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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI: Paytronix Upgrades In-App Navigation for Guests with Interstitials, Deep Linking Messages

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEWTON, Mass., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Paytronix, the leader in guest engagement for restaurants and convenience stores, today announced the launch of two new features to its branded mobile app: interstitial messages and deep linking push and pull messages. The new features will enable hospitality and convenience brands of all sizes to respond to guests’ preference for digital engagement and mobile app use with more sophisticated messages as well as a more streamlined user journey for push/pull message promotions.

    “Brands are increasingly turning to mobile apps as an effective channel for both messaging and advertising. Conversely, guests prefer to share information via digital engagement. Interstitial ads allow them to light up this channel with full-screen images, text and video content that really drive campaign results,” said Alison Evers, mobile products manager, Paytronix, an Access Group Company. “Deep linking takes the benefits of interstitials even further by allowing brands to directly take customers anywhere within their app. Each second with a guest counts; these updates aim to make it easier for brands to drive customer actions.“

    Campaign Based Interstitials
    Interstitials add a key communication option beyond push and pull messages to reach mobile app users and drive engagement and revenue. Through in-app pop ups, interstitials ensure high visibility on key campaigns and meet guest preferences for digital engagement. Increased in-app activity will be realized through easy navigation and guest communications for menu, deals and incentives.

    Deep Linking Push & Pull Messages
    In the past, brands could direct guests to the dashboard of their app with push messages or link to surveys in the app with pull messages. Now, with deep linking, brands can provide access to specific spots within their apps and ensure their guests are seeing and able to easily access information. Whether it’s promoting a new seasonal menu item, directing traffic to redeem rewards or promoting in-app e-gift purchases, deep linking empowers brands to:

    • Increase mobile ordering through fast and easy navigation to menu, deals and incentives;
    • Drive in-app engagement by directing their guests exactly where they need to go to find information;
    • Eliminate guess work on the guest side and improve their experience by maximizing impact communications.

    Learn more about the Paytronix mobile app.

    About Paytronix
    Paytronix, an Access Group company, is a cloud-based digital guest engagement platform for the hospitality industry. Our innovative, unified platform provides loyalty programs, online ordering, gift cards, branded mobile applications, and strategic insights to more than 1,800 leading restaurant and convenience store brands. Our valued clients leverage the power of Paytronix across 50,000 sites globally to create seamless, personalized, and brand-authentic experiences that foster lasting relationships with their customers. For more than 20 years, Paytronix has been a trusted partner helping brands maximize the lifetime value of their guests and grow more profitable businesses. For more information, visit www.paytronix.com.

    Media Contact:
    Calen McGee
    Paytronix Systems, Inc.
    Calen.McGee@theaccessgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ASUS Republic of Gamers Strengthens Partnership with Team NRG

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) and NRG today announced the expansion of their partnership. NRG, an American esports team, will benefit from a full range of ROG laptops, desktops, and handheld gaming devices — equipping them with leading hardware on their road to excellence and success.

    “NRG is a massive force in esports, and we’re proud to expand our partnership to include ROG’s latest laptops, handhelds, and desktops,” said Galip Fu, Director of Marketing for Systems at ROG. “We look forward to building the future of esports together, powered by innovation and the drive to win.”

    Andy Miller, co-founder and CEO of NRG, remarked, “ROG has been an exceptional partner of NRG for the last few years. We are proud to extend our relationship with ROG beyond peripherals to encompass their high-powered PCs, laptops, and handheld devices to ensure that our esports athletes have the best equipment possible to compete at the highest level.”

    Equipped for victory

    Continuing their shared commitment to performance excellence, ROG will equip NRG players with several new ROG models, including:

    • ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025): Featuring an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 275HX 2.7 GHz processor and up to a NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU with 24GB GDDR7 VRAM — guaranteeing top all-around performance.
    • ROG G700 (2025): Featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor and a ROG GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card with 32GB GDDR7 VRAM — pushing performance boundaries to deliver an uncompromising gaming and creative experience.
    • ROG Ally X: Powered by the AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme processor, this Windows handheld allows gamers to take their entire library on the go.

    Thanks to this continued collaboration, NRG team members will benefit from cutting-edge gaming hardware designed and tested to meet the demands of the highest competitive level. These devices offer unrivalled processing power, ultrahigh refresh rates, and minimal latency, guaranteeing maximum precision and responsiveness every time.

    The partnership with NRG marks a further step in ROG innovation, offering professional and amateur gamers an increasingly immersive and high-performance gaming experience.

    A commitment to the esports community

    In addition to the players’ hardware, the collaboration also includes exclusive YouTube content featuring the players and their ROG devices, allowing fans to see firsthand the success of the NRG team.

    By joining forces, ROG and NRG are sending a strong message that esports is a fast-growing, innovative sector, offering a wealth of opportunities for brands. This partnership aims to unite millions of fans around the world and offer high-impact activations, captivating content, and unique experiences.

    PRICING & AVAILABILITY

    The high-performance gear powering the NRG team — including the ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025) laptop, ROG G700 desktop, and ROG Ally X gaming handheld — is available in multiple configurations on the ASUS Store and at select retailers.

    Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    Where to buy links:

    Team NRG: https://www.nrg.gg/pages/about

    2025 ROG Gaming Laptops: https://rog.asus.com/content/2025-rog-gaming-laptops/

    ROG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asusrog

    ROG X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus_rog

    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com

    ASUS Global Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asus

    ASUS Global Twitter: https://www.x.com/asus

    About ROG

    Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, system components, laptops, desktops, monitors, smartphones, audio equipment, routers, peripherals and accessories. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. To become one of those who dare, learn more about ROG at http://rog.asus.com.

    About Team NRG

    NRG is a professional gaming and entertainment company renowned for its championship teams and innovative gaming lifestyle content. As the highest viewed gaming organization in North America, NRG continues to lead the industry with its engaging, authentic, and original gaming content.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0bb2f2a3-997e-4564-8915-58f76dc90483

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: IT Nation Announces PitchIT Class of 2025 Contestants

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAMPA, Fla., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IT Nation, a global community of peers, thought leaders, and experts dedicated to elevating the IT ecosystem to new heights, is pleased to announce the companies selected to compete in the PitchIT program. Established in 2018, PitchIT is a startup incubation competition that allows innovators to showcase potential offerings that can be built or integrated into the ConnectWise ecosystem. The competition aims to improve the efficiency, profitability, and security of ConnectWise’s partner base. By fostering collaboration and investment in partner growth, PitchIT facilitates faster innovation and synergies between ConnectWise and its partners, ultimately driving the advancement of ConnectWise partners.

    The selected start-ups will participate in a 16-week business transformation course, co-marketing efforts with IT Nation through webinars aimed at the managed service provider (MSP) space. To increase partner visibility, participating companies will be listed on the ConnectWise Marketplace and participate in various awareness activities, where they will have the opportunity to grow their MRR by up to 50%, increase lead generation by 40% and shorten sales cycles by 30%.

    Over 75 companies from more than 10 different countries have participated in PitchIT since 2018. The following 24 companies have been selected as the 2025 class:

    1. ABC Solutions LLC
    2. AP2T Labs
    3. BlackSmith InfoSec
    4. Cavelo
    5. ChannelFalcon
    6. Everykey
    7. GetinSync
    8. Giant Rocketship
    9. Hirexe
    10. HitWit
    11. Mizo
    12. MSPX
    13. Nayak
    14. P2P Global
    15. Palisade Technology
    16. Plumber
    17. Smart Eye Technology
    18. Strategy Overview
    19. TheComplianceAide
    20. ThreatCaptain
    21. Threatmate
    22. TurboDocx
    23. TopLeft Technologies
    24. Xamplify

    Throughout the competition, thought leaders within the MSP space will serve as “Cameo Coaches” to provide guidance and feedback to participating companies. The judges will evaluate each solution based on product innovation, value proposition, go-to-market strategy, contribution to the industry, and likelihood of success in order to narrow down the three finalists.

    “In the rapidly transforming MSP space, innovation is crucial, and PitchIT participants are a critical piece in supporting such transformation,” said Sean Lardo, IT Nation Communities vice president. “We are incredibly excited to announce this year’s PitchIT cohort and look forward to introducing this year’s solutions to our community at IT Nation Connect in November.”

    The finalists selected from this group will be invited to present their solutions on the center stage at IT Nation Connect, held November 5-7, 2025. The first-place winner will receive $70,000 in prize money and the second-place winner will receive $30,000.

    “The PitchIT program gave us the platform to speak up about a problem the market is ignoring,” said Zach Kromkowski, co-founder of Senteon Managed Endpoint Hardening and 2024 PitchIT first-place winner. “It was an incredible chance to sharpen our message, improve our speaking skills, and connect with partners who share our vision. Opportunities like this remind us why we keep pushing forward. PitchIT doesn’t just support early-stage companies, they prepare them for the realities of entrepreneurship.”

    About IT Nation
    The IT Nation is a vibrant and inclusive community that brings together the brightest minds from Managed Solution Providers (MSPs) and IT channel vendors worldwide. Our shared culture, rooted in the Go-Giver philosophy, enables us to harness collective wisdom for mutual growth. Our mission is to empower individuals who align with this worldview by providing purpose-built tools and success frameworks. These resources are designed to help our members define goals, create strategic plans, and execute with precision. At IT Nation, we are dedicated to cultivating an environment where innovation, education, planning, accountability, and celebration serve as the pillars of success. The IT Nation inspires excellence, collaboration fuels advancement, and shared success drives us toward our mission: Wise Together, Rise Together. Learn more at theitnation.com.

    Media Contact
    Keith Giannini
    connectwise@inkhouse.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia delivers advanced tactical private wireless solutions to Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia delivers advanced tactical private wireless solutions to Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA)

    • Enhanced battlefield connectivity with Nokia Banshee tactical private wireless solutions
    • Supporting Marine Corps modernization efforts with resilient, high-speed communications
    • Providing hands-on training for seamless deployment and operational success

    12 May 2025
    Chantilly, Virginia – Nokia today announced that it has delivered its Banshee tactical private wireless solutions to the Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA), reinforcing the U.S. Marine Corps’ commitment to provide seamless, secure, and resilient communications for tactical operations. This milestone builds upon years of collaboration between Nokia and the Marine Corps in testing and refining next-generation communication capabilities to support critical operational needs.

    In 2023, Nokia and the Marine Corps conducted a two-day proof-of-concept at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, validating Banshee’s ability to deliver secure, high-capacity tactical communications beyond expectations. That same year, Nokia and MCTSSA partnered at Project Convergence to showcase Banshee’s effectiveness in denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) environments. These demonstrations reinforced its role in enabling resilient, high-speed connectivity across joint warfighting networks.

    Following these findings, MCTSSA acquired multiple Banshee units in early 2025 for further evaluation and integration into Marine Corps exercises. To support seamless deployment, Nokia provided hands-on training to MCTSSA and other Marine Corps units, covering private wireless network operations, setup, troubleshooting, and live demonstrations of Banshee’s capabilities.

    “Banshee is a game-changer for the warfighter, providing the Marine Corps with a powerful, scalable private wireless solution that meets the demand of modern warfare. We are honored to support MCTSSA and the Marine Corps as they modernize battlefield connectivity while enhancing operational efficiency and resilience,” said Scott Ferguson, Chief Revenue Officer, Nokia Federal Solutions.

    “High bandwidth, low latency transport is critical for sensor-to-shooter integration, enabling real-time data flow from sensors to weapon systems. This ensures precise, timely strikes, maintaining battlefield advantage. Even slight delays can jeopardize missions, making robust connectivity a strategic necessity for lethality and adaptability in modern warfare,” said Capt. Eric Perez, MCTSSA Cyber Network Operation Officer.

    The Nokia Banshee family delivers a high-speed, long-range, and secure tactical communication solution designed for rapid deployment in demanding environments. As a cost-efficient, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system, it leverages industry R&D investments to provide a scalable alternative to traditional Marine Corps communications. With its lightweight, easy-to-use design and advanced security, Banshee ensures resilient, mission-critical connectivity while significantly reducing costs, aligning with MCTSSA’s vision for modernizing battlefield communications.

    Multimedia, technical information, and related news
    Web Page: 5G tactical private wireless
    Press release: Nokia launches the 5G Banshee Flex Radio: a revolutionary mobile broadband edge network for modern battlefield communications

    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.

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

    Nokia Federal Services
    Jacqueline Lampert
    Email: media@nokiafederal.com  

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Issues Impact and Affordable Housing Advisory Council Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) released its Impact and Affordable Housing Advisory Council (AHAC) Report, describing the organization’s highest year of funding to date for affordable housing and community development. The report also outlines the widespread reach of FHLBank Atlanta’s lending products for member institutions and the community investment programs positively impacting its district in 2024.  

    “We are proud of our work to provide nearly 800 financial institutions with access to funding to support local lending for small businesses, mortgages, and community development projects,” said Kirk Malmberg, president and CEO of FHLBank Atlanta. “Additionally, each year we work with members to ensure we offer affordable housing grant programs that address current needs. For 2024, this resulted in the introduction of Workforce Housing Plus+, a new initiative to provide downpayment assistance to a broader population of borrowers challenged by the rising cost of homes and high interest rates.”

    In total, FHLBank Atlanta contributed a record $120 million in grants for affordable housing and community development in 2024. Additional highlights of the report include:

    • $55 million distributed through the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund, supporting 66 projects that will create or rehabilitate more than 4,200 affordable housing units
    • $40 million distributed through the AHP Homeownership Set-aside Program, providing homeownership grants to more than 3,000 households for downpayment, closing cost, and home rehabilitation assistance
    • $20 million distributed through the Workforce Housing Plus+ program, providing downpayment and closing cost assistance to more than 1,300 households
    • $5.9 million in total allocated to 21 organizations addressing heirs’ property issues to help more than 5,000 families protect their assets and build generational wealth
    • $1 billion in Community Investment Program advances to support housing and economic development
    • $250,000 donated to the American Red Cross for recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene
    • 48 forums attended to promote financial literacy and homeownership knowledge sharing across the FHLBank Atlanta district

    The report also highlights FHLBank Atlanta’s culture of giving back, including its ongoing Community Involvement program and volunteerism efforts.

    “FHLBank Atlanta continues to remain a reliable source of lending for members, allowing us to deliver on our purpose of earning trust, building relationships, and bettering lives,” said Tomeka Strickland, senior vice president and director of community investment services of FHLBank Atlanta. “The record amount of grant funding we distributed last year is a direct reflection of our collaboration with members and commitment to our communities, and we look forward to strengthening these partnerships in 2025 to continue investing in the neighborhoods our members serve.”

    About Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
    FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Bank is a cooperative whose members are commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 11 district banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System (FHLBank System). Since 1990, the FHLBanks have awarded approximately $9.1 billion in Affordable Housing Program funds, assisting more than 1.2 million households. 
    For more information, visit our website at www.fhlbatl.com.

    Contact: Sheryl Touchton
    Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
    stouchton@fhlbatl.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Best Antivirus Software (2025): ESET Recognized as Top Cybersecurity Solution by Software Experts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK CITY, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The recognition comes amid an increase in phishing attacks, ransomware activity, and zero-day exploits that have placed new demands on antivirus software. Analysts emphasized the need for security tools that balance real-time defense with system performance, and cited ESET’s consistent delivery on both fronts.

    Top Antivirus Software

    • ESET – efficient, reliable antivirus protection tailored for today’s evolving digital threats with minimal system impact and advanced threat detection built for both home and business environments

    Recognized for Threat Prevention and System Efficiency

    ESET’s cyber security offerings have gained attention for its ability to detect and block a broad range of threats without slowing down device operations. It uses heuristic analysis, behavioral detection, and a cloud-based reputation system to assess potential threats before they can execute.

    Key technical features noted in the 2025 evaluations include:

    • Heuristic and Behavioral Detection: Identifies and neutralizes threats by monitoring file behavior, helping intercept malware before damage occurs.
    • Ransomware and Phishing Protection: Prevents unauthorized encryption of files and blocks fraudulent websites aimed at stealing user data.
    • Exploit Blocker and Device Control: Targets methods attackers use to gain access through third-party applications and removable media.
    • Low Resource Usage: Runs quietly in the background with minimal impact on system speed, making it suitable for gaming, creative, or high-performance workflows.
    • Layered Security Approach: Combines multiple detection technologies including real-time scanning and machine learning, for more accurate results.

    This balance of performance and protection has made ESET a consistent choice for users who need reliable coverage without interference.

    Use Across Home and Business Environments

    ESET’s recognition in 2025 extends beyond individual users. The company offers a range of solutions designed for small businesses and enterprise networks, built on the same antivirus engine that powers its home products.

    Home users can choose from three core options:

    • ESET HOME Security Essential: Core antivirus and anti-malware protection with features like real-time threat detection, ransomware shield, and anti-phishing.
    • ESET HOME Security Premium: Adds advanced tools such as password management and sensitive data protection.
    • ESET HOME Security Ultimate: Includes all features from the Premium tier, plus identity protection and unlimited VPN for added online privacy.

    Small businesses have access to ESET Small Business Security, a package designed for up to 25 devices. It supports centralized management via the ESET PROTECT console and works across Windows, macOS, and Android devices.

    Larger organizations use the ESET PROTECT platform to secure thousands of endpoints. Available features include full disk encryption, email security, and advanced threat detection. Optional services such as managed detection and response (MDR) provide additional coverage for companies with more complex security requirements.

    All of ESET’s business solutions are designed to be scalable and configurable, offering flexibility as organizations grow or shift.

    Transparent Pricing and Flexible Options

    ESET’s pricing model allows users to select the level of protection and coverage that suits their needs. For home users in the U.S., current pricing is:

    • ESET HOME Security Essential: starts at $59.99/year
    • ESET HOME Security Premium: starts at $69.99/year
    • ESET HOME Security Ultimate: starts at $179.99/year

    Multi-device and multi-year discounts are available. Business pricing varies depending on the number of devices and desired features, with quotes provided for customized deployments.

    Free trials are available for home products, and business users can request demos of ESET’s enterprise platform.

    Global Reach and Real-Time Threat Intelligence

    ESET operates in more than 200 countries and territories, serving tens of millions of users worldwide. The company leverages a global network of threat sensors that feed real-time intelligence into its malware research centers. This enables faster detection of emerging threats and allows ESET to update its protection systems quickly and continuously.

    The company’s layered security model combines traditional signature detection with newer technologies such as cloud-based analysis and machine learning. This approach helps reduce false positives while maintaining strong protection against evolving attack vectors.

    ESET’s placement among the top antivirus software solutions of 2025 reflects the company’s continued focus on practical, effective digital security. From its lightweight NOD32 Antivirus and HOME Security software to its enterprise-scale protection tools, ESET offers consistent performance and adaptability across user types.

    As cybersecurity risks continue to shift, ESET remains a trusted option for individuals, startups, and large organizations seeking dependable protection without unnecessary system overhead.

    The full article can be viewed at SoftwareExperts.org.

    About ESET

    ESET is a global leader in digital security, dedicated to developing advanced cybersecurity solutions that protect millions of users and businesses in over 200 countries and territories. Since its founding in 1992, ESET has focused on creating innovative, research-driven technologies that detect and prevent a wide range of digital threats. The company’s antivirus and endpoint protection products are known for their high detection rates, low system impact, and proactive multilayered defense. With headquarters in Slovakia and a strong global presence, ESET continues to invest in cutting-edge threat intelligence, research, and education to help people and organizations stay safe in an increasingly complex digital world.

    About Software Experts: Software Experts provides news and reviews of consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AnyTech365 Announces Termination of Cooperation with J. Streicher

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MARBELLA, Spain, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AnyTech365 announces today the termination of any cooperation with J. Streicher and brings to a close our current IPO effort.

    This decision follows a period during which J. Streicher failed to deliver on key commitments and were unable to raise the capital required to move the IPO process forward. Despite extended timelines and repeated assurances, the necessary progress was not achieved.

    Additionally, recent macroeconomic headwinds have led many companies to delay or suspend IPO plans. AnyTech365 believes that continuing to pursue the public markets at this stage, particularly by seeking a replacement M&A advisor, would be misaligned with current market sentiment and investor appetite.

    We will continue to explore opportunities to raise capital that support our long-term vision. This includes accelerating AI integration across our operations and products, pursuing strategic acquisitions within the AI sector, and capitalizing on the strong pipeline of growth opportunities we have cultivated.

    AnyTech365 remains confident in its direction and the strength of its business, and we thank our stakeholders for their continued trust and support.

    About AnyTech365

    AnyTech365 is a leading European IT Security company, leveraging the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to create cutting-edge security products and services, enhance device security, and elevate the way people experience technology.

    To learn more, visit www.anytech365.com

    Contacts:
    Investor Relations & Media Contacts
    Email: investorrelations@anytech365.com

    Source: AnyTech365

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: If you really want to close the US trade deficit, try boosting innovation in rural manufacturing

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Distinguished Professor, Arthur J. Gosnell Professor of Economics, & Interim Head, Department of Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology

    President Donald Trump has long been preoccupied by the trade deficit — the gap between what the U.S. sells to the rest of the world and what it buys from it. He recently declared the issue a national emergency and used trade deficit data to calculate so-called “reciprocal tariffs” targeting nearly 100 countries. Although those specific tariffs are now on pause, Trump’s concern with the trade deficit persists.

    As an economist, I know there are two basic ways for a country to reduce a trade deficit: import less or export more. While Trump has focused on the former strategy, a more productive path may lie in the latter – especially by looking at untapped opportunities in rural America.

    Economists have long studied the differences between rural and urban regions. But while research shows that urban areas tend to be more technologically advanced, fast-growing and economically dynamic, economists have historically paid less attention to how regional differences affect export performance.

    New research is starting to fill that gap. Economists recently found that urban businesses export significantly more than rural ones – a difference with significant implications for national trade.

    The urban-rural export gap

    Looking at data from the Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey as well as trade statistics from 2017 to 2020, researchers used econometric techniques to measure the urban-rural export gap. They also examined two categories of potential causes – “explained” and “unexplained.”

    The first is due to differences in what economists call “endowments” – for example, a region’s digital infrastructure, its access to renewable energy and its opportunities for high-tech employment. These endowments can be observed and therefore explained.

    The second is due to what economists call “structural advantage.” This refers to attributes of a region that matter for export performance but can’t be observed and, as a result, remain unexplained.

    They found that most of the urban-rural export gap is due to explained differences. That means rural businesses could close the export gap if they were provided with similar endowments – meaning comparable access to renewable energy, similar digital infrastructure and analogous opportunities for high-tech employment – to their urban counterparts.

    Even more strikingly, the unexplained component was negative – which means rural businesses outperform expectations given their characteristics. That suggests rural regions have significant untapped export potential.

    Several factors collectively account for the urban export advantage. First, urban regions have a greater concentration of highly educated science and technology workers. Urban businesses also tend to be larger and more tech-savvy, and because they have better access to broadband, they use cloud technology more frequently. Urban areas also have more foreign-born business owners who may leverage their international networks.

    However, many of these differences suggest possible policy solutions. For instance, since cloud adoption depends on broadband availability, it follows that investing in digital infrastructure could boost rural exports. Also, rural manufacturers, especially in sectors like metals manufacturing, show comparable or higher export intensity per worker than their urban counterparts. So encouraging rural manufacturing would be one way to reduce the urban-rural export gap.

    Rethinking trade and rural development

    I think this research has important policy implications.

    First, it shifts some of the focus away from other countries as the root cause of the trade deficit. And second, it bolsters the case for what economists call “place-based policies” targeting specific geographic areas – as opposed to “people-based policies,” which provide support directly to individuals.

    Even though many economists dislike place-based policies, they are increasingly attracting both academic and governmental attention.

    The 2022 CHIPS and Science Act had special significance to rural areas.

    During the Biden administration, three major laws – the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – directed significant federal funds to rural areas. About 43% of funds from those laws – or US$440 billion – was designated as either “rural relevant” or as “rural stipulated,” meaning the funds were either geographically targeted or designed to address disproportionately rural challenges.

    Such massive investments in rural regions have led researchers and policymakers to question whether rural export underperformance stems from differences in observable endowments – in other words, things like access to broadband – or from inherent disadvantages that are much harder to deal with.

    In my view, this research provides compelling evidence that much of the urban-rural export gap is due to unequal distribution of productive assets, rather than inherent rural disadvantages. With appropriate investments in digital infrastructure, human capital and support for export-capable industries, America’s rural regions could play a much larger role in global trade. These findings also suggest the value of continued federal support for rural development efforts.

    In other words, if the U.S. wants to shrink its trade deficit, one answer could be more innovation in rural manufacturing.

    Amitrajeet A. Batabyal 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. If you really want to close the US trade deficit, try boosting innovation in rural manufacturing – https://theconversation.com/if-you-really-want-to-close-the-us-trade-deficit-try-boosting-innovation-in-rural-manufacturing-255851

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Smartwatches promise all kinds of quality-of-life improvements − here are 5 things users should keep in mind

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By James Gilmore, Associate Professor of Media and Technology Studies, Clemson University

    That smarts! Photo by Lorena Sopena/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Smartwatches and other wearable devices can feel almost magical. Strap on a Fitbit, Apple Watch or Samsung Gear and you’re suddenly presented with a stream of data generated by – and about – your body: step counts, heart rate, blood oxygen level, calories burned and more.

    Wearables offer tools that help people monitor and understand their bodies and, so the promise goes, improve their lives. Apple CEO Tim Cook has even said the technology company aspires to save your life.

    As a professor who studies technology, I’ve spent the past decade researching smartwatches and other wearables. My new book, “Bringers of Order: Wearable Technologies and the Manufacturing of Everyday Life,” considers the gap between what these products promise and what they actually do.

    Wearables rely on complicated sets of sensors and computer systems to create data for each user. As these devices become more common – and more complex – I worry that people may be tempted to think less about how they work. As a result, they might accept data at face value without considering how it was generated, whether it’s accurate, or even if it could put them at risk.

    So to get the maximum value from wearable technologies, it’s worth reflecting on the differences between what these devices seem to do and what’s actually happening behind the screen. Here are a few key points to remember.

    1. Steps aren’t really steps

    Wearable fitness trackers gained popularity in the early 2010s for their ability to count steps and measure things such as distance, calories burned and flights of stairs climbed. While it’s tempting to think so-called step counts reflect the number of times a wearer’s feet have completed the action of taking a step, that is not the case.

    In reality, a combination of sensors and algorithms work together to produce a data point called “a step.” In most instances, something called an accelerometer measures change in the wearable’s velocity. This is checked against an algorithm, which provides an automatic assessment of whether enough velocity has been reached to count as a step. These components measure how much the wearable moves, not the person. Shaking one’s wrist very quickly can sometimes create a “step,” while walking in place might not count steps.

    2. Some skin tones don’t ‘work’ as well as others

    Blood oxygen sensors have become incorporated into many smartwatches. They use a process called photoplethysmography, which uses tiny green LED lights on the underside of a smartwatch to track how blood flows through your wrist.

    In 2022, a lawsuit alleged Apple was perpetuating racial bias, as its blood oxygen sensors didn’t work as well on darker skin. The case was dismissed, partly because these limitations of blood oxygen sensors have been known to researchers and medical practitioners for years. In other words, it is accepted that some features will not work as well for some people.

    3. Your location may not be a secret

    There’s an entire industry made up of people called data brokers who buy large datasets from technology companies and then sell them to advertisers, market analysts or other groups that may be interested in acquiring them.

    While some companies have taken more steps to reduce or eliminate the sharing of data with third parties, and government agencies have offered strategies for users to limit location sharing, others may still share data among affiliates and service providers.

    It’s important to check all settings for options to reduce or eliminate data sharing. Otherwise, your private information might not remain private for long. In 2018, for example, the exercise app Strava released a “heat map” showing the running and cycling routes of all its users through the location data it had collected – and accidentally disclosed the location of multiple secret military bases around the world.

    4. Wearables for consumers aren’t medical grade

    With wearables, as with other tech, it’s important to look carefully at the terms of use.

    Most devices include boilerplate language about how the data they provide the wearer should be used recreationally and not replace formal diagnostics from doctors. Even though Apple has received FDA clearance for some of its health testing features and they may be quite useful for monitoring purposes, if you’re relying on data for health purposes, it’s important to consult a doctor.

    5. Wearables can’t predict the future

    OK, maybe this seems like it should be obvious. But it’s not.

    Oura Ring, which pioneered measurements such as “restfulness” that try to measure how well you sleep, recently added a “symptom radar” to try to detect when you might be getting sick.

    These technologies use sensors such as heart rate monitors and thermometers to detect changes in a wearer’s baseline. While these sickness forecasts may be helpful, they’re like weather reports for the body, detecting changes in the body’s internal atmosphere using available sensors and algorithms. Any claim to predict the future is based on looking for patterns in information from the past.

    While wearable tech can offer powerful insights, understanding how devices work is crucial for making sense of the data they produce. A little skepticism goes a long way: It can challenge inflated promises and protect users. In the end, wearables are best understood as interesting but imperfect tools − not magic wands.

    James Gilmore 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. Smartwatches promise all kinds of quality-of-life improvements − here are 5 things users should keep in mind – https://theconversation.com/smartwatches-promise-all-kinds-of-quality-of-life-improvements-here-are-5-things-users-should-keep-in-mind-251754

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Colossal Bioscience’s attempt to de-extinct the dire wolf is a dangerously deceptive publicity stunt

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By David Coltman, Professor, Western University

    Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotech company, made headlines this April after falsely claiming to resurrect the extinct dire wolf. The company presents this as a breakthrough for conservation biology. However, our team of conservation geneticists at the University of Western Ontario — along with many other academics views it as a dangerous deception.



    Read more:
    ‘Return’ of the dire wolf is an impressive feat of genetic engineering, not a reversal of extinction

    Colossal’s so-called dire wolf is not a resurrected species. It’s a genetically modified grey wolf. Its creation is a publicity stunt designed to generate profit, with serious consequences.

    TIME reports on claims that Colossal Biosciences has brought back the dire wolf.

    Jenga approach to conservation

    Conservation aims to safeguard ecosystems by preserving the networks of interaction between animals and their environment. Human activity has caused widespread habitat loss, driving extinction rates to levels estimated to be about 1,000 times higher than the natural background rate. We are living through a biodiversity crisis, and conservation remains our only real defence against further declines.

    Colossal proposes de-extinction to combat this crisis, using a Jenga-block metaphor to explain their approach. The ecosystem is a Jenga tower, with each species representing a block — and losing a species weakens the structure, pushing it closer to collapse. Colossal Biosciences proposes that inserting a de-extinct species where a block was lost could help restore ecosystem stability and prevent collapse.

    The premise isn’t entirely flawed; in some cases, introducing an animal into an unstable ecosystem to fill a lost ecological role can help restore balance. This is similar to reintroducing a species to an area where it once lived, which is a well-established conservation strategy.

    Conservation and cloning

    Likewise, cloning technology has the potential to aid in meaningful conservation projects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has successfully used the technology to help restore the black-footed ferret, a species once considered extinct.

    Every year scientists release 150 to 200 black-footed ferrets into their native habitat, with cloned individuals and their future offspring expected to strengthen the species’ chances of survival.

    The flaw in Colossal’s plan is that the animals they focus on — Ice Age megafauna like the mammoth and dire wolf — no longer belong to any modern ecosystem. Most of the species they once interacted with disappeared, along with their habitats, roughly 10,000 years ago.

    These synthetic animals are the wrong shape for our unstable Jenga tower. Forcing them into the gap might make the ecosystem more likely to collapse.

    ‘Frankensheep’: A cautionary tale

    A warning tale of misused cloning technology comes from Montana rancher Arthur Schubarth, who illegally cloned hybrid bighorn sheep — “Frankensheep” — for trophy hunting. His operation not only exploited endangered species for profit, but also triggered outbreaks of infectious disease, demonstrating the risks that unchecked cloning technology poses to wildlife and ecosystems.

    One of the most damaging aspects of Colossal’s announcement is the perpetuation of a decades-old myth that technology will save us. It would be comforting to believe we can genetically engineer our way out of the current biodiversity crisis, but that is not our reality.

    Introducing Ice Age animals would have unpredictable and potentially damaging consequences. And even if we focused on more suitable animals — those whose ecosystems still exist and could benefit from de-extinction — we could never keep pace with the current rate of biodiversity loss.

    Colossal’s de-extinction project also doesn’t tackle the forces driving extinction like climate change, habitat loss, exploitation, pollution and invasive species.

    That’s not the story Colossal wants the public to understand. They brand themselves as leaders in conservation to sell content — catchy memes, viral videos, photoshoots with Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin and banter with Elon Musk about his future pet woolly mammoth.

    Concerning implications

    Valued at US$10.2 billion, Colossal is now contacting zoos about putting its pups on display.

    The Toronto Zoo and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have issued warnings against participating in the development or display of de-extinct animals. Still, some zoos may jump at the opportunity to boost ticket sales by offering the public a glimpse of this sci-fi spectacle.

    As Colossal profits from marketing its greenwashed construct and hints at the creation of “Pleistocene Parks,” it is still unclear what this technology really means for the future of conservation.

    Worse still, the de-extinction myth provides a guise for undermining habitat protection.

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has already cited Colossal’s announcement as justification for weakening the Endangered Species Act.

    Proposed changes to the act would give industrial activities greater freedom to destroy the habitats endangered species depend on — at a time when habitat loss remains the leading threat to species. A project marketed to rescue biodiversity could, instead, help speed up its decay.

    We are deeply concerned about the implications of Colossal’s announcement, but we hope this moment drives more public interest and funding toward the difficult and less glamorous work that needs to be done to protect habitat and conserve biodiversity. The fanfare around Colossal’s genetic engineering feat should not distract from the global biodiversity crisis, which remains truly dire.

    David Coltman receives funding from NSERC, Genome Canada and Ontario Genomics.

    Carson Mitchell, Liam Alastair Wayde Carter, and Tommy Galfano do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Colossal Bioscience’s attempt to de-extinct the dire wolf is a dangerously deceptive publicity stunt – https://theconversation.com/colossal-biosciences-attempt-to-de-extinct-the-dire-wolf-is-a-dangerously-deceptive-publicity-stunt-255046

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Space law doesn’t protect historical sites, mining operations and bases on the Moon – a space lawyer describes a framework that could

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michelle L.D. Hanlon, Professor of Air and Space Law, University of Mississippi

    Craters in the lunar surface are visible in this photo taken during the Apollo 11 mission. NASA via AP

    April 2025 was a busy month for space.

    Pop icon Katy Perry joined five other civilian women on a quick jaunt to the edge of space, making headlines. Meanwhile, another group of people at the United Nations was contemplating a critical issue for the future of space exploration: the discovery, extraction and utilization of natural resources on the Moon.

    At the end of April, a dedicated Working Group of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space released a draft set of recommended principles for space resource activities. Essentially, these are rules to govern mining on the Moon, asteroids and elsewhere in space for elements that are rare here on Earth.

    As a space lawyer and co-founder of For All Moonkind, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting human heritage in outer space, I know that the Moon could be the proving ground for humanity’s evolution into a species that lives and thrives on more than one planet. However, this new frontier raises complex legal questions.

    Space, legally

    Outer space – including the Moon – from a legal perspective, is a unique domain without direct terrestrial equivalent. It is not, like the high seas, the “common heritage of humankind,” nor is it an area, like Antarctica, where commercial mining is prohibited.

    Instead, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty – signed by more than 115 nations, including China, Russia and the United States – establishes that the exploration and use of space are the “province of all humankind.” That means no country may claim territory in outer space, and all have the right to access all areas of the Moon and other celestial bodies freely.

    The fact that, pursuant to Article II of the treaty, a country cannot claim territory in outer space, known as the nonappropriation principle, suggests to some that property ownership in space is forbidden.

    Can this be true? If your grandchildren move to Mars, will they never own a home? How can a company protect its investment in a lunar mine if it must be freely accessible by all? What happens, as it inevitably will, when two rovers race to a particular area on the lunar surface known to host valuable water ice? Does the winner take all?

    As it turns out, the Outer Space Treaty does offer some wiggle room. Article IX requires countries to show “due regard” for the corresponding interests of others. It is a legally vague standard, although the Permanent Court of Arbitration has suggested that due regard means simply paying attention to what’s reasonable under the circumstances.

    First mover advantage – it’s a race

    The treaty’s broad language encourages a race to the Moon. The first entity to any spot will have a unilateral opportunity to determine what’s legally “reasonable.” For example, creating an overly large buffer zone around equipment might be justified to mitigate potential damage from lunar dust.

    On top of that, Article XII of the Outer Space Treaty assumes that there will be installations, like bases or mining operations, on the Moon. Contrary to the free access principle, the treaty suggests that access to these may be blocked unless the owner grants permission to enter.

    Both of these paths within the treaty would allow the first person to make it to their desired spot on the Moon to keep others out. The U.N. principles in their current form don’t address these loopholes.

    The draft U.N. principles released in April mirror, and are confined by, the language of the Outer Space Treaty. This tension between free access and the need to protect – most easily by forbidding access – remains unresolved. And the clock is ticking.

    The Moon’s vulnerable legacy

    The U.S. Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon by 2028, China has plans for human return by 2030, and in the intervening years, more than 100 robotic missions are planned by countries and private industry alike. For the most part, these missions are all headed to the same sweet spot: the lunar south pole. Here, peaks of eternal light and deep craters containing water ice promise the best mining, science and research opportunities.

    Regions of the lunar south pole, left, and north pole, right, contain water in the form of ice (blue), which could be useful for space agencies hoping to set up lunar bases.
    NASA

    In this excitement, it’s easy to forget that humans already have a deep history of lunar exploration. Scattered on the lunar surface are artifacts displaying humanity’s technological progress.

    After centuries of gazing at our closest celestial neighbor with fascination, in 1959 the Soviet spacecraft, Luna 2, became the first human-made object to impact another celestial body. Ten years later, two humans, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, became the first ever to set foot upon another celestial body.

    More recently, in 2019, China’s Chang’e 4 achieved the first soft landing on the Moon’s far side. And in 2023, India’s Chandrayaan-3 became the first to land successfully near the lunar south pole.

    These sites memorialize humanity’s baby steps off our home planet and easily meet the United Nations definition of terrestrial heritage, as they are so “exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.”

    The international community works to protect such sites on Earth, but those protection protocols do not extend to outer space.

    Astronaut footprints are still intact on the lunar surface because the Moon doesn’t have weather. But nearby spacecraft or rovers could kick up dust and cover them.
    AP Photo

    The more than 115 other sites on the Moon that bear evidence of human activity are frozen in time without degradation from weather, animal or human activity. But this could change. A single errant spacecraft or rover could kick up abrasive lunar dust, erasing bootprints or damaging artifacts.

    Protection and the Outer Space Treaty

    In 2011, NASA recommended establishing buffer, or safety zones, of up to 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) to protect certain sites with U.S. artifacts.

    Because it understood that outright exclusion violates the Outer Space Treaty, NASA issued these recommendations as voluntary guidelines. Nevertheless, the safety zone concept, essentially managing access to and activities around specific areas, could be a practical tool for protecting heritage sites. They could act as a starting point to find a balance between protection and access.

    The U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space recently proposed new principles for space resource use.
    United States Mission to International Organizations in Vienna, CC BY-NC-ND

    One hundred and ninety-six nations have agreed, through the 1972 World Heritage Convention, on the importance of recognizing and protecting cultural heritage of universal value found here on Earth.

    Building on this agreement, the international community could require specific access protocols — such as a permitting process, activity restrictions, shared access rules, monitoring and other controls — for heritage sites on the Moon. If accepted, these protective measures for heritage sites could also work as a template for scientific and operational sites. This would create a consistent framework that avoids the perception of claiming territory.

    At this time, the draft U.N. principles released in April 2025 do not directly address the opposing concepts of access and protection. Instead, they defer to Article I of the Outer Space Treaty and reaffirm that everyone has free access to all areas of the Moon and other celestial bodies.

    As more countries and companies compete to reach the Moon, a clear lunar legal framework can guide them to avoid conflicts and preserve historical sites. The draft U.N. principles show that the international community is ready to explore what this framework could look like.

    Michelle L.D. Hanlon is affiliated with For All Moonkind, a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting human cultural heritage in outer space starting with the Apollo lunar landing sites.

    – ref. Space law doesn’t protect historical sites, mining operations and bases on the Moon – a space lawyer describes a framework that could – https://theconversation.com/space-law-doesnt-protect-historical-sites-mining-operations-and-bases-on-the-moon-a-space-lawyer-describes-a-framework-that-could-255757

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Orbit International Corp. Reports 2025 First Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First Quarter 2025 Net Loss of $2,152,000 ($0.65 loss per share) v. Net Loss of $751,000 ($0.22 loss per share) in Prior Year Comparable Period

    First Quarter 2025 EBITDA, as adjusted, was a loss of $1,949,000 ($0.59 loss per share) v. loss of $551,000 ($0.16 loss per share) in Prior Year Comparable Period

    Backlog at March 31, 2025 was $13.3 million compared to $12.0 million at December 31, 2024

    HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orbit International Corp. (OTC PINK:ORBT) today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 vs. First Quarter 2024

    • Net sales were $4,726,000, as compared to $6,175,000.
    • Gross margin was 12.4%, as compared to 30.8%.
    • Net loss was $2,152,000 ($0.65 loss per share), as compared to a net loss of $751,000 ($0.22 loss per share).
    • Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, fair value adjustment on contingent liabilities and other non-current liability, and stock-based compensation (EBITDA, as adjusted) was a loss of $1,949,000 ($0.59 loss per share), as compared to a loss of $551,000 ($0.16 loss per share).
    • Backlog at March 31, 2025 was $13.3 million compared to $12.0 million at December 31, 2024.

    Mitchell Binder, President and CEO of Orbit International commented, “The first quarter for 2025 was a very challenging quarter for our Company. Our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $2,152,000 ($0.65 loss per share) compared to a net loss of $751,000 ($0.22 loss per share) for the prior comparable period. EBITDA, as adjusted, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was a loss of $1,949,000 ($0.59 loss per share) compared to a loss of $551,000 ($0.16 loss per share) in the prior comparable period. Our current first quarter operating results were negatively affected by significantly lower sales incurred by our Orbit Electronics Group (“OEG”) inclusive of our Simulator Product Solutions LLC (“SPS”) subsidiary. In particular, we incurred an operating loss at our Orbit Instrument division due to a gap in our delivery schedules. Our Orbit Instrument division has historically been our best performing operating unit with strong operating leverage. However, it was adversely affected by contract delays in the second half of 2024 and a temporary pause in certain production contracts as our engineering team worked with our customers for next generation enhancements. The Orbit Power Group (“OPG”), which makes up the remainder of our legacy business, recorded operating income that was relatively flat for the first quarter.

    Binder added, “Operating results for SPS were adversely impacted by lower sales during the quarter as a consequence of reduced bookings in the second half of 2024 due to contract delays that were eventually awarded in 2025. Bookings were also negatively affected by ongoing opportunities that have not yet finalized in 2025 and certain lost opportunities, primarily due to lack of funding or our customer losing awards to competitors. Bookings for SPS in 2025 have since improved from the second half of 2024. In addition, aside from certain costs mentioned above, general and administrative costs at SPS, in general, have stabilized. We had incurred significant infrastructure costs in 2023 and 2024 in order to support SPS’ sales increase since the Company’s acquisition of the SPS business in 2022. At the time of the SPS acquisition, we anticipated the need to invest in infrastructure and internal controls in order to bring SPS up to the standards of a public company. We believe that our cost structure at SPS is now aligned to support our growth.”

    Binder noted, “Operating results for SPS were also burdened by more than $200,000 ($0.06 loss per share) of expenses incurred by SPS for fees paid to an outside engineering firm in order to modify legacy drawings, along with bill of material part identification, that was developed prior to the acquisition, as well as legal fees incurred in connection with the litigation associated with the termination of the former President of SPS.”

    Mr. Binder added, “Our sales for the three months ended March 31, 2025, decreased significantly to $4,726,000 compared to $6,175,000 from the prior comparable period. This decrease in sales was primarily attributable to lower sales at our OEG and despite higher sales at our OPG. As previously mentioned, the lower sales at our OEG were attributable to lower bookings in the second half of 2024 due primarily to contract delays which is an inherent risk in contracting with the U.S. government and its prime contractors.”

    Mr. Binder further added, “Our gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2025, decreased to 12.4% compared to 30.8% in the prior year comparable period. The decrease in gross margin during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was attributable to a significantly lower gross margin at our OEG due to decreased sales resulting in a higher percentage attributable to overhead and other fixed costs; and a slightly lower OPG gross margin due to product mix and despite slightly higher sales.”

    Mr. Binder added, “For the three months ended March 31, 2025, selling, general and administrative expenses were $2,717,000, compared to $2,643,000, an increase of $74,000, primarily due to higher expenses from SPS and slightly higher corporate expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses at SPS increased principally due to more than $200,000 of expenses incurred for (i) an outside engineering firm engaged to modify legacy drawings as well as bill of material part identification that was developed prior to the acquisition and (ii) legal fees incurred in connection with the litigation associated with the termination of the former President of SPS. The engineering firm was needed in order to conform drawing documentation to the actual manufacturing procedures to build the product as well as to comply with inventory internal controls. This was in addition to over $200,000 in engineering fees that were incurred in the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in corporate expenses was primarily due to (i) all audit fees for our 2024 audit being billed in the first quarter of 2025 whereas prior years audit fees were distributed during all the quarters and (2) slightly increased payroll costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses at our OEG (exclusive of SPS), and our OPG did not materially change. We expect that the outside engineering fees at SPS will decrease significantly, beginning the second quarter of 2025 and corporate expenses should also decrease beginning the second quarter due to the absence of any audit fees for the remainder of the year.”

    Mr. Binder continued, “Backlog at March 31, 2025, was approximately $13,300,000 compared to approximately $12,000,000 at December 31, 2024, an increase of approximately 10.8%. This increase in backlog is reflective of a general increase in bookings from our OEG, inclusive of SPS and despite a decrease in bookings from our OPG during the quarter. In 2024, for our OPG, bookings for our VPX power supplies increased by 91.5% over the prior comparable period and represented the highest amount of VPX bookings in any previous calendar year. We are hopeful that the momentum of continued bookings for our VPX power supplies will continue in 2025. Bookings for our OEG, inclusive of SPS, improved in the first quarter of 2025 and are expected to continue to improve, as many anticipated follow-on awards expected in the second half of 2024 were delayed, resulting in a poor second half of bookings for the segment. Some of these orders were received in the first quarter of 2025 and are now expected to continue to be received in the first half of 2025. Contract delays are an inherent part of doing business with the U.S. Government.”

    David Goldman, Chief Financial Officer, noted, “At March 31, 2025, our cash and cash equivalents aggregated approximately $0.7 million and our financial condition continued to remain solid as evidenced by our 2.5 to 1 current ratio. We have access to a $4,000,000 line of credit (“LOC”) with our bank and have borrowed $900,000 under the LOC as of March 31, 2025. Our book value per share at March 31, 2025 was $4.69, which compares to $5.34 at December 31, 2024 and $5.54 at December 31, 2023. (Note: book value per share does not include any additional value for our partially reserved deferred tax asset.) To offset future federal and state taxes resulting from profits, we have approximately $2.4 million and $0.4 million in available federal and New York State net operating loss carryforwards, respectively.”

    Mr. Binder added, “Because our revenues are tied to delivery schedules specified in our contracts, it is often difficult to judge our performance on a quarterly basis. Our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 resulted from weak bookings in the second half of 2024 that emanated from contract delays that led to a significant gap in first quarter delivery schedules. Some of these contracts were awarded in the first quarter and some represent ongoing opportunities that we have not yet finalized with our customer. We reported at year end that these contract delays would adversely affect our operating performance in the first half of 2025. Although, we expect an improvement in the second quarter operating results, we expect the results to still be somewhat affected by the 2024 contract delays. Because of the improved bookings in the first quarter and our expectation of improved bookings throughout our operating units and barring unforeseen delays, we expect these awards to fill in our delivery schedules and lead to an improvement to operating results in the second half of 2025.”

    Mr. Binder concluded, “We continue to evaluate the impact of tariff announcements and are evaluating their impact on the cost of our products and, in particular, our VPX power supplies, which recorded significant sales growth in 2024 and is expected to be the driver of the growth of our OPG in the future. We are addressing the tariffs in a number of ways, including a pass through to our customers, adjusting our pricing, negotiating with our vendors or seeking out alternative sources. We’ve been proactive in moving certain of our foreign vendors to countries that are not expected to be materially affected by tariffs.”

    Orbit International Corp., through its Electronics Group, is involved in the development and manufacture of custom electronic device and subsystem solutions for military, industrial and commercial applications through its production facilities in Hauppauge, New York and Carson, CA. Orbit’s Power Group, also located in Hauppauge, NY, designs and manufactures a wide array of power products including AC power supplies, frequency converters, inverters, VME/VPX power supplies as well as various COTS power sources.

    Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company including, statements regarding our expectations of Orbit’s operating plans, deliveries under contracts and strategies generally; statements regarding our expectations of the performance of our business; expectations regarding costs and revenues, future operating results, additional orders, future business opportunities and continued growth, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Federal securities laws. Although Orbit believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved.

    Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond Orbit International’s ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact Orbit International and the statements contained in this news release can be found in Orbit’s reports posted with the OTC Disclosure and News service. For forward-looking statements in this news release, Orbit claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Orbit assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    CONTACT   
    David Goldman 
    Chief Financial Officer 
    631-435-8300 

    (See Accompanying Tables)

     
    Orbit International Corp.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (in thousands, except per share data)
    (unaudited)
     
        Three Months Ended
    March 31,
    (unaudited)
          2025       2024  
             
    Net sales   $ 4,726     $ 6,175  
             
    Cost of sales     4,138       4,275  
             
    Gross profit     588       1,900  
             
    Selling general and administrative expenses     2,717       2,643  
             
    Interest expense     19       5  
             
    Other (income) expense, net     (7 )     (14 )
             
    Loss before income taxes     (2,141 )     (734 )
             
    Income tax provision     11       17  
             
    Net loss   $ (2,152 )   $ ( 751 )
             
             
    Basic loss per share   $ (0.65 )   $ (0.22 )
             
    Diluted loss per share   $ (0.65 )   $ (0.22 )
             
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding:        
    Basic     3,327       3,343  
    Diluted     3,327       3,343  
             
     
    Orbit International Corp.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (in thousands, except per share data)
    (unaudited)
     
     
        Three Months Ended
    March 31,
          2025       2024  
             
    EBITDA (as adjusted) Reconciliation        
    Net loss   $ (2,152 )   $ (751 )
    Income tax expense     11       17  
    Depreciation and amortization     170       165  
    Interest expense     19       5  
    Fair value adj-contingent liabilities & other non-current liability    

    –

    		      

    10

    		  
    Stock-based compensation     3       3  
    EBITDA (as adjusted) (1)   $ (1,949 )   $ (551 )
             
    EBITDA (as adjusted) Per Diluted Share Reconciliation        
    Net loss   $ ( 0.65 )   $ (0.22 )
    Income tax expense     0.00       0.01  
    Depreciation and amortization     0.05       0.05  
    Interest expense     0.01       0.00  
    Fair value adj-contingent liabilities & other non-current liability    

    0.00

    		      

    0.00

    		  
    Stock-based compensation     0.00       0.00  
    EBITDA (as adjusted) per diluted share (1)   $ (0.59 )   $ (0.16 )

    (1) The EBITDA (as adjusted) tables presented are not determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Management uses EBITDA (as adjusted) to evaluate the operating performance of its business. It is also used, at times, by some investors, securities analysts and others to evaluate companies and make informed business decisions. EBITDA (as adjusted) is also a useful indicator of the income generated to service debt. EBITDA (as adjusted) is not a complete measure of an entity’s profitability because it does not include costs and expenses for interest, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, fair value adj.-contingent liabilities and other non-current liability and stock-based compensation. EBITDA (as adjusted) as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies.

        Three Months Ended
    March 31,
    Reconciliation of EBITDA, as adjusted,
    to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities (1)    		    

                  2025

    		      

    2024

    		  
                     
    EBITDA (as adjusted)   $ (1,949 )   $ (551 )
    Income tax expense     (11 )     (17 )
    Interest expense     (19 )     (5 )
    Fair value adj-contingent liabilities and other non-current liability     –       (10 )
    Stock-based compensation     7       7  
    Net change in operating assets and liabilities     1,353       1,230  
    Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities   $ ( 619 )   $ 654  
     
    Orbit International Corp.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
     
      March 31, 2025
    (unaudited)    		   December 31, 2024
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 696,000     $ 1,355,000  
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses   2,152,000       3,935,000  
    Inventories   9,068,000       8,884,000  
    Contract assets   1,029,000       643,000  
    Other current assets   376,000       428,000  
           
    Total current assets   13,321,000       15,245,000  
           
    Property and equipment, net   1,147,000       1,192,000  
    Right of use assets, operating leases   2,122,000       2,297,000  
    Right of use assets, financing leases   67,000       77,000  
    Goodwill   3,515,000       3,515,000  
    Intangible assets, net
    Deferred tax asset    		   2,262,000
    100,000    		       2,322,000
    100,000    		  
    Other assets   52,000       53,000  
           
    Total assets $ 22,586,000     $ 24,801,000  
           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 1,000,000     $ 878,000  
    Accrued expenses   975,000       990,000  
    Notes payable   86,000       99,000  
    Lease liabilities, operating leases   716,000       717,000  
    Lease liabilities, financing leases   39,000       38,000  
    Contingent liability   1,362,000       1,362,000  
    Line of credit   900,000       850,000  
    Customer advances   282,000       296,000  
           
    Total current liabilities   5,360,000       5,230,000  
           
    Notes payable, net of current portion   69,000       83,000  
    Lease liabilities, operating leases   1,498,000       1,678,000  
    Lease liabilities, financing leases   31,000       41,000  
           
    Total liabilities   6,958,000       7,032,000  
           
    Stockholders’ Equity      
    Common stock   352,000       351,000  
    Additional paid-in capital   17,181,000       17,171,000  
    Treasury stock   (1,224,000 )     (1,224,000  
    Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)   (681,000 )     1,471,000  
           
    Stockholders’ equity   15,628,000       17,769,000  
           
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 22,586,000     $ 24,801,000  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Healthcare Diagnostics Sector Witnessing Significant Growth in Artificial Intelligence Based Technologies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more essential in the medical markets every day, it seems. AI algorithms have demonstrated the capability to analyze vast amounts of medical data, including patient records and genetic information. This efficiency allows healthcare professionals to diagnose conditions more quickly and accurately, leading to better patient outcomes. AI-powered diagnostic tools can detect subtle patterns and indicators of diseases; this offers early detection and further works on early prevention of diseases. AI systems also help in assisting healthcare professionals with valuable tools, all these factors that offer improved diagnosis process act as a driver for the market’s growth. A report from MarketsAndMarkets projected that the global AI in medical diagnostics market is forecasted to grow at a robust CAGR of 22.5%, reaching US$1.71 billion in 2024 and an impressive US$4.72 billion by 2029. The report said: “Government initiatives towards increasing Al-based technologies, access to finance for Al-based startups, big data influx, and growing cross-industry alliances and collaborations are key drivers of this market’s growth. Growth in the AI in medical diagnostics market is primarily driven by the growing demand for AI tools, increasing focus on reducing the workload of radiologists, influx of large & complex datasets, funding for AI based startups, and growing cross-industry partnerships & collaborations.” Active healthcare/tech companies active in the markets include: Avant Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), Predictive Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: POAI), Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE: TDOC), GE HealthCare (NASDAQ: GEHC).

    MarketsAndMarkets continued: “Emerging countries and the increasing focus on developing human-aware AI systems are expected to offer growth opportunities in the coming years. The European AI in medical diagnostics market is projected to reach USD 4,719.3 Million by 2029 growing at a CAGR of 22.5% during the forecast period. The diagnostics sector has seen a significant growth in demand for Al-based technologies over time due to their enormous potential in medical image diagnosis. Among the benefits are enhanced imaging triage and clinical decision assistance, quicker diagnostic image analysis, and effective interpretation of the smallest data that radiologists frequently overlook. With the help of these tools, radiologists may concentrate on improving patient care rather than image interpretation. In recent years, North America held the most market share in this industry. The lack of radiologists, the rise in chronic illnesses, improved research on the ethical application of AI in diagnostic tools, and study financing are some of the factors propelling the regional market’s expansion.”

    Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI) and Ainnova Tech Begin Acquisition Talks Ahead of FDA Pre-Submission Meeting – Avant Technologies, Inc. (“Avant” or the “Company”), and its JV partner, Ainnova Tech, Inc., (Ainnova), a leading healthcare technology company focused on revolutionizing early disease detection using artificial intelligence (AI), today announced the companies and their advisors have entered into negotiations for an acquisition to better compete in the rapidly changing global AI-driven healthcare industry.

    Six months ago, the two companies formed Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC) to advance and commercialize Ainnova’s technology portfolio, including its Vision AI platform and its versatile retinal cameras. During that time, the two companies completed further due diligence and focused on an opportunity to work together as one company. The Board of Directors and management team of Avant remain fully committed to executing the Company’s strategic plan, which is focused on enhancing long-term value. Leadership at Avant expects the negotiations to move forward with an acquisition of Ainnova.

    Both Avant and Ainnova agree that the time is now to solidify the relationship and move forward as one entity prior to the Company’s pre-submission meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July for the planned clinical trial of its Vision AI platform in the early detection of diabetic retinopathy.

    Vinicio Vargas, Chief Executive Officer at Ainnova and a member of the Board of Directors of Ai-nova Acquisition Corp., said of the negotiations, “We believe bringing the two companies together will offer tremendous value for shareholders, it will simplify the process of advancing our technology to market, and it will deliver value to our customers and partners as we promote our technology portfolio globally.

    We feel the joint venture has been a success and both companies have worked well together toward a common goal, so we believe that we can be even more successful and use our resources more effectively as one company to further AI in healthcare.”

    Currently, AAC has the worldwide licensing rights for Ainnova’s technology portfolio. The licensing rights include the U.S., where the FDA regulates drug and medical device development, so both companies expect that an acquisition will unlock growth opportunities and drive sustained performance as both entities plan to interact with the FDA in July for an upcoming clinical trial working even more closely together under one banner.

    Vargas continued, “The success of our interactions with the FDA are crucial to our success in the clinic and eventually the success of marketing our technology portfolio in the United States and around the world. Entering the U.S. market will unlock significant commercial potential, and this early engagement with the FDA ensures that we can do so with speed, credibility, and a validated product.” CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Avant Technologies at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-avai/

    In other developments and happenings in the tech markets recently include:

    Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a technology company leading the adoption of AI to advance precision medicine and patient care, has recently announced the launch of Notetaker, an AI-powered clinical assistant to aid psychiatrists in generating progress notes. Notetaker, which is available in Tempus Hub, ambiently records patient sessions to generate transcripts and clinical notes that can be seamlessly stored in patients’ electronic health records.

    Notetaker complements Tempus’ existing mental health platform designed to support clinicians in delivering personalized care. It joins other precision medicine solutions, including the Tempus nP pharmacogenomic test and PRO™, the company’s patient reported outcome solution.

    “We are excited to enhance our mental health platform with Notetaker, a tool built by clinicians, for clinicians, and thoughtfully designed to meet the unique demands of psychiatric care,” said Dr. Muneer Ali, Senior Director of Medical Affairs, Neurology and Psychiatry, at Tempus. “Notetaker eases the burden of clinical documentation, helping providers reclaim their time and streamline their workflow so they can focus on what matters most: their patients.”

    Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE: TDOC), the global leader in virtual care, recently announced it has acquired UpLift, an innovative and tech-enabled provider of virtual mental health therapy, psychiatry and medication management services.

    The acquisition supports the company’s strategy to further enhance its leadership position in virtual mental health, including the ability for consumers served by its BetterHelp segment to access benefits coverage for mental health services. UpLift serves the health plan market and has arrangements covering over 100 million lives, a network of over 1,500 mental health professionals, important capabilities and a talented team.

    GE HealthCare (NASDAQ: GEHC) recently announced an intended expansion of its radiation oncology portfolio as well as the introduction of the new AI-enabled MR Contour DL™ at the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) 2025 Congress in Vienna, Austria. The company will also showcase its updated Intelligent Radiation Therapy (iRT), a software solution that standardizes complex workflows, helping to enable a shorter timeline from diagnosis to treatment and more precise radiation therapy.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly ten million deaths per year. However, it is estimated that approximately one-third of these lives could be saved if cancer is detected and treated early. GE HealthCare’s solutions featured at ESTRO aim to empower healthcare professionals with advanced tools and technologies to deliver more precise care, improve timeliness and efficiency, and enhance patient outcomes.

    Renovaro Biosciences Inc., a TechBio leader focused on next-generation diagnostics, drug discovery, and genetically enhanced cancer therapies, recently provided an update regarding its Definitive Agreement with Predictive Oncology Predictive Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: POAI) to initiate the previously announced integration of AI/ML platform technologies, core laboratory capabilities and business development efforts in Europe and the United States.

    Renovaro entered into a binding merger agreement with Predictive Oncology, Inc. (“POI”) dated January 1, 2025, and supplemented with the Extension Agreement dated February 28, 2025 (collectively, the “Binding Agreements”). On April 3, 2025, Renovaro received an email from POI terminating the merger transaction. Renovaro’s position is that POI must comply with the binding obligations thereunder and enter into an exclusive License Agreement as required in each of the Binding Agreements. Renovaro notes that POI is in breach of the Binding Agreements and has caused substantial damage to Renovaro for which it will seek redress. Failure to enter into an exclusive License Agreement on the terms set forth in the Binding Agreement on or before April 10, 2025, will cause Renovaro to seek all its legal remedies to recover all its damages and/or seek additional remedies to fully redress the breaches.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Art Store Launches Exclusive Collection from the Art Institute of Chicago

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics is expanding the reach of world-class art by welcoming the Art Institute of Chicago to its catalog of exclusive collections on the Samsung Art Store.
    The Art Institute of Chicago is the largest Samsung Art Store collection to launch yet, with an impressive total of 49 artworks, including iconic pieces by Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper and more. This collection also marks the first major art partnership to launch following the Samsung Art Store’s expansion to QLED TVs, bringing a vibrant quantum level premium visual experience to audiences.
    Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s great art museums, with more than a million visitors each year experiencing the renowned collection. Now, through an exclusive partnership with the Samsung Art Store you can enjoy some of its extraordinary highlights from the comfort of your home. From celebrated Impressionist paintings to defining works of American and Modern art, each piece is meticulously rendered to bring the museum’s cultural richness directly into the home.
    Highlights from the collection include Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” and Marc Chagall’s “America Windows” — both widely recognizable from the classic film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — alongside Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks,” Vincent van Gogh’s “Fishing in Spring, the Pont de Clichy,” Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” and Claude Monet’s “Cliff Walk at Pourville.”
    Image: Georges Seurat. A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884 (detail), 1884/86. Helen Birch Bartlett Memorial Collection.
    This collaboration also marks a major milestone for the Samsung Art Store, introducing first-ever pieces by Frank Lloyd Wright, along with works by Jules Breton, Vasily Kandinsky, and George Wesley Bellows. These additions arrive on the heels of the recent debut of Frida Kahlo’s artworks in The MoMA collection and reflect Samsung’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to more artists.
    “At the Art Institute of Chicago, we are deeply intentional about how our collection is experienced by visitors and art enthusiasts from around the world,” said Michael Neault, associate vice president and executive creative director at the Art Institute of Chicago. “Samsung shares our dedication to both excellence and accessibility and this collaboration allows us to lean into today’s innovation and extend the reach of some of the world’s most significant art.”

    The Samsung Art Store continues to meet the moment in this growing market, making exclusive partnerships for modern and contemporary artworks the focus of its acquisition strategy. Paired with The Frame’s award-winning display—designed to reduce glare and mimic canvas texture—and the recent expansion to 2025 Samsung Neo QLED 8K, 4K and QLED models, Samsung is providing an unparalleled digital art experience.
    “The collaboration with the Art Institute of Chicago exemplifies our commitment to expanding access to and discovery of fine art to a global audience at scale,” said Maya Harris, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Samsung. “The Art Institute of Chicago joins the seminal Art Basel and The Museum of Modern Art as exclusive collections only available on the Samsung Art Store. We are not only building a vast and unmatched library of incredible world-class art but also amplifying the world’s most important institutions and making them widely accessible through a medium we are proud to have pioneered.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Antitrust scrutiny will only increase as Big Tech caught in escalating trade war, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Antitrust scrutiny will only increase as Big Tech caught in escalating trade war, says GlobalData

    Posted in Strategic Intelligence

    The consensus around the need to regulate digital monopolies has never been stronger on both sides of the Atlantic. Under the second Trump administration, transatlantic tensions over digital regulation, including antitrust, will heighten, as Big Tech is caught in an intensifying trade war, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest Strategic Intelligence report “Antitrust,” reveals that the European Commission is enforcing the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and is expected to wrap up its investigations of Google, Meta, and Apple by 2026. The US government has stepped up efforts to tackle digital monopolies through lawsuits. The Department of Justice is considering breaking up Google, which would represent the most decisive intervention to date against one of the world’s most powerful tech companies. So far only Apple and Meta have been fined for a DMA infringement, while all lawsuits opened against Big Tech in the US are ongoing.

    Laura Petrone, Principal Analyst, Strategic Intelligence team at GlobalData, comments: “US President Donald Trump views the DMA as ‘overseas extortion’ of US companies, but Brussels is determined to go ahead with its antitrust investigations and has said that it will make no concessions on its digital rules in trade negotiations with the US.

    “There will likely be an acceleration in DMA enforcement as the EU uses the threat of fines and sanctions as bargain chips in tariff negotiations with Washington. The result could be a damaging tit-for-tat trade war in the tech industry.”

    While the Trump administration is expected to be more friendly to consolidation across different sectors, the tech industry will likely be the exception, as both recently appointed heads of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DoJ) have signaled their interest in scrutinizing Big Tech over antitrust. However, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and partnerships perceived to be in the national interest, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), will likely receive a green light from US regulators.

    According to GlobalData’s regulatory risk scorecard, Big Tech will continue to be the target of intense antitrust scrutiny, and most Big Tech companies could be caught in the crossfire of trade wars ignited by Trump’s tariffs.

    Samsung Electronics has the lowest regulatory risk among Big Tech companies, while Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon have the highest. US and Chinese Big Tech companies will face intense regulatory scrutiny due to their dominant position in most digital markets.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Calorie counts on menus and food labels may not help consumers choose healthier foods, new research shows

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Deidre Popovich, Associate Professor of Marketing, Texas Tech University

    Fitness apps make it easy to track the number of calories in a meal. d3sign/Moment via Getty Images

    Knowing the calorie content of foods does not help people understand which foods are healthier, according to a study I recently co-authored in the Journal of Retailing. When study participants considered calorie information, they rated unhealthy food as less unhealthy and healthy food as less healthy. They were also less sure in their judgments.

    In other words, calorie labeling didn’t help participants judge foods more accurately. It made them second-guess themselves.

    Across nine experiments with over 2,000 participants, my colleague and I tested how people use calorie information to evaluate food. For example, participants viewed food items that are generally deemed healthier, such as a salad, or ones that tend to be less healthy, such as a cheeseburger, and were asked to rate how healthy each item was. When people did not consider calorie information, participants correctly saw a big gap between the healthy and unhealthy foods. But when they considered calorie information, those judgments became more moderate.

    In another experiment in the study, we found that asking people to estimate the calorie content of food items reduced self-reported confidence in their ability to judge how healthy those foods were − and that drop in confidence is what led them to rate these food items more moderately. We observed this effect for calories but not for other nutrition metrics such as fat or carbohydrates, which consumers tend to view as less familiar.

    This pattern repeated across our experiments. Instead of helping people sharpen their evaluations, calorie information seemed to create what researchers call metacognitive uncertainty, or a feeling of “I thought I understood this, but now I’m not so sure.” When people aren’t confident in their understanding, they tend to avoid extreme judgments.

    People’s calorie needs vary widely.

    Because people see calorie information so often, they believe they know how to use it effectively. But these findings suggest that the very familiarity of calorie counts can backfire, creating a false sense of understanding that leads to more confusion, not less. My co-author and I call this the illusion of calorie fluency. When people are asked to judge how healthy a food item is based on calorie data, that confidence quickly unravels and their healthiness judgments become less accurate.

    Why it matters

    These findings have important implications for public health and for the businesses that are investing in calorie transparency. Public health policies assume that providing calorie information will drive more informed choices. But our research suggests that visibility isn’t enough – and that calorie information alone may not help. In some cases, it might even lead people to make less healthy choices.

    This does not mean that calorie information should be removed. Rather, it needs to be supported with more context and clarity. One possible approach is pairing calorie numbers with decision aids such as a traffic light indicator or an overall nutrition score, which both exist in some European countries. Alternatively, calorie information about an item could be accompanied by clear reference points explaining how much of a person’s recommended daily calories it contains – though this may be challenging because of how widely daily calorie needs vary.

    Our study highlights a broader issue in health communication: Just because information is available doesn’t mean it’s useful. Realizing that calorie information can seem easier to understand than it actually is can help consumers make more informed, confident decisions about what they eat.

    What still isn’t known

    In our studies, we found that calorie information is especially prone to creating an illusion of understanding. But key questions remain.

    For example, researchers don’t yet know how this illusion interacts with the growing use of health and wellness apps, personalized nutrition tools or AI-based food recommendations. Future research could look at whether these tools actually help people feel more sure of their choices – or just make them feel confident without truly understanding the information.

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

    Deidre Popovich 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. Calorie counts on menus and food labels may not help consumers choose healthier foods, new research shows – https://theconversation.com/calorie-counts-on-menus-and-food-labels-may-not-help-consumers-choose-healthier-foods-new-research-shows-256054

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In death penalty cases, the quest for justice is not America’s highest value

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Austin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science, Amherst College

    Between 1976 and 2015, 80% of Louisiana’s capital sentences were later reversed. Bernd Obermann/Getty Images

    Jimmie Christian Duncan learned in April 2025 that a Louisiana judge had dismissed his capital murder conviction and he would no longer face the prospect of execution. In 1998, a jury convicted Duncan of murdering his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter, and he had been on death row ever since.

    Louisiana has a long and troubled death penalty history. From 1976 to 2015, 80% of the state’s capital sentences were reversed on appeal, and 12 people have been exonerated from its death row.

    But the Bayou State is not the only death penalty state with a wrongful conviction problem. Death row exonerations – when someone is released after being sentenced – have become more common in the United States. More than 200 people have been freed in the past half-century.

    DNA evidence has been involved in only a handful of those cases, but not Duncan’s. Most of the others have happened when defense lawyers discovered new evidence of faulty eyewitness identification, or when prosecutorial misconduct cast doubt on the legality of the conviction.

    Duncan’s case stands out because it was the first successful use of Louisiana’s 2021 factual innocence statute. Under that law, reconsideration of convictions can be based on new facts rather than just constitutional or legal violations of a defendant’s rights.

    As Louisiana District Judge Alvin Sharp explained in his April 2025 opinion in Duncan’s case, “To possibly be successful on a ‘factual innocence’ claim, a Petitioner shall present new, reliable, and non-cumulative evidence that would be legally admissible at trial and that was not known or discoverable at or prior to trial…”

    In overturning Duncan’s conviction, Sharp highlighted new understandings about the unreliability of so-called bite mark analysis that played a key role in Duncan’s case. He also cited the testimony of “a very compelling witness” who testified that the child’s death was “accidental drowning,” not homicide.

    It might seem odd that it took the factual innocence statute in 2021 to make what Sharp did possible. But as a death penalty scholar, I believe it’s the latest reminder that, even in capital cases, the quest for justice has not always been the United States’ highest value.

    The shadow of Herrera v. Collins

    States such as Louisiana have enacted factual innocence statutes because there is no nationwide, constitutional bar to executing people who are factually innocent. More than three decades ago, the U.S. Supreme Court turned back a challenge to the constitutionality of executing people who might not have committed the crime for which they were sentenced to death.

    In February 1992, 10 years after his conviction, Leonel Herrera filed a writ of habeas corpus – a legal action used to challenge the legality of a person’s imprisonment. Herrera said he had new evidence showing he had not committed the murder for which he had been sentenced to death.

    Herrera’s lawyers argued that executing a factually innocent person would violate the Eighth Amendment, prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment. He also said it would violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of due process of law.

    Herrera wanted the courts to consider affidavits given long after Herrera’s conviction. Those affidavits claimed that Raul Herrera, Leonel Herrera’s brother, had said before he died that he, not Leonel, was guilty of the killing for which Leonel had been convicted.

    But the Supreme Court refused to consider that evidence.

    A 6–3 majority concluded that evidence of actual innocence was “not relevant … absent some other constitutional violation.” This ruling means that so long as applicable legal procedures are followed, it doesn’t matter whether the outcome is correct.

    In 1992, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of executing people who might not have committed the crime for which they were sentenced to death.
    AP Photo/Alex Brandon

    Making a place for actual innocence

    Not surprisingly, death penalty abolitionists were appalled by the outcome in Herrera’s case. They saw it as condoning the execution of the innocent.

    And in 2013, the Supreme Court opened the door for litigating actual innocence claims under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, which restricts prisoners’ habeas corpus rights.

    The court allowed prisoners who can show proof of innocence to file a habeas petition even after the normal time limit for filing one. But it did not say that executing the innocent would violate the Constitution.

    States have responded to this by enacting laws that allow people convicted of crimes to bring actual innocence claims, based on newly discovered DNA evidence.

    In 2012, Massachusetts passed a law allowing prisoners to seek “forensic or scientific analysis” of evidence in support of a claim of “factual innocence of the crime for which the person has been convicted.”

    Five other states – Louisiana, Maryland, Texas, Virginia and Utah – have passed laws allowing post-conviction actual innocence claims, even without DNA evidence.

    Under the Louisiana statute that Duncan invoked, “A petitioner who has been convicted of an offense may seek post-conviction relief on the grounds that he is factually innocent of the offense for which he was convicted.”

    In Louisiana, new evidence can be “scientific, forensic, physical, or nontestimonial documentary evidence.” Under some conditions, testimonial evidence is also admissible to prove innocence in post-conviction cases.

    Someone seeking such relief must prove “by clear and convincing evidence that, had the new evidence been presented at trial, no rational juror would have found the petitioner guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

    A prison warden discusses the gurney used for lethal injections at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola in September 2009.
    AP Photo/Judi Bottoni

    Opposition to actual innocence

    Many people oppose allowing convicted criminals to reopen their cases, even if they are, like Duncan, on death row.

    In the Herrera case, for example, Chief Justice William Rehnquist said that doing so would have a “very disruptive effect … on the need for finality in capital cases.”

    It looks like Louisiana will again be weighing the value of finality and justice in capital cases.

    Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry wants to see its actual innocence law repealed, calling it a “woke, hug-a-thug policy” and arguing that “once a verdict has been finalized, there are no more ‘get out of jail free’ cards.”

    A bill in the Louisiana Legislature to change the law has been introduced in the 2025 legislative session.

    The stakes could not be higher.

    As former Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun wrote in his Herrera dissent, “Just as an execution without adequate safeguards is unacceptable, so too is an execution when the condemned prisoner can prove that he is innocent. The execution of a person who can show that he is innocent comes perilously close to simple murder.”

    Louisiana will soon have to decide how close it is willing to come to producing that tragic result.

    Austin Sarat 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. In death penalty cases, the quest for justice is not America’s highest value – https://theconversation.com/in-death-penalty-cases-the-quest-for-justice-is-not-americas-highest-value-256042

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Right now, space law doesn’t protect historical sites, mining operations and bases on the Moon – a space lawyer describes a framework that could

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michelle L.D. Hanlon, Professor of Air and Space Law, University of Mississippi

    Craters in the lunar surface are visible in this photo taken during the Apollo 11 mission. NASA via AP

    April 2025 was a busy month for space.

    Pop icon Katy Perry joined five other civilian women on a quick jaunt to the edge of space, making headlines. Meanwhile, another group of people at the United Nations was contemplating a critical issue for the future of space exploration: the discovery, extraction and utilization of natural resources on the Moon.

    At the end of April, a dedicated Working Group of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space released a draft set of recommended principles for space resource activities. Essentially, these are rules to govern mining on the Moon, asteroids and elsewhere in space for elements that are rare here on Earth.

    As a space lawyer and co-founder of For All Moonkind, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting human heritage in outer space, I know that the Moon could be the proving ground for humanity’s evolution into a species that lives and thrives on more than one planet. However, this new frontier raises complex legal questions.

    Space, legally

    Outer space – including the Moon – from a legal perspective, is a unique domain without direct terrestrial equivalent. It is not, like the high seas, the “common heritage of humankind,” nor is it an area, like Antarctica, where commercial mining is prohibited.

    Instead, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty – signed by more than 115 nations, including China, Russia and the United States – establishes that the exploration and use of space are the “province of all humankind.” That means no country may claim territory in outer space, and all have the right to access all areas of the Moon and other celestial bodies freely.

    The fact that, pursuant to Article II of the treaty, a country cannot claim territory in outer space, known as the nonappropriation principle, suggests to some that property ownership in space is forbidden.

    Can this be true? If your grandchildren move to Mars, will they never own a home? How can a company protect its investment in a lunar mine if it must be freely accessible by all? What happens, as it inevitably will, when two rovers race to a particular area on the lunar surface known to host valuable water ice? Does the winner take all?

    As it turns out, the Outer Space Treaty does offer some wiggle room. Article IX requires countries to show “due regard” for the corresponding interests of others. It is a legally vague standard, although the Permanent Court of Arbitration has suggested that due regard means simply paying attention to what’s reasonable under the circumstances.

    First mover advantage – it’s a race

    The treaty’s broad language encourages a race to the Moon. The first entity to any spot will have a unilateral opportunity to determine what’s legally “reasonable.” For example, creating an overly large buffer zone around equipment might be justified to mitigate potential damage from lunar dust.

    On top of that, Article XII of the Outer Space Treaty assumes that there will be installations, like bases or mining operations, on the Moon. Contrary to the free access principle, the treaty suggests that access to these may be blocked unless the owner grants permission to enter.

    Both of these paths within the treaty would allow the first person to make it to their desired spot on the Moon to keep others out. The U.N. principles in their current form don’t address these loopholes.

    The draft U.N. principles released in April mirror, and are confined by, the language of the Outer Space Treaty. This tension between free access and the need to protect – most easily by forbidding access – remains unresolved. And the clock is ticking.

    The Moon’s vulnerable legacy

    The U.S. Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon by 2028, China has plans for human return by 2030, and in the intervening years, more than 100 robotic missions are planned by countries and private industry alike. For the most part, these missions are all headed to the same sweet spot: the lunar south pole. Here, peaks of eternal light and deep craters containing water ice promise the best mining, science and research opportunities.

    Regions of the lunar south pole, left, and north pole, right, contain water in the form of ice (blue), which could be useful for space agencies hoping to set up lunar bases.
    NASA

    In this excitement, it’s easy to forget that humans already have a deep history of lunar exploration. Scattered on the lunar surface are artifacts displaying humanity’s technological progress.

    After centuries of gazing at our closest celestial neighbor with fascination, in 1959 the Soviet spacecraft, Luna 2, became the first human-made object to impact another celestial body. Ten years later, two humans, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, became the first ever to set foot upon another celestial body.

    More recently, in 2019, China’s Chang’e 4 achieved the first soft landing on the Moon’s far side. And in 2023, India’s Chandrayaan-3 became the first to land successfully near the lunar south pole.

    These sites memorialize humanity’s baby steps off our home planet and easily meet the United Nations definition of terrestrial heritage, as they are so “exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.”

    The international community works to protect such sites on Earth, but those protection protocols do not extend to outer space.

    Astronaut footprints are still intact on the lunar surface because the Moon doesn’t have weather. But nearby spacecraft or rovers could kick up dust and cover them.
    AP Photo

    The more than 115 other sites on the Moon that bear evidence of human activity are frozen in time without degradation from weather, animal or human activity. But this could change. A single errant spacecraft or rover could kick up abrasive lunar dust, erasing bootprints or damaging artifacts.

    Protection and the Outer Space Treaty

    In 2011, NASA recommended establishing buffer, or safety zones, of up to 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) to protect certain sites with U.S. artifacts.

    Because it understood that outright exclusion violates the Outer Space Treaty, NASA issued these recommendations as voluntary guidelines. Nevertheless, the safety zone concept, essentially managing access to and activities around specific areas, could be a practical tool for protecting heritage sites. They could act as a starting point to find a balance between protection and access.

    The U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space recently proposed new principles for space resource use.
    United States Mission to International Organizations in Vienna, CC BY-NC-ND

    One hundred and ninety-six nations have agreed, through the 1972 World Heritage Convention, on the importance of recognizing and protecting cultural heritage of universal value found here on Earth.

    Building on this agreement, the international community could require specific access protocols — such as a permitting process, activity restrictions, shared access rules, monitoring and other controls — for heritage sites on the Moon. If accepted, these protective measures for heritage sites could also work as a template for scientific and operational sites. This would create a consistent framework that avoids the perception of claiming territory.

    At this time, the draft U.N. principles released in April 2025 do not directly address the opposing concepts of access and protection. Instead, they defer to Article I of the Outer Space Treaty and reaffirm that everyone has free access to all areas of the Moon and other celestial bodies.

    As more countries and companies compete to reach the Moon, a clear lunar legal framework can guide them to avoid conflicts and preserve historical sites. The draft U.N. principles show that the international community is ready to explore what this framework could look like.

    Michelle L.D. Hanlon is affiliated with For All Moonkind, a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting human cultural heritage in outer space starting with the Apollo lunar landing sites.

    – ref. Right now, space law doesn’t protect historical sites, mining operations and bases on the Moon – a space lawyer describes a framework that could – https://theconversation.com/right-now-space-law-doesnt-protect-historical-sites-mining-operations-and-bases-on-the-moon-a-space-lawyer-describes-a-framework-that-could-255757

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chris Sun attends APEC meeting

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today attended the Seventh Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM) in Jeju, South Korea, delivering speeches at two plenaries.

     

    Adopting the theme “Sustainable Labour Markets and Jobs for the Future”, the HRDMM is aimed at promoting reforms to facilitate a flexible, inclusive, and resilient labour market.

     

    In a keynote speech at this morning’s plenary, themed “Flexible & Vibrant Labour Market”, Mr Sun said that to address the challenges posed by the emergence of the so-called platform economy, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has long been committed to protecting platform workers. He elaborated that this includes exploring measures for strengthen protections through a liaison group comprising representatives of the Government, platform companies and labour organisations.

     

    According to a Thematic Household Survey conducted by the Hong Kong SAR Government, he added, platform workers are most concerned about work injury compensation. The Hong Kong SAR Government will introduce a proposal this year on ways to further enhance the rights and benefits of platform workers.

     

    Mr Sun also briefed his audience on various initiatives implemented by the Hong Kong SAR Government to unleash the full potential of the labour force. These include the Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme, which launched last year, and the enhanced Employment Programme for the Elderly & Middle-aged.

     

    During the afternoon plenary, themed “Responding to Future Jobs & Active Labour Market Policies”, Mr Sun gave a presentation on the Hong Kong SAR Government’s manpower policies and talent attraction measures.

     

    He stressed that the main aim of these policies and measures is to nurture local talent while also attracting complementary outside talent, in order to enrich the local talent pool in ways that meet local social and economic development needs.

     

    Mr Sun outlined Hong Kong’s multi-pronged strategy of training and retraining, including the establishment of two universities of applied sciences, as well as efforts to enhance employees’ professional skills through the Vocational Training Council.

     

    He also spoke of the array of measures rolled out by the Hong Kong SAR Government to attract talent proactively and aggressively, and gave an account of how Hong Kong can leverage its unique advantages of enjoying the strong support at a national level while being closely connected to the world, in order to fulfill its role as an international hub for high-calibre talent.

     

    Upon his arrival in Jeju yesterday, Mr Sun met Malaysian Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim, who is also attending the HRDMM. He said he was delighted to meet Mr Sim again following a visit to Kuala Lumpur in mid-April.

     

    During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on matters including how to strengthen the local workforce, occupational safety and health, improving the rights of platform workers, and ways to enhance vocational training and employee retraining with a view to alleviating manpower shortages.

     

    Later, Mr Sun held a bilateral meeting with the Republic of Korea’s Acting Minister of Employment & Labor Kim Min Seok, during which they discussed various topics including foreign domestic helpers and the importation of labour.

     

    Mr Sun briefed Mr Kim on the manpower shortages encountered by Hong Kong due to its ageing population, which he explained has resulted in a need for the city to continue attracting outside talent and labour as appropriate.

     

    Mr Sun will conclude his engagements tomorrow morning, before returning to Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council balances its budget while protecting services and investing in Plymouth

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Plymouth City Council balanced its 2024/25 budget while protecting local services and investing in ambitious regeneration plans for the city despite facing significant cost and demand pressures, a report to Cabinet says.

    The provisional 2024/25 revenue and capital outturn report says that like other authorities the Council has faced significant challenges beyond its control, including inflationary increases in all services areas and growing cost and demand pressures in as children’s and adult social care, SEND provision and homelessness services, necessitating departments to deliver savings plans and maintain tight management of staffing costs.

    The £241.6 million revenue budget supported the delivery of more than 300 Council services, while a £109.3 million capital programme – a £17.9 million increase on the previous year – has helped draw in millions of pounds of investment into the city’s infrastructure and regeneration by levering in Government grants, developer contributions and borrowing.

    This invested in infrastructure schemes such as:

    • The Woolwell to the George improvement scheme, which will help ease congestion in the north of the city
    • The Derriford District Centre scheme, which has delivered a new retail centre providing popular stores and leisure facilities, while supporting local jobs.
    • The new Foulston Park, which is seeing the former Brickfields site being transformed into a centre for sporting excellence and community wellbeing
    • The city centre regeneration, including Old Town Street and New George Street improvements, Armada Way regeneration scheme and the Civic Square improvement scheme, helping inspire investor confidence in the city
    • Plymouth South National Marine Park, which is seeing the transformation of waterfront landmarks such as Tinside Lido with the support of lottery funding.

    Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance, said: “It’s no mean feat to balance the books at year end when you face the scale of challenges that we have over the last year. The amount of hard work behind these figures shouldn’t be underestimated.

    “Despite these challenges we have remained committed to avoiding reductions to services and continuing to deliver the priorities and ambitions for Plymouth, with multiple schemes that result in tangible improvements for city residents.

    “While we did use our ‘usable reserves’ to offset some of the pressures that arose during the financial year, this was a considered and sensible approach that helped avoid cuts to valued services and to protect the elderly and vulnerable in the city. We have already made a commitment in our medium-term financial plan to rebuild the level of reserves in future budgets.

    “While this financial year promises to be no less challenging than the last, given the systemic issues with demand and cost pressures we are facing in social care services, I am confident that this Government understands the problems that councils are facing and will start to provide more support for addressing them than we have been used to in previous years.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China to Take Practical Measures to Prevent Illegal Export of Strategic Minerals

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) — China will take practical and effective measures to resolutely prevent the illegal export of strategic mineral resources, the Ministry of Commerce said Monday.

    According to a representative of the above-mentioned ministry, strengthening control over the export of strategic mineral resources is of crucial importance to national security and development interests.

    Since China imposed export restrictions on some strategic minerals, some foreign companies have been found to have colluded with local illegal individuals to evade export controls through smuggling and other means, a Commerce Ministry official said.

    To curb the smuggling of these strategic resources, China has launched a campaign to crack down on illegal activities such as false declaration, concealment of information and transshipment through third countries, the spokesman said.

    China has also stepped up customs inspections and efforts to combat and investigate such activities, thoroughly identifying illegal organizations and the smuggling networks behind them, in a bid to effectively safeguard national security and development interests, the spokesperson said.

    Additional action to curb illegal activities will also be taken in the near future, the ministry spokesman added. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Couple Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

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

    Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that Jaiveer Tyee, 53, and Xanthe Tabbs, 56, both of Coral Gables, Florida, were sentenced on May 2, 2025 in federal court in for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Tyee to 9 months’ imprisonment and Tabbs to 3 years’ probation. Tyee and Tabbs were also ordered to pay $138,926.71 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. After Tyee’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

    From April 25, 2018, to July 19, 2018, Tyee and Tabbs conspired to participate in a scheme to defraud a company located in the District of Nebraska. The victim company specialized in subscription-based services for the analysis and delivery of real-time weather, agricultural, energy, and commodity market information.

    Using a spoofed email account, an unknown person posed as a vendor of the victim company and requested a change payment related to an invoice the victim company was in the process of paying.  The fraudulent email purporting to be from the vendor contained wiring instructions and third-party bank account information, that in fact was not associated with the vendor. The victim company’s employee, thinking the wire transfer request was legitimate, complied with the wire transfer request.

    On May 23, 2018, the victim company was induced into making an unauthorized wire transfer totaling $280,646 from its financial institution to a third-party bank account that was jointly accessed and controlled by Tyee and Tabbs.  After the unauthorized wire transfer was deposited, Tyee and Tabbs immediately conducted numerous financial transactions, which included obtaining cashier’s checks and making wire transfers to other bank accounts controlled and accessed by Tyee and Tabbs.  After detection of the fraudulently induced transfer, the victim company was able to recover a portion of the proceeds resulting a loss of $138,926.71.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Best Crypto Casinos: JACKBIT Rated #1 As Top Crypto Casino With Instant Payouts, No KYC, & Provably Fair Games

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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    Why JACKBIT is the Best Crypto Casino

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    Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure

    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. The content is based on research and user reviews, with no warranties made as to its accuracy or completeness. Users must verify information before acting.

    Online gambling involves risks and is not suitable for everyone. Confirm you meet the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. Gambling laws vary, and compliance is your responsibility. We do not promote gambling; participation is at your own risk. JACKBIT is a third-party platform, and we are not liable for losses or disputes.

    This article may contain affiliate links, earning us a commission at no cost to you for qualifying actions. These support our content, but our reviews remain unbiased. Always conduct your own research before signing up.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31263d1d-2af2-4fc3-b3a0-0f9631b86b98

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b80e34ef-a073-4410-a4e6-5b9e57a5bf9d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Plethora Businesses Represents Ferralloy, Inc. in Strategic Acquisition by EQI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Orange, CA, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — May 6, 2025 – Plethora Businesses, a leading lower middle market investment banking firm specializing in M&A advisory, is pleased to announce it served as exclusive sell-side advisor to Ferralloy, Inc. in its acquisition by EQI Ltd., a global leader in engineered components and materials.

    Established in 1984 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Ferralloy, Inc. is a global supplier of heat-resistant alloy products and value-added metal components. With a manufacturing footprint in Wuxi, China, Ferralloy has built a reputation for delivering complex castings, forgings, fabrications, and machined components across a diverse range of critical industries. The company’s commitment to quality and customer service has earned it longstanding relationships with global OEMs, including Fortune 500 manufacturers.

    The strategic acquisition by EQI Ltd. further enhances EQI’s footprint in the thermal processing and metal components industries. Ferralloy’s deep expertise and international capabilities will integrate with and bolster EQI’s existing portfolio, including Pro-Tech, to deliver expanded solutions to a shared customer base.

    “We are proud to have represented Ferralloy in this milestone transaction,” said George Lanza, Co-Founder and CEO of Plethora Businesses. “This acquisition brings together two highly complementary organizations with shared values of innovation, technical excellence, and customer commitment.”

    Transaction terms were not disclosed.

    About Plethora Businesses

    Plethora Businesses is a boutique M&A advisory firm dedicated to offering sell-side and buy-side M&A advisory, corporate strategy, and valuations. Tailored to meet the unique needs of the middle market, Plethora is committed to delivering strategic solutions that drive growth and value for its clients. For more information, please visit www.plethorabusinesses.com or contact us at 714-255-8862.

    Media Contact:
    Plethora Businesses
    714.255.8862
    info@plethorabusinesses.com
    www.plethorabusinesses.com

    2117 W. Orangewood Ave., Orange, CA 92868

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LM Funding America Announces April 2025 Production and Operational Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    – Bitcoin HODL 148.7 BTC as of April 30, 2025 valued at $14.1 million or $2.75 per share1

    TAMPA, Fla., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LM Funding America, Inc. (NASDAQ: LMFA) (“LM Funding” or the “Company”), a Bitcoin mining and technology-based specialty finance company, today announced its preliminary, unaudited Bitcoin mining and operational update for the month ended April 30, 2025.

    Metric Feb 2025 Mar 2025 Apr 2025
    – Bitcoin2      
    – Mined, net 7.6 8.7 6.6
    – Sold – (14.2) (18.0)
    – Purchased – – –
    – Service Fee (0.0) (0.1) (0.1)
    – Bitcoin HODL 165.8 160.2 148.7
    – Machines2      
    – Operational 5,121 5,121 5,121
    – Storage 719 496 496
    – Total Machines 5,840 5,617 5,617
    – Hashrate (EH/s2)      
    – Oklahoma 0.43 0.43 0.43
    – Hosted 0.13 0.13 0.13
    – Energized 0.56 0.56 0.56
    – Storage 0.07 0.05 0.05
    – Total 0.63 0.61 0.61

    ________________________
    1 Calculated using 5,133,412 shares outstanding as of 12/31/24 from SEC Form 10-K filed March 31, 2025
    2 Unaudited

    “Transitioning to a vertically integrated model has proved valuable to our bottom line,” said Bruce Rodgers, Chairman and CEO of LM Funding. “In April, we mined 6.6 Bitcoin due to curtailments and disruptions at our hosting site as we began relocating 800 machines to our wholly owned Oklahoma facility. Our Oklahoma site enabled us to generate approximately $120,000 in power sales during the month — an offset to our mining costs that improved our margins and overall efficiency. We also made several strategic decisions, including ordering two 1 MW immersion containers to start our 2 MW expansion at our Oklahoma site. After careful diligence, we believe immersion offers faster deployment timelines, better margins, and improved equipment longevity.”

    Richard Russell, CFO of LM Funding added, “In parallel with our Oklahoma expansion, we made the decision to sell our recently acquired S21+ miners from Bitmain. This transaction is expected to recover our investment and preserve capital for higher-return opportunities. Regarding our 2 MW expansion, we anticipate completing construction and energization by the end of the third quarter, subject to international shipping timelines. We believe these strategic moves will strengthen our operational foundation, protect capital, and position us for long-term success in an evolving market landscape.”

    The Company estimates that the value of its 148.7 Bitcoin holdings on April 30, 2025, was approximately $14.1 million or $2.751 per share, based on a Bitcoin price of approximately $94,900 as of April 30, 2025, compared to a stock share price of $1.49 as of April 30, 2025.

    Upcoming Conferences and Events

    • May 15, 2025: LM Funding’s First Quarter 2025 Earnings Call
      • Time: 8 AM EST
      • Participant Call Links:
        • Live Webcast: Link
        • Participant Call Registration: Link
    • May 20, 2025: Benchmark Virtual Digital Asset Seminar
    • May 28, 2025: Orange Group & Blockware Sell-side and Buy-side Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada

    About LM Funding America
    LM Funding America, Inc. (Nasdaq: LMFA), operates as a Bitcoin mining and specialty finance company. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Tampa, Florida. For more information, please visit https://www.lmfunding.com.

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

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact: 

    Investor Relations 
    Orange Group 
    Yujia Zhai 
    LMFundingIR@orangegroupadvisors.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Brag House, in partnership with Florida Gator Athletics and Learfield’s Florida Gators Sports Properties, Launches the Inaugural “Brag Gators Gauntlet” Series Baseball Edition at the University of Florida – A tournament Featuring Fortnite ahead of the Florida vs. Alabama Baseball Game

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brag House Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBH) (“Brag House” or the “Company”), the premier Gen Z engagement platform that operates at the intersection of gaming, college sports, and social interaction, today announced the launch of the ‘Brag Gators Gauntlet’ Series – Baseball Edition, a high-impact, single-day tournament Featuring Fortnite hosted in collaboration with Florida Gators Athletics and Learfield’s Florida Gators Sports Properties.

    This landmark activation is the first in a nationwide rollout stemming from Brag House’s strategic partnership roadmap that was announced on April 28, 2025, and reaffirmed in the Company’s recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The Brag Gators Gauntlet is designed to fuse the passion of college sports, starting with college baseball, and the cultural power of gaming, in a way that only Brag House can deliver – by bringing students, alumni, and brands together in real time through interactive and gamified experiences.

    “This isn’t just a tournament – it’s a gamified digital tailgate, a new way for Gen Z to rally around their school,” said Lavell Juan Malloy II, CEO and Co-Founder of Brag House. “With Learfield and Florida Gators Athletics, we’re redefining what it means to be a fan – empowering students and alumni to play, brag, and win as an essential part of the college sports experience.”

    Tournament Details

    • Name: Brag Gators Gauntlet – Baseball Edition
    • Date, Time and Place: Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST | Online
      Format: Fortnite No-Build, Solos, Battle Royale (private lobbies) – 4 rounds (heats) leading to a final heat
    • Eligibility: Open to current students and alumni from both the University of Florida and the University of Alabama
    • Live Broadcast: Activation will be streamed live on the Brag House platform with casters, play-by-play in-game analysis, and other interactive elements

    The tournament will serve as a lead-in to the highly anticipated Florida vs. Alabama college baseball game, further aligning digital and physical campus events into a cohesive fan experience.

    Beyond the Game

    The Brag Gators Gauntlet reflects Brag House’s larger mission: to build a new digital sports medium tailored to Gen Z by merging college athletics with competitive, casual gaming. It also continues the Company’s focus on NIL-integrated content, loyalty token rewards, and data-rich experiences that enable brands to engage authentically with hyper-targeted college communities.

    “With every activation, we are not only creating entertainment – we’re generating insights, building brand equity, and delivering measurable ROI for our partners,” added Malloy.

    What’s Next

    Following this activation, Brag House and Learfield plan to replicate the Brag Gauntlet model across additional campuses in 2025 and beyond, with the goal of establishing an enduring layer of Gen Z engagement within the college sports ecosystem.

    About Brag House
    Brag House is a leading media technology gaming platform dedicated to transforming casual college gaming into a vibrant, community-driven experience. By seamlessly merging gaming, social interaction, and cutting-edge technology, the Company provides an inclusive and engaging environment for casual gamers while enabling brands to authentically connect with the influential Gen Z demographic. The platform offers live-streaming capabilities, gamification features, and custom tournament services, fostering meaningful engagement between users and brands. For more information, please visit www.braghouse.com.

    About Learfield
    Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the execution and prospects of the Brag Gators Gauntlet and Brag House’s and Learfield’s plan to expand the Brag Gauntlet model. For a full discussion of these risks, please refer to Brag House’s SEC filings.

    Media Contact:
    Fatema Bhabrawala
    Director of Media Relations
    fbhabrawala@allianceadvisors.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Adele Carey
    VP, Investor Relations
    ir@thebraghouse.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CSW Industrials Announces Date for Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Earnings Release Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CSW Industrials, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSWI) announced that it will release its earnings results for the fiscal fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2025, on Thursday, May 22, 2025, before the market opens. The Company will host a conference call the same day at 10:00 am Eastern Time to discuss the results.

    Participants may access the call at 1-877-407-0784, international callers may use 1-201-689-8560, and request to join the CSW Industrials earnings call. A live webcast will also be available at https://cswindustrials.gcs-web.com.

    A telephone replay will be made available shortly following the conclusion of the call and until June 5, 2025. Participants may access the replay at 1-844-512-2921, international callers may use 1-412-317-6671 and enter access code 13753549. An archived replay of the call will also be available on the Investors portion of the CSWI website at www.cswindustrials.com.

    About CSW Industrials
    CSW Industrials is a diversified industrial growth company with industry-leading operations in three segments: Contractor Solutions, Specialized Reliability Solutions, and Engineered Building Solutions. CSWI provides niche, value-added products with two essential commonalities: performance and reliability. The primary end markets we serve with our well-known brands include: HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical, general industrial, architecturally-specified building products, energy, mining, and rail transportation. For more information, please visit www.cswindustrials.com.

    Investor Relations
    Alexa Huerta
    Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer
    214-489-7113
    alexa.huerta@cswindustrials.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: First Pacific to Present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank ADR Virtual Investor Conference May 15th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Pacific Company Limited (Hong Kong: 00142, ADR: FPAFY) based in Hong Kong and focused on domestic defensive businesses in the fast-growing region of Southeast Asia, today announced that Associate Director John W. Ryan will present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank American Depositary Receipt (ADR) Virtual Investor Conference on May 15, 2025. This virtual investor conference is aimed exclusively at introducing global companies with ADR programs to investors.

    DATE: May 15th
    TIME: 10:00 AM ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Participation is free of charge.

    What First Pacific offers

    First Pacific has a mature market listing and offers access to defensive industries in the fastest-growing region of the world; none of our businesses is significantly affected by primary consequences of changes in foreign trade tariffs. First Pacific has three key guidelines in its strategy to maximise shareholder returns:

    • Stick to the industries we know – consumer foods, telecommunications, infrastructure and natural resources
    • Stick to one geography – the emerging economies of southeast Asia
    • Hold majority or significant stakes in our investments to ensure control over cash flows

    Through 2024 the Company has had six years of profit growth, with the last four recording successive record highs. First Pacific management is confident of continuing earnings growth in the medium term owing to the strong market positions of our companies and the region’s continuing strong growth against a background of low inflation. In addition, all our investments are immune to the immediate consequences of any struggle over tariffs.

    Assets include the world’s biggest maker of instant noodles (Indofood), the region’s largest privately owned toll road operator (MPTC), and the biggest power company (Meralco), telecommunications (PLDT), and water (Maynilad) companies in the Philippines. The company is also the biggest shareholder in Philex Mining, which plans to open a second gold and copper mine in 2026 using development funding already in place.

    First Pacific’s borrowings are low with an interest coverage ratio of 4x and the Company has held investment grade credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P Global for three years. After seeing its share price rise by 25% in 2023 and 45% in 2024, First Pacific has a recurring p/e ratio of 3.6x at FY 2024.

    About First Pacific
    First Pacific is a Hong Kong-based investment holding company with operations located in Asia-Pacific. The Company’s principal businesses are in consumer food products, telecommunications, infrastructure, and mining. First Pacific is listed in Hong Kong (HKSE: 00142) and its shares are also available in the United States through American Depositary Receipts (ADR code: FPAFY). For further information, visit www.firstpacific.com.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    First Pacific Company Limited
    John W. Ryan
    Associate Director, Group Head of Investor Relations
    +852 6336 1411
    johnryan@firstpacific.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences

    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Belite Bio, Inc to Present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank ADR Virtual Investor Conference May 15th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Belite Bio, Inc (NASDAQ: BLTE) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical drug development company focused on advancing novel therapeutics targeting degenerative retinal diseases that have significant unmet medical needs, today announced that CSO, Dr. Nathan L. Mata will present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank American Depositary Receipt (ADR) Virtual Investor Conference on May 15, 2025. This virtual investor conference is aimed exclusively at introducing global companies with ADR programs to investors.

    DATE: May 15th
    TIME: 12:30 pm ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

    Participation is free of charge.

    Recent Company Highlights

    • DRAGON trial, a pivotal global Phase 3 trial of Tinlarebant in adolescent Stargardt disease (STGD1) subjects is expected to be completed by Q4 2025
    • Following a pre-specified interim analysis, an independent DSMB recommended to submit the interim analysis data of DRAGON trial for further regulatory review for drug approval
    • Pivotal global Phase 3 PHOENIX trial of Tinlarebant in geographic atrophy (GA) subjects is ongoing with more than 460 subjects enrolled

    About Belite Bio
    Belite Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical drug development company focused on advancing novel therapeutics targeting degenerative retinal diseases that have significant unmet medical needs, such as Stargardt disease type 1 (STGD1) and Geographic Atrophy (GA) in advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in addition to specific metabolic diseases. Belite’s lead candidate, Tinlarebant, an oral therapy intended to reduce the accumulation of toxins in the eye, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 study (DRAGON) and a Phase 2/3 study (DRAGON II) in adolescent STGD1 subjects and a Phase 3 study (PHOENIX) in subjects with GA. For more information, follow us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or visit us at www.belitebio.com.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    Belite Bio
    Jennifer Wu
    ir@belitebio.com
    Julie Fallon
    belite@argotpartners.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Delivers Critical Aid to Earthquake-Affected Families in Myanmar

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BANGKOK, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has mobilized relief efforts for vulnerable communities in Myanmar following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the Sagaing region on March 28. The disaster, which sent tremors as far as Bangkok, compounded existing hardships in an area already grappling with civil unrest and economic instability.

    In coordination with local partners, Bitget delivered 150 Emergency Resilience Kits to high-risk families, including those who lost homes, were caring for infants or elderly relatives, or had received minimal aid. Each kit provided comprehensive support: hygiene essentials to prevent disease, sleeping mats and blankets for displaced families, cooking tools to restore daily routines, water filters for safe drinking water, and basic medicines to address urgent health needs.

    The operation was not without its challenges. Navigating security risks, logistical hurdles, and the potential for aid diversion in a conflict zone required meticulous planning and deep community trust. Bitget’s partners on the ground leveraged their local expertise to ensure equitable distribution, reaching families whose needs might otherwise have been invisible in the chaos of crisis response.

    “True humanitarian action isn’t just about meeting urgent needs—it’s about seeing the unseen,” said Bitget CEO Gracy Chen. “As the second-largest crypto exchange ecosystem, we believe that real growth in our industry must be matched by real responsibility. Crypto was built on the ideals of empowerment and global connection. In times of crisis, these ideals must be translated into action. Our support for Myanmar’s affected communities is a reminder that innovation must go hand-in-hand with human impact. As we help build the future of finance, we are equally committed to building a future where no one is left behind,” she added.

    The impact extended beyond material relief. For displaced families living in overcrowded temporary shelters, the kits alleviated pressure on shared resources. For others, they represented the first semblance of stability since the disaster struck, a signal that they had not been forgotten.

    As recovery efforts continue in Sagaing, Bitget’s initiative serves as a small reminder that effective crisis response begins with listening and learning. By combining swift action with deep local understanding, we were able to offer support where it was needed most—one family, one community at a time.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e78ebbf-6ded-4cce-b3d3-8a04e4476fc3

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/903331f2-0e74-497a-be44-64186ea543cb

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e4296f30-257b-43fd-9c40-b19e38a3f3b7

    The MIL Network –