duran, General Manager at Kia Santa Maria, one of those customers. 

    The technology’s impact extends beyond the scope of traditional security applications. Its ability to monitor multiple sites simultaneously while maintaining human-level reasoning has proven transformative for businesses seeking comprehensive security without the escalating costs and reliability issues of conventional approaches.

    Commenting on the investment, Piyush Kharbanda, General Partner of Vertex Ventures SEA & India said, “We are very excited to partner with the Hakimo team, who are bringing ground-up technological innovation to the large but antiquated physical security industry. There is a dire need for innovation, as current solutions lack the speed or accuracy to offer affordable real-time protection for offline businesses. Hakimo bridges this gap with an AI + Services approach, coupling the speed of cutting-edge vision AI algorithms with the reliability of humans-in-the-loop, thus delivering a 10x better service at more affordable rates.”

    Ryan Orley, Managing Partner at Zigg Capital added: “After studying the security monitoring ecosystem, our team concluded that Hakimo’s AI + Services solution is more robust and offers better value than any other technology we have encountered. Hakimo’s capabilities at its accessible price point are without peer. In fact, I became a Hakimo customer before our firm’s investment”.

    “Hakimo is transforming physical security with AI, delivering real-time threat detection and smarter operations,” said Neil Sequeira, Founder & Partner, Defy.vc. At Defy, we back bold teams tackling big challenges, and Sam and Sagar’s vision aligns perfectly with that mission. We’re excited to support Hakimo as they scale and set a new standard for AI-powered security.” 

    Ends

    Media images can be found here 

    About Hakimo
    Hakimo is a technology company that builds AI agents for physical security monitoring. The company provides state-of-the-art, AI-driven, human-in-the-loop security software solutions that work with existing security hardware to enhance real-time threat detection, optimize resources, and proactively deter security breaches. Hakimo was founded by AI researchers from Stanford University and is funded by top venture capital firms. For more information, please visit https://www.hakimo.ai/ or follow Hakimo on LinkedIn.

    About Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India (VVSEAI)
    Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India is a leading early-stage venture capital firm focused on partnering with high-growth startups across Southeast Asia and India. With a strong network and strategic expertise, they have invested in successful companies such as Grab, FirstCry, Nium, Licious, Kuku FM, and PatSnap, driving innovation and scaling businesses across various sectors. For more information, please visit: https://www.vertexventures.sg  

    About Zigg Capital
    Zigg Capital is a venture capital firm based in New York City that invests globally in technology companies that touch the real estate, construction, or retail industries. Over the last decade, the partners in Zigg have made early-stage investments in leading companies such as Procore, Matterport, OpenSpace, Steadily, and Crusoe. For more information, please visit www.ziggcap.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WISeSat Prepares for June Launch of Its Second-Generation Satellite and Expands Global Footprint

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeSat Prepares for June Launch of Its Second-Generation Satellite and Expands Global Footprint

    WISeSAT.space will be attending the 40thSpace Symposium in Colorado Springs from April 6-10, 2025 (booth #808 located in the South Hall)

    Geneva, Switzerland – March 27, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding (“WISeKey” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: WKEY; SIX: WIHN), a leading global cybersecurity, AI, and IoT company, alongside its subsidiary WISeSat.Space (“WISeSat”) today announces that the launch of its second-generation satellite is scheduled for June 2025. This follows the successful deployment of WISeSat’s first NDR-generation satellite in January 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Spaceport in California. The satellite launched in January is currently in orbit and its location can be tracked via https://wisesat.wisekey.com/?tags=WISeSat.

    This second-generation launch marks an important milestone in WISeSat’s vision to build a European constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, designed to provide secure communications for the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G (in progress), RSSI, SIGINT, SEALCOIN for transactional IoT (tIoT) and post-quantum cybersecurity capabilities across the globe.

    The 2025 satellite launches build on the earlier success of WISeSat in collaboration with FOSSA Systems, which saw the launch of 17 picosatellites to test the resilience and performance of its core technologies. These tests laid the foundations for the current generation of satellites, which as of June will be equipped with more robust security protocols and a post-quantum cryptographic infrastructure developed by SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) (“SEALSQ”), a WISeKey subsidiary.

    WISeSat also announced a new strategic partnership with Skyroot Aerospace in India. This collaboration will diversify launch operations by enabling satellites to be deployed on alternative orbital trajectories, optimizing constellation coverage and efficiency. The partnership also includes the possibility of manufacturing satellites on Indian soil, to Indian specifications, thereby strengthening WISeSat’s global production and launch capabilities.

    By the end of 2025, WISeSat satellites will be able to carry out transactions in SEALCOIN tokens with each other and with connected objects on Earth, forming a secure, autonomous mesh for machine-to-machine (M2M) transactions. This innovation will create a financial and data exchange infrastructure in space, where connected machines will be digitally certified via a “Know Your Object” (KYO) protocol. The KYO process integrates Wecan’s technology and WISeID’s WISeKey platform, guaranteeing reliable identity and accountability throughout the ecosystem.

    Each WISeSat satellite is built with:

    • Post-quantum cryptographic chips from SEALSQ.
    • WISeKey root of trust and WISeID digital identity infrastructure.
    • Hedera’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for decentralized, forgery-proof data integrity.

    This technological foundation positions WISeSat as a global leader in secure satellite-based IoT infrastructure.

    “Our vision is to become the first low-orbit satellite constellation enabling secure Internet of Things connectivity and trusted communications anywhere in the world,” said Carlos Moreira, founder and CEO of WISeKey. “With upcoming launches, new international partnerships and post-quantum capabilities, we offer the next frontier in decentralized and secure space infrastructure.”

    About WISeSat.Space
    WISeSat.Space AG is pioneering a transformative approach to IoT connectivity and climate change monitoring through its innovative satellite constellation. By providing cost-effective, secure, and global IoT connectivity, WISeSat is enabling a wide range of applications that support environmental monitoring, disaster management, and sustainable practices. The integration of satellite data with advanced climate models holds great promise for enhancing our understanding of climate change and developing effective strategies to combat its impacts. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, initiatives like WISeSat’s IoT satellite constellation are essential for creating a more resilient and sustainable future.

    About WISeKey

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com
    media@wisekey.com    		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@equityny.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sagtec Global Enters Indonesia with Master Dealership for Cloud-Based Smart Ordering System, Targeting US$30 Million in Revenue

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sagtec Global Limited (NASDAQ: SAGT) (“Sagtec” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customizable software solutions, proudly announced its expansion to Indonesia through a Master Dealership Agreement with PT Kiwari Asih Solusi (“Kiwari”), appointing Kiwari as the exclusive master dealer for Sagtec’s Speed+ Could Base Smart Ordering System (“Speed+”).

    Kiwari has committed to a minimum annual purchase of 10,000 licenses, generating an estimated revenue of at least US$30 million over the next five years. This strategic partnership is designed to accelerate the adoption of Speed+ in Indonesia, driving digital transformation and enabling local businesses to modernize their operations to meet the growing demand for innovative digital solutions.

    According to Mordor Intelligence, Indonesia’s digital transformation market is projected to reach approximately US$60 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of nearly 20% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is driven by increasing technology adoption across various sectors, including food and beverage (F&B), which is expected to exceed US$250 billion by 2030, fueled by rising consumer spending and a growing middle class, as supported by Market Research. As consumer preferences evolve, Indonesian businesses are turning to digital solutions to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and improve efficiency.

    In line with this trend, according to Grand View Research, the Asia Pacific cloud-based Point of Sale (POS) market is expected to expand at a CAGR of almost 20% from 2024 to 2030, driven by the region’s booming retail sector and increasing mobile and internet adoption. This presents a significant opportunity for Speed+ to tap into a tech-savvy market that is primed for digital ordering solutions.

    “Securing this Master Dealership Agreement with PT Kiwari Asih Solusi represents a significant milestone in our expansion strategy for Southeast Asia. Indonesia offers a unique growth opportunity, fueled by its rapidly developing digital economy and increasing demand for innovative cloud-based solutions. With Speed+, we are excited to empower local businesses to optimize their operations and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market,” said Kevin Ng, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sagtec.

    About Sagtec Global Limited

    Sagtec is a leading provider of customizable software solutions, primarily serving the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector. The Company also offers software development, data management, and social media management to enhance operational efficiency across various industries, including Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs). Additionally, Sagtec operates power-bank charging stations at 300 locations across Malaysia through its subsidiary, CL Technology (International) Sdn Bhd.

    For more information on the Company, please log on to https://www.sagtec-global.com/.

    About PT Kiwari Asih Solusi

    Kiwari is a leading provider of IoT and general trading solutions, specializing in industrial efficiency and business growth across various sectors. Founded by industry professionals, the company integrates advanced technology with a personalized approach to deliver tailored solutions that enhance productivity and operational performance. Committed to innovation and client success, Kiwari empowers businesses with scalable, technology-driven strategies to navigate the evolving digital landscape.

    For more details, please log on to https://www.kasolusi.com/.

    Contact Information:

    Sagtec Global Limited Contact:
    Ng Chen Lok
    Chairman, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
    Telephone +6011-6217 3661  
    Email: info@sagtec-global.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Trust Stamp announces timing for filing its 2024 10K and gives historic and forward-looking revenue guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Atlanta, GA, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trust Stamp announces that:

    1. It plans to file its 10-K report for the 2024 Financial Year after the Nasdaq market closes on March 31st, 2025.
    1. Q4 2024 Revenue will be reported at $1.497m (up from $0.575m for Q4 of 2023) versus recent analysts’ forecasts of $0.51m.
    2. Current estimates of anticipated revenue from existing customers for the full year 2025 is believed to exceed $5.0m.

    Inquiries:
    Trust Stamp                                                   Email: Shareholders@truststamp.ai 

    About Trust Stamp

    Trust Stamp, is a global provider of AI-powered services for use in multiple sectors including banking and finance, regulatory compliance, government, healthcare, real estate, communications, and humanitarian services. Its technology empowers organizations via advanced solutions that reduce fraud, tokenize and secure data, securely authenticate users while protecting personal privacy, reduce friction in digital transactions, and increase operational efficiency, enabling customers to accelerate secure financial inclusion and reach and serve a broader base of users worldwide.

    Located in eight countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Trust Stamp trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market (Nasdaq: IDAI).

    Safe Harbor Statement: Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Remarks 

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Women are reclaiming their place in baseball

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Callie Maddox, Associate Professor of Sport Leadership and Management, Miami University

    For most baseball fans, hope springs eternal on Opening Day.

    Many of those fans – more than you might think – are women.

    A 2024 survey found that women made up 39% of those who attended or watched Major League Baseball games, and franchises have taken notice. The Philadelphia Phillies offer behind-the-scenes tours and clinics for their female fans, while the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees offer fantasy camps that are geared to women.

    The number of women working professionally in baseball has also grown. Kim Ng made history in 2020 when she became the first woman general manager of an MLB team, the Miami Marlins. As of 2023, women made up 30% of central office professional staff and 27% of team senior administration jobs. In addition, 43 women held coaching and managerial jobs across the major and minor league levels – a 95% increase in just two years.

    As a fan and scholar of the game, I’m happy to see more women watching baseball and working in the industry. But it still nags at me that the girls and women who play baseball don’t get much recognition, particularly in the U.S.

    Women take the field

    In the U.S., baseball is seen as a sport for boys and men. Girls and women, on the other hand, are supposed to play softball, which uses a bigger ball and has a smaller field.

    It wasn’t always this way.

    Women have been playing baseball in the U.S. since at least the 1860s. At women’s colleges such as Smith and Vassar, students organized baseball teams as early as 1866. The first professional women’s baseball team was known as the Dolly Vardens, a team of Black players formed in Philadelphia in 1867. Barnstorming teams, known as Bloomer Girls, traveled across the country to play against men’s teams from the 1890s to the 1930s, providing the players with independence and the means to make a living.

    American women have been playing baseball since at least the 1860s.
    Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

    The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, founded by Philip K. Wrigley in 1943, also offered women the chance to play professionally. The league, which inspired the 1992 film “A League of Their Own,” enforced rigid norms of femininity expected at the time. Players were required to wear skirts and makeup while playing and were fined if they engaged in any behavior deemed “unladylike.” Teams were open only to white women and light-skinned Latinas. Black women were not allowed to play, a policy that reflected the segregation of the Jim Crow era.

    Three Black women – Connie Morgan, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson and Toni Stone – did play in the otherwise male Negro Leagues in the early 1950s. However, their skills were often downplayed by claims that they’d been signed to generate ticket sales and boost interest in the struggling league.

    The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League folded in 1954, and by the late-1950s women’s participation in baseball had dwindled.

    Girls funneled into softball

    Softball was invented in Chicago in 1887 as an indoor alternative to baseball.

    Originally aimed at both men and women, it eventually became the accepted sport for girls and women due to its smaller field, larger ball and underhand pitching style – aspects deemed suitable for the supposedly weaker and more delicate female body.

    The passage of Title IX in 1972 further pushed the popularization of fast-pitch softball, as participation in high school and college increased markedly. In 1974, the National Organization for Women filed a lawsuit against Little League Baseball because the league’s charter excluded girls from playing. The lawsuit was successful, and girls were permitted to join teams.

    In response, Little League created Little League Softball as a way to funnel girls into softball instead of baseball. As political scientist Jennifer Ring has pointed out, this decision reinforced the gendered division of each sport and “cemented the post-Title IX segregated masculinity of baseball.”

    Girls can still play baseball, but most are encouraged to eventually switch to softball if they want to pursue college scholarships. If they want to keep playing baseball, they have to constantly confront stubborn cultural beliefs and assumptions that they should be playing softball instead.

    Instead of encouraging girls to play baseball, Little League launched Little League Softball to direct girls away from the sport.
    Chris Ryan/Corbis via Getty Images

    A global game

    You might be surprised to learn that the U.S. fields a national women’s baseball team that competes in the Women’s Baseball World Cup. But they receive scant media attention and remain unknown to most baseball fans.

    In a 2019 article published in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues, I argued that the U.S. has experienced inconsistent success on the global stage because of a lack of infrastructure, limited resources and persistent gendered assumptions that hamper the development of women’s baseball. Other countries such as Japan, Canada and Australia have established solid pathways that allow girls and women to pursue baseball from the youth level through high school and beyond.

    That being said, opportunities for girls to play baseball are increasing in the U.S. thanks to the efforts of organizations such as Baseball for All and DC Girls Baseball.

    Approximately 1,300 girls play high school baseball, and a handful of young women play on men’s college baseball teams each year. In recent years, numerous women’s collegiate club baseball teams have been established; there’s even an annual tournament to crown a national champion.

    Japanese pitcher Yukari Isozaki competes during the 2010 Women’s Baseball World Cup in Venezuela.
    AP Photo/Fernando Llano

    Pro league in the works

    Momentum continues to build.

    MLB recently appointed Veronica Alvarez as its first girls baseball ambassador, who will oversee development programs such as the Trailblazers Series and the Elite Development Invitational. A new documentary film, “See Her Be Her,” is touring the country to celebrate the growth of women’s baseball and raise awareness of the challenges these athletes face.

    Perhaps most significantly, the Women’s Pro Baseball League announced that it is planning to start play in summer 2026 with six teams located in the northeastern U.S. Over 500 players from 11 countries have registered with the league, with a scouting camp and player draft scheduled for later this year.

    Should the league have success, it will mark a revitalization of women’s professional baseball in the U.S., a nod to the rich history of the women’s game and a commitment to securing opportunities for the girls and women who continue to defy cultural norms to play the game they love.

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

    – ref. Women are reclaiming their place in baseball – https://theconversation.com/women-are-reclaiming-their-place-in-baseball-252590

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ecological disruptions are a risk to national security

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Bradley J. Cardinale, Professor, Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State

    Illegal deforestation is one way terrorist groups fund their activities. Amaury Falt-Brown/AFP via Getty Images

    When the natural environment is stretched beyond its ability to meet basic human needs for food, clean air, drinkable water and shelter, it is not just a humanitarian concern for the world community. Research shows that these crises are a matter of national security for the U.S. and other countries.

    The Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community have long paid close attention to the influence of climate change on national security. Although recent intelligence reports of the Trump administration have omitted any mention of climate change, prior intelligence reports have shown how climate change can generate flash points for global conflict, affect how troops and equipment work, and influence which defense locations are vulnerable.

    The effects of ecological disruptions on national security get less attention. But they, too, can cause social and political instability, economic strife and strained international relations. Ecological disruptions occur when ecosystems that provide natural resources are compromised and can no longer meet basic human needs. Examples include overfishing, human disease and environmental crime.

    Protecting access to fish

    Some 3.2 billion people worldwide rely on fisheries as a major source of protein. Overexploitation of ocean fisheries is a common root of international conflict.

    From the 1950s to the 1970s, intermittent conflict broke out between British and Icelandic fishermen over the Icelandic cod fisheries, which had been depleted by overfishing. The Icelandic government sought to ban British trawlers from a broader area around the country’s coast, but the British continued to fish. The result was standoffs between fishing boats and Icelandic gunboats, and even the intervention of the British Royal Navy.

    These “Cod Wars” broke diplomatic relations between Iceland and the United Kingdom for a time. Iceland even threatened to withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and close a U.S. military base in Iceland. The U.K. ultimately agreed to abide by a 200-mile territorial limit on fishing around Iceland. Decades later, in 2012, the British government issued an apology and offered £1,000 each in compensation to 2,500 British fishermen for the loss of jobs and livelihoods that resulted from abiding by the 200-mile limit.

    More recently, China’s rampant overfishing of its own coastal waters has meant expanding fishing in the South China Sea and using fishing fleets to assert new territorial claims. Indonesia has responded by blowing up more than 40 Chinese vessels accused of fishing illegally in its waters and stealing more than US$4 billion per year in Indonesian profits.

    The United States, Australia, New Zealand and Britain have stepped up naval patrols against illegal fishing in the waters of Pacific island nations. Conflicts have arisen with Chinese coast guard vessels that routinely escort fishing fleets entering other countries’ waters without permission.

    China’s fishing fleets have also expanded their activities off the coasts of Africa and South America, depleting fish stocks and creating political instability in those regions, too. In 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard and Argentine navy began joint exercises to combat illegal Chinese fishing in the Atlantic Ocean.

    Public health crises

    The best-known examples of ecologically related public health crises that jeopardize national security involve what are called zoonotic diseases, which spread from animals to humans as a result of close contact between people and wildlife. More than 70% of the world’s emerging infectious diseases – uncommon or newly identified infectious diseases – stem from contact with wild animals.

    The risks of animal-to-human disease transmission are especially high for those who handle or eat wild meat.

    A recent example is the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 global pandemic. Epidemiological and genetic studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 first spilled over to humans from wild animals sold in the Huanan live animal market in Wuhan, China. Although the specific animal that served as the original host is still under investigation, bats and other mammals are considered likely natural reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 because they harbor other coronaviruses with closely related genomes.

    Following the zoonotic spillover event, the pathogen spread rapidly across the globe, killing more than 7 million people and causing acute disruptions not only to global markets and supply chains but also to social cohesion and political stability. Countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates had elevated levels of civil disorder and fatalities caused by political violence as the trust of citizens in the ability of governments to protect them eroded.

    Many other zoonotic diseases caused by human-wildlife contact, such as Zika, Ebola, SARS and West Nile virus, have similarly generated international political and economic crises that have activated security measures within the U.S. government.

    Environmental crime

    International Anti-Poaching Foundation rangers, seen here demonstrating a patrol in Zimbabwe, seek to protect natural resources from criminals.
    Gianluigi Guercia/AFP via Getty Images

    Illegal poaching and trade of wildlife and forest products is valued at $91 billion to $258 billion per year. That makes environmental crime one of the world’s largest crime sectors, comparable with drug trafficking, at $344 billion, and human trafficking, at $157 billion.

    Exorbitant black market prices for rare wildlife specimens and body parts provide funding for terrorist groups, drug cartels and criminal organizations.

    Illegal logging helps finance terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia, where trade in charcoal has become a critical revenue source. Money from illegally cut trees turned into charcoal and sold to markets in the Middle East has funded al-Shabab-linked suicide bombings in Mogadishu, the 2013 Westgate mall attack in Nairobi that killed 67 Kenyan and non-Kenyan nationals, and the 2015 massacre of 147 university students in Garissa, Kenya.

    Those and other terrorist activities funded through environmental crime have contributed to the destabilization of countries throughout the Horn of Africa.

    These examples make clear how ecological disruptions to nature increase national security risks.

    National security is not just a matter of military strength. It also depends on the ability of a nation to maintain productive and stable ecosystems, resilient biological communities and sustainable access to natural resources. Sovereign nations already develop and protect physical infrastructure that is essential to security, such as roads, communication networks and power grids. The natural world plays an equally vital role in social and political stability and, we believe, deserves more attention in planning for national security.

    Bradley J. Cardinale has received funding from the US National Science Foundation, US Department of Energy, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and US Department of Agriculture.

    Emmett Duffy has received funding from the US National Science Foundation, US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Lenfest Ocean Program.

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

    – ref. Ecological disruptions are a risk to national security – https://theconversation.com/ecological-disruptions-are-a-risk-to-national-security-248754

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –