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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI Economics: India: Financial Sector Assessment Program, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), a joint program of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), undertakes a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of a country’s financial sector. Since September 2010 the exercise has become mandatory for jurisdictions with systemically important financial sectors. Currently, it is mandatory for 32 jurisdictions including India, every five years, and for another 15 jurisdictions every ten years. Last FSAP for India was conducted in 2017 and the Financial System Stability Assessment (FSSA) report was published by IMF on 21st December, 2017.

    2. IMF released the latest India-FSSA report on their websites on February 28, 2025, based on the assessment carried out during 2024, while WB’s Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) report is due for publication.

    3. India welcomes assessment of the Indian financial system undertaken by the joint IMF-World Bank team conforming to the highest international standards.

    4. IMF’s FSSA report highlights that India’s financial system has become more resilient and diverse since the last FSAP in 2017, driven by rapid economic growth. Financial Sector in India has shown recovery from various distress episodes of 2010s and withstood the pandemic well. In terms of evolution of financial sector landscape, Non-Banking Financial Intermediaries (NBFI) sector has become diverse but more interconnected. Banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) have sufficient aggregate capital to support moderate lending even in severe macrofinancial scenarios.

    5. On regulation and supervision of NBFCs, IMF acknowledged India’s systematic approach for prudential requirements of NBFCs with scale based regulatory framework. IMF appreciated India’s approach on introduction of bank-like Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) for large NBFCs. For supervision of banks, IMF suggested strengthening credit risk management through IFSR 9 adoption and upgrading supervision over individual loans, collateral valuation, connected borrower groups, large exposure limits, and related-party transactions.

    6. IMF acknowledges that the regulatory framework in securities markets has been enhanced in line with international practice to manage and prevent emerging risks. Notable improvements include establishing the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF), introducing swing pricing and liquidity requirements for bond mutual funds. The regulatory scope has also been expanded over emerging areas such as sustainability and investor protection measures for fast-growing equity derivatives products.

    7. IMF has stated that public digital infrastructures have significantly improved retail financial inclusion and recommended that financially underserved sectors’ access to credit can be enhanced by strengthening legal, tax, and informational infrastructures for asset-based and digital lending.

    8. The FSSA report acknowledges that India’s insurance sector is strong and growing, with a significant presence in both life and general insurance. The sector has remained stable, supported by better regulations and digital innovations. The report notes India’s progress in improving oversight, risk management and governance and suggests further steps toward riskbased solvency / supervision frameworks and stronger group supervision. It acknowledged transition plans towards risk-based approach in the insurance sector. This reflects India’s commitment to global best practices and a resilient insurance sector.

    9. IMF recommends that financial stability should be the primary objective of the macroprudential authorities.

    10. In terms of emerging risks, cybersecurity, climate change and system-wide contagion need attention. Financial stability risks from climate change appear manageable but warrant careful monitoring. The assessment suggested enhanced data coverage with better granularity for mapping climate-related financial risks.

    11. IMF also analysed cyber security framework in banking sector, Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI), Critical Information Systems, and other relevant players in securities market. IMF found that Indian authorities have advanced cybersecurity risk oversight, especially for banks. However, IMF stated that extensive cybersecurity crisis simulations and stress tests for banks could be expanded for cross-sectoral and market-wide events to further strengthen cybersecurity resilience.

    12. The recommendations in case of India FSAP are mainly focussed on bringing about further improvements in the structure and functioning of the financial system and many of the detailed recommendations are in conformity with the concerned authorities’/regulators’ own developmental plans. India remains committed to adoption of internationally accepted standards and best practices in a phased manner, attuned to domestic needs and economic conditions, wherever necessary.

    The FSSA released by IMF can be accessed at:

    (https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2025/02/28/India-Financial-Sector-Assessment-Program-Financial-System-Stability-Assessment-562815)

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2449

    MIL OSI Economics –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Nigerian journalists are harassed by the public, the state and paid ‘data boys’ – what must change

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Temple Uwalaka, Lecturer in Communication and Media Studies, University of Canberra

    Death threats, kidnapping, unlawful detention, torture and assassination are some of the crimes being committed against journalists in Nigeria, according to a recent report. Another recent report details how the police and politicians are responsible for 70% of these harassment cases.

    They point to the increased level of threats that Nigerian journalists endure in their fourth estate role, serving as the voice of the people and holding government to account.

    This isn’t new. The harassment of journalists is baked into Nigerian history. But today journalists are also attracting online threats and harassment from members of the public.

    I teach and research media and politics, with a focus on online journalism in Nigeria. What’s clear is that the digital age has brought with it a complex relationship not just between journalists and the state, but also with citizens.

    All these parties need to turn down the heat, in the interests of free and fair information, particularly in a young democracy like Nigeria.

    A long history of violence

    The history of Nigerian journalism is characterised by violence from British colonial powers, from 1859 when the first newspaper was established, and also from indigenous politicians. There’s always been a suspicion that a free press could empower ordinary citizens and cause a shift in the power base.

    This isn’t unfounded. Journalism contributed to ending colonialism. But, after independence in 1960, the political class feared that an unfettered press would be difficult to control. Particularly when the country came under oppressive military rule from 1966 to 1999.

    There was always a fair amount of goodwill towards the press from citizens. But the ownership and control of major media houses by prominent Nigerian politicians, alongside the rise of social media, has changed the picture.

    The public used to act as the buffer for journalists, defending them from the attacks of government officials. Now some Nigerians have joined in attacking and harassing journalists in Nigeria.

    Online harassment

    We know that journalists in Nigeria under-report the harassment they receive. Many don’t view acute forms of harassment – verbal abuse, online disrespect and maltreatment – as an issue. One of our studies found they regard this as mere online banter, verbal sparring and attention seeking. But dismissing harassment doesn’t make it go away or stop. It just makes it worse in frequency and form.



    Read more:
    Threats to press freedom are taking on different forms across Africa

    Our studies indicate that online harassment of journalists is prevalent and escalating. This type of harassment is usually sustained and it often moves from one social media platform to another.

    In some cases, it spills from online to offline. The burning of the Television Continental station in Lagos in 2020 is just one example. The harassment is usually personal. Threats to the lives and safety of journalists are becoming common.

    Data Boys and corruption

    Nigerian journalists have reported that the harassers particularly target investigative and political reports, as well as perceived unethical conduct by journalists.

    The result is that political reporting is becoming difficult. A critical report about a politician makes the journalist an enemy of the politician. The politician will then unleash their supporters and paid influencers (known as “Data Boys”) to harass and hassle the journalist.

    The Data Boys phenomenon as we know it today began during Nigeria’s 2015 general elections. Data Boys are groups of young people on a politician’s payroll. They help to promote the politician’s image online and generally do their bidding. The politician sends them money to buy internet data and shares promotional “news” about themself. The Data Boys are also paid to attack any perceived enemy of the politician.

    It’s an increasingly successful political tactic in Nigeria. As a result, journalists have started censoring themselves.

    Data Boys aside, we asked ordinary Nigerians who reported engaging in online harassment why they picked on journalists. They indicated that perceived journalistic malpractice was their main reason. They accused journalists of being part of the problem because they believed many were corrupt and in the pay of politicians. Adding fuel to the fire is that Nigerian politicians are also often media owners.

    Some solutions

    One of the reasons that a culture of harassment continues is the failure of law enforcement. Those who harass journalists are not made to account for their actions. Strengthening harassment laws in Nigeria would give law enforcement the tools needed to curb it.

    There are no explicit laws around online harassment in Nigeria, just sexual and physical assault laws. This has to change if journalists are to be protected. All respondents in our studies, both journalists and the public, highlighted the law as a cardinal factor to fight harassment.

    Another solution is that journalists need to be accountable, transparent and ethical. Journalists themselves have raised these concerns about their profession.

    Yet in our studies journalists did not highlight transparency or an improved code of conduct as ways to improve the harassment situation in Nigeria.



    Read more:
    Western media outlets are trying to fix their racist, stereotypical coverage of Africa. Is it time African media did the same?

    Their detachment can come off as arrogant and has the potential to worsen hostility towards them. All the suggested solutions to online harassment made by journalists in our studies were external to them, like media sensitisation campaigns, improved workplace security and proper punishment for offenders. Their attitudes, we found, could be misconstrued as lacking self-reflection or empathy.

    Journalists, their harassers and politicians will all need to make changes or be brought to book if the problem is to be solved. Until then, online harassment is harming journalism as a profession in Nigeria. And this has the potential to have a negative impact on democracy.

    Temple Uwalaka 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. Nigerian journalists are harassed by the public, the state and paid ‘data boys’ – what must change – https://theconversation.com/nigerian-journalists-are-harassed-by-the-public-the-state-and-paid-data-boys-what-must-change-252100

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Egg prices soar as outdated supply chains crack under pressure

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jack Buffington, Associate Professor of Practice in Supply Chain Management, University of Denver

    Experts predict that egg prices will keep climbing in 2025. Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    There may be no kitchen table issue in America more critical than the price of food.

    So when the price of eggs rose over 40% from 2024 to 2025, it became a headline news story in Colorado and across the nation.

    Public officials and the media blamed high egg prices on bird flu outbreaks and said containing the outbreak in supply chains would lower prices. In early March 2025, egg prices fell in the U.S., but these trends are likely to reverse due to higher seasonal demand during Easter and Passover.

    Rising prices and market volatility have led to food costs climbing to 11.4% of American’s disposable income, the largest percentage since 1991.

    Arresting these rising costs, as I argue in my 2023 book, means reinventing supply chains to address the growing supply, demand and price volatility that has created uncertainty for consumers since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

    I have described global supply chains, and supply chains in the U.S. in particular, as “efficiently broken.” By this I mean that they aspire to offer low prices from economies of scale but lack sufficient resiliency to create stability.

    Without addressing the systemic weaknesses in supply chains, I believe major health and economic disruptions will continue to happen in Colorado, nationally and around the world.

    Cage-free eggs

    Colorado faces a double whammy where egg prices are concerned.

    It’s one of nine states with a cage-free egg mandate, which requires all eggs sold in the state to come from cage-free facilities. The regulation has been shown to increase the price of eggs by as much as 50%.

    Over the past two decades, cage-free egg laws have been passed in states as consumers have grown more concerned with the welfare of farm animals. What that means varies from state to state because the term cage-free isn’t regulated by a federal agency. In Colorado, egg-laying hens must be housed in a cage-free system and must have a minimum of 1 square foot of usable floor space per hen.

    Colorado is the 28th largest egg producer in the U.S., far behind Midwestern states such as Iowa, Indiana and Ohio, but it has a few large producers such as Morning Fresh Farms, as well as smaller ones such as the Colorado Egg Producers Association, a collection of seven family-owned farms.

    Colorado’s cage-free egg law went into effect in January 2025 – around the same time that consumers noticed bare egg shelves at their supermarkets. Many consumers and some elected Republicans in Colorado blamed the cage-free law.

    Nevada is pulling back on its cage-free egg mandate to deal with the challenge of unaffordable egg prices.

    But cage-free laws are not the main driver of increasing egg prices, as I’ve noted in my research. Like many others, the egg supply chain needs to be reinvented to balance price, scale, resiliency and stability.

    Supply chain issues

    What is driving up the prices of eggs and other consumer goods is the concentration of producers. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed just how vulnerable prices and supply chains are.

    Five years ago this month, when the pandemic started, many products became unavailable and more expensive.

    In 2022, a major product recall of Similac led to a baby formula shortage in the U.S. The baby formula market is highly concentrated, with four companies responsible for approximately 90% of the domestic market. A large-scale facility that produced the baby formula was found to have unsanitary conditions and contaminated products. Pulling this one facility offline at the same time the nation was coping with pandemic-related supply chain issues led to the shortage.

    Supply chain issues led to a U.S. shortage of baby formula in 2022.
    Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    Then at the beginning of 2024, supplies of insulin ran short due to production issues at Eli Lilly, one of the three companies responsible for over 90% of the U.S. insulin market.

    And in the second half of 2024, hospitals couldn’t get enough IV fluid due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene to a Baxter factory in North Carolina that manufactures approximately 60% of IV fluids in the U.S. This factory had been relocated to North Carolina from Puerto Rico due to the supply impact from Hurricane Maria that damaged the island in 2017.

    In all of these cases, the supply chain was easily interrupted due to a reliance on a few large producers. In 2025, bird flu and eggs are just another example of America’s “efficiently broken” supply chain.

    Bird flu and cost of eggs

    In the U.S., the top five egg producers are responsible for 40% of hens, with Mississippi-based Cal-Maine Foods alone responsible for 13% of total U.S. production.

    An average-sized production facility in the U.S. can house 75,000 to 500,000 hens. Large facilities can house over 4 million. The mass production of eggs from these facilities means eggs are, in stable times, cost effective for the American consumer. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, eggs in the U.S. never surpassed $3 a dozen, and it was an affordable food solution compared with processed foods.

    But this scale and efficiency comes at the price of resiliency during something like a bird flu outbreak. Larger farms create a higher risk of viral outbreak, which leads to the need for culling millions of birds and a heightened risk of viral replication and mutation.

    The solution may increase prices

    Policymakers want to reduce the spread of disease at American egg factories to mitigate the spread of bird flu. But these measures are expensive.

    Factory farms increase the potential for viruses to spread rapidly and even mutate. Therefore, bird flu is a more serious precursor of supply chain disruption than a hurricane or product recall because it has the potential to create a public health crisis.

    One solution to limit the spread of bird flu is to regulate the number of hens allowed in a single facility. This would lead to smaller and more farms across the U.S., but also higher consumer prices.

    This solution would mirror other countries such as Canada, where the average facility size is much smaller than in the U.S. and eggs and poultry cost significantly more. That’s why – under the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement – Canada has quota and tariff protection from American companies flooding its market with eggs and poultry that would cost consumers two to three times less.

    Yet in March 2025, the price of eggs in Canada is 50% cheaper than eggs in the U.S. because the country has not suffered the same damages from bird flu.

    Following Canada’s lead wouldn’t result in egg prices as low as giant factory farms, but it would protect American consumers from the periodic price shocks caused by disease or localized weather events that disrupt supplies.

    Despite the threat of a public health crisis, American consumers don’t want to pay more for eggs – and their leaders have promised they won’t have to.

    Read more of our stories about Colorado.

    Jack Buffington 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. Egg prices soar as outdated supply chains crack under pressure – https://theconversation.com/egg-prices-soar-as-outdated-supply-chains-crack-under-pressure-251425

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Who gets to brand Puerto Rico: Its tourism agency or its biggest star?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Carlos A. Suárez Carrasquillo, Associate Instructional Professor in Political Science, Center for Latin American Studies, University of Florida

    The Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is one of the biggest stars of the music world. After becoming Spotify’s most-streamed artist for three years in a row – the first and only artist ever to do so – he sold out all 49 dates of his 2024 U.S. tour, netting US$211 million.

    Earlier this year, after Bad Bunny co-hosted “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and announced a 21-show residency in Puerto Rico, the recently reelected mayor of San Juan, Miguel Romero, quipped that the artist had done a better job of promoting Puerto Rico than the island’s official destination marketing organization.

    That agency, Discover Puerto Rico, was founded in 2017 to market the island to both tourists and investors. Established during the administration of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, it was part of a broader effort to professionalize Puerto Rico’s place branding and underscored the importance of tourism to the island’s economy.

    As a scholar of Puerto Rican politics and place branding – and a native Puerto Rican – I think this case study raises interesting public policy questions: Who gets to brand Puerto Rico? Why does it matter if a place has a brand anyway? And if political leaders are dissatisfied with an agency whose sole purpose is to market the island, what comes next?

    It’s not just a place – it’s a brand

    Historically, place-branding campaigns have been led by governments seeking to attract tourism and investment. One of the most iconic examples was the “I Love New York” campaign, launched in 1977 as a collaboration between New York City and private partners. Similar public-private models became more common in the decades that followed.

    Puerto Rico has seen various branding efforts over the years. Early boosterism efforts emerged during the first half of the 20th century, and in 1970, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company was created to promote the island as a
    tourist destination. By the 1990s, many Puerto Rican municipalities had begun adopting different place branding strategies.

    During Puerto Rico’s deepening fiscal crisis in the 2010s, branding efforts remained a bipartisan priority. But the two dominant political parties – the pro-territory Partido Popular Democrático, and the pro-statehood Partido Nuevo Progresista – each rebranded the island every time a new administration took office, raising concerns about consistency. The last major government-led initiative before Discover Puerto Rico was the “Isla Estrella” campaign, which included a sponsorship deal with Spain’s Sevilla FC soccer team.

    The ‘Discover Puerto Rico’ era

    In 2017, Discover Puerto Rico took control over the island’s place-branding efforts. However, its performance has been polarizing, with critics pointing to significant blunders. For example, an early ad in its “Live Boricua” campaign sparked backlash for featuring a family that didn’t look like most Puerto Ricans.

    Beyond its marketing blunders, Discover Puerto Rico has struggled to navigate Puerto Rico’s politically charged place-branding landscape. In fact, it has been contested from the start, and remains so, as recently elected Gov. Jennifer González evaluates its future. It remains unclear to what extent efficiency and economic development will serve as the main criteria for evaluating its success, and to what extent party politics will influence the decision-making process.

    Just a day before Mayor Romero made his remark about Bad Bunny, Discover Puerto Rico’s CEO, Brad Dean, resigned, taking a similar role in St. Louis. Dean has argued that during his tenure, Discover Puerto Rico has driven significant increases in tourism and tourism spending. While these self-reported figures suggest success, they don’t address a critical issue – the long-standing political controversy surrounding Puerto Rico’s branding.

    Pop culture carries the weight

    At the same time the future of Discover Puerto Rico remains uncertain, the island has gained unparalleled international attention thanks to popular music.

    Reggaetón, an urban genre that originated in Puerto Rico in the 1990s, has amassed a massive global fan base, extending beyond Puerto Rico and Latin America to the rest of the world. In 2017, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi’s video for the worldwide hit “Despacito” turned La Perla, a working-class barrio in Old San Juan, into a magnet for tourists from all over the world.

    “Despacito” prompted a surge of visits to La Perla, as the French news agency AFP noted.

    More recently, in January 2025, Bad Bunny released his latest album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which taps into traditional Puerto Rican music genres such as bomba, plena and música jíbara that aren’t usually associated with reggaetón. It charted at No. 1. Bad Bunny also announced a Puerto Rico-exclusive concert series, with some dates reserved for locals and others open to fans worldwide.

    The success of Puerto Rican reggaetón artists raises an important question: Why have these organic cultural movements been so effective – perhaps even more so than the official expert-driven place-marketing agency – in promoting Puerto Rico as a brand?

    I think the answer probably lies in authenticity. Unlike government-led initiatives, reggaetón’s global appeal stems from its cultural resonance and emotional connection with audiences worldwide, regardless of politics.

    At this critical juncture for the island’s tourism agency, perhaps Discover Puerto Rico should rebrand itself as “Discover the Birthplace of Reggaetón.”

    Carlos A. Suárez Carrasquillo 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. Who gets to brand Puerto Rico: Its tourism agency or its biggest star? – https://theconversation.com/who-gets-to-brand-puerto-rico-its-tourism-agency-or-its-biggest-star-248825

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: National monuments have grown and shrunk under US presidents for over a century thanks to one law: The Antiquities Act

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Monica Hubbard, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Administration, Boise State University

    Over 730,000 people visit Colorado National Monument each year. It was established in 1911 under the Antiquities Act. Gordon Leggett, CC BY-SA

    America’s public lands, from its majestic national parks to its vast national forests, are at the heart of the country’s identity.

    They cover more than a quarter of the nation and large parts of the West. Some are crisscrossed by hiking trails and used by hunters and fishermen. Ranchers graze cattle on others. In many areas, the government earns money through oil, gas, timber and mining leases.

    These federally managed public lands have long enjoyed broad bipartisan support, as have moves to turn them into protected national parks and monuments. Research consistently shows that a majority of Americans want their congressional representatives to protect public access to these lands for recreation. One avenue for protection is the creation of national monuments.

    But the status of national monuments can change.

    Presidents have expanded and contracted national monuments, as the U.S. saw with Bears Ears National Monument in Utah over the course of the past three presidencies. The rules for the use and maintenance of various public lands can also change, and that can affect surrounding communities and their economies.

    The U.S. is likely to see changes to public lands again under the second Trump administration. One of the new administration’s early orders was for the Department of Interior to review all national monuments for potential oil and gas drilling and mining. At least two national monuments that President Joe Biden created in California are among the new administration’s targets.

    The avenue for many of these changes is rooted in one century-old law.

    The power and vagary of the Antiquities Act

    The Antiquities Act of 1906, signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt, gave Congress or the president the authority to establish national monuments on federal land as a means of protecting areas for ecological, cultural, historical or scientific purposes.

    From Theodore Roosevelt on, 18 of the 21 presidents have used the Antiquities Act to create, expand or contract national monuments through a presidential proclamation.

    By using the Antiquities Act to create, expand or reduce national monuments, presidents can avoid an environmental impact statement, normally required under the National Environmental Policy Act, which also allows for public input. Supporters argue that forgoing the environmental impact statement helps expedite monument creation and expansion. Critics say bypassing the review means potential impacts of the monument designations can be overlooked.

    The Antiquities Act also offers no clarity on whether a president can reduce the amount of area protected by prior presidents. The act simply states that a president designates “the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.” This has led to the shifting of national monument boundaries based on the priorities of each administration.

    The Citadel Ruins are the remains of Anasazi cliff dwellings at Bears Ears National Monument in Utah.
    Bob Wick/Bureau of Land Management via Wikimedia Commons

    An example is Bears Ears, an area of Utah that is considered significant to several tribes but also has uranium, gas and oil resources. In 2016, President Barack Obama designated Bears Ears a national monument. In 2017, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation reducing Bears Ears by 80% of its total designated size. The monument’s size and scope shifted a third time when President Joe Biden reestablished Bears Ears to the boundaries designated by Obama.

    In the span of just over five years, the monument was created, reduced, then restored to the original monument designation.

    The uncertainty about the long-term reliability of a designation makes it challenging for federal agencies to manage the land or assure Indigenous communities that the government will protect cultural, historical and ecological heritage.

    Public lands can be economic engines

    National parks and monuments can help fuel local economies.

    A 2017 study by Headwaters Economics, a nonprofit research group, found that Western rural counties with more public land have had greater economic growth, including in jobs and personal income, than those with little public land. National monuments can also benefit neighboring counties by increasing population, income and employment opportunities.

    Even small national monuments provide economic benefits for their surrounding communities. Visitors to Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, N.Y., spent $5.3 million in nearby communities in 2023, according to a National Park Service report.
    National Park Service via Wikimedia Commons

    While many counties adjacent to public lands may be dependent on natural resource extraction, the establishment of a national monument can open up new opportunities by expanding tourism and recreation. For example, four national parks and monuments in southeastern Utah, including Natural Bridges, drew about 2.4 million visitors who spent nearly US$400 million in surrounding communities.

    However, when there is uncertainty over whether public lands will remain protected, communities may be hesitant to invest in that future, not knowing whether it will soon change.

    What Congress and the courts could do

    There are a few ways to increase the certainty around the future of national monuments.

    First, lawsuits could push the courts to determine whether the president has the authority to reduce national monuments. Since the Antiquities Act doesn’t directly address presidential authority to reduce monument size, that’s an open question.

    Advocacy groups sued the government over Trump’s authority to shrink Bears Ears National Monument, but their cases were put on hold after Biden expanded the monument again. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear other cases in 2024 that argued that a president’s authority to declare and expand national monuments should be far more limited under the law.

    Second, Congress could permanently protect designated national monuments through legislation. That would require presidential approval, and the process would likely be slow and cumbersome. Creating White Clouds Wilderness in Idaho, for example, took decades and a public campaign to have it designated a national monument before Congress approved its wilderness designation.

    Third, Congress could take new steps to protect public lands. For example, a bipartisan bill titled Public Lands in Public Hands Act could block privatization of public lands and increase and maintain access for recreation. One of the bill’s lead sponsors is U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Republican from Montana who served as Interior secretary during the first Trump administration. Whether the bill will pass and gain the president’s approval remains to be seen.

    Public lands have widespread support

    The Antiquities Act has led to the creation of 163 terrestrial and marine monuments and subsequently the protection of land and waters that hold cultural, scientific or historic significance.

    These monuments tend to have broad support. During the first Trump administration, there were over 650,000 public comments on Trump’s review of national monument creation. An analysis found that 98% of the comments expressed broad support for both the creation and expansion of national monuments.

    Gold Butte National Monument covers nearly 300,000 acres of remote and rugged desert landscape in southeastern Nevada and is popular with hikers.
    Bureau of Land Management

    Public lands are more than just physical places. They are spaces where our ideals and values around public land unify us as Americans. They are quintessentially American – and in many ways define and shape the American identity.

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

    – ref. National monuments have grown and shrunk under US presidents for over a century thanks to one law: The Antiquities Act – https://theconversation.com/national-monuments-have-grown-and-shrunk-under-us-presidents-for-over-a-century-thanks-to-one-law-the-antiquities-act-252707

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Japanese anime draws on religious traditions to explore themes of destiny, sacrifice and the struggle between desire and duty

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ronald S. Green, Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Coastal Carolina University

    Kyojuro Rengoku, also known as the Flame Hashira, is a central character in the ‘Demon Slayer’ series. Deviant Art, CC BY-ND

    I have spent years studying and teaching Japanese anime, exploring how its narratives intertwine with cultural, philosophical and religious traditions. One of the most compelling aspects of Japanese anime is its ability to merge thrilling action with deep spiritual and ethical questions.

    “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train,” which shattered Japanese box-office records for earnings and ended up as 2020’s highest-grossing film in the world, is a prime example of how anime engages with these profound themes. With “Demon Slayer” continuing its global success, it is an opportune time to examine how it intertwines Buddhist, Shinto and samurai traditions into a narrative of heroism, impermanence and moral struggle.

    Spiritual themes in anime

    Anime often explores spiritual and philosophical questions by drawing on Japan’s religious traditions to examine themes of fate, self-sacrifice and the struggle between desire and duty.

    Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke,” for example, follows Prince Ashitaka, who is cursed by a demon and must journey to find a cure. His quest leads him into a conflict between the industrialized Irontown, which seeks to expand by clearing forests, and the spirits of the natural world, including the Deer God, a divine being that governs life and death.

    The film reflects Shinto principles by portraying nature as sacred and inhabited by “kami,” or spiritual beings. It emphasizes harmony between humans and the environment and the consequences of disrupting this balance.

    Scholar Melissa Croteau, in her book “Transcendence and Spirituality in Japanese Cinema,” notes how Miyazaki’s films use nature spirits to critique modernity’s detachment from the sacredness of the environment.

    A still from ‘Spirited Away’ in which 10-year-old Chihiro must learn to navigate an unseen world.
    GoodFon.com, CC BY-NC

    Similarly, his 2001 animated film “Spirited Away” reflects animist ideas in Japanese culture, where spirits are believed to inhabit natural elements and even everyday objects. Set in a mysterious Japanese bathhouse filled with “kami,” 10-year-old Chihiro, once shy and afraid of change, learns to navigate this hidden world and transforms along the way.

    A key moment in the film is the arrival of a polluted river spirit, which appears as a filthy, sludge-covered creature but is revealed to be a once-pristine river god, burdened by human waste. This scene embodies the animist belief that natural entities have their own spirit and must be respected. It also reinforces an environmental message: When nature is polluted or mistreated, it loses its vitality, but with care and reverence it can be restored.

    “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” a landmark Japanese anime television series that aired from 1995 to 1996, engages with deep philosophical ideas, particularly existentialist questions of identity and purpose. Set in a postapocalyptic world, the series follows 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, who is recruited to pilot a giant biomechanical weapon called an evangelion to defend humanity against mysterious beings known as Angels.

    As Shinji and his fellow pilots struggle with their roles, the series explores themes of isolation, self-worth and the challenges of forming close, meaningful relationships. It draws from both Buddhist and Gnostic thought, which emphasize a focus on inner spiritual knowledge and the belief that clinging too tightly to the material world causes suffering. Evangelion portrays suffering as arising from attachment and the inability to form meaningful relationships.

    Rengoku: The embodiment of selfless heroism

    What sets “Mugen Train” apart is its focus on the internal conflicts of its characters, symbolized by their battles with demons. These demons represent human suffering and attachment, themes deeply influenced by Buddhist thought. At the heart of the film is Kyojuro Rengoku, a demon slayer who embodies unwavering selflessness and honor.

    Rengoku’s flame-breathing forms.

    Rengoku’s fire-based fighting style is deeply symbolic. In Japanese culture, fire represents both destruction and renewal. The Kurama Fire Festival, held annually on Oct. 22 in Kyoto, is a Shinto ritual where large torches are carried through the streets to ward off evil and purify the land.

    Similarly, Buddhist goma fire ceremonies involve priests burning wooden sticks in sacred flames to symbolize the eradication of ignorance and desire. Rengoku’s own techniques reflect this duality: His flames cleanse the world of evil while signifying his unwavering spirit.

    Goma fire ritual.

    Bushido, the samurai code of honor, underpins Rengoku’s character. Rooted in Confucian ethics, Zen Buddhism and Shinto beliefs, this code emphasizes loyalty, self-sacrifice and duty to protect others. His mother’s teaching – “The strong must protect the weak” – guides his every action, reflecting the Confucian value of filial piety and the moral obligation to serve society.

    Bushido’s connection to Zen Buddhism, with its focus on discipline and acceptance of impermanence, further shapes Rengoku’s unwavering resolve, while its Shinto influences reinforce his role as a guardian upholding a sacred duty.

    Even approaching death, Rengoku remains steadfast, accepting impermanence, or “mujō,” a fundamental Buddhist principle that sees beauty in life’s transience. His sacrifice teaches that true strength lies in selflessness and moral integrity.

    Akaza: A manifestation of attachment and suffering

    Opposing Rengoku is Akaza, a demon who embodies the destructive consequences of clinging to power and immortality. Once human, Akaza became a demon in his obsession with strength, unable to accept the impermanence of life.

    His refusal to acknowledge death aligns with Buddhist teachings that suffering arises from attachment and desire. Scholars such as Jacqueline Stone have explored how Buddhist texts portray clinging to existence as a fundamental source of suffering, a theme vividly reflected in Akaza’s character.

    Visual elements reinforce Akaza’s symbolism. His body is covered in tattoos reminiscent of “irezumi,” traditional Japanese body art historically associated with crime and hardship. In Edo-period Japan, tattoos were often used to mark criminals, branding them as outcasts from society. Even today, irezumi remains stigmatized in many parts of Japan, with some public bathhouses, gyms and swimming pools barring individuals with visible tattoos due to their historical association with the yakuza. In contemporary anime, tattooed characters frequently symbolize a troubled past or inner turmoil, reinforcing Akaza’s role as a figure trapped by his own suffering and destructive path.

    Akaza’s irezumi visually conveys his entrapment in cycles of suffering, reinforcing his contrast with Rengoku’s liberating flames.

    A battle about human struggles

    The battle between Rengoku and Akaza is more than a fight between good and evil; it is a clash between two worldviews – selflessness versus egoism, acceptance versus attachment. “Mugen Train” taps into universal human struggles, making its themes resonate far beyond Japan.

    The film’s exploration of impermanence, moral duty and the pursuit of meaning contributes to anime’s broader legacy as a medium that entertains while provoking deep philosophical reflection.

    As “Demon Slayer” continues to captivate audiences worldwide, evidenced by social media buzz around its new projects and the ongoing enthusiasm of fans, its success underscores anime’s ability to blend action with profound themes.

    Whether through Rengoku’s selfless courage or Akaza’s tragic downfall, “Mugen Train” offers a timeless meditation on what it means to live with purpose and integrity.

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

    – ref. How Japanese anime draws on religious traditions to explore themes of destiny, sacrifice and the struggle between desire and duty – https://theconversation.com/how-japanese-anime-draws-on-religious-traditions-to-explore-themes-of-destiny-sacrifice-and-the-struggle-between-desire-and-duty-246960

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine will need major rebuilding when war ends − here’s why the US isn’t likely to invest in its recovery with a new Marshall Plan

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Frank A. Blazich Jr., Curator of Military History, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

    Europe after World War II? No, it’s the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in 2023, after a year of Russian bombardment. AP Photo, File

    President Donald Trump wants Ukraine to repay the United States for helping to defend the country against Russia’s invasion.

    Since 2022, Congress has provided about US$174 billion to Ukraine and neighboring countries to assist its war effort. Trump inflated this figure to $350 billion in a March 2025 White House meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Separately, he has suggested Ukraine could reimburse the U.S. by giving America access to its minerals.

    Ukraine is rich in titanium, graphite, manganese and other rare earth metals used to produce electric vehicle batteries and other tech devices.

    Mining and refining these critical mineral resources would require major investment in infrastructure and economic development, including in parts of Ukraine severely damaged by fighting. Some analysts are calling for a return to the European Recovery Program, commonly known as the Marshall Plan.

    The Marshall Plan used $13.3 billion in U.S. funds – roughly $171 billion in today’s dollars – to rebuild war-torn Western Europe from 1948 to late 1951. It is often evoked as a solution for reconstruction following global crises. Yet as a military historian and curator, I find that the Marshall Plan is not well understood.

    For the U.S., the economic gains of the Marshall Plan did not come from European countries’ repaying loans or allowing the U.S. to extract their raw materials. Rather, the U.S. has benefited enormously from a half-century of goodwill, democratic stability and economic success in Europe.

    European nations turn inward

    After World War II ended in 1945, Western Europe faced a staggering burden of destruction and upheaval.

    Allied bombardment of major industrial areas and German cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne had created massive housing shortages. Meanwhile, fighting through agricultural areas and a critical manpower shortage had curtailed food production. What harvest there was could not get to hungry civilians because so many of Europe’s roads, bridges and ports had been destroyed.

    The United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany and other European governments were buried in debt after so many years of war. They could not afford to rebuild on their own. Yet rather than cooperating on their mutual economic reconstruction, European nations looked inward, focusing primarily on their own political challenges.

    The continent was politically and militarily divided, too. Europe’s western half was influenced by the democratic, capitalistic forces led by the U.S. Eastern Europe was beholden to the communist, command-economy forces of the Soviet Union.

    In a 1946 speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill articulated Europe’s growing postwar divide. Over the ruins of proud nations, he said, “an iron curtain” had “descended across the continent.”

    US looks abroad

    Unlike Europe, the U.S. emerged from World War II as the wealthiest nation in the world, with its territory intact and unharmed. Its steel and oil industries were booming. By 1947, the U.S. was the clear successor to Great Britain as the world’s superpower.

    But President Harry Truman feared the ambitions of the war’s other great victor – the Soviet Union. In March 1947, he announced a new doctrine to contain communist expansion southward across Europe by giving $400 million in military and economic aid to Greece and Turkey.

    Around the same time, U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall met with Soviet officials to plan Germany’s future. Following the Nazis’ surrender in May 1945, Germany had been divided into four occupied zones administered by U.S., British, French and Soviet forces.

    Each nation had its own goals for its section of Germany. The U.S. wanted to revitalize Germany politically and economically, believing that a moribund Germany would thwart the economic reconstruction of all of Europe.

    Marshall hoped that the Soviets would cooperate, but Soviet ruler Josef Stalin preferred extracting reparations from a prostrate Germany to investing in its recovery. A vibrant German economic engine, the Soviets felt, could just as easily rearm to attack the Russian countryside for the third time that century.

    The Truman administration chose to unilaterally rebuild the three western Allied sectors of Germany – and Western Europe.

    Marshall outlined his plan at a commencement address at Harvard University in June 1947. American action to restore global economic health, he said, would provide the foundation for political stability and peace in Europe. And an economically healthy Western Europe, in turn, would inhibit the spread of communism by plainly demonstrating the benefits of capitalism.

    “Our policy is not directed against any country,” Marshall said, “but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos.”

    Marshall’s plan

    Marshall invited all European nations to participate in drafting a plan to first address the immediate humanitarian aid of Europe’s people, then rebuild its infrastructure. The U.S. would pay for it all.

    For nearly bankrupt European nations, it was a lifeline.

    In September 1947, the new Committee for European Economic Co-operation, composed of 16 Western – but not Eastern – European nations, delivered its proposal to Washington.

    It would take a masterful legislative strategy for the Democratic Truman administration to persuade the Republican-led Congress to pass this $13 billion bill. It succeeded thanks to the dedicated effort of Republican Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, who convinced his isolationist colleagues that the Marshall Plan would halt the expansion of communism and benefit American economic growth.

    In April 1948, Truman signed the Economic Cooperation Act. By year’s end, over $2 billion had reached Europe, and its industrial production had finally surpassed prewar levels seen in 1939.

    NATO is born

    Along with economic stability, the Truman administration recognized that Europe needed military security to defend against communist encroachment by the Soviet Union.

    In July 1949, 12 European countries, the U.S. and Canada established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO committed each member country to the mutual defense of fellow NATO members.

    Since 1947, NATO has steadily expanded eastward to include Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and other former Soviet satellite states directly bordering Russia.

    Ukraine, which declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, is not yet a NATO member. But it desperately wants to be.

    Ukraine applied for NATO membership in 2022 after Russia’s invasion. Its application is pending. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said any peace deal with Ukraine must bar NATO membership.

    Would a Marshall Plan work for Ukraine?

    Modern-day Ukraine mirrors the Western European countries of the Marshall Plan era in meaningful ways.

    It suffers from the physical devastation of war, with its major cities heavily damaged. The threat of military attack from hostile neighbors remains urgent. And it has a functional, democratic government that would – in peacetime – be capable of receiving and distributing aid to develop the nation’s economic growth and stability.

    U.S. global leadership, however, has changed dramatically since 1948.

    Outright American taxpayer financing of Ukraine’s reconstruction seems impossible. Any plan to reconstruct the country after war will likely require public funding from multiple nations and substantial private investment. That private investment could well include mineral extraction and refinement ventures.

    Ultimately, Ukraine’s recovery will most likely involve Ukraine and neighboring nations reaching agreement to restore its economic and military security. The European Union, which Ukraine also seeks to join, has the bureaucratic and economic resources necessary to reconstruct Ukraine, restore peace and ease tensions on the continent.

    Any future Marshall Plan for Ukraine will probably be European.

    Frank A. Blazich Jr. 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. Ukraine will need major rebuilding when war ends − here’s why the US isn’t likely to invest in its recovery with a new Marshall Plan – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-will-need-major-rebuilding-when-war-ends-heres-why-the-us-isnt-likely-to-invest-in-its-recovery-with-a-new-marshall-plan-251872

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: How many types of insects are there in the world?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nicholas Green, Assistant Professor of Biology, Kennesaw State University

    This is a close-up photo of an ordinary garden fly. Amith Nag Photography/Moment via Getty Images

    Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

    How many types of insects are there in the world? – Sawyer, age 8, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina

    Exploring anywhere on Earth, look closely and you’ll find insects. Check your backyard and you may see ants, beetles, crickets, wasps, mosquitoes and more. There are more kinds of insects than there are mammals, birds and plants combined. This fact has fascinated scientists for centuries.

    One of the things biologists like me do is classify all living things into categories. Insects belong to a phylum called Arthropoda – animals with hard exoskeletons and jointed feet.

    All insects are arthropods, but not all arthropods are insects. For instance, spiders, lobsters and millipedes are arthropods, but they’re not insects.

    Instead, insects are a subgroup within Arthropoda, a class called “Insecta,” that is characterized by six legs, two antennae and three body segments – head, abdomen and the thorax, which is the part of the body between the head and abdomen.

    The mandibles of the ants are its jaws; the petiole is the ant’s waist.
    Vector Mine/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Most insects also have wings, although a few, like fleas, don’t. All have compound eyes, which means insects see very differently from the way people see. Instead of one lens per eye, they have many: a fly has 5,000 lenses; a dragonfly has 30,000. These types of eyes, though not great for clarity, are excellent at detecting movement.

    What is a species?

    All insects descend from a common ancestor that lived about about 480 million years ago. For context, that’s about 100 million years before any of our vertebrate ancestors – animals with a backbone – ever walked on land.

    A species is the most basic unit that biologists use to classify living things. When people use words like “ant” or “fly” or “butterfly” they are referring not to species, but to categories that may contain hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands of species. For example, about 18,000 species of butterfly exist – think monarch, zebra swallowtail or cabbage white.

    Basically, species are a group that can interbreed with each other, but not with other groups. One obvious example: bees can’t interbreed with ants.

    But brown-belted bumblebees and red-belted bumblebees can’t interbreed either, so they are different species of bumblebee.

    Each species has a unique scientific name – like Bombus griseocollis for the brown-belted bumblebee – so scientists can be sure which species they’re talking about.

    This is what a dragonfly looks like up close.
    Dieter Meyrl/E+ via Getty Images

    Quadrillions of ants

    Counting the exact number of insect species is probably impossible. Every year, some species go extinct, while some evolve anew. Even if we could magically freeze time and survey the entire Earth all at once, experts would disagree on the distinctiveness or identity of some species. So instead of counting, researchers use statistical analysis to make an estimate.

    One scientist did just that. He published his answer in a 2018 research paper. His calculations showed there are approximately 5.5 million insect species, with the correct number almost certainly between 2.6 and 7.2 million.

    Beetles alone account for almost one-third of the number, about 1.5 million species. By comparison, there are “only” an estimated 22,000 species of ants. This and other studies have also estimated about 3,500 species of mosquitoes, 120,000 species of flies and 30,000 species of grasshoppers and crickets.

    The estimate of 5.5 million species of insects is interesting. What’s even more remarkable is that because scientists have found only about 1 million species, that means more than 4.5 million species are still waiting for someone to discover them. In other words, over 80% of the Earth’s insect biodiversity is still unknown.

    Add up the total population and biomass of the insects, and the numbers are even more staggering. The 22,000 species of ants comprise about 20,000,000,000,000,000 individuals – that’s 20 quadrillion ants. And if a typical ant weighs about 0.0001 ounces (3 milligrams) – or one ten-thousandth of an ounce – that means all the ants on Earth together weigh more than 132 billion pounds (about 60 billion kilograms).

    That’s the equivalent of about 7 million school buses, 600 aircraft carriers or about 20% of the weight of all humans on Earth combined.

    For every person on Earth, it’s estimated there are 200 million insects.

    Many insect species are going extinct

    All of this has potentially huge implications for our own human species. Insects affect us in countless ways. People depend on them for crop pollination, industrial products and medicine. Other insects can harm us by transmitting disease or eating our crops.

    Most insects have little to no direct impact on people, but they are integral parts of their ecosystems. This is why entomologists – bug scientists – say we should leave insects alone as much as possible. Most of them are harmless to people, and they are critical to the environment.

    It is sobering to note that although millions of undiscovered insect species may be out there, many will go extinct before people have a chance to discover them. Largely due to human activity, a significant proportion of Earth’s biodiversity – including insects – may ultimately be forever lost.

    Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

    And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you’re wondering, too. We won’t be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

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

    – ref. How many types of insects are there in the world? – https://theconversation.com/how-many-types-of-insects-are-there-in-the-world-247333

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Rethinking repression − why memory researchers reject the idea of recovered memories of trauma

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gabrielle Principe, Professor of Psychology, College of Charleston

    Memories and photos both can misrepresent the past. Westend61 via Getty Images

    In 1990, George Franklin was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison based on the testimony of his 28-year-old daughter Eileen. She described seeing him rape her best friend and then smash her skull with a rock.

    When Eileen testified at her father’s trial, her memory of the murder was relatively fresh. It was less than a year old. Yet the murder happened 20 years earlier, when she was 8 years old.

    How can you have a one-year-old memory of something that happened 20 years ago? According to the prosecution, Eileen repressed her memory of the murder. Then much later she recovered it in complete detail.

    Can a memory of something so harrowing disappear for two decades and then resurface in a reliable form?

    This case launched a huge debate between memory researchers like me who argue there is no credible scientific evidence that repressed memories exist and practicing clinicians who claim that repressed memories are real.

    This controversy is not merely an academic one. Real people’s lives have been shattered by newly recollected traumatic experiences from childhood. I’ve seen this firsthand as a memory expert who consults on legal cases involving defendants accused of crimes they allegedly committed years or even decades ago. Often the only evidence linking the defendant to the crime is a recovered memory.

    But the scientific community disagrees about the existence of the phenomenon of repressed memory.

    Freud was the father of repression

    Nineteenth-century psychoanalytic theorist Sigmund Freud developed the concept of repression. He considered it a defense mechanism people use to protect themselves from traumatic experiences that become too overwhelming.

    The idea is that repression buries memories of trauma in your unconscious, where they – unlike other memories – reside unknown to you. They remain hidden, in a pristine, fixed form.

    In Freud’s view, repressed memories make themselves known by leaking out in mental and physical symptoms – symptoms that can be relieved only through recovering the traumatic memory in a safe psychological environment.

    In the 1980s, increasing numbers of therapists became concerned about the prevalence of child sexual abuse and the historical tendencies to dismiss or hide the maltreatment of children. This shift gave new life to the concept of repression.

    Rise of repressed memory recovery

    Therapists in this camp told clients that their symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or eating disorders, were the result of repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse that needed to be remembered to heal. To recover these memories, therapists used a range of techniques such as hypnosis, suggestive questioning, repeated imagining, bodywork and group sessions.

    Did recovered-memory therapy work? Many people who entered therapy for common mental health issues did come out with new and unexpected memories of childhood sexual abuse and other trauma, without physical evidence or corroboration from others.

    But were these memories real?

    The notion of repressed memories runs counter to decades of scientific evidence demonstrating that traumatic events tend to be very well remembered over long intervals of time. Many victims of documented trauma, ranging from the Holocaust to combat exposure, torture and natural disasters, do not appear to be able to block out their memories.

    In fact, trauma sometimes is too well remembered, as in the case of post-traumatic stress disorder. Recurrent and intrusive traumatic memories are a core symptom of PTSD.

    No memory ≠ repressed memory

    There are times when victims of trauma may not remember what happened. But this doesn’t necessarily mean the memory has been repressed. There are a range of alternative explanations for not remembering traumatic experiences.

    Trauma, like anything you experience, can be forgotten as the result of memory decay. Details fade with time, and retrieving the right remnants of experience becomes increasingly difficult if not impossible.

    Someone might make the deliberate choice to not think about upsetting events. Psychologists call this motivated forgetting or suppression.

    There also are biological causes of forgetting such as brain injury and substance abuse.

    Trauma also can interfere with the making of a memory in the first place. When stress becomes too big or too prolonged, attention can shift from the experience itself to attempts to regulate emotion, endure what’s happening or even survive. This narrow focus can result in little to no memory of what happened.

    A forgotten memory isn’t just waiting around to be rediscovered – it’s gone.
    malerapaso/E+ via Getty Images

    False memories

    If science rejects the notion of repressed memories, there’s still one question to confront: Where do newly recollected trauma memories, such as those triggered in recovered-memory therapy, come from?

    All memories are subject to distortions when you mistakenly incorporate expectations, assumptions or information from others that was not part of the original event.

    Memory researchers contend that memory recovery techniques might actually create false memories of things that never happened rather than resurrect existing memories of real experiences.

    To study this possibility, researchers asked participants to elaborate on events that never happened using the same sorts of suggestive questioning techniques used by recovered-memory therapists.

    What they found was startling. They were able to induce richly detailed false memories of a wide range of childhood traumatic experiences, such as choking, hospitalization and being a victim of a serious animal attack, in almost one-third of participants.

    These researchers were intentionally planting false memories. But I don’t think intention would be necessary on the part of a sympathetic therapist working with a suffering client.

    Are the memory wars over?

    The belief in repressed memories remains well entrenched among the general public and mental health professionals. More than half believe that traumatic experiences can become repressed in the unconscious, where they lurk, waiting to be uncovered.

    This remains the case even though in his later work, Freud revised his original concept of repression to argue that it doesn’t work on actual memories of experiences, but rather involves the inhibition of certain impulses, desires and fantasies. This revision rarely makes it into popular conceptions of repression.

    As evidence of the current widespread belief in repressed memories, in the past few years several U.S. states and European countries have extended or abolished the statute of limitations for the prosecution of sexual crimes, which allows for testimony based on allegedly recovered memories of long-ago crimes.

    Given the ease with which researchers can create false childhood memories, one of the unforeseen consequences of these changes is that falsely recovered memories of abuse might find their way into court – potentially leading to unfounded accusations and wrongful convictions.

    Gabrielle Principe 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. Rethinking repression − why memory researchers reject the idea of recovered memories of trauma – https://theconversation.com/rethinking-repression-why-memory-researchers-reject-the-idea-of-recovered-memories-of-trauma-237419

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CMA response to the UK government’s consultation on the resale of live events tickets

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    CMA response to the UK government’s consultation on the resale of live events tickets

    The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) has published its response to the Department for Business and Trade / Department for Culture, Media and Sport consultation on the resale of live events tickets.

    Documents

    CMA response to consultation on the resale of live events tickets

    PDF, 284 KB, 24 pages

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    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Details

    The CMA responded to the UK government’s consultation on putting fans first: consultation on the resale of live events tickets in March 2025. The CMA’s response sets out considerations to help government take forward its proposal for a resale price cap for live events tickets, and outlines a model for efficient, targeted enforcement that would help to ensure that any cap met the government’s objectives.

    For queries relating to the response, please contact the CMA advocacy team by email at advocacy@cma.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 March 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Man sentenced for offences in relation to flytipping

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Published: Monday, 24th March 2025

    A man has been sentenced for offences in relation to flytipping in Birmingham.

    Adrian Bivolaru, of Parkhill Road, Smethwick, was charged with: depositing controlled waste; allowing controlled waste to be deposited from his vehicle; and two charges of failing to supply information to a waste enforcement officer.

    He has been sentenced to 13 weeks’ jail, suspended for two years, each for depositing controlled waste and allowing controlled waste to be deposited. These are consecutive sentences. He was fined a total of £200 for failing to supply information.

    Mr Bivolaru dumped plastic bags full of insulation waste in Little Edward Street in Digbeth in March last year from his Mercedes van. When investigated by the city council’s waste enforcement unit he failed to provide information as to how he disposed of his waste.

    Officers searched the dumped waste and found evidence linking it to a business. Enquiries with this business then identified that on 13th March 2024 they paid a waste removals company £160 to remove waste from their premises.  Officers were able to identify the vehicle used to remove the rubbish and checks of the registration plate confirmed that Bivolaru was the insurance policyholder and only named driver on the policy. 

    Checks with the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) team identified that the van had entered an area of the CAZ zone in close proximity to Little Edward Street on six occasions between 13/03/24 and 20/03/24. Bivolaru was issued with notices under S71 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requiring him to provide details of the driver of the van on the 13/03/24. He was also issued with a notice under S34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requiring him to provide proof that he had legitimate arrangements for the disposal of his trade waste. He failed to respond to any of these notices.

    In a separate incident in Weoley Castle, a substantial amount of fly-tipping was discovered on 13th June 2023  in Silvington Close. Evidence within the waste identified an individual who paid a waste removal company to take their waste away. Further enquiries then identified their rubbish had been collected by Adrian Bivolaru who at the time was sole Director of a removal services company named Ady Bivolaru Ltd.

    Cllr Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This was a terrible case of environment vandalism, with piles of commercial waste left strewn across the road. People who do this have no care for the community or people who live and work in the area. As this case demonstrates, we will prosecute when we have evidence so I would urge people to report this sort of behaviour. Well done to the team that investigated and brought the case to court.”

    Useful links

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Man sentenced for flytipping offences

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Published: Monday, 24th March 2025

    A man has been sentenced for offences in relation to flytipping in Birmingham.

    Adrian Bivolaru, of Parkhill Road, Smethwick, was charged with: depositing controlled waste; allowing controlled waste to be deposited from his vehicle; and two charges of failing to supply information to a waste enforcement officer.

    He has been sentenced to 13 weeks’ jail, suspended for two years, each for depositing controlled waste and allowing controlled waste to be deposited. These are consecutive sentences. He was fined a total of £200 for failing to supply information.

    Mr Bivolaru dumped plastic bags full of insulation waste in Little Edward Street in Digbeth in March last year from his Mercedes van. When investigated by the city council’s waste enforcement unit he failed to provide information as to how he disposed of his waste.

    Officers searched the dumped waste and found evidence linking it to a business. Enquiries with this business then identified that on 13th March 2024 they paid a waste removals company £160 to remove waste from their premises.  Officers were able to identify the vehicle used to remove the rubbish and checks of the registration plate confirmed that Bivolaru was the insurance policyholder and only named driver on the policy. 

    Checks with the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) team identified that the van had entered an area of the CAZ zone in close proximity to Little Edward Street on six occasions between 13/03/24 and 20/03/24. Bivolaru was issued with notices under S71 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requiring him to provide details of the driver of the van on the 13/03/24. He was also issued with a notice under S34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requiring him to provide proof that he had legitimate arrangements for the disposal of his trade waste. He failed to respond to any of these notices.

    In a separate incident in Weoley Castle, a substantial amount of fly-tipping was discovered on 13th June 2023  in Silvington Close. Evidence within the waste identified an individual who paid a waste removal company to take their waste away. Further enquiries then identified their rubbish had been collected by Adrian Bivolaru who at the time was sole Director of a removal services company named Ady Bivolaru Ltd.

    Cllr Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This was a terrible case of environment vandalism, with piles of commercial waste left strewn across the road. People who do this have no care for the community or people who live and work in the area. As this case demonstrates, we will prosecute when we have evidence so I would urge people to report this sort of behaviour. Well done to the team that investigated and brought the case to court.”

    Useful links

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detroit Man Arrested, Charged for Multiple Bank Robberies, Incidental Crimes

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    Dorian Trevor Sykes, 41, of Detroit, was arrested on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and charged with bank robbery and incidental crimes in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and Lathrup Village, Michigan, announced Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan.

    Joining Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson in the announcement is Sterling Heights Police Department Captain Mario Bastianelli and Lathrup Village Police Department Chief Scott Mckee.

    “Bank robberies are serious federal violent crimes that endanger and often traumatize the patrons and the employees of the bank,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Mr. Sykes allegedly threatened force against employees if his demands were not met, and it goes without saying that the FBI will not tolerate this level of violence in our community. With the help of our law enforcement partners, we hope that Mr. Sykes will face the appropriate consequences for his actions.”

    According to court records, on March 6, 2025, at approximately 11:50 A.M., Sykes allegedly entered Credit Union One in Sterling Heights, Michigan, approached the teller counter and retrieved a piece of paper from a folder and handed it to the teller. After the teller was not able to read the note, the subject stated, “This is a robbery,” and demanded that the teller give him “big bills”. The teller handed the robber approximately $10,169.00. The robber grabbed the money and the note and fled the bank.

    On March 12, 2025, at approximately 4:40 p.m. Sykes allegedly entered the Chase Bank in Lathrup Village, Michigan. He approached the teller and provided her a withdrawal slip, which stated, “Give me all the money… I have a gun… I will kill everyone in here.” The robber also pointed to his right side, implying that he had a weapon. The teller handed the robber approximately $3,400. The robber took the money and left the bank.

    Witness statements and surveillance camera footage suggest the March 12 robber’s physical description matches that of the March 6.

    “This arrest is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” said Sterling Heights Police Department, Captain Mario Bastianelli. “Through diligent investigative work and coordinated intelligence sharing, we were able to bring this suspect to justice and prevent further criminal activity.”

    Sykes is on federal supervised release since February 2024, arising out of a conviction associated with a bank robbery in 2020. Sykes appeared in federal court on March 18, 2025. If convicted, Sykes faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for bank robbery.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    This investigation is part of the collaborative efforts of the FBI Macomb County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force, Sterling Heights PD, Clinton Township PD, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol, Utica PD, Eastpointe PD, Michigan State Police, Livonia PD, Detroit PD, Redford PD, and Lathrup Village PD.

    This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ZOOZ Power’s Kinetic Power Booster Powers Ultra-Fast EV Charging at New York Power Authority Work Site in Upstate New York

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tel-Aviv, Israel, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZOOZ Power (Nasdaq and TASE: ZOOZ), a leading provider of flywheel-based power boosters and energy management systems enabling ultra-fast EV charging solutions, is successfully operating its ZOOZTER™-100 kinetic power booster at a New York Power Authority (NYPA) work site in Marcy, N.Y. This, the first deployment of ZOOZ Power’s technology in a power utility in the United States is a significant step toward accelerating the adoption of ultra-fast EV charging in locations with grid constraints.

    The ZOOZTER™-100 system, installed in partnership with NYPA, is now actively boosting the grid power and efficiency at the site’s high-power EV charging station. This enables faster and more accessible charging for NYPA fleet and other electric vehicles, delivers extra power to the grid, and intelligently manages the energy distribution with its energy management solution. By leveraging advanced flywheel technology, the system delivers high-power bursts to chargers without placing excessive strain on the local grid, demonstrating a sustainable and cost-effective solution for expanding charging infrastructure.

    ZOOZ Power and NYPA are closely monitoring the site’s performance to optimize operations and assess the potential for broader implementation at additional locations.

    Launching this first U.S. deployment in the utility market marks an important step in ZOOZ Power’s expansion in North America and its mission to provide high-power, sustainable EV charging solutions worldwide.

    “We are thrilled to see our ZOOZTER™-100 in action at this New York Power Authority site and to be able to contribute to the expansion of ultra-fast charging capabilities in New York,” said Erez Zimerman, CEO at ZOOZ Power. “This successful site showcases our commitment to supporting the transition to cleaner transportation with innovative, energy-efficient solutions. The ZOOZTER100’s operation demonstrates how it can assist companies to deploy ultra-fast charges without gird limitations.”

    Alan Ettlinger, NYPA Senior Director of Research, Technology Development and Innovation said, “The integration of ZOOZ Power’s kinetic power boosting technology at our Marcy site is an example of offsetting grid limitations. As we look to further expand EV fast charging in New York State, it is increasingly important to employ innovative solutions that demonstrate flexibility and reliability.”

    About ZOOZ Power

    ZOOZ is a leading provider of flywheel-based power boosting and energy management solutions, enabling the widespread deployment of ultra-fast charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) while overcoming existing grid limitations.

    ZOOZ pioneers its unique flywheel-based power-boosting technology, enabling efficient utilization and power management of a power-limited grid at an EV charging site. Its Flywheel technology allows high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective ultra-fast charging infrastructure.

    ZOOZ Power’s sustainable, power-boosting solutions are built with longevity and the environment in mind, helping its customers and partners accelerate the deployment of fast-charging infrastructure, thus facilitating improved utilization rates, better efficiency, greater flexibility, and faster revenues and profitability growth. ZOOZ is publicly traded on NASDAQ and TASE under the ticker ZOOZ

    For more information, please visit: www.zoozpower.com/

    Investor Contact:
    Miri Segal – CEO
    MS-IR LLC
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    Media enquiries:
    Media@zoozpower.com

    Forward-Looking Statement

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions of ZOOZ Power. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding ZOOZ Power, and any of ZOOZ Power’s strategy, future operations and statements related to the collaboration between ZOOZ Power and NYPA (including the performance, benefits and potential outcome of the installation and launch of the ZOOZTER™-100 system at the NYPA work site in Marcy, N.Y. and of the collaboration between the parties) are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause ZOOZ Power’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and other risks and uncertainties are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of ZOOZ’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as well as other documents that may be subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the limited operating history and evolving business model that make it difficult for investors to evaluate ZOOZ Power’s business and future prospects, material weaknesses identified in ZOOZ Power’s internal control over financial reporting and the potential results of ZOOZ Power being unable to remediate these material weaknesses, or identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, ZOOZ Power’s management’s determination that substantial doubt exists about the continued existence of ZOOZ Power as a “going concern”, changes to fuel economy standards or changes to governments’ regulations and policies in relation to environment or the success of alternative fuels which may negatively impact the EVs market and thus the demand for ZOOZ Power’s products, delays in deployment of public ultra-fast charging infrastructure which may limit the need and urgency for ZOOZ Power’s products, the potential outcome of ZOOZ Power’s collaborations with third parties for installation of its flywheel-based power boosting solution, and conditions in Israel and in the Middle East, including the effect of the evolving nature of the ongoing “Swords of Iron” war, may adversely affect ZOOZ Power’s operations. These forward-looking statements are only estimations, and ZOOZ Power may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in any forward-looking statements, so you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements made in this Press Release. Management of ZOOZ Power has based these forward-looking statements largely on current expectations and projections about future events and trends that such persons believe may affect ZOOZ Power’s business, financial condition and operating results. Forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release are made as of the date hereof, and none of ZOOZ Power or any of its representatives or any other person undertakes any duty to update such information except as may be expressly required under applicable law.

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: NextNRG Delivers Record Growth Amid Surging Energy Demand and AI-Driven Infrastructure Investments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PRISM MarketView has released an exclusive interview with Michael Farkas, CEO of NextNRG Inc. (NASDAQ: NXXT), highlighting the company’s record-breaking growth and its role at the forefront of the AI-powered energy revolution. As global demand for decentralized, sustainable, and intelligent energy solutions increases, NextNRG is pioneering transformative technologies—positioning itself as a key player in the evolving $4 trillion global electricity market. 

    In the interview, Farkas discusses the company’s AI-driven Utility Operating System, scalable smart microgrid technologies, and the explosive growth of EzFill, its mobile fueling division. These innovations address the dual challenge of powering AI infrastructure and achieving U.S. energy independence. 

    “At NextNRG, we’ve created a first-of-its-kind Utility Operating System impacting a nearly $4 trillion market. It integrates AI and ML to create the largest smart grid in the world, reducing generation and distribution costs by more than 10%,” said Farkas. “This grid already serves more than 6 million customer accounts—approximately 12 million people.” 

    The company is also targeting a major industry shift: the recent $25 billion investment by ADQ and ECP into AI-driven power generation, which underscores the urgency for reliable, high-density energy infrastructure. 

    “AI is driving massive growth in energy demand, and securing reliable power for data centers has become a strategic priority,” said Farkas. “Our AI-optimized smart grids and microgrid solutions are designed to meet that demand head-on.” 

    From Blink to NextNRG: Scaling Energy Innovation 

    Farkas, also the founder of Blink Charging, explained the evolution of his vision from vertically integrated EV charging to an all-encompassing energy infrastructure platform: 

    “The future of energy isn’t just about EV charging—it’s about upgrading the grid with smart microgrids and AI-driven solutions that enable a resilient and adaptive power infrastructure. That’s why I founded NextNRG—to build this future and power everything from healthcare campuses to tribal lands and commercial facilities.” 

    EzFill Reports Record Revenue Growth 

    In January 2025, EzFill, NextNRG’s mobile fueling division, reported $5 million in revenue, up 136% year-over-year from January 2024, and 120% growth month-over-month. This surge follows the acquisition of Shell Oil’s mobile fueling assets and the initiation of a long-term fueling contract with the world’s largest e-commerce company. 

    “As we continue to onboard new fleet accounts and optimize our operations, we believe we are well-positioned for sustained profitability and further expansion,” Farkas noted. 

    A Full-Service Energy Transition Strategy 

    NextNRG provides end-to-end solutions that help fleet operators transition from gas-powered vehicles to EVs through a strategic combination of mobile fueling, EV infrastructure, and wireless charging: 

    “NextNRG is the only company positioned to guide large fleet owners through every phase of the EV transition. Our Utility Operating System and smart microgrids enable scalable, cost-effective EV charging infrastructure while minimizing operational disruption,” said Farkas. 

    National Energy Independence and Security 

    Farkas also addressed rising trade tensions and tariffs, particularly Ontario’s 25% surcharge on electricity exports to U.S. states. 

    “This highlights the urgency of reducing reliance on foreign energy. By deploying decentralized energy via smart microgrids, we can ensure stable, cost-effective electricity production within the U.S. The transition to self-sufficient energy production isn’t just a sustainability initiative—it’s a national security priority.” 

    What’s Next for NextNRG

    “Our Utility Operating System is one of a kind, and we are integrating AI/ML, microgrid technology, and wireless EV charging to ensure a more reliable and decentralized energy ecosystem. Our goal is to create an energy system that is more efficient, independent, and accessible for all,” Farkas concluded. 

    Users can read the Full Interview with Michael Farkas https://prismmarketview.com/nextnrg-delivers-record-growth-amid-surging-energy-demand-and-ai-driven-infrastructure-investments/ 

    About NextNRG, Inc. 

    NextNRG Inc. (NextNRG) is Powering What’s Next by implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into renewable energy, next-generation energy infrastructure, battery storage, wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging and on-demand mobile fuel delivery to create an integrated ecosystem. 

    At the core of NextNRG’s strategy is its utility operating system, which leverages AI and ML to help make existing utilities’ energy management as efficient as possible, and the deployment of NextNRG smart microgrids, which utilize AI-driven energy management alongside solar power and battery storage to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve grid resiliency. These microgrids are designed to serve commercial properties, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, parking garages, rural and tribal lands, recreational facilities and government properties, expanding energy accessibility while supporting decarbonization initiatives. 

    NextNRG continues to expand its growing fleet of fuel delivery trucks and national footprint, including the acquisition of Yoshi Mobility’s fuel division and Shell Oil’s trucks, further solidifying its position as a leader in the on-demand fueling industry. NextNRG is also integrating sustainable energy solutions into its mobile fueling operations. The company hopes to be an integral part of assisting its fleet customers in their transition to EV, supporting more efficient fuel delivery while advancing clean energy adoption. The transition process is expected to include the deployment of NextNRG’s innovative wireless EV charging solutions. 

    To find out more users can visit: www.nextnrg.com 

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement describing NextNRG’s goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions, or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Words such as “expect,” “intends,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to NextNRG’s business and macroeconomic and geopolitical events. These and other risks are described in NextNRG’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. NextNRG’s forward-looking statements involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although NextNRG’s forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by NextNRG. Except as required by law, NextNRG undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. 

    Disclaimer 

    This communication was produced by PRISM MarketView, an affiliate of PCG Advisory Inc., (together “PCG”). PCG is not a registered or licensed broker-dealer nor investment adviser. No information contained in this communication constitutes an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security. PCG may be compensated by respective clients for publicizing information relating to its clients’ securities. See www.pcgadvisory.com/disclosures. 

    Contact

    PRISM MarketView

    info@prismmarketview.com

    646-863-6341

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e990e78a-b12e-4d32-b811-7d26c7ffc5b8

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: AMERICAN REBEL ANNOUNCES 1-FOR-25 REVERSE STOCK SPLIT WITH ROUND LOT SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION TO BE EFFECTIVE ON MARCH 31, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nashville, TN, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) — America’s Patriotic Brand (the “Company”), today announced that it will effect a reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), at a ratio of 1-for-25, to be effective as of 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on March 31, 2025.

    The Company’s Common Stock will begin trading on a reverse stock split-adjusted basis at the opening of The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) on Monday, March 31, 2025. Following the reverse stock split, the Common Stock will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “AREB” with the new CUSIP number, 02919L604. The reverse stock split is intended for the Company to:

    • Enhance Deposit (Ability) and Marketability: By increasing the share price, a reverse split can make the stock more eligible for trading on certain platforms
    • Continue to ensure compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share of common stock for continued listing on Nasdaq.

    Important information:

    • Exchange/Split Rate: 1:25
    • New CUSIP: 02919L604
    • Date of Record: March 31, 2025
    • Transfer Agent: Securities Transfer Corporation

    Contact Us – Securities Transfer Corporation

    The reverse stock split will not change the authorized number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split and all such fractional interests will be rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares of Common Stock. Further, no current owner of 100 or more shares will be reduced to less than 100 shares. In addition, the reverse stock split will apply to the Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Company’s outstanding derivative securities, with proportionate adjustments to be made to the exercise prices and number of derivates thereof and under the Company’s equity incentive plans.

    • Round Lot Shareholder Protection to ensure that shareholders holding a “round lot” (typically 100 shares) are not adversely affected by the split.
    • All Fractional Shares Rounded to nearest whole number. As a result of the reverse stock split all fractional interests will be rounded up to the nearest whole number

    The Company is committed to pro-actively protecting the interests of its stockholders, particularly those owning round lots of 100 or more shares. Stockholders holding at least 100 shares prior to the reverse stock split will retain a minimum of 100 shares post-split. This protection ensures that no stockholder who currently qualifies as a round lot holder will lose their status. Additionally, fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split will be rounded up to the nearest whole share to maintain liquidity and shareholder equity.

    The reverse stock split will reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock from approximately 10.6 million to approximately 423 thousand, which does not include shares to be issued pursuant to the round lot rounding set forth above.

    On February 24, 2025, the stockholders of the Company approved a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the Common Stock, at a ratio of up to 1-for-25, with such ratio to be determined in the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) and with the reverse stock split to be effected at such time and date, if at all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion at any time within twelve (12) months of such stockholder approval. The Board approved the reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-25 on March 12, 2025.

    Securities Transfer Corporation is acting as the exchange agent and paying agent for the reverse stock split. Stockholders holding their shares in book-entry form or in brokerage accounts need not take any action in connection with the reverse stock split.

    The standard procedure is that DTC gathers all round up share requests from each participant within their system. After about 4 business DTC will send a request for the total amount of round up shares needed to cover all participants/beneficial holders. At that time, our transfer agent will make one issuance/deposit to CEDE (DTC).

    • Round up shares should populate in participant/beneficial holder accounts approximately on or before ten (10) trading days post the Reverse Stock Split.

    Securities Transfer Corporation will provide instructions to any stockholders with certificates regarding the process in connection with the exchange of pre-reverse stock split stock certificates for ownership in book-entry form or stock certificates on a post-reverse stock split basis. Stockholders are encouraged to contact their bank, broker or custodian with any procedural questions.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include our ability to raise adequate working and expansion capital, our ability to efficiently incorporate acquisitions into our operations, the use of non-GAAP based pro forma financial estimates, our ability to introduce new products, our ability to meet production demands, our ability to expand our sales organization to address existing and new markets that we intend to target, our ability to meet or exceed financial and reporting estimates, any effects of the reverse stock split, our ability to continue to meet Nasdaq listing requirements, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    SOURCE: American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    Company Contact:

    info@americanrebel.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Home Affairs upgrades digital verification system

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Department of Home Affairs has announced a comprehensive upgrade to its digital verification system, a crucial component of national security, as well as both public and private sector services in South Africa.

    The verification system enables government departments, including National Treasury and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), as well as financial sector businesses, to confirm client identities using biometric features, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, against the National Population Register.

    In recent years, the system has, however, been plagued by inefficiencies, with users reporting a failure rate of up to 50% on these verification “hits” against the National Population Register. It also routinely took up to 24 hours for the system to respond, and when responses did arrive, they often contained errors that required manual verification.

    The Department of Home Affairs has, over the past few months, worked to resolve these errors.

    Testing has confirmed that the upgraded system is not only capable of dramatically faster performance, but that it now delivers an error rate of well below 1%. 

    The department is ready to roll out access to the upgraded verification service to all its valued clients across the public and private sectors.

    As part of ensuring the ongoing maintenance of this vastly improved system and after obtaining concurrence from the Minister of Finance, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has gazetted a new set of fees associated with the use of this verification service. 

    In order to better fund the maintenance of the National Population Register, fees for the use of the Home Affairs digital verification service by private sector companies will increase for the first time in over a decade, with effect from 1 April 2025.

    However, public sector users of the service, including numerous government departments and agencies, will be unaffected by the increase, as government users remain exempted from fees. 

    This approach, according to the Department of Home Affairs, enables the department to balance the need to invest in the National Population Register, while not negatively affecting public finances.

    “The rollout of a reliable, efficient and secure verification service supports both the public and private sectors to improve service delivery. 

    “This marks the most significant upgrade to the Home Affairs verification service since it was launched and will dramatically reduce waiting times whenever a client needs to verify their identity with the Department to obtain a social grant or open a bank account. The upgrade is also of immense importance to supporting private sector economic growth,” Minister Schreiber said. 

    “When this vital Home Affairs system is down, slow, or littered with errors, it negatively impacts upon the ability of banks, insurance companies and other financial service providers to verify clients and conduct business.

    “This investment in our population register is not only overdue, but also important for delivering on the vision for digital ID, as outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address, as a secure and efficient population register forms the cornerstone of digital ID.

    “The launch of the reformed verification system is further proof of the progress that Home Affairs is making on our journey of digital transformation to deliver dignity for all,” Schreiber said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank Acts as Joint Global Coordinator on Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)’s second EUR 750mn Senior Eurobond due 2028

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

    CAIRO, Egypt, March 24, 2025/APO Group/ —

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has successfully acted as Joint Global Coordinator and Joint Lead Manager on second EUR 750 million RegS-only senior Eurobond issuance by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (“BADEA”) due March 2028 under its existing Euro Medium-Term Note (EMTN) programme listed on London Stock Exchange.

    The bond proceeds will fund general corporate purposes including loan book growth in Sub-Saharan Africa under BADEA’s 9th Strategic Plan 2025-2029.

    BADEA is a multilateral development lending institution established in 1974 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  It is owned by 18 League of Arab States (LAS) to channel development finance to 44 non-Arab Sub-Saharan African countries.

    The bond issuance was 3.0x oversubscribed by more than 60 high-quality institutional investors comprising central banks, asset managers, development finance institutions, pension funds and commercial banks from Europe, UK, Middle East, Africa and Asia. Proactive investor engagement by BADEA since debut issuance as well as market momentum enabled the issuer to upsize transaction by 50% versus original target as well as tighten credit spread by 15bps over 4-day marketing roadshow. The transaction eventually priced at 75bps over EUR mid-swaps rate with annual coupon 3.000%, thus achieving material enhancements versus debut 2024 bond issuance in terms of issuance size, credit spread and final coupon respectively.

    Afreximbank, through its Advisory and Capital Markets (ACMA) department, acted as Joint Global Coordinator and Joint Lead Manager to BADEA on this bond transaction for the second consecutive time alongside international banking partners.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies partner with Numana to advance quantum-safe networks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies partner with Numana to advance quantum-safe networks

    • Collaboration to drive innovation and enable a global post-quantum security economy for enterprises and service providers.
    • Quantum-safe communications poised to safeguard digital infrastructure.
    • The partnership benefits from Numana’s Kirq quantum communication testbed, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies’ quantum key distribution, and Nokia’s advanced cryptographic network technologies.

    24 March 2025
    Montreal, Quebec – Nokia and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies today announced a strategic partnership with Numana to advance Quantum-Safe Networks (QSN) in Montreal, Canada, and worldwide. This collaboration will drive innovation, foster collaboration, and accelerate the adoption of next-generation secure networking technologies for enterprises and service providers. Additionally, this partnership will help raise awareness about the importance and benefits of these technologies, advancing secure and reliable networking solutions for a resilient digital future.

    “As the world increasingly depends on digital infrastructure, the need for advanced cryptographic protection has never been more critical. By partnering with Numana and its collaboration partners like Honeywell Aerospace Technologies and others, we can deploy our combined expertise in enabling future-proof networks to help organizations, enterprises and service providers build a secure and resilient digital future starting today,” said Jeffrey Maddox, President of Nokia Canada.

    The partnership will benefit from Numana’s Kirq Quantum Communication Testbed, a world-class facility that provides a real-world environment for testing and validating new quantum-resistant and quantum communication technologies. Nokia will leverage its expertise in post-quantum networking, incorporating advanced IP routers, high-capacity optical transport nodes, and state-of-the-art quantum-safe cryptographic technologies, all backed by its extensive practical experience and proven success in real-world deployments.

    Additionally, Nokia intends to utilize this environment to foster collaborative-based innovations, enabling the development of solutions within the broader quantum technology ecosystem. Honeywell Aerospace Technologies will introduce quantum-secure encryption keys from space to terrestrial data centers, applications, and networks.

    “Numana will oversee the deployment, operation, and ongoing development of the testbed and make the equipment and infrastructure available to carry out various projects, based on the needs of the technology innovation ecosystem. Our ambition is to accelerate quantum technology in Quebec and help the industry develop leading-edge products to transform the province into a true global leader in quantum communication. This project aligns with Numana’s new positioning as a technology macro-accelerator which analyzes disruptive technologies and implements open testbeds to accelerate the development of products and services and their adoption,” noted Numana President and CEO François Borrelli.

    Numerous studies highlight the significant benefits for the private sector and the profound impact quantum communication is poised to have on Quebec and Canada as a whole.

    “Honeywell Aerospace Technologies welcomes the opportunity to join forces with Nokia and Numana to advance quantum-safe communications. Our quantum encryption technology will play a critical role in securing satellite networks and improving the integrity of data transmitted from space to earth,” said Lisa Napolitano, Vice President of Space at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.

    The partnership also aligns with the commitments by Quebec and Canada to quantum innovation and cybersecurity leadership. The Numana facility in Quebec will serve as a hub where enterprises, research institutions, and government agencies can explore, evaluate, and validate secure networking technologies in a real-world environment.

    The arrival of multinational players like Nokia and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies brings immense value to this innovative network by introducing innovative technologies and unparalleled expertise. This collaborative effort will advance the development and deployment of quantum-secure solutions and foster a robust global network that supports continuous innovation, addresses cybersecurity needs, and ushers in the era of next-generation communications.

    “This important partnership in the quantum sector is another step toward developing more projects using the Kirq testbed. It clearly shows that Québec has great drawing power and reinforces our position as a global strategic hub for technological innovation and quantum science, which are critical for securing tomorrow’s communication,” said Christine Fréchette, the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development.

    The collaboration will enhance the overall quantum technology landscape by concentrating on several key areas, including:

    • Education and training: While QSN solutions are available today, Numana’s technology ecosystem will provide awareness, training, and educational resources to help organizations understand and implement their quantum-secure strategies.
    • Ecosystem development: Foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, including researchers, developers, and businesses throughout the global quantum technology sector.
    • Research and development: Jointly develop, assess, and evolve the technologies and science toward advanced secure communication. 

    Multimedia, technical information and related news 
    Website: Nokia Quantum Safe Networks
    Video: Quantum-Safe Networks in 60 seconds
    Blog: Nokia and Honeywell join Numana: A Leap Toward Quantum Security in North America

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think, and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed, and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises, and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable, and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    About Numana: A macro-accelerator for technological ecosystems
    Founded in 2007, Numana is a non-profit organization that contributes to economic and social vitality by bringing stakeholders from the private, institutional, and public technology sectors together around common goals and joint initiatives. To learn more, go to https://numana.tech/en/.

    About Honeywell
    Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future of aviation, and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world’s toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation, and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter and safer as well as more secure and sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

    Editor’s Note: Press event
    Numana is hosting and streaming a press event today at 9:00 am (EST) at the Maison Alcan, 1188 Sherbrooke O. in Montreal. RSVP to Simon Falardeau of Numana at falardeausimon@hotmail.com or Kevin Petschow of Nokia at kevin.petschow@nokia.com.

    Media inquiries 
    Nokia Press Office 
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com  

    Follow Nokia on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube BlueSky

    Numana
    Simon Falardeau
    Email: falardeausimon@hotmail.com

    Honeywell Aerospace Technologies
    Adam Kress
    Phone: +1-602-760-6252
    Email: adam.kress@honeywell.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: CentralReach Joins Forces with Roper Technologies to Accelerate Outcomes for Individuals with Autism and IDDs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Fort Lauderdale, FL, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CentralReach, a leader in autism and IDD care software for applied behavior analysis (ABA), multidisciplinary therapy, and special education, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Roper Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROP) from global software investor Insight Partners. 

    Roper Technologies, a $60 billion public company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, provides an autonomous operating model, allowing its businesses to continue operating independently while benefiting from Roper’s financial strength and strategic expertise. Roper chose to acquire CentralReach due to its talented team, industry-leading solutions, vital role in advancing care and outcomes for individuals with autism and IDD, and compelling business model. As part of this acquisition, CentralReach will continue to operate independently, maintaining its existing leadership, team, products, brands, and mission. 

    “Since joining CentralReach six years ago, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the support of Insight Partners, which has provided continuous financial and operational support for the significant investments we have made in product innovation and customer success. Through a combination of relentless execution and Insight’s support, we achieved exceptional organic growth over the past six years, which we supplemented through 14 strategic, roadmap-accelerating acquisitions,” said Chris Sullens, CEO of CentralReach. “As we entered our next phase of growth, I knew it was essential to find a partner who, like Insight Partners, shares our values and vision for tech-enabled autism and IDD care. Roper was that partner. With Roper’s long-term investment and commitment, CentralReach now has a permanent home where we can continue to scale, innovate, expand our impact, and continue to advance our mission in an even faster and more significant way than we have to date.” 

    Since 2018, CentralReach has grown from 20,000 users to over 200,000, investing significantly in product development and customer operations to take the originally envisioned product and turn it into one of the most intelligent, comprehensive, and performant platforms for providers and educators who serve individuals with autism and broader intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  

    Richard Wells, Managing Director at Insight Partners, shared, “CentralReach has been a driving force in tech-enabled autism and IDD care, and it has been a privilege to support its journey over the past several years. Since our investment in 2018, we recognized the company’s immense potential – not only to become a market leader but also to empower providers and educators in unlocking potential for millions of individuals on the spectrum. Under Chris Sullens’ leadership, CentralReach has delivered on that vision. We are excited to see the company continue its growth and expanding its impact, now with the added strength of Roper.” 

    About CentralReach

    CentralReach is a leading provider of autism and IDD care software, providing a complete, end-to-end software and services platform that helps children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) – and those who serve them – unlock potential, achieve better outcomes, and live more independent lives. With its roots in Applied Behavior Analysis, the company is revolutionizing how the lifelong journey of autism and IDD care is enabled at home, school, and work with powerful and intuitive solutions purpose-built for each care setting. 

    Trusted by more than 200,000 professionals globally, CentralReach is committed to ongoing product advancement, market-leading industry expertise, world-class client satisfaction, and support of the autism and IDD community to propel autism and IDD care into a new era of excellence. For more information, please visit CentralReach.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

    About Insight Partners

    Insight Partners is a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software, and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. As of September 30, 2024, the firm has over $90B in regulatory assets under management. Insight Partners has invested in more than 800 companies worldwide and has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve an IPO. Headquartered in New York City, Insight has offices in London, Tel Aviv, and the Bay Area. Insight’s mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with tailored, hands-on software expertise along their growth journey, from their first investment to IPO. For more information on Insight and all its investments, visit insightpartners.com or follow us on X @insightpartners. 

    About Roper Technologies

    Roper Technologies is a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000. Roper has a proven, long-term track record of compounding cash flow and shareholder value. The Company operates market leading businesses that design and develop vertical software and technology enabled products for a variety of defensible niche markets. Roper utilizes a disciplined, analytical, and process-driven approach to redeploy its excess capital toward high-quality acquisitions. Additional information about Roper is available on the Company’s website at www.ropertech.com. 

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Cyabra Report Uncovers AI-Driven Disinformation Campaign Targeting Pope Francis, Featured in The New York Times

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Cyabra has entered into a business combination agreement with Trailblazer Merger Corp. (TBMC)

    New York, NY, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Cyabra Ltd., a leading AI platform for real-time disinformation detection, has released a new report uncovering how fake social media profiles fueled widespread disinformation about Pope Francis’ health. Conducted in early March, the investigation found that 31% of the profiles discussing the Pope on X were inauthentic, amplifying false rumors of his death. The report has been featured in The New York Times and The Mail Online, highlighting the urgent need to counter influence operations online.

    “Our research underscores the alarming scale at which fake accounts are influencing public narratives,” said Dan Brahmy, CEO & Co-founder of Cyabra. “The dis and misinformation surrounding Pope Francis’ health is just one example of how AI-generated fake profiles are being weaponized to spread fear, confusion, and distrust.”

    The full report, “Pope Francis’ Health Misinformation Fueled by Fake Profiles,” is available here.

    Cyabra’s findings come at a critical time as online threats to public trust grow more sophisticated. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Cyabra remains at the forefront of detecting and neutralizing harmful narratives and inauthentic online behavior.

    Cyabra has entered into a business combination agreement with Trailblazer Merger Corporation I (NASDAQ: TBMC), a blank-check special-purpose acquisition company.

    About Cyabra

    Cyabra is a real-time AI-powered platform that uncovers and analyzes online disinformation and misinformation by uncovering fake profiles, harmful narratives, and GenAI content across social media and digital news channels. Cyabra’s AI protects corporations and governments against brand reputation risks, election manipulation, foreign interference, and other online threats. Cyabra’s platform leverages proprietary algorithms and NLP solutions, gathering and analyzing publicly available data to provide clear, actionable insights and real-time alerts that inform critical decision-making. Cyabra uncovers the good, bad, and fake online.

    For more information, visit www.cyabra.com.

    Media Contact:

    Jill Burkes
    PR@cyabra.com

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Miri Segal
    MS-IR
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    About Trailblazer

    Trailblazer is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. For more information, visit: www.trailblazermergercorp.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to certain products and services that are the subject of a proposed transaction (the “Business Combination”) between Trailblazer and Cyabra. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding Cyabra’s business strategy, products and services, research and development costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated product offerings, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following risks relating to the proposed transaction: the ability to complete the Business Combination or, if Trailblazer does not consummate such Business Combination, any other

    initial business combination; expectations regarding Cyabra’s strategies and future financial performance, including its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products and services, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and Cyabra’s ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Trailblazer or Cyabra following announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination due to, among other things, the failure to obtain Trailblazer stockholder approval; the risk that the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination disrupts Cyabra’s current operations and future plans; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination; unexpected costs related to the proposed Business Combination; the amount of any redemptions by existing holders of Trailblazer’s common stock being greater than expected; limited liquidity and trading of Trailblazer’s securities; geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; the size of the addressable markets for Cyabra’s products and services; the possibility that Trailblazer and/or Cyabra may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the ability to obtain and/or maintain the listing of the combined company’s common stock on Nasdaq following the Business Combination; operational risk; and the risks that the consummation of the proposed Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

    In connection with the Business Combination, Trailblazer Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Trailblazer (“Holdings”) has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and certain other related documents, which will be both the proxy statement to be distributed to holders of shares of Trailblazer’s common stock in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the vote by its stockholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus of Holdings relating to the offer and sale of its securities to be issued in the Business Combination. . After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Trailblazer stockholders so that they may vote on the Business Combination.

    INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF TRAILBLAZER ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

    Trailblazer stockholders are currently able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein, and will be able to obtain the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, once available, in all cases without charge, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Trailblazer at 510 Madison Avenue, Suite 1401, New York, NY 10022, Telephone: 646-747-9618.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Cyabra, Trailblazer, and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Trailblazer stockholders regarding the proposed Business Combination. Information about Trailblazer’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Trailblazer’s securities is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus pertaining to the proposed Business Combination.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No sale of securities shall occur in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under applicable laws.

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Advancements in iManage AI Set New Standard in Delivering Smarter, Faster, Safer Legal Work

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iManage, the company dedicated to Making Knowledge Work™, today unveiled further developments to its advanced AI strategy—an embedded, comprehensive approach that helps knowledge workers leverage data more effectively, enhance search, and unlock institutional knowledge to drive smarter work and deliver value to their stakeholders in an efficient and safe way.

    This strategic direction incorporates the application of AI across the platform to enable customers to be better prepared to use AI technologies with their proprietary data. It also alleviates repetitive and mundane tasks, be that email filing or automatic creation of signature packets enabling users to focus on more productive, high value tasks. Supporting these advancements iManage announced new releases of Ask iManage and Insight+, including the introduction of additional Gen AI capabilities.

    Your AI-Powered Legal Assistant: Ask iManage
    Launched in 2024, Ask iManage is an AI-powered assistant native to iManage Work, built to enhance how professionals work with documents, emails, and content. The latest release of Ask iManage introduces a guided actions interface making it easy for users to leverage the benefits of generative AI without the need to be experts in crafting prompts. Guided actions available today include:

    • Overview, to quickly see the main points of content
    • Extract, to grab exact text and data points from documents
    • Summarize, to generate summaries for specific topics within content
    • Analyze, to check if content meets certain requirements

    Ask iManage already offers multi-document processing—the ability to run guided actions on multiple documents simultaneously. This capability is beneficial for tasks such as due diligence, compliance reviews, or remediation projects.

    A newly introduced question library lets users browse a curated set of prompts and save, customize, and reuse prompts for personal or team use. Dynamic question suggestions provide real-time, context-aware examples tailored specifically to a user’s document.

    Ask iManage is gaining momentum by delivering new value aligned with evolving user needs. It incorporates AI skills that can be seamlessly applied to documents and includes guardrails that enable users to easily verify the AI model’s output as necessary. For example, a key feature is the ability to provide evidence and help users navigate to the precise location within a source document to verify a response. Users also benefit from greater flexibility in how answers are formatted, such as tables or lists, and in exporting those answers to familiar formats like Word or Excel, reducing friction and saving valuable time.

    Recognizing that training and adoption can be challenging, iManage developed the Wayfinder program. A consultative and high-touch customer engagement program to enable strong user adoption, the Wayfinder program supports customers in meeting their desired outcomes. Participation in the program continues to grow within the iManage customer base.

    The next evolution of Knowledge Search built on a Strong Data Foundation

    iManage is leading the way in Knowledge Search with semantic and generative search experiences built on trusted grounding data in their knowledge base. Insight+, based on a hybrid search index with security policy at its core, enables innovative AI-powered search to support lawyers in the ways they want to work. Using natural language, it searches for generative responses to questions grounded in managed collections of the organization’s data, providing authoritative links to the underlying source content and document links.

    Insight+ has continued to gain significant traction in the market, in part due to the features and enhancements that have been realized in the last year and now has more than 25,000 active users globally across law firms, tax and accounting practices, and corporate legal departments.

    “AI is never about ‘AI for AI sake’—it’s about getting to better outcomes,” said Shawn Misquitta, EVP of Product Management at iManage. “Our continued investments in the platform – iManage Insight+ and Ask iManage – play a crucial role in helping customers realize value, while leveraging AI in a secure and responsible way. The market response and adoption globally validate our approach. We are committed to helping customers achieve pragmatic, pervasive, and responsible use of AI technologies, and we’re excited about the tremendous interest from our legal and corporate legal customers.”

    iManage is at Legalweek 2025 in New York City, March 24–27. Visit us at Booth #2010 to explore how our latest innovations in AI-powered knowledge work are helping legal teams work smarter, more securely, and deliver greater client value. In addition to visiting the booth, join us for our iManage Roundtables in Concourse F:

    • The Role of KM in Advancing Knowledge Maturity on Tuesday, March 25, from 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. ET
    • Experience Insight+ Knowledge Search Firsthand on Wednesday, March 26, from 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. ET

    We’re also hosting Meet the Experts drop-in sessions in Concourse F on both Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET. Stop by for one-on-one conversations with our team, get personalized guidance on Ask iManage and Insight+, and enjoy a coffee while you chat.

    Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with our experts, experience the power of iManage AI solutions in action, and see how we’re shaping the future of AI-powered knowledge work.

    About iManage
    iManage is dedicated to Making Knowledge Work™. Our cloud-native platform is at the center of the knowledge economy, enabling every organization to work more productively, collaboratively, and securely. Built on more than 20 years of industry experience, iManage helps leading organizations manage documents and emails more efficiently, protect vital information assets, and leverage knowledge to drive better business outcomes. As your strategic business partner, we employ our award-winning AI-enabled technology, an extensive partner ecosystem, and a customer-centric approach to provide support and guidance you can trust to make knowledge work for you. iManage is relied on by more than one million professionals at 4,000 organizations around the world. Visit www.imanage.com to learn more.

    Follow iManage via:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imanage
    X: https://x.com/imanageinc
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/imanage

    Press contact:
    Alicia Saragosa, iManage
    press@imanage.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: TaxBit & Voltage Launch Compliant Lightning Solution as SAB 121 Repeal Reshapes Bitcoin Adoption

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The First Lightning Payments Provider Fully Integrated with an Enterprise Crypto Compliance Platform
    AUSTIN, Texas, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Voltage, the longest-standing Lightning Network payments platform, has integrated with Taxbit, the leading tax and accounting solution for digital assets. This first-of-its-kind integration enables businesses to adopt Bitcoin and stablecoins with full compliance, aligning with the SAB 121 repeal and stablecoin expansion on Lightning. Companies can now access the first enterprise-grade solution for Lightning payments, ensuring seamless accounting, tax compliance, and regulatory adherence.

    The Significance of This Moment: A Transformation for Digital Assets
    The repeal of SAB 121 (January 23, 2025) eliminates a major regulatory hurdle for institutional Bitcoin adoption. Previously, it forced financial institutions to recognize customer-held digital assets on their balance sheet as both safeguarding assets and liabilities, increasing capital requirements and costs. With SAB 122, institutions can now treat Bitcoin like traditional financial assets, opening new opportunities for custody, reporting, and treasury management.

    At the same time, stablecoins are now live on the Lightning Network. Last month, Tether announced bringing their stablecoin to Lightning Network, making Bitcoin and stablecoin transactions faster, cheaper, and more scalable for businesses looking to integrate them into their payments and balance sheet strategies.

    Voltage x Taxbit: The Future of Bitcoin Accounting and Compliance
    The integration of Voltage and Taxbit enables businesses to seamlessly handle Lightning Network transactions with enterprise-grade tax and accounting solutions. This means:

    • Real-time compliance: Automated tracking and reporting of Lightning transactions, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.
    • Scalable treasury solutions: Taxbit’s platform provides seamless, scalable cost basis tracking and calculations, powered by a robust rules engine with customizable features to meet client-specific needs.
    • Audit-ready financials: Integrated reporting tools help companies meet financial disclosure requirements with Big Four-grade accuracy.

    “The industry is at an inflection point,” said Graham Krizek, CEO of Voltage. “With the repeal of SAB 121, businesses now have the regulatory clarity needed to scale Bitcoin adoption. By integrating with Taxbit, we’re enabling companies to take full advantage of the Lightning Network with built-in compliance and financial controls. With stablecoins coming on the Lightning Network, it is poised to be an incredible year.”

    “At Taxbit, we are committed to empowering institutions with the best-in-class accounting solutions for digital assets,” added Lindsey Argalas, CEO of Taxbit. “This integration with Voltage ensures businesses can efficiently manage Lightning Network transactions while maintaining tax and financial compliance at scale.”

    A New Era for Bitcoin, Stablecoins, and Institutional Adoption
    With Voltage and Taxbit integrated, businesses can easily adopt Bitcoin and Lightning payments with built-in tax compliance and financial reporting. Trusted by PayPal, Google, BitGo, Fireblocks, and FOX, Taxbit ensures seamless accounting and regulatory adherence. This enterprise-grade solution simplifies Bitcoin transactions, making them efficient, scalable, and fully compliant.

    For more information on how businesses can leverage this integration, users can visit voltage.cloud and taxbit.com.

    About Voltage 
    Voltage is the leading Lightning Payment Provider, simplifying Bitcoin and Lightning adoption for businesses. Through an easy-to-use API, Voltage removes complexity, equipping companies with the tools and support they need to thrive when adopting instant, cheap payments. Voltage is the longest-running infrastructure provider for the Lightning Network, thus having a view of the network unlike anyone else.

    Contact

    Founder & CEO
    Phil
    21M Communications
    phil@21mcommunications.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a4264b3c-dcaf-450b-9e0a-acf6b36565e2

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: The Gender Pay Gap Stalls in 2025 – Payscale’s Research Shows

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Despite pay transparency laws, wage equity progress continues to stall nationwide, with systemic barriers still limiting women’s earning potential.
    • The “childbearing penalty” remains highly evident, as women with children continue to earn just 75 cents for every dollar fathers make, while fathers make 2% more than childless men.
    • While the gender pay gap showed gradual improvement from 2018 to 2022, progress has remained stagnant since the Great Resignation, with declines especially evident among older women.

    SEATTLE, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Payscale Inc., the leading provider of compensation data, software and services, released its 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report (GPGR), revealing that despite pay transparency laws, the closing of the gender pay gap has stalled nationwide, with systemic barriers still limiting women’s earning potential.

    Payscale’s analysis found that in 2025 women still earn just 83 cents for every dollar men make. While this is unchanged from last year, according to AAUW, Equal Pay Day shifted back more than two weeks this year, meaning that women must work that much longer to achieve the same earnings as men in 2025, compared to 2024. The controlled gender pay gap also remains the same as last year, at 99 cents. The controlled gender pay gap is the amount that women earn for every dollar that a man earns when accounting for job title and compensable factors, while the uncontrolled gender pay gap is the difference in median pay for men and women overall.

    “Even though our 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report showed a minor decrease in support for pay equity (57%), and there has been a recent weakening of public support around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) of late, some states have shown promising progress towards closing the gender pay gap,” said Ruth Thomas, pay equity strategist at Payscale. “While not every state has enacted pay transparency laws, which are shown to support pay equity efforts, many organizations are still staunchly committed to the cause. In fact, compared to 2020, there has been a 19% increase in corporate commitment to these efforts.”

    Key takeaways from GPGR:

    Working Parents — Motherhood continues to hurt pay equity, while fathers get a raise as a result of the childbearing penalty.

    • Women with children face a significantly wider gender pay gap, earning just 75 cents for every dollar fathers make—unchanged from last year.
    • This gap is even wider for women of color, with American Indian and Alaska Native mothers experiencing the largest disparity, earning just 64 cents for every dollar fathers earn.
    • When controlling for job roles and experience, mothers earn 98 cents for every dollar earned by fathers with similar characteristics, a figure that has remained steady.
    • Meanwhile, fatherhood financially benefits men, who earn 2% more than childless men, while mothers face stagnant or reduced pay compared to childless women.

    Job Seeking — Women seeking new jobs are closing the pay gap, but parenting responsibilities and workplace flexibility keep many stuck with lower wages.

    • The gender pay gap is narrower for women actively seeking a new job in the next six months compared to those not looking, suggesting that a willingness to leave positions may lead to higher pay.
    • Yet, this uncontrolled gender pay gap slightly widened this year to $0.83 from $0.84 last year, indicating slower progress overall.
    • Women who stay in their current job may do so due to benefits they can’t afford to lose, such as flexible work schedules, which can result in tolerating lower pay.
    • Workplace culture, flexibility, and work-life balance may be more important to women than men when deciding whether to stay with an employer, potentially influencing their pay trajectory.

    Higher Education — Despite earning advanced degrees like MBAs, law degrees, and health professional doctorates, women still face a significant pay gap, highlighting that education alone doesn’t guarantee pay equity.

    • Women with MBAs face the largest uncontrolled pay gap, earning just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men with the same degree.
    • Health professional doctorates have the smallest uncontrolled pay gap at 89 cents, while women with law degrees earn 87 cents for every dollar men with the same degree make, marking a slight decrease from last year.

    Leadership and Career Progress — Not only do women earn less as their career progresses, they’re also less likely to reach leadership roles.

    • White men are the most likely to hold leadership positions, with 45% serving as managers or in higher roles. Women are underrepresented in leadership roles, with only 5% of white women becoming executives compared to 7% of white men. The numbers are even lower for women of color: 3% for Hispanic women, 4% for Black or African American women, and 3% for Asian women.
    • Women who do ascend the corporate ladder earn less than their male counterparts, with the gap widening at higher levels. Women at the executive level earn 93 cents for every dollar men make, even when controlling for job characteristics, and just 72 cents when not controlling for these factors.
    • The gender pay gap is widest for Hispanic women and American Indian and Native Alaskan women at the executive level when data are controlled, currently standing at 91 cents, which is two points narrower than 2024.

    Gender Norms — While STEM industries show progress toward pay equity, traditional gender norms continue to widen the gap in other sectors.

    • The biggest pay gaps appear in occupations with deep-rooted gender norms, including Legal (63 cents), Farming & Fishing (77 cents), and Management (79 cents), where men dominate top-paying positions.
    • The gender pay gap is also widest in Finance & Insurance (78 cents) and Agencies & Consultancies (84 cents) industries, despite women making up 53% and 59% of the workforce in these industries, respectively.
    • Even in female-dominated industries like Healthcare (89 cents), Education (91 cents), and Nonprofits (88 cents), pay disparities persist.
    • Some STEM-heavy industries show pay equity when controlled, but women remain underrepresented in higher-paying roles within these industries.

    Location – States with and without salary transparency laws have seen improvements in the controlled gender pay gap, likely due in part to increased awareness from transparency efforts in other regions or companies adopting national pay transparency practices.

    • In 2025, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont and Massachusetts will enact pay transparency legislation.
    • The controlled pay gap remained closed in 2025 for California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. – all showed closed pay gaps last year, and, except for New Jersey and Oregon, have active pay transparency laws.
    • While other states continue to show improvement, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington state have seen their gaps widen.
    • New gains are emerging in Alabama, Delaware, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and West Virginia, where the controlled pay gap has recently closed.

    “It’s disappointing to still see a lack of progress towards closing the gender pay gap. Beyond being the right thing to do, ensuring fair pay without discrimination is required by law. This fact alone should support closing the gender pay gap. Even more, it’s a critical retention tool for businesses, which is why, unsurprisingly, women employees frequently leave organizations because they don’t think they are being paid fairly,” said Lulu Seikaly, senior corporate employment attorney at Payscale. “Pay transparency has an important role to play here, because when an employee has an understanding of their compensation trajectory it increases trust and loyalty. Our 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report revealed that over half (56%) of companies are sharing pay ranges in their job postings regardless of whether or not it’s required by law — a promising nod to the future of fair pay.”

    According to Payscale’s 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report, 72% of HR and compensation professionals believe that gender pay gap research is meaningful. Paired with Payscale’s compensation management software and services enable organizations to easily evaluate their current compensation strategies and standardize their internal pay practices to increase transparency and ensure fair pay.

    The 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report analyzes crowdsourced data from over 369,000 people in the U.S. who took Payscale’s free online salary survey between January 2024 and January 2025. The full report and its methodology, including analysis by race, job level, age, education, industry, occupation, and location, can be accessed in its entirety at Payscale.com/research-and-insights/gender-pay-gap.

    About Payscale
    As the industry leader in compensation management, Payscale is on a mission to help job seekers, employees, and businesses make sustainable fair pay a reality. Empowering 65% of the Fortune 500, Payscale provides a combination of diverse and dynamic data sources, experienced compensation services, and scalable software to enable organizations such as Panasonic, ZoomInfo, Chipotle, AccentCare, University of Washington, American Airlines, and PetSmart to make fair and appropriate pay decisions.

    Pay is powerful.

    To learn more, visit www.payscale.com.
      
    Contact: Press@Payscale.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: EV Realty Partners With CALSTART to Scale Fleet Charging Access and Optimize Utilization of Shared Hubs With Demand Aggregation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EV Realty, Inc. (“EV Realty”), an EV infrastructure development platform powering commercial fleets, and CALSTART, a member-driven industry nonprofit focused on clean transportation, today announced a strategic partnership. The partnership will accelerate fleet electrification by aligning fleet charging demand with grid-optimized charging solutions through an innovative demand aggregation approach. The strategy will reduce friction and uncertainty for both fleets and infrastructure developers. This collaboration will leverage CALSTART’s industry expertise and relationships alongside EV Realty’s Powered Properties™ to overcome infrastructure barriers and support the transition to zero-emission freight by aligning charging supply and demand within major freight hubs.

    As fleet operators continue to shift toward electric vehicles, securing access to convenient and cost-effective charging solutions remains a major hurdle—complicated by the high costs of infrastructure deployment, prolonged grid upgrade timelines, and limited access to suitable charging locations. EV Realty’s shared, multi-fleet charging model offers a scalable solution that improves fleet operator economics and provides access to high-power charging for Class 2b through Class 8 vehicles, without the costs and delays associated with utility grid upgrades. CALSTART’s efforts to aggregate the charging needs of multiple fleets will help connect fleet operators with infrastructure solutions tailored to their operational needs from the synergy of this partnership.

    “The path to zero-emission freight relies on scalable, cost-effective charging solutions that fleets can depend on,” said Suncheth Bhat, Chief Commercial Officer of EV Realty. “Partnerships like this not only accelerate deployment but also help shape the broader framework for how fleets, infrastructure providers, and industry leaders work together to enable the transition to clean transportation.”

    The collaboration also emphasizes data-driven infrastructure planning, leveraging EV Realty’s insights into grid-advantaged locations and development readiness alongside CALSTART’s analytics on fleet transition trends and charging demand. This approach will facilitate fleet electrification, boost charger utilization, and reduce overall costs for infrastructure deployment and operations across the freight system.

    “Shared charging infrastructure is one of the more important tools for accelerating fleet electrification,” said Dr. Jasna Tomic, Vice President, CALSTART. “By bringing together EV Realty’s grid-ready charging solutions and CALSTART’s ability to align industry demand, we are helping fleets make the shift to zero-emission vehicles faster and more efficiently.”

    Recent CALSTART analysis highlights the benefits of the shared charging hub model for enabling efficient, cost-effective, and accelerated fleet electrification. EV Realty is currently developing strategically located charging hubs in San Bernardino, Torrance, and Livermore. The company also recently announced the acquisition of a portfolio of assets from Gage Zero, including several additional sites across California and other key freight regions. The CALSTART partnership announced today will maximize the reach of these shared charging hubs for fleet operators looking to electrify.

    About EV Realty

    EV Realty develops, deploys, and owns charging infrastructure critical to electrifying commercial fleets in the U.S. at scale. The company accelerates the adoption of large EV fleets by focusing on the fundamental constraint all electric fleets face: low-cost, reliable, and expandable access to grid-scale power. EV Realty is developing a network of grid-optimized, large-scale EV charging hubs for delivery, logistics, and services fleet customers. Our Powered Properties™ serve multiple commercial fleets in secure, high-power locations with guaranteed charging access and availability, and are located proximate to major logistics corridors. By aggregating multiple fleets with shared private infrastructure in grid-ready locations, EV Realty charging hubs reduce upfront and recurring costs for fleets, optimize charging times and provide high utilization rates. Learn more about EV Realty and how it is transforming fleet charging at www.evrealtyus.com.

    About CALSTART

    A mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all, CALSTART has offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California, Florida, and Europe. CALSTART is uniquely positioned to build the national clean transportation industry by working closely with its 285 member companies and building on the lessons learned from the major programs it manages for the State of California. CALSTART manages more than $1 billion in vehicle incentive and technical assistance programs in the United States and is leading a global effort to build the zero-emission commercial vehicle market.

    Contact:
    Wes Mangum
    FischTank PR
    wes@fischtankpr.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: StarTree Awarded 2025 Confluent Data Flow ISV Partner of the Year – APAC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StarTree, the cloud-based real-time analytics company, today announced it has been named the 2025 Confluent Data Flow ISV Partner of the Year – APAC. The award recognizes StarTree’s exceptional commitment to driving customer value through Confluent’s data streaming platform, alongside other global Confluent partners.

    “We’re incredibly honored to be named the 2025 Confluent Data Flow ISV Platform Partner of the Year for APAC. This recognition highlights the powerful synergy between StarTree and Confluent—bringing together best-in-class data streaming and real-time analytics platforms to help businesses unlock the full potential of their data,” said Jen Murphy, VP, Channels & Alliances, StarTree. “Confluent provides the foundation for streaming data at scale, while StarTree ensures that data is instantly analyzed and actionable. Together, we enable organizations to make faster, smarter decisions, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of real-time analytics with Confluent.”

    The Confluent Partner Awards for APAC recognizes regional partners that go above and beyond to deliver transformative customer value with data streaming–whether that’s through real-time business solutions or implementing cutting-edge technologies. The 10 regional award categories reflect the many ways partners across system integrations, cloud service providers, and technology partners leverage Confluent’s complete data streaming platform to connect, stream, govern, and process data as it happens.

    StarTree provided outstanding services and solutions as the Data Flow ISV Partner of the Year – APAC. This award recognizes a partner that leveraged Confluent to create and deliver a comprehensive and compelling solution that made a significant impact across an industry and/or region.

    “The Asia Pacific market thrives on the power of interconnected ecosystems, where success is achieved through strong regional collaboration,” said Sandeep Shirodkar, Director of Partner Success APAC, Confluent. “Our 2025 Confluent Partner Awards in Asia Pacific demonstrate the exceptional impact local partnerships have in transforming how businesses operate with data streaming across diverse economies. Together, we are accelerating results for real-time outcomes.”

    StarTree and Confluent are a natural fit, seamlessly combining the strengths of real-time streaming and real-time analytics into a unified data platform. Both Apache Kafka® and Apache Pinot®, the open-source technologies respectively behind Confluent and StarTree, originated at LinkedIn to address the challenges of traditional batch-based data systems—enabling businesses to move from delayed insights to instant intelligence. Today, this partnership continues to redefine what’s possible with real-time data. With Confluent providing a best-in-class data streaming platform and StarTree delivering sub-second analytics at scale, organizations can unlock the full value of their data as it flows.

    In 2024, StarTree consumed more data than any other real-time database natively integrated with Confluent Cloud. StarTree was also recognized as Confluent’s 2023 Integration ISV Partner of the Year, highlighting our sustained commitment to each other and the immense value we jointly bring to the market.

    StarTree continues to thrive as a trusted and strategic partner in the channel, driving growth and innovation with its real-time analytics solutions. By offering seamless integrations with leading platforms such as Confluent, Tableau, AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, StarTree empowers its channel partners to deliver scalable and reliable insights that simplify complex business challenges. With a strong focus on collaboration, StarTree provides its ecosystem of hyperscalers, technology providers, and system integrators with the tools, resources, and expertise necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving data landscape. Through flexible purchasing options in top cloud marketplaces and a commitment to building long-term relationships, StarTree ensures that its partners have everything they need to meet the dynamic needs of modern enterprises, ultimately delivering transformative value to customers worldwide.

    Supporting Resources

    Learn More about the StarTree + Confluent Partnership

    RTA Summit 2025 including joint presentation by Confluent and StarTree on Real-Time Analytics in Gaming

    About StarTree

    At StarTree, we understand the urgency of the on-demand economy and help businesses like Citi, Stripe, DoorDash, Nubank, Zomato, and Dialpad deliver real-time analytics into their user-facing applications. StarTree Cloud, powered by Apache Pinot™, is a fully-managed real-time analytics Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS). StarTree’s platform is built to power insights for millions of users at massive speed and scale, and a fraction of the cost of alternatives. Whether user-facing apps, or backend APIs and microservices, real-time analytics are now a required component powering internal and customer-facing dashboards. With StarTree, customers unlock the full potential of their data while exceeding millions of user expectations. StarTree is closely partnered with analytics leaders such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, Confluent, Databricks and others to help customers achieve their real-time analytics goals.

    Additional information may be found at www.startree.ai | Twitter: @startreedata | YouTube: youtube.com/@StarTree | Blog: startree.ai/blog | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/startreedata/

    Media Contact:

    Beth Winkowski
    PR for StarTree
    978-649-7189
    beth@winkowskipr.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: MicroAlgo Inc. plans to issue additional new shares at an offering price of $0.8 per share.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MicroAlgo Inc. plans to issue additional new shares at an offering price of $0.8 per share.

    Shenzhen, China, March. 24, 2025 – MicroAlgo Inc. (NASDAQ: MLGO), (the “Company”or “MicroAlgo”), today announced the plan to issue more new shares. Considering that MicroAlgo Inc. entered into a convertible bond purchase agreement with creditors on October 7, 2024, with a total amount of US$20 million. These bonds have a maturity period of 360 days. According to the convertible bond purchase agreement, the bonds are convertible into common shares at a conversion price equal to 70% of the lowest closing market price during the 60 trading days preceding the conversion request.
    MicroAlgo Inc. has received notice from the creditors under this US$20 million convertible bond purchase agreement, requesting the company to issue new shares at $ 0.8 per share to repay the debt in accordance with the agreement terms. The company plans to fulfill the relevant clauses of this US$20 million convertible bond purchase agreement and will issue new shares at $ 0.8 per share for debt repayment.
    This serves as a risk disclosure in accordance with the Form 6-K filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 9, 2024.

    About MicroAlgo Inc.
    MicroAlgo Inc. (the “MicroAlgo”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, is dedicated to the development and application of bespoke central processing algorithms. MicroAlgo provides comprehensive solutions to customers by integrating central processing algorithms with software or hardware, or both, thereby helping them to increase the number of customers, improve end-user satisfaction, achieve direct cost savings, reduce power consumption, and achieve technical goals. The range of MicroAlgo’sservices includes algorithm optimization, accelerating computing power without the need for hardware upgrades, lightweight data processing, and data intelligence services. MicroAlgo’s ability to efficiently deliver software and hardware optimization to customers through bespoke central processing algorithms serves as a driving force for MicroAlgo’s long-term development.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of MicroAlgo, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of MicroAlgo’s periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 8-K filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Words such as “expect,””estimate,””project,””budget,””forecast,””anticipate,””intend,””plan,””may,””will,””could,””should,””believes,””predicts,””potential,””continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, MicroAlgo’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the business transaction.
    MicroAlgo undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as may be required by law.

    Contact
    MicroAlgo Inc.
    Investor Relations
    Email: ir@microalgor.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Data Center Ethernet Switch Market Surpasses $20 Billion and 100 Million Ports, Reports Crehan Research

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A late-year acceleration in branded switch sales helped propel the total data center Ethernet switch market to beyond $20 billion and 100 million port shipments in 2024, according to the latest report from Crehan Research. The increase resulted in a record-high year for revenue and shipments, with annual growth in both branded and ODM-direct data center Ethernet switching. Key drivers were 400 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 800GbE, with these two technologies increasing 50% year-on-year to comprise a third of total annual market revenues (see accompanying chart).

    “The data center Ethernet switch market growth was the result of a number of factors,” said Seamus Crehan, president of Crehan Research. “There was a return to buying new switches by customers who had overbought as a result of the market’s earlier supply constraints. And in addition to that, we had cloud service providers buying switches to network generative AI clusters.”

    Crehan’s report notes that while the adoption of 400GbE data center switching has been broad-based across applications and customer segments, the strong adoption of 800GbE has so far been primarily driven by generative AI. “The strong early 800GbE adoption is in line with our expectation that this technology will likely see the fastest ever data center Ethernet switch speed ramp,” Crehan said.

    About Crehan Research Inc.
    Crehan Research Inc. produces reports with very detailed statistics and information on the data center switch and server-class adapter & LOM/controller (NIC) markets. The company’s reports are supported with rich insights and context to deliver increased value. For more information visit www.CrehanResearch.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0d5323df-4714-4743-86a4-bdbe294057c5

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Help our staff members reach patients with care

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    Individuals like you keep Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) fiercely independent.

    Your support enables us to respond at a moment’s notice when a disaster strikes. You ensure that we can recruit local staff who understand the needs of their communities best. You make it possible for us to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive emergency care and aid.

    Until Monday, March 31, all gifts will be TRIPLED, to have THREE TIMES the impact on our lifesaving work around the world. Please don’t wait to make your 3X MATCHED contribution now >>
    —
    All gifts given, up to $500,000, will be tripled through midnight on Monday, March 31—thanks to a generous matching grant from Worthington & Margaret Mayo-Smith. Gifts received after the match has been met will not be matched but will be used where needed most.

    1. Amount
    2. Payment Information
    3. Your Information
    4. Billing Information

    A Donation has been made to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

    In Honor of

    From

    The verification code for Visa, Master Card, and Discover is a 3-digit number printed on the back of your card. The American Express verification code is a 4-digit number printed on the front of your card. We ask for your email address so we can send you a receipt for tax purposes. We ask for your phone number so we can send you updates from the field. We ask for the name of the company or organization making this gift so we can properly attribute the donation in our database to the company or organization making this donation.

    By making a gift to MSF-USA, you’ll receive an email confirming your donation, along with regular updates on our work in the field through emails and SMS messages (if mobile number is provided). You can update your preferences or unsubscribe at any time.

    By clicking DONATE your credit card will be securely processed.

    Unrestricted donations enable MSF to carry out our programs around the world. If we cannot honor a specific request, we will reallocate your donation to where the needs are greatest.

    MIL OSI NGO –

    March 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Wearable Devices to Expand AI-Powered Bio-Signal Intelligence with LMM for Health Monitoring Potential Uses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Yokneam Illit, Israel, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wearable Devices Ltd. (the “Company” or “Wearable Devices”) (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW), a technology growth company specializing in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered touchless sensing wearables, today announced the expansion of its Large Motor Unit Action Potential Model (“LMM”) into new potential markets, such as predictive health monitoring and cognitive state analytics. This development will enable the broadening of bio-signal intelligence applications beyond wearables and will offer businesses and healthcare providers access to real-time physiological insights for monitoring health and wellness conditions.

    This announcement follows Wearable Devices’ recent introduction of LMM as a groundbreaking AI-driven bio-signal platform focused on gesture-based control in extended reality (“XR”) and neural interaction with digital devices. The Company’s LMM approach to analyzing muscle activity signals will support the expansion into the field of health monitoring, enabling users to enhance their performance across various domains.

    From Passive Monitoring to Proactive Intelligence

    Unlike traditional bio-sensors that collect data passively, LMM continuously learns and adapts, turning muscle activity signals from the wrist into actionable insights. The technology is now being evaluated in controlled environments for real-world applications, including:

    • Predictive Health Monitoring – Detecting hidden patterns in muscle activity that may indicate early signs of health conditions before symptoms appear, revolutionizing preventive diagnostics and digital health tracking.
    • Cognitive State & Performance Analytics – Monitoring focus, fatigue, and stress levels through muscle tone and micro-movements, optimizing work productivity and mental well-being.
    • Exploring Predictive Analytics – Assessing whether continuous monitoring of neural data can improve AI-driven user behavior predictions.

    A Platform for Innovation: Opening LMM to Business Partners

    Recognizing the transformative potential of bio-signal intelligence, Wearable Devices is intending to make LMM available to enterprises, researchers, and developers. The Company’s AI-powered bio-signal data platform is expected to enable businesses to:

    • Develop custom applications tailored to healthcare and sports for athletic performance optimization.
       
    • Integrate real-time physiological insights into enterprise solutions to enhance safety, performance, and productivity.
       
    • Leverage LMM’s AI engine to continuously refine predictive health and interaction models.

    Following the initial evaluation phase, Wearable Devices aims to accelerate commercialization and strategic partnerships across the health sector, reinforcing its position as a pioneer in bio-signal intelligence and neural interface technology.

    “We believe LMM represents the next leap in bio-signal intelligence,” said Guy Wagner, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Wearable Devices. “Beyond XR and wearable computing, LMMs will allow us to enter markets that need real-time physiological insights – helping businesses, AI based health platforms, and healthcare providers to gain insights that will transform and personalize their services at scale.”

    About Wearable Devices Ltd.

    Wearable Devices Ltd. is a pioneering growth company revolutionizing human-computer interaction through its AI-powered neural input technology for both consumer and business markets. Leveraging proprietary sensors, software, and advanced AI algorithms, the Company’s innovative products, including the Mudra Band for iOS and Mudra Link for Android, enable seamless, touch-free interaction by transforming subtle finger and wrist movements into intuitive controls. These groundbreaking solutions enhance gaming, and the rapidly expanding AR/VR/XR landscapes. The Company offers a dual-channel business model: direct-to-consumer sales and enterprise licensing. Its flagship Mudra Band integrates functional and stylish design with cutting-edge AI to empower consumers, while its enterprise solutions provide businesses with the tools to deliver immersive and interactive experiences. By setting the input standard for the XR market, Wearable Devices is redefining user experiences and driving innovation in one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. Wearable Devices’ ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “WLDS” and “WLDSW,” respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the benefits and advantages of our devices and technology, including the potential of LMMs, the potential to accelerate commercialization and strategic partnerships across the health sector, and entering markets that need real-time physiological insights. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the trading of our ordinary shares or warrants and the development of a liquid trading market; our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed on March 20, 2025 and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations Contact
    Michal Efraty
    IR@wearabledevices.co.il

    The MIL Network –

    March 25, 2025
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