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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI: RTI at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025: Accelerating the Future of Autonomy from Concept to Deployment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Real-Time Innovations (RTI), the software framework company for physical AI systems, will exhibit at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025, held May 19-22 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. At Booth #1628, RTI will demonstrate how RTI Connext® accelerates the development and deployment of next-generation autonomous systems across defense and commercial domains.

    As the demand for smarter, more capable autonomy grows across both defense and commercial sectors, Connext delivers the secure, real-time connectivity required to power AI-driven autonomy, multi-vehicle coordination, and unmanned operations in complex, high-stakes environments. Built on the Data Distribution Service (DDS™) standard, Connext helps teams move efficiently from concept to deployment—accelerating prototyping, simplifying integration, and evolving systems to meet dynamic mission or market needs.

    RTI experts will be available to discuss how a data-centric approach enables scalable, flexible architectures for the future of mission-ready autonomous systems.

    To learn more or schedule a meeting with the RTI team, click here.

    Event Details
    What: RTI at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025, Booth #1628
    When: May 19-22, 2025
    Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

    About RTI

    RTI is the software framework company for physical AI systems, with a mission to run a smarter world. RTI Connext® provides the data architecture for over 2,000 designs in Aerospace and Defense, Medtech, Automotive, and Robotics – running in more than $1T of total deployed systems worldwide. Only RTI combines decades of technical expertise with industry-leading software and tools to develop smarter systems, faster. Learn more at www.rti.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lingokids puts Parent Guilt on Trial in First of its Kind Campaign

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Lingokids, the #1 interactive app for kids aged 2-8, puts the parenting screen time debate on trial with the launch of its largest U.S. campaign, The Trial by Lingokids. The campaign film highlights the invisible weight of parental guilt that over 74% of American parents feel when it comes to their child’s screen time and encourages open dialogue on the topic, which affects most parents, but is not frequently discussed (less than 10%).

    To create the film, Lingokids partnered with Piel Studios, Emmy-winning Film Director Diego Hurtado de Mendoza and Latin Grammy-winning Composer Fernando Velazquez to conduct a striking social experiment, enlisting 11 real parents to unknowingly put their parental guilt, particularly related to their child’s screen time use, on trial. During the trial, the parents expressed their unscripted feelings and doubts about their parenting styles and approach to screen time. The result is an emotional and impactful look at parental guilt around screen time use, providing a powerful message for parents.

    “Today’s parents, compared to past generations, often prioritize emotional engagement, open communication, and understanding their children’s perspectives, while facing increased pressure and societal expectations,” said board-certified pediatrician Dr. Mona. “This stress can lead to an immense amount of parental guilt and more intensive parenting styles. The resolution in The Trial by Lingokids underscores that parents are more than enough for their children just as they are, and it’s okay to take a break using technology, as long as it is safe, educational and used in moderation.”

    In April, Lingokids invited parents to open a conversation around screen time parent guilt by rolling out thought-provoking out-of-home content in New York City, prompting parents to vote “guilty or not-guilty” about their feelings when it comes to screen time use for their kids. The brand also commissioned two surveys that revealed:

    • Approximately 87% of American parents permit their children to use screens, however, less than 10% of American parents frequently engage in discussions about screen time with other parents or caregivers
    • Nearly half of parents (46%) feel pressured to constantly entertain their child
    • 77% of American parents feel judged by others at least some of the time for allowing their children to use screens
    • One in four American parents report that judgment related to their child’s screen usage has a detrimental impact on their mental well-being
    • 1 in 2 American parents believe that screen time can definitely or probably benefit their child’s development if managed correctly
    • Nearly 40% of parents endorse moderation as the cornerstone of managing screen time effectively

    “This data reinforces that technology isn’t the enemy—and not all screen time is created equal,” said Lingokids CMO Mikael Journo. “The real challenge is that parents often feel caught between two extremes: content their kids enjoy but they feel guilty about, and content they approve of but kids won’t engage with on their own. At Lingokids, we want to help parents move beyond that guilt. Guilt-free screen time is possible when it’s intentional—when parents choose content that’s both developmentally beneficial and genuinely engaging for children. It’s not about eliminating screen time, but about turning it into a meaningful, enriching part of a child’s day.”

    Designed to fill a notable gap in the children’s app market, Lingokids has created an entertaining resource that captivates children through interactive play and self-exploration. Historically, it has been a challenge for parents to find solutions for child screen time that are both educational and entertaining, yet safe. The Lingokids app meets this need with high-quality content and vibrant characters, ensuring that parents can offer their children guilt-free screen time. The Lingokids app is a safe, ad-free platform that offers thousands of educational activities in a 100% secure environment parents can trust. This liberates parents from the dilemma of choosing between their child responsibly using technology and maintaining their mental well-being. Lingokids understands when parents take the time to care for themselves, they are better equipped to care for their families.

    For more information on Lingokids, visit https://lingokids.com/.

    Methodology

    Lingokids conducted paid surveys in February and March 2025 utilizing Pollfish, a leading survey platform, to collect insights from 1,000 parents of children aged 2-8 in the United States.

    About Lingokids

    Lingokids is an EdTech and media company behind the #1 interactive app for kids aged 2-8.

    With more than 165M+ downloads around the world, the Lingokids app is packed with thousands of shows, songs and interactive games kids love—all fun, safe and educational.

    Its unique Playlearning™ methodology puts kids at the center of the Lingokids universe. As they explore, they’ll pick up academic knowledge and modern life skills in a safe, age-appropriate, ad-free environment designed for independent exploration. For more information, please visit www.lingokids.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/41f9ad3c-5ca0-46f2-b88c-c61cded3ebcc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Apollo Funds to Acquire Hav Energy from HitecVision

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK and STAVANGER, Norway, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo (NYSE: APO) and HitecVision, a leading investor in the European energy industry, today announced that Apollo-managed funds (the “Apollo Funds”) have agreed to acquire maritime liquefied natural gas carrier (“LNGC”) infrastructure platform Hav Energy LNG Holding AS (“Hav Energy”) from HitecVision. Financial terms were not disclosed.

    Established by HitecVision in 2022, Hav Energy invests in LNGC infrastructure projects in partnership with Knutsen LNG, a large owner-operator of LNGCs globally, and jointly owns a portfolio of 10 newbuild LNGCs which are 100% contracted on long-term charters with investment grade counterparties. The portfolio includes two modern operating vessels and eight under construction at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Korea due to be delivered in 2025 and 2026.

    Global LNG imports are forecast to reach over 600 million metric tons annually by 2040, driven by growth in Asia and Europe as well as efforts to cut emissions in heavy industries and transportation, and expectations for robust new liquification capacity coupled with limited newbuild LNG vessel supply also provide strong tailwinds supporting Hav Energy’s future growth trajectory.

    Apollo Partner Joseph Romeo said, “Hav Energy has quickly scaled into a top platform facilitating the global transport of LNG, which we view as a bridge fuel capable of reducing emissions for rapidly growing power demand. We are excited to work with the Hav Energy team and their aligned, well-regarded partners in Knutsen to accelerate growth of the platform, which we believe can serve as a vital infrastructure link supporting enhanced energy resiliency for customers around the world.”

    Hav Energy CEO Randi Vestbø said, “This transaction represents a critical juncture for Hav Energy as we continue to build a next-generation fleet of LNG infrastructure carriers and pursue attractive growth opportunities to expand our capabilities alongside our new partners at Apollo. We are grateful for the guidance, backing and strategic support from HitecVision, which has been instrumental in our development and positions us for our next phase of growth as industry tailwinds continue to drive long-term LNG demand globally.”

    HitecVision Senior Partner Jan H. Solstad said, “We are proud that we in partnership with Knutsen LNG and the Hav management team have been able to develop Hav LNG into a differentiated, highly scalable platform, leveraging HitecVision’s significant expertise in building companies within the energy space. With a leading management team, strong institutional partners and clear strategy, we believe Hav Energy is well positioned for future success.”

    Thommessen, Stephenson Harwood LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel to the Apollo Funds. HitecVision has been advised by DNB Markets and law firm BAHR.

    About Apollo

    Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade credit to private equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of March 31, 2025, Apollo had approximately $785 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com.

    About Hav Energy

    Hav Energy is a Norway-based energy infrastructure company established by HitecVision in 2022. The current asset portfolio has 10 state-of-the-art newbuild LNG vessels co-owned and operated by Knutsen LNG. 

    About HitecVision

    HitecVision is a Norwegian private equity firm and a leading provider of institutional capital to Europe’s energy industry. For almost four decades, we have been investing in the energy sector, starting out in the oil and gas industry before turning to the current focus on decarbonisation and energy transition. We have about EUR 9 billion in assets under management, and is headquartered in Stavanger, with offices and investment professionals in Oslo, London and Milan. Our 65-person team focuses on developing profitable and sustainable companies, working closely with our management teams and boards.

    Contacts

    For Apollo:

    Noah Gunn
    Global Head of Investor Relations
    Apollo Global Management, Inc.
    212-822-0540
    IR@apollo.com.

    Joanna Rose
    Global Head of Corporate Communications
    Apollo Global Management, Inc.
    212-822-0491
    Communications@apollo.com.

    For HitecVision:

    Birgitte Kolstad
    Director Investor Relations
    Birgitte.Kolstad@hitecvision.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Live Oak Bank Announces $600,000 Grant in Support of Child Care Providers in New Hanover County

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WILMINGTON, N.C., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Live Oak Bank has announced a $600,000 grant to help licensed early child care providers connect with qualified substitute teachers to ensure both continuity of care and strong student-teacher ratios in the classroom. 

    “At Live Oak Bank, we believe in the power of strengthening our local community, and that starts with access to quality early education,” said BJ Losch, president of Live Oak Bank. “We are proud to partner with Wonderschool to offer New Hanover County preschool providers access to a platform that directly supports the stability of local childcare, a cornerstone for working families.”  

    This grant, paid out over two years, gives public and private early child care providers in New Hanover County free access to Wonderschool’s innovative technology that allows them to review and match with pre-qualified substitute teachers, an otherwise time-consuming process that includes recruitment, critical background screening and training.  

    “Sometimes life gets in the way for early educators, and that can have a big impact on working parents, families and children. We’re building technology to try and make their lives just a little bit easier,” said Chris Bennett, founder and CEO of Wonderschool. “We’re teaming up with Live Oak to build a qualified and caring pool of substitutes who are ready to ensure not just continuous, but quality preschool experiences day in and day out.” 

    Live Oak’s philanthropic efforts prioritize workforce development, specifically helping people secure jobs with family-supporting wages, benefits and career advancement opportunities. “To achieve this vision,” said Kate Groat, Live Oak’s director of corporate philanthropy, “working parents must have access to reliable, high-quality childcare from educators they can trust.” 

    About Live Oak Bank 
    Live Oak Bank, a subsidiary of Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: LOB), is a digitally focused, FDIC-insured bank serving customers across the country. Live Oak brings efficiency and excellence to the banking process, without branches, by using a focused approach to technology and innovation. To learn more, visit www.liveoak.bank.  

    About Wonderschool 
    Wonderschool’s comprehensive technology and business support platform is designed to address every aspect of the child care and early learning ecosystem. Wonderschool’s vision is to ensure that quality early care and education are conveniently accessible to every child within a 5-minute radius of their home. As leaders in collaborating with governments and employers, Wonderschool spearheads initiatives to scale and enhance child care access for every community across the country. Named one of Time’s Most Influential Companies in 2022, Wonderschool is venture-backed by Goldman Sachs, Andreessen Horowitz, First Round, Omidyar, Unusual Ventures, and Gary Community Investments, among others. Learn more at www.wonderschool.com. 

    Contacts: 

    Claire Parker
    Live Oak Bank, Corporate Communications
    910.597.1592 
    claire.parker@liveoak.bank 

    Madison Carlos
    Live Oak Bank, Corporate Communications
    910.386.6616 
    madison.carlos@liveoak.bank 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Scality expands distribution with Ingram Micro in ANZ and the South Pacific region

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Scality, a global leader in cyber-resilient storage software for the AI era, announced today the expansion of its distribution network with Ingram Micro in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific region. The growth builds on Scality’s North American relationship with Ingram Micro, giving more organizations in ANZ and the South Pacific region access to Scality’s industry-leading ARTESCA and RING object storage software through the region’s largest IT distributor.

    The collaboration equips local businesses and enterprise organizations with sovereign, scalable, and cyber-resilient storage to defend against modern ransomware threats while supporting the increasing demands of AI-powered workloads. Ingram Micro’s established network of partners ensures seamless delivery and expert support for Scality’s solutions to enterprise and government customers across the region.

    “The growing threat of ransomware and the acceleration of AI have made secure, high-performance storage a top priority for enterprises in our region,” said Brett Lobwein, country manager for Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific at Scality. “Expanding our reach with Ingram Micro allows us to meet demand through trusted local channels that provide the expertise and support needed for organizations to protect their data and modernize their IT infrastructure.”

    The expanded relationship is a natural progression following a year of record-breaking channel momentum for Scality. As highlighted in Scality’s recent partner momentum announcement, 60% of sales are now driven by the VAR community.

    Meeting sovereign data requirements with cyber-resilient storage
    With governments enforcing more regulations for local, sovereign data protection and cybersecurity readiness, Scality’s solutions help organizations meet stringent compliance requirements. ARTESCA and RING provide immutable, scalable, and cost-effective storage that ensures data remains secure and accessible—even in the face of ransomware attacks.

    “Scality strengthens our ability to deliver solutions that address the growing need for sovereign, cyber-resilient data protection,” said Stuart Murray, vendor business manager at Ingram Micro. “With Scality, we help customers to safeguard critical data while innovating for the next generation of AI infrastructure.”

    About Scality
    Scality solves organizations’ biggest data storage challenges — growth, security, performance, and cost. Designed for end-to-end cyber resilience, only Scality S3 object storage with CORE5 safeguards data at every level of the system, from API to architecture. Its patented MultiScale Architecture enables limitless, independent scalability in all critical dimensions to meet the unpredictable demands of modern workloads. The world’s most discerning companies depend on Scality to accelerate high-performance AI initiatives, optimize cloud deployments, and defend their data with confidence. Recognized as a leader by Gartner, Scality software is reliable, secure, and sustainable. Follow us on LinkedIn. Visit www.scality.com and our blog.

    Media Contact:
    Jon Lavietes
    A3 Communications
    +1 415-572-4408
    jon.lavietes@a3communications.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3aef05d1-c540-40ef-8955-953123d4362c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 180 Degree Capital Corp. Notes Filing of Updated Preliminary Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus for Proposed Business Combination with Mount Logan Capital Inc.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTCLAIR, N.J., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 180 Degree Capital Corp. (NASDAQ:TURN) (“180 Degree Capital”) today noted the filing of an amended preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding its proposed merger with Mount Logan Capital Inc. (“Mount Logan”) in an all-stock transaction (the “Business Combination”). As noted in its original press release issued on January 17, 2025, the surviving entity is expected to be a Delaware corporation operating as Mount Logan Capital Inc. (“New Mount Logan”) listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “MLCI”. In connection with the Business Combination, 180 Degree Capital shareholders will receive proportionate ownership of New Mount Logan determined by reference to 180 Degree Capital’s net asset value at closing relative to a valuation of Mount Logan of approximately $67.4 million at signing, subject to certain pre-closing adjustments.

    “Our amended joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding our proposed Business Combination with Mount Logan includes Mount Logan’s financial statements which were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US, or US GAAP,” said Kevin M. Rendino, Chief Executive Officer of 180 Degree Capital. “The conversion of Mount Logan’s financial statements from International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, to US GAAP is an important milestone as now we are in a position to be able to speak freely with current and potential investors regarding historical financial performance and apples-to-apples comparisons of Mount Logan to its publicly traded peers. This conversion to US GAAP also resulted in favorable improvements in historical financial metrics, including an increase in Mount Logan’s reported fee-related earnings in 2024 under IFRS to approximately $9.1 million under US GAAP, and an increase in the reported shareholder equity value of Mount Logan as of December 31, 2024, under IFRS to approximately $104.1 million under US GAAP.”

    “We believe that the availability of Mount Logan’s US GAAP financial statements will add to the strong indications of support we have received from initial conversations with our shareholders following the filing of our initial joint proxy statement/prospectus in late March 2025,” added Daniel B. Wolfe, President of 180 Degree Capital. “We believe our investors who have signed voting agreements and/or provided indications of support already understood the potential that we believe exists to create significant value for shareholders of 180 Degree Capital through this Business Combination even before Mount Logan’s US GAAP financial statements were available. We appreciate all of this support and patience as we move steadily through the SEC review process, toward the start of soliciting votes, and the ultimate goal of the completion of our proposed Business Combination.”

    Mr. Rendino continued, “Our belief about the potential of our proposed Business Combination to create significant shareholder value for 180 Degree Capital shareholders has only grown stronger since our initial announcement in January 2025. This belief is amplified by numerous significant shareholders who have voiced their support for our proposed Business Combination to us, as well as new shareholders who were drawn to invest in 180 Degree Capital based on what we believe to be a shared view that our proposed Business Combination is a unique opportunity for future value creation. We continue to believe that converting to an operating company will make 180 Degree Capital’s net asset value a floor for our stock price rather than the ceiling as it is for most closed-end funds. The pro forma combination of our businesses, based on 180 Degree Capital’s net asset value and Mount Logan’s equity value, respectively as of December 31, 2024, less estimated merger-related expenses and other estimated adjustments, yields a combined entity with an estimated shareholder equity value of nearly $140 million. While the ultimate ratio of ownership between 180 Degree Capital and Mount Logan shareholders will be based on 180 Degree Capital’s net asset value at closing, if the transaction closed on December 31, 2024, the portion of this equity value ascribed to 180 Degree Capital shareholders would equate to more than 180 Degree Capital’s net asset value as of that date. This fact is only one of the multitude of reasons we are so excited about this proposed transaction and its potential opportunity to create meaningful value for 180 Degree Capital’s shareholders.”

    Mr. Wolfe concluded, “We look forward to discussing these updates to our preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus and to having robust conversations with all of our current and potential future shareholders. Feel free to reach out to us at any time.”

    About 180 Degree Capital Corp.

    180 Degree Capital Corp. is a publicly traded registered closed-end fund focused on investing in and providing value-added assistance through constructive activism to what we believe are substantially undervalued small, publicly traded companies that have potential for significant turnarounds. Our goal is that the result of our constructive activism leads to a reversal in direction for the share price of these investee companies, i.e., a 180-degree turn. Detailed information about 180 Degree Capital and its holdings can be found on its website at www.180degreecapital.com.

    Press Contact:
    Daniel B. Wolfe
    Robert E. Bigelow
    180 Degree Capital Corp.
    973-746-4500
    ir@180degreecapital.com

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    In connection with the agreement and plan of merger among 180 Degree Capital Corp. (“180 Degree Capital”), Mount Logan Capital Inc. (“Mount Logan”), Yukon New Parent, Inc. (“New Mount Logan”), Polar Merger Sub, Inc., and Moose Merger Sub, LLC, dated January 16, 2025, as it may from time to time be amended, modified or supplemented (the “Merger Agreement”) that details the proposed combination of the businesses of 180 Degree Capital and Mount Logan and any other transactions contemplated by and pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (the “Business Combination”), 180 Degree Capital intends to file with the SEC and mail to its shareholders a proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”), containing a form of WHITE proxy card. In addition, the surviving Delaware corporation, New Mount Logan plans to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) that will register the exchange of New Mount Logan shares in the Business Combination and include the Proxy Statement and a prospectus of New Mount Logan (the “Prospectus”). The Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus) will each contain important information about 180 Degree Capital, Mount Logan, New Mount Logan, the Business Combination and related matters. SHAREHOLDERS OF 180 DEGREE CAPITAL AND MOUNT LOGAN ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS CONTAINED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT 180 DEGREE CAPITAL, MOUNT LOGAN, NEW MOUNT LOGAN, THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents and other documents filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov and the website maintained by the Canadian securities regulators at www.sedarplus.ca. Copies of the documents filed by 180 Degree Capital are also available free of charge by accessing 180 Degree Capital’s investor relations website at https://ir.180degreecapital.com.

    Certain Information Concerning the Participants

    180 Degree Capital, its directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Business Combination. Information about 180 Degree Capital’s executive officers and directors is available in 180 Degree Capital’s Annual Report filed on Form N-CSR for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 13, 2025, and in its proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2024 Annual Meeting”), which was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024. To the extent holdings by the directors and executive officers of 180 Degree Capital securities reported in the proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting have changed, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Forms 3, 4 or 5 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the 180 Degree Capital shareholders in connection with the Business Combination will be contained in the Proxy Statement when such document becomes available.

    Mount Logan, its directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Mount Logan in favor of the approval of the Business Combination. Information about Mount Logan’s executive officers and directors is available in Mount Logan’s annual information form dated March 13, 2025, available on its website at https://mountlogancapital.ca/investor-relations and on SEDAR+ at https://www.sedarplus.com. To the extent holdings by the directors and executive officers of Mount Logan securities reported in Mount Logan’s annual information form have changed, such changes have been or will be reflected on insider reports filed on SEDI at https://www.sedi.com/sedi/. Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the Mount Logan shareholders in connection with the Business Combination will be contained in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement when such document becomes available.

    Non-Solicitation

    This letter and the materials accompanying it are not intended to be, and shall not constitute, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of 180 Degree Capital and Mount Logan, may contain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “forecasts,” “seeks,” “future,” “proposes,” “target,” “goal,” “objective,” “outlook” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions). Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s current views about future events. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about the benefits of the Business Combination involving Mount Logan and 180 Degree Capital, including future financial and operating results, Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Business Combination, and other statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to future results of operations, projected cash flow and liquidity, business strategy, payment of dividends to shareholders of New Mount Logan, and other plans and objectives for future operations. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will occur as projected, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the ability to obtain the requisite Mount Logan and 180 Degree Capital shareholder approvals; the risk that Mount Logan or 180 Degree Capital may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the Business Combination (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect New Mount Logan or the expected benefits of the Business Combination); the risk that an event, change or other circumstance could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination; the risk that a condition to closing of the Business Combination may not be satisfied; the risk of delays in completing the Business Combination; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that synergies from the Business Combination may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that any announcement relating to the Business Combination could have adverse effects on the market price of Mount Logan’s common shares or 180 Degree Capital’s common shares; unexpected costs resulting from the Business Combination; the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; the risk of litigation related to the Business Combination; the risk that the credit ratings of New Mount Logan or its subsidiaries may be different from what the companies expect; the diversion of management time from ongoing business operations and opportunities as a result of the Business Combination; the risk of adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Business Combination; competition, government regulation or other actions; the ability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals; risks associated with the evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; changes in economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions; natural and man-made disasters; civil unrest, pandemics, and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes; and other risks inherent in Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s businesses. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports, which 180 Degree Capital has filed or will file from time to time with the SEC and Mount Logan has filed or will file from time to time on SEDAR+.

    Neither Mount Logan nor 180 Degree Capital undertakes any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Any discussion of past performance is not an indication of future results. Investing in financial markets involves a substantial degree of risk. Investors must be able to withstand a total loss of their investment. The information herein is believed to be reliable and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made, expressed or implied, with respect to the fairness, correctness, accuracy, reasonableness or completeness of the information and opinions. The references and link to the website www.180degreecapital.com and mountlogancapital.ca have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites are not incorporated by reference into this press release. Neither 180 Degree Capital nor Mount Logan is responsible for the contents of third-party websites.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Rise8 Names Mike Gehard as Director of Research and Development, Advancing AI-Driven Agile Software Delivery

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAMPA, Fla., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rise8 announces the addition of Mike Gehard as its new Director of Research and Development, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation at the intersection of agile software development and artificial intelligence (AI). Gehard will lead Rise8’s efforts to responsibly and effectively integrate AI across all services, products, and processes to enhance delivery speed, ensure quality, and drive mission impact for Veterans, Defense organizations, and the broader public sector.

    Gehard brings over 20 years of deep technical and leadership experience from startup and enterprise environments, including roles at Pivotal Labs, VMware, and Artium AI. Throughout his career, he has championed modern development practices and helped organizations implement agile principles at scale — expertise that will be crucial as Rise8 helps government agencies navigate the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of AI adoption.

    In his new role, Gehard will focus on:

    • Building AI-assisted balanced teams where each team member — engineers, designers, and product owners — is empowered with AI tools to increase efficacy and improve efficiency without compromising human creativity and judgment.
    • Establishing intentional AI use practices, ensuring that new tools are applied thoughtfully, critically, and in service of real results rather than hype.
    • Implementing guardrails to protect quality and security, particularly critical in the Federal environment.
    • Helping clients shape their own AI governance and processes, including forming Communities of Practice to navigate the cultural and operational shifts AI adoption requires.
    • Promoting a culture of optimism and critical thinking, ensuring teams remain grounded while embracing new possibilities.

    “Mike’s arrival at Rise8 marks a pivotal moment, not just for our company, but for the broader government software development community,” said Bryon Kroger, Founder and CEO of Rise8. “His leadership will enable us to partner even more effectively with agencies to build the next generation of software factories that are AI-augmented, mission-driven, and relentlessly focused on delivering value to the warfighter, Veterans, and the American public.”

    “By thoughtfully integrating AI across balanced teams, we can shrink the time between understanding a user’s needs and delivering working software,” said Gehard. “It’s not just about building faster; it’s about building smarter and never losing sight of why we build in the first place: mission impact.”

    To learn more about Rise8’s offerings and services, please visit www.rise8.us.

    About Rise8
    Rise8 develops custom software for critical missions to create a future where fewer bad things happen because of bad software. Rise8 is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) with headquarters in Tampa, FL, and a fully remote workforce. Learn more at https://www.rise8.us/ and on LinkedIn, and X.

    Media Contact:
    Casey Dell’Isola
    REQ for Rise8
    rise8@req.co

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Duos Technologies Group Sets First Quarter 2025 Earnings Call for Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM ET

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (“Duos” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: DUOT) will hold a conference call on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Financial results will be issued via press release prior to the call.

    Duos management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period.

      Date:   Thursday, May 15, 2025
      Time:   4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time)
      U.S. dial-in:   877-407-3088
      International dial-in:   201-389-0927
      Confirmation:   13753649
           

    Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. An operator will register your name and organization.

    If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact DUOT@duostech.com.

    The conference call will be broadcast live via telephone and available for online replay via the investor section of the Company’s website here.

    About Duos Technologies Group, Inc.
    Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUOT), based in Jacksonville, Florida, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Duos Technologies, Inc., Duos Edge AI, Inc., and Duos Energy Corporation, designs, develops, deploys and operates intelligent technology solutions for Machine Vision and Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) applications including real-time analysis of fast-moving vehicles, Edge Data Centers and power consulting. For more information, visit www.duostech.com , www.duosedge.ai and www.duosenergycorp.com.

    Forward- Looking Statements
    This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things our plans, strategies and prospects — both business and financial. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimated,” and “potential,” among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents that we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements attributable to Duos Technologies Group, Inc. or a person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary language.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99e27e1c-76bd-4efe-abb0-6ae0bff35e41

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: QphoX, Rigetti and the NQCC Announce Collaboration on Multi-Channel Optical Readout of Quantum Processors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DELFT, Netherlands, BERKELEY, Calif. and OXFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — QphoX B.V., a Dutch quantum technology startup developing leading frequency conversion systems for quantum applications, Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), the UK’s national lab for quantum computing, today announced that they have been awarded a multinational grant to perform readout of superconducting qubits using light transmitted over optical fiber.

    In a recent demonstration, QphoX and Rigetti validated the potential of this technique by optically reading out the state of a single superconducting qubit1. Optical readout is made possible by microwave-to-optical transduction at the base temperature of the cryostat. This transduction process converts the information contained in the microwave readout pulse into an optical signal carried over optical fiber. This approach could eventually replace conventional microwave amplifiers and coaxial wiring as part of the qubit signal processing chain and thereby offer considerable scaling advantages due to the comparatively low dissipation of the transducer and the negligible passive heat loads from telecommunications optical fiber.

    QphoX, Rigetti and the NQCC are partnering to take the next step in this research to realize optical readout of a fully-fledged superconducting quantum computer. In this multinational collaboration, QphoX will scale its optical qubit readout system that will interface with Rigetti’s 9-qubit Novera QPU, enabling optical readout of all qubits in the processor. The combined system will be installed and operated at the NQCC.

    “Using light to readout the state of a superconducting qubit will remove a significant amount of heat load on cryogenic systems and therefore allow to overcome one of the critical bottlenecks in building a universal quantum computer. We are excited to take our developments to the next level and work with our partners in demonstrating this critical technology at scale,” says Simon Groeblacher, CEO of QphoX.

    “This innovative solution to a well-known scaling challenge is made possible by an open and modular system architecture,” says Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO. “Integrating our partners’ technology with our QPU enables us to benefit from even more expertise to accelerate our work towards fault tolerance.”

    “Demonstrating optical qubit readout at the system level represents an important step in our mission to advance scalable quantum computing, and we are delighted to host this collaborative work at the NQCC with such innovative project partners,” commented Dr. Michael Cuthbert, Director of NQCC.

    The 33-month program is funded by the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) and Innovate UK via the Eureka network, an intergovernmental organization for research and development funding and coordination.

    1van Thiel, T.C., Weaver, M.J., Berto, F. et al. Optical readout of a superconducting qubit using a piezo-optomechanical transducer. Nat. Phys. 21, 401–405 (2025).

    About QphoX
    QphoX is the leading developer of quantum transduction systems that enable quantum computers to network over optical frequencies. Leveraging decades of progress in photonic, MEMS and superconducting device nanofabrication, their single-photon interfaces bridge the gap between microwave, optical and telecom frequencies to provide essential quantum links between computation, state storage and networking. QphoX is based in Delft, the Netherlands. See qphox.eu for more information.

    About Rigetti
    Rigetti is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The Company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. In 2021, Rigetti began selling on-premises quantum computing systems with qubit counts between 24 and 84 qubits, supporting national laboratories and quantum computing centers. Rigetti’s 9-qubit Novera™ QPU was introduced in 2023 supporting a broader R&D community with a high-performance, on-premises QPU designed to plug into a customer’s existing cryogenic and control systems. The Company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides high-performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Learn more at rigetti.com.

    About the NQCC
    The NQCC is the UK’s national lab for quantum computing, dedicated to accelerating the development of quantum computing by addressing the challenges of scaling up the technology. The centre is working with businesses, government, and the research community to deliver quantum computing capabilities for the UK and support the growth of the emerging industry. The NQCC’s programme is being delivered jointly by UKRI’s research councils, EPSRC and STFC. It is a part of the National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP) to develop and deliver quantum technologies across the areas of sensing, timing, imaging, communications and computing. The centre is headquartered in a purpose-built facility on STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. Visit nqcc.ac.uk for more information.

    Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this communication may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company’s future success and performance, including expectations with respect to timing of the development and commercialization of superconducting quantum computing; expectations regarding the advantages and impact of the multinational-funded projects on the Company’s operations, technology roadmap, milestones, and the Company’s position in the industry; statements to optical readouts eventually replacing conventional components as part of the qubit signal processing chain and thereby offering scaling advantages; the extent that the optical qubit readout systems may interface with Rigetti’s Novera QPU and enable optical readout of all qubits; the extent that using light will remove a significant amount of heat load on cryogenic systems; the extent that using light will overcome critical bottlenecks in building a universal quantum computer; and the extent to which Rigetti’s open and modular system architecture will allow for partners to integrate their technology with Rigetti’s QPUs. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to achieve milestones, technological advancements, including with respect to its technology roadmap; the ability of the Company to obtain government contracts successfully and in a timely manner and the availability of government funding; the potential of quantum computing; the success of the Company’s partnerships and collaborations, including the strategic collaboration with Quanta; the Company’s ability to accelerate its development of multiple generations of quantum processors; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or others; the ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and attract and retain management and key employees; costs related to operating as a public company; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, or competitive factors; the Company’s estimates of expenses and profitability; the evolution of the markets in which the Company competes; the ability of the Company to implement its strategic initiatives and expansion plans; the expected use of proceeds from the Company’s past and future financings or other capital; the sufficiency of the Company’s cash resources; unfavorable conditions in the Company’s industry, the global economy or global supply chain, including rising inflation and interest rates, deteriorating international trade relations, political turmoil, natural catastrophes, warfare and terrorist attacks; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. The Company does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

    Rigetti Media Contact
    press@rigetti.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BigCommerce Taps Klarna as Global Preferred Partner for Flexible Payment Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BigCommerce (Nasdaq: BIGC), a leading provider of open, composable commerce solutions for B2C and B2B brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors, today announced that Klarna, the AI-powered payments and commerce network, has become a global preferred payments partner. As a global preferred partner, Klarna will bring its flexible, interest-free payment options to merchants worldwide, enhancing the shopping experience and driving growth with one single integration.

    Klarna offers a wide range of payment options, including Pay in Full, a hassle-free transaction for those who want to pay the full amount of their order upfront, Pay in 4, which allows customers to split their purchase into four interest-free payments, as well as Fair Financing, which offers flexible payment plans for larger purchases. The partnership furthers BigCommerce and Klarna’s mutual mission to help brands and retailers optimize their checkouts and conversion rates by offering payment flexibility and making large purchases more accessible to consumers.

    “BigCommerce is committed to empowering merchants with the flexibility and tools they need to grow on their own terms,” said Michaela Weber, senior vice president of strategic business development and general manager of payments at BigCommerce. “Klarna’s extensive global reach, trusted brand and shopper-first approach make them an ideal partner for our merchants. Together, we are expanding access to flexible payment solutions that drive conversion and customer loyalty across international markets.”

    “Today’s consumers expect greater flexibility and convenience in how they pay,” said David Sykes, chief commercial officer at Klarna. “Our partnership with BigCommerce enables brands and retailers to streamline their operations through a single global solution, eliminating the need for fragmented regional providers and delivering a smooth, scalable experience for businesses and their customers alike.”

    Klarna is natively integrated to BigCommerce and can be easily enabled for the brands, retailers, manufacturers, distributors and other merchants that choose to use it. As a native integration, it is also maintained by BigCommerce’s development team, making it a great option for merchants that need checkout customizations and flexibility.

    “Implementing Klarna with our BigCommerce store has been a big asset to our strategy to provide a market-leading purchasing experience,” said Jon Cleaver, CTO at SportsShoes.com, a leading UK-based online running shoes, running clothing and outdoor gear retailer. “Our customers appreciate the flexibility it gives them, and it in turn has helped maintain SportsShoes.com’s position as an unrivalled retailer in the running, fitness and outdoor communities.”

    To learn more about Klarna’s integration with BigCommerce, click here.

    About BigCommerce
    BigCommerce (Nasdaq: BIGC) is a leading open SaaS and composable ecommerce platform that empowers brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors of all sizes to build, innovate and grow their businesses online. BigCommerce provides its customers sophisticated professional-grade functionality, customization and performance with simplicity and ease-of-use. Tens of thousands of B2C and B2B companies across 150 countries and numerous industries rely on BigCommerce, including Coldwater Creek, Harvey Nichols, King Arthur Baking Co., MKM Building Supplies, United Aqua Group and Uplift Desk. For more information, please visit www.bigcommerce.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

    About Klarna

    Klarna is on a mission to be available everywhere for everything. With over 93 million global active Klarna users and 2.9 million transactions per day, Klarna’s AI-powered payments and commerce network is empowering people to pay smarter — online, in-store and through Apple Pay in the U.S., UK and Canada. More than 675,000 retailers trust Klarna’s innovative solutions to drive growth and loyalty, including Uber, H&M, Saks, Sephora, Macy’s, Ikea, Expedia Group, Nike and Airbnb. For more information, visit Klarna.com.

    BigCommerce® is a registered trademark of BigCommerce Pty. Ltd. Third-party trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

    Media Contact:
    Brad Hem
    pr@bigcommerce.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Blue Mantis Acquires North Shore Data Services to Strengthen Networking Capabilities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTSMOUTH, N.H., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue Mantis, a leading provider of digital strategy and services specializing in managed services, cybersecurity and cloud solutions, today announced the acquisition of North Shore Data Services, an IT services provider specializing in customized network infrastructure solutions. North Shore Data Services is headquartered in Kingston, NH with customers and employees located throughout the Northeast.

    Driving Productivity and Customer Satisfaction Through Smarter Networking

    Mid-market IT teams face increased pressure to operate more efficiently, securely and sustainably, making modern networking a critical foundation for businesses. According to Cisco’s 2024 Global Networking Trends Report, investments in future-ready networking technologies have resulted in a 19% increase in customer satisfaction, 10% growth in revenue year-over-year and 17% rise in employee productivity. With this acquisition, Blue Mantis strengthens its existing networking services portfolio, which includes SD-WAN, wireless implementation, WAN, LAN and more, enabling organizations to securely bridge the gap between on-premises environments and the cloud.

    The North Shore Data Services team, led by Chuck Desjardins, brings 35 years of experience in IBM Power Systems, managed IT services, network security and compliance, network infrastructure and services and data center colocation experience to Blue Mantis.

    “The distributed nature of organizations today has made modernizing infrastructure, without compromising security or performance, more necessary than ever. Whether a company is starting from scratch, looking to make upgrades or facing the complexities of merging two businesses, the combined Blue Mantis and North Shore Data Services expertise will ensure that our customers IT operations stay seamless and secure,” said Josh Dinneen, Blue Mantis CEO. “North Shore Data Services brings a diverse portfolio of customers to Blue Mantis, and our customers and partners will benefit from their team’s knowledge and experience across the networking spectrum.”

    “The last three decades have brought immense changes to networking. From the cloud evolution to the emergence of generative AI technologies, our team has been at the forefront of it all,” said Chuck Desjardins, North Shore Data Services founder and president. “Joining forces with Blue Mantis will enable us to expand our mission to provide fully managed, secured and scalable network solutions to customers with greater reach and resources. Together, we can simplify clients’ complex IT challenges.”

    Acquisition Highlights

    • Broader Customer and Market Presence: North Shore Data Services brings a vertically diverse customer portfolio, enabling Blue Mantis to expand further into key sectors like the sports and entertainment industries.
    • Blue Chip Technology Partnerships: Blue Mantis’ practice areas will benefit from North Shore Data Services’ existing relationships with HPE, Cisco, IBM, Dell, Extreme Networks and VMWare.
    • Extensive Experience in Network Services: The North Shore Data Services’ team enables Blue Mantis to significantly enhance the networking practice.
    • Strong Cultural Alignment: The North Shore Data Services and Blue Mantis’ teams share the same customer-first mindset, bringing a high-touch, consultative approach to deliver tailored solutions for organizations’ success.
    • Cross Sell Opportunities: With the acquisition, North Shore Data Services customers can benefit from Blue Mantis’ existing services such as cyber, carrier services and more.

    For more information about Blue Mantis’ networking services and others, visit www.bluemantis.com.

    About Blue Mantis
    Blue Mantis is a security-first, IT solutions and services provider with a 30+ year history of successfully helping clients achieve business modernization by applying next-generation technologies including managed services, cybersecurity, cloud and collaboration. Headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the company provides digital technology services and strategic guidance to ensure clients quickly adapt and grow through automation and innovation. Blue Mantis partners with more than 1,500 leading mid-market and enterprise organizations in a multitude of vertical industries and is backed by leading private equity firm, Recognize. For more information about Blue Mantis and its services, please visit www.bluemantis.com.

    Contact
    Shannon Cieciuch
    Touchdown PR for Blue Mantis
    Bluemantis@touchdownpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Liquidia Corporation to Present at BofA Securities 2025 Health Care Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MORRISVILLE, N.C., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liquidia Corporation (NASDAQ: LQDA), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease, today announced  that the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Michael Kaseta, and Chief Medical Officer, Rajeev Saggar, will provide a business update during a fireside chat at the BofA Securities 2025 Health Care Conference on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, beginning at 1:40 p.m. PT / 4:40 p.m. ET in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Access to a webcast will be available to investors and other interested parties by accessing Liquidia’s website at https://liquidia.com/investors/events-and-presentations.

    An archived, recorded version of the presentation will be available on Liquidia’s website for at least 30 days following the event.

    About Liquidia Corporation
    Liquidia Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease. The company’s current focus spans the development and commercialization of products in pulmonary hypertension and other applications of its proprietary PRINT® Technology. PRINT enabled the creation of Liquidia’s lead candidate, YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) inhalation powder, an investigational drug for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). The company is also developing L606, an investigational sustained-release formulation of treprostinil administered twice-daily with a next-generation nebulizer, and currently markets generic Treprostinil Injection for the treatment of PAH. To learn more about Liquidia, please visit www.liquidia.com.

    Contact Information

    Investors:
    Jason Adair
    Chief Business Officer
    919.328.4350
    jason.adair@liquidia.com

    Media:
    Patrick Wallace
    Director, Corporate Communications
    919.328.4383
    patrick.wallace@liquidia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ReportAId raises €2.2M using AI to unlock healthcare data

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Milan, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ask any doctor what’s keeping them from delivering better care, and paperwork will top the list. Despite billions invested in healthcare technology, 80% of clinical data remains trapped in unstructured reports, and 70% of patients don’t return to the same facility for follow-ups. Today, ReportAId announces a €2.2 million pre-seed funding round to address this massive inefficiency with an AI platform that automatically interprets medical reports and transforms them into interactive tools that guide both patients and clinicians through personalized care pathways.

    The capital raise was led by Italian Founders Fund with participation from Heartfelt, Exceptional Ventures, 2100 Ventures, Vento, Ithaca, B Heroes, Vesper Holding, and angel investors Luca Ascani, Enrico Giacomelli, Francesco Zaccariello and Luca Foschini. This investment will enable ReportAId to add ten new team members and expand across Italian and European healthcare, scaling a solution already in use at leading institutions like San Raffaele Hospital and currently being adopted by Ospedale Isola Tiberina – Gemelli Isola.

    ReportAId founders: (L to R) Claudio Caletti, Giuseppe Faraci and Luca Foresti.

    “ReportAId is the first operator to bring AI at scale into Italian healthcare. In the coming years, this technology will become a core pillar of the health system,” said Giuseppe Faraci, CEO and co-founder of ReportAId. “We already work with leading private providers, but our goal is to support the public sector as well. We are ready for a concrete dialogue with local-health directors, regional councillors and national ministries to help modernise the NHS.”

    ReportAId’s platform tackles the root causes of healthcare inefficiency: poorly managed reports, fragmented care journeys, and difficulties in treatment planning. The AI-powered system extracts key data from medical documents and creates structured, personalized care plans that make next steps clear for everyone involved. For patients, this means quick, guided access to every aspect of their care pathway – streamlining appointment booking, medication purchases, and follow-up care. For providers, the platform enables more efficient scheduling of tests and surgeries, design of therapeutic and preventive plans, and assessment of prescription appropriateness in line with clinical guidelines.

    Founded in Milan in 2024 by Giuseppe Faraci (CEO), Claudio Caletti (CTO) and Luca Foresti (Chairman), ReportAId emerged from the founders’ firsthand observations of the critical inefficiencies plaguing healthcare. By applying AI to the fundamental problem of unstructured clinical data, they’ve created a solution that not only improves the patient experience but also delivers significant operational benefits to healthcare providers – with revenue increases of up to 25% reported by hospitals using the system.

    What differentiates ReportAId is its focus on turning unactionable medical reports into structured databases and automated workflows while maintaining full compliance with EU privacy regulations. The platform’s ability to create a comprehensive clinical database covering every medical report gives healthcare facilities unprecedented insight into their operations and patient outcomes.

    The ReportAId platform.

    “ReportAId is one of the most tangible and transformative AI applications in healthcare. It tackles critical inefficiencies – from fragmented clinical data and gaps in patient management to structural waiting-list issues,” said Irene Mingozzi, Principal at Italian Founders Fund. “By turning medical reports into structured, automated actions, the platform directly improves continuity and quality of care. This is exactly the kind of impact IFF seeks: ambitious founders, enabling technology and a long-term vision to make things better. We also believe ReportAId’s potential extends far beyond Italy.”

    The healthcare AI sector has seen explosive growth, but few solutions address the fundamental data structuring problem that ReportAId tackles. With proven traction at prestigious institutions like San Raffaele Hospital and a clear path to both private and public sector adoption, the company is positioned to become a critical infrastructure layer in the European healthcare system.

    “Healthcare is the perfect field for AI, and the founders – already well-known in the AI and health ecosystem – are attacking one of the sector’s biggest inefficiencies with a simple, elegant and scalable solution,” added Paolo Pio, Co-Founder & General Partner at Exceptional Ventures. “Traction in Italy is real and demand is knocking. We’re excited to join their mission.”

    Looking ahead, ReportAId plans to expand its integration capabilities with existing healthcare IT systems, develop additional AI capabilities for specialized medical disciplines, and work directly with public healthcare authorities to implement its solution at scale – creating a more efficient, accessible healthcare system that serves patients better while reducing costs and administrative burdens.

    Ends 

    Media images can be found here.

    About ReportAId
    Founded in Milan in 2024 by Giuseppe Faraci (CEO), Claudio Caletti (CTO) and Luca Foresti (Chairman), ReportAId leverages artificial intelligence to optimise healthcare processes, automatically interpreting medical reports and turning them into interactive tools for providers and patients—fully compliant with European privacy regulations. Backed by Italian Founders Fund, Heartfelt, Exceptional Ventures, 2100 Ventures, Vento, Ithaca, B Heroes, Vesper Holding, Luca Ascani, Enrico Giacomelli, Francesco Zaccariello and Luca Foschini, the solution is live or being rolled out at private hospitals including San Raffaele and Ospedale Isola Tiberina – Gemelli Isola. ReportAId now aims to serve the public sector, helping make healthcare systems more efficient and accessible.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Change of share capital

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company Announcement No 19/2025

    		 Peberlyk 4
    6200 Aabenraa
    Denmark

    Tel +45 74 37 37 37
    Fax +45 74 37 35 36

    Sydbank A/S
    CVR No DK 12626509, Aabenraa
    sydbank.dk
    6 May 2025  

    Dear Sirs

    Change of share capital

    At the AGM of Sydbank A/S held on 20 March 2025 it was resolved to
    reduce the Bank’s share capital by nominally DKK 33,839,600 by
    cancelling 3,383,960 shares which were purchased under the Bank’s
    share buyback programme in 2024.

    The creditors’ time limit for filing claims has expired and the Board of
    Directors has subsequently decided to implement the capital reduction.

    The capital reduction will be registered with the Danish Business
    Authority.

    Sydbank’s total share capital represents nominally DKK 512,044,600,
    equal to 51,204,460 shares of DKK 10 each (51,204,460 voting rights).
    As a result of the capital reduction the Bank’s Articles of Association have
    been amended with respect to the size of the share capital. The revised
    Articles of Association are available at sydbank.dk and sydbank.com.

    Yours sincerely

            
    Sydbank A/S

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Plotly Showcases AI-powered Platform for Interactive Data Application Development at Leading Industry Events in May and June 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Plotly, the premier Data App platform for Python, today announced it will participate in multiple leading industry events in May and June, 2025, where Plotly experts and users will share their unique insights and demo Plotly’s Data App platform.

    “The ability to create custom data apps is now critical to every aspect of a company – from financials to product development, to customer journeys – but complexity continues to prevent data teams from providing business users with insights at the required speed and scale,” said Domenic Ravita, Vice President of Marketing at Plotly. “These industry events provide a great opportunity for Plotly experts and users to share how the Plotly Data App enables less technical users to use natural language to build smarter and safer data apps faster.”

    Webinar

    Conferences

    • DSC ALIGN AI Executive Summit – May 8, 2025, New York – More than 200 senior data and AI leaders from leading organizations gather to discuss the latest in AI, network with fellow industry leaders, and engage in thought-provoking discussions about AI’s biggest challenges and opportunities. Plotly will be exhibiting & demoing Dash Enterprise in Booth# 5.
    • Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 – May 12-14, 2025, London – Zahin Rahim, Data Scientist at UK Power Networks, will present “Plotly: Enabling Net Zero: Data-Driven Tools for a Flexible Grid.” The session will discuss how real-world tools are driving a smarter, more flexible electricity grid on the path to Net Zero. Plotly will be exhibiting & demoing Dash Enterprise in Booth# 527.
    • ODSC East 2025 – May 13, 2025, Boston – Basil Cleveland, PhD, CIO, EVP and Co-founder at Shorelight, will present “Reimagining the Sales Funnel: A Laboratory Model for Interactive Sales Analytics with Plotly Dash Enterprise.” This session offers lessons learned from managing sales analytics in complex organizations and introduces a modular approach that bridges traditional funnel reporting and modern data application design. Plotly will be exhibiting & demoing Dash Enterprise in Booth# 7.
    • Databricks Data + AI Summit – June 9–12, 2025, San Francisco – Plotly will be featured in three presentations. Plotly will be exhibiting & demoing Dash Enterprise in Booth# F612.

    To learn more about the future of data apps and join the 5,000+ companies that use Plotly:

    • Read the Plotly Blog to get an insider’s look at what’s next for data apps.
    • Join a Plotly Dash Demo to see how Dash makes data come alive in future-forward visualizations and apps.
    • Download this Plotly white paper to learn how AI-powered data app dev builds what BI never could.
    • See how to go from raw data to dynamic apps in minutes in this Plotly Tour.
    • Discover how Plotly Customers are putting data and AI to work for production data applications.

    About Plotly
    Plotly is a leading provider of open-source graphing libraries and enterprise-grade analytics solutions. Its flagship product, Dash Enterprise, enables organizations to build scalable and interactive data apps that drive impactful decision-making. To learn more about Plotly, visit our website at http://www.plotly.com.

    For media inquiries:
    Brigit Valencia
    For Plotly
    brigit@compel-pr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Kajiado communities resist carbon offset land grabs disguised as climate action

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Nairobi, Kenya — In a bold act of resistance, the Oldonyonyokie Group Ranch community in Kajiado County is pushing back against the latest wave of land grabs masquerading as climate action. The community is standing firm against carbon offset projects that threaten to displace Indigenous People and undermine centuries-old land rights, all in the name of so-called “climate finance.”

    At the center of the growing controversy are carbon market schemes promoted by companies such as Carbon Solve, Soil for the Future Africa, and Soil for the Future Tanzania. These entities are targeting community lands in Kajiado for carbon offsetting, continuing a trend already devastating communities across the border in Tanzania.

    Stop auctioning Maasai land to carbon traders and trophy hunters

    If you want to take action to protect the Maasai add your name to tens of thousands of people demanding justice.

    SIGN NOW

    In Tanzania’s Ngorongoro, Loliondo, Longido and Monduli, the Maasai are being violently evicted from their ancestral lands to make way for similar schemes.

    “This is climate colonialism, plain and simple,” said Amos Wemanya, Responsive Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa. “Communities that have lived in harmony with nature for generations are being pushed off their land so that foreign polluters can continue business as usual. Carbon offsetting is not a climate solution, it is a dangerous distraction that sells off our future.”

    Rather than reducing global emissions, carbon markets allow corporations, largely based in the Global North, to “offset” pollution through land grabs in the Global South. These schemes put a price tag on nature and make African communities bear the burden of a crisis they did not create, while enriching foreign middlemen and questionable local entities.

    The people of Oldonyonyokie have a long memory and are not easily deceived. They recall the case of Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd, which was granted an initial 99-year lease on community land in 1928, and later received a 40-year extension in 2004. The lease, which involved over 224,000 acres, has long been a source of tension, with local communities raising concerns about inadequate consultation and limited benefits to the Maasai people.

    Disturbingly, some government officials are being used by the national government to facilitate the leasing and selling of land to private entities, without transparent community consultation or consent. This undermines democratic processes and violates the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

    Greenpeace Africa calls on Soil for the Future Africa and similar actors to immediately halt any attempts to force or impose projects on communities. Respect for Indigenous rights and community self-determination is non-negotiable.

    This is not just a local issue, it’s part of a global pattern of injustice. Greenpeace Africa is urging international solidarity and swift action to put an end to land grabs disguised as climate action. True climate solutions must protect people, not profits. That means:

    • Ending land grabs and forced evictions in the name of carbon offsetting
    • Protecting indigenous land rights and community livelihoods
    • Upholding real climate justice that centers food, energy, and land sovereignty
    • Holding historical polluters accountable for real emissions cuts

    From Kajiado to Loliondo, communities are saying: enough is enough. Africa is not for sale,” said Wemanya. “We call for a transition away from exploitative offsetting schemes toward climate solutions that center justice, local sovereignty, and real emissions cuts”.

    Greenpeace Africa stands in solidarity with the Oldonyonyokie Group Ranch and all African communities defending their land, dignity, and future against false climate solutions.

    ENDS

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Sherie Gakii, Communications and Storytelling Manager, Greenpeace Africa, [email protected], +254702776749

    Greenpeace Africa Press Desk, [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How did sport become so popular? The ancient history of a modern obsession

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia

    Roman mosaics discovered in Sicily show women playing different sports. David Pineda Svenske/Shutterstock

    It’s almost impossible to go a day without seeing or hearing about sport.

    Walk around any city or town and you will almost always catch a glimpse of people playing sports in teams or participating solo.

    Turn on the TV or radio and you’ll be able to find some kind of sport being played at international or national level.

    Why do people love sport so much?

    To answer this question, it’s worth a dive back into ancient history.

    An ancient person’s perspective

    One of the most famous figures from the ancient world, Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), once wrote that when he was a boy he was obsessed with playing sports:

    I liked to play ball as a boy and my playing slowed my progress in learning to read and write.

    The earliest portrait of Saint Augustine in a 6th century fresco, Lateran, Rome.
    Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    In fact, Saint Augustine was so preoccupied with playing ball that his teacher was said to sometimes beat him for it. His teacher said it was bad to waste one’s youth on such things – it’s better to study hard.

    Why was Saint Augustine obsessed with ball games? He loved to win:

    I loved to play games […] in these games I was overmastered by my vain desire to excel, so I used to strive to win, even by cheating.

    Plenty of people today probably share Saint Augustine’s view that winning is one of the things that make sport enjoyable.

    Of course, there are many other reasons why people might like to play sport.

    What sports did they play?

    If you walked down a city street in ancient Greek and Roman times, it’s likely you’d come across children or even adults playing a ball game.

    Handball games played in ancient Greece.
    Gardiner, E. Norman/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    The Roman playwright Plautus (3rd/2nd century BC) even has one of his characters complain about people “who play ball in the street”.

    Ball games were probably the most popular sporting activity in the ancient world and could be played in many different ways.

    In one ball game, called episkyros, two teams competed against each other. If one team got the ball over the line behind the other team, they scored. Feet and hands could be used and tackles were permitted.

    Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

    Of course, many other sports were also popular: athletics, swimming, wrestling, lifting weights and boxing were all favourites.

    Ancient ideas about the origins of sports

    For the ancient Greeks, the earliest mention of a ball game appears in the Odyssey, an epic poem composed by the poet Homer in probably the eighth or seventh century BC.

    In the Odyssey, Nausicaa, daughter of the King of the Phaeacians, plays a ball game with some other girls on the beach. While they throw the ball, they sing songs:

    Then when they had had their joy of food, she and her handmaids, they threw off their headgear and fell to playing at ball, and white-armed Nausicaa was leader in the song.

    During the game, Nausicaa throws the ball too far. Her maid can’t catch it and the ball flies into the sea. All the girls shout out when it goes flying.

    Already in the 3rd century BC, Nausicaa was sometimes regarded as the inventor of ball games. However, other people attributed the invention of ball games to different regions of Greece, saying the games were invented by the Sicyonians or Spartans.

    But it is unlikely any Greeks were the original inventors of ball games.

    In Egypt, thousands of years before Homer’s epics, there are already artistic depictions of ball games.

    For example, in the tomb of the Nomarch of the 11th Dynasty (c. 2150-2000 BC), Baqet III, there is artwork showing women playing ball games and men wrestling each other.

    Ancient ball games.
    J. Murray/Picryl, CC BY

    Baqet III, whose tomb contained these artistic depictions of various sports, was likely a true sports lover.

    Why did people like sports?

    People liked ball games for many different reasons.

    One was for the sheer fun and excitement. Another was because they were considered a healthy type of exercise.

    Ancient Greek and Roman doctors even told their patients to play ball games to become healthier.

    For example, the famous ancient Greek physician Galen (129-216 AD) wrote an essay titled On Exercise with a Small Ball.

    He argued “exercises with a small ball are superior to other kinds of exercises”.

    He claimed ball games were especially healthy because they moved all of the muscles and because teamwork was good for the soul.

    People in the ancient world also thought just watching sport could be something worth doing.

    The writer Lucian of Samosata (born 120 AD), for instance, said watching athletes competing for glory could help to encourage men to achieve similar feats: “many of the spectators go away in love with manfulness and hard work”, wrote Lucian.

    So it seems there’s nothing new about our modern love of playing and watching sports, and this obsession will probably continue for thousands of years into the future.

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

    – ref. How did sport become so popular? The ancient history of a modern obsession – https://theconversation.com/how-did-sport-become-so-popular-the-ancient-history-of-a-modern-obsession-254057

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: As Warren Buffett prepares to retire, does his investing philosophy have a future?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Angel Zhong, Professor of Finance, RMIT University

    Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old investing legend and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, has announced plans to step down at the end of this year.

    His departure will mark the end of an era for value investing, an investment approach built on buying quality companies at reasonable prices and holding them for the long term.

    Buffett’s approach transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a small textile business in the 1960s into a giant conglomerate now worth more than US$1.1 trillion (A$1.7 trillion).

    He built his fortune backing US industry in energy and insurance and American brands, including big stakes in household names such as Coca-Cola, American Express and Apple.

    At Berkshire’s annual meeting at the weekend, held in an arena with thousands of devoted investors, Buffett named Greg Abel as his successor.

    Abel, 62, is currently chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, as well as vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway’s vast non-insurance operations.

    He’s known for his disciplined, no-nonsense management style. The company’s board has now voted unanimously to approve the move.

    This changing of the guard comes at a pivotal moment. Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency has already delivered significant economic policy shifts.

    Meanwhile, questions about US economic dominance grow louder against China’s continued rise.

    The ‘Oracle of Omaha’

    Few names command as much respect in the world of finance as Warren Buffett. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1930, Buffett displayed an early genius for numbers and investing. He bought his first stock at age 11.

    His investment philosophy – buying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals – would later earn him the nickname the “Oracle of Omaha” for his uncanny ability to predict market trends and identify winning investments years before others did.

    Value investing

    Buffett drew his investment approach from the value investment principles of British-born US economist Benjamin Graham.

    He preferred businesses with lasting advantages and a clear value proposition. Some of his key investments included insurance company GEICO, railroad company BNSF, and more recently Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD.

    He avoided speculative bubbles (such as the dotcom bubble of the late 1990s and, more recently, cryptocurrencies) and preached long-term patience to investors. As he famously wrote in a 1988 letter to shareholders:

    In fact, when we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding managements, our favorite holding period is forever.

    Buffett’s guidance helped Berkshire navigate many economic booms and recessions. Over his six decades at the helm, the company delivered impressive compounded annual returns of almost 20% – virtually double those of the S&P 500 index.

    Beyond financial success, Buffett championed ethical business practices and pledged to donate more than 99% of his wealth through the Giving Pledge, which he cofounded with Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.



    Read more:
    How Warren Buffett’s enormous charitable gifts reflect the ‘inner scorecard’ that has guided him up to the billionaire’s planned retirement

    Challenges to Buffett’s strategy in today’s world

    In an op-ed for the New York Times in 2008, Buffett famously shared the maxim that guides his investment decisions:

    Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.

    But his strategy thrived in an era of increasing globalisation, free trade, and US economic supremacy. The world has shifted since Buffett’s heyday.

    There are concerns about the recent underperformance of value investing. Technology companies now dominate older industries.

    This raises questions about whether those who succeed Buffett can spot the next major industry disruptors.

    America first?

    Trump’s return as US president heralds major changes in economic policy. Trade restrictions might hurt some of Berkshire’s international investments. However, these same policies might benefit Buffett’s US-focused investments.

    The idea of US economic superiority also faces new questions. China may overtake the US economy in the 2030s. The US share of global economic output has fallen from about 22% in 1980 to about 15% today.

    Buffett’s “never bet against America” mantra faces new scrutiny.

    Warren Buffett discusses trade deficits and protectionism on May 3.

    The challenges for Buffett’s successor

    Abel inherits a company with about US$348 billion (A$539 billion) in cash. That’s a serious amount of capital to deploy wisely amid global economic uncertainty and Trump’s trade war.

    Abel will likely maintain Berkshire’s core values while updating its approach. His challenges include:

    1. Maintaining the “Buffett premium”: Abel lacks Buffett’s cult-like following among investors, which may gradually erode the additional value the market assigns to Berkshire due to Buffett’s leadership.

      Without Buffett’s reputation, Abel may face increased pressure to effectively deploy Berkshire’s massive cash pile in a still-expensive stock market, where valuations are high and finding bargains is harder than ever.

    2. Technological adaptation: while Berkshire has increased its technology investments over the years (including positions in Apple and Amazon), balancing its legacy holdings (such as Coca-Cola and railroads) with growth sectors (AI, renewables) remains challenging.

    3. Environmental concerns: Berkshire Hathaway’s heavy reliance on coal and gas-fired utilities has drawn growing criticism as investors and regulators demand cleaner energy solutions.

    4. Replicating the “golden touch”: Buffett’s genius wasn’t just in picking stocks. It was also in capital allocation, deal-making, and crisis management (for example, buying into Goldman Sachs during the global financial crisis). Can Abel replicate that?

    After Buffett

    Buffett’s principles – patience, intrinsic value and betting on America – are timeless. But the world has moved on. His successor must navigate geopolitical risks, technological disruption, and the rise of passive investing while preserving Berkshire’s unique culture.

    The post-Buffett era represents more than just a leadership change. It’s a test of whether Buffett’s principles can survive in an increasingly short-term, technology-dominated, and geopolitically complex world.

    Abel’s leadership will reveal the enduring power – or limitations – of Buffett’s philosophy.

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

    – ref. As Warren Buffett prepares to retire, does his investing philosophy have a future? – https://theconversation.com/as-warren-buffett-prepares-to-retire-does-his-investing-philosophy-have-a-future-255867

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Deputy Lord Mayor visits Dromore charity ‘Breaker Breaker’ to strengthen community support links

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Kyle Savage with Leanne Lyons from BReaker Breaker and Catherine Harris, Community Development Officer.

    The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Kyle Savage recently visited Dromore-based charity ‘Breaker Breaker’, to explore how the ABC Community Food Hub, Social Supermarkets and wraparound services could help support this fantastic charity.

    Breaker Breaker, established by Leanne Lyons to support the mental health and wellbeing within the Haulage Industry, operates a unique Mobile Welfare Hub – a 45ft trailer equipped with referral rooms, health check facilities, a barber station, and a safe space for confidential conversations.

    With many haulage workers operating long, unsociable hours and facing isolation on the road, access to flexible, mobile support services is crucial for their physical and mental wellbeing.

    The visit highlighted the shared goals of both organisations, with Breaker Breaker gaining valuable information and access to the ABC Community Food Hub, Social Supermarket and Wraparound Services. These services offer essential support including food, advice, and household items to those in need.

    Breaker Breaker extended their heartfelt thanks to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the ABC Community Hub for their support and commitment to improving community wellbeing in the borough.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: What’s YOUR purpose?

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    About the U.S. Army:

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

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

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

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22ow4AJC7-s

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Diagnosed incident cases of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to reach nearly 230,000 in 2033 across 7MM, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Diagnosed incident cases of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to reach nearly 230,000 in 2033 across 7MM, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    The diagnosed incident cases of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (B-cell NHL) in the seven major markets (7MM*) are projected to increase from 200,844 in 2023 to 229,804 in 2033, with an annual growth rate (AGR) of 1.44%, while five-year diagnosed prevalent cases will increase from almost 634,000 to over 714,000 at an AGR of 1.26%, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report “B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Epidemiology Forecast to 2033,” estimates that in 2033, the US will have the highest number of diagnosed incident cases of B-cell NHL across the 7MM with over 106,600 cases, whereas Spain will have the lowest number with approximately 9,500 cases. Similarly, the US is projected to have the highest number of five-year diagnosed prevalent cases at almost 356,600 compared to Spain with lowest number of cases at nearly 28,000.

    Zachary Natale, MPH, Senior Epidemiologist at GlobalData, says: “Despite the progress that has been made, B-cell NHL remains a complex spectrum of malignant neoplasms, each of which exhibits idiosyncratic clinical manifestations and behaviors.”

    Though early detection and improved therapeutics have improved the prognosis for countless B-cell NHL patients, its wide-ranging clinical courses on account of subtype-specific disease behaviors and treatments makes B-cell NHL a challenging cancer to manage, especially among less prominent subtypes such mantle cell lymphoma.

    Natale concludes: “Due to its heterogenous impact on the clinical course of patients, it is imperative for healthcare workers, public health professionals, and researchers to develop a more nuanced understanding of B-cell NHL’s subtypes to best address them as respective diseases.”

    *7MM: The US, 5EU (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK) and Japan.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Tariffs intensify regulatory pressures for global medical device manufacturers, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Tariffs intensify regulatory pressures for global medical device manufacturers, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    As global trade tensions continue to shape the economic landscape, the medical device industry is facing regulatory hurdles tied to shifting tariffs. While tariffs primarily aim to protect domestic industries, their secondary effect is complicating compliance processes and adding pressure to already stringent regulatory pathways, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    When crucial materials and parts are subjected to tariffs, many medical device manufacturers are forced to rethink their supply chains, switching suppliers, adjusting designs, or moving production locations. These changes, while necessary to manage rising costs, can inadvertently trigger regulatory actions. In the US, even modest alterations to device components may require new FDA 510(k) notifications or amendments to existing approvals, resulting in potential delays to product availability and added compliance costs.

    Elia Garcia, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “For multinational manufacturers, managing compliance across several jurisdictions becomes increasingly burdensome under these conditions. Regulatory timelines are stretched, innovation cycles are disrupted, and internal resources are redirected towards navigating evolving trade and compliance dynamics.”

    Some medical device manufacturers have already experienced increased costs due to tariffs on components produced overseas. In response, several companies have considered relocating parts of their manufacturing operations domestically to reduce trade exposure. However, these shifts often require updates to regulatory documentation and revalidation of production processes. Such changes can lead to additional approval steps in multiple regions, including the European Union and Canada, among others, ultimately increasing the complexity and cost of maintaining regulatory compliance.

    Garcia concludes: “As the medical device industry continues to adapt to global economic shifts, manufacturers are calling for greater alignment between trade policy and regulatory frameworks to support patient access, innovation, and operational resilience.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Australia card acquiring market to hit $700 billion in 2025 as growth set to slow amid global uncertainty, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Australia card acquiring market to hit $700 billion in 2025 as growth set to slow amid global uncertainty, says GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    The Australian card acquiring market is projected to grow by 5.5% to reach AUD1.1 trillion ($713.4 billion) in 2025. Despite this growth, global economic uncertainty linked to recent US tariffs may weigh on momentum, slowing the pace of expansion compared to previous years of stronger performance driven by cashless trends and consumer spending, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s Merchant Acquiring Analytics reveals that the card acquiring value in Australia registered a growth of 7.5% in 2024, driven by the rise in consumer spending and increasing consumer preference for cashless transactions. However, the current global uncertainty because of latest US tariffs can pose a challenge for the Australia’s overall economic growth, which is expected to impact even payment industry resulting a slower growth in card acquiring value in 2025.

    Asha Lalitha, Senior Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Domestic transactions with Australian-issued cards dominate the acquiring space in the country, accounting for over 97% of the total value of acquiring transactions. Well-established card acceptance infrastructure, nearly-100% banking population, and the burgeoning e-commerce market are all contributing to this.”

    The number of POS terminals per one million inhabitants in Australia rose from 36,012 in 2020 to 40,055 in 2025. In addition to the traditional POS terminals, companies are offering POS solutions designed to target SMEs. For instance, Fiserv launched “Clover” POS solution in March 2025, especially targeting SMEs operating in the hospitality, service, and retail sectors.

    Debit cards accounted for 59% of the total domestic card acquiring value in 2024. Credit and charge cards, on the other hand, accounted for 75.3% share in the total foreign card acquiring value, supported by high usage of foreign issued credit and charge cards for purchases of goods and services in Australia both online and in-person.

    Traditional banks such as Commonwealth Bank (CommBank), Westpac, and National Australian Bank held significant share in Australia’s card acquiring space, accounting for around 60% of total acquiring value in 2024. CommBank is the leading operator in the Australian merchant acquiring market. The bank offers a wide range of POS terminals, including mobile POS terminals. In May 2023, CommBank rolled out the Smart Mini reader for small businesses, enabling them to accept all types of card payments. The terminals are equipped with features such as surcharging, tipping, and digital receipts.

    In addition to banks, non-bank financial institutions such as Tyro, Worldline, and Fiserv also have a presence in the acquiring space in the country.

    Asha concludes: “The Australian card acquiring market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%, reaching AUD1.3 trillion ($866.7 billion) by 2029. This growth is supported by strong consumer awareness of digital payments, wider merchant acceptance, and a rising preference for contactless and e-commerce transactions.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NMCG Approves Key Projects for Ganga Rejuvenation via ecosystem restoration in 62nd Executive Committee Meeting

    Source: Government of India

    NMCG Approves Key Projects for Ganga Rejuvenation via ecosystem restoration in 62nd Executive Committee Meeting

    The meeting chaired by Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director-General, NMCG, focuses on sustainability in river rejuvenation

    Namami Gange program has been recognised as one of the Top Ten, World Restoration Flagship initiatives by UN Decade (UNEP&FAO)

    Posted On: 06 MAY 2025 3:48PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant push towards holistic river and environmental rejuvenation, the 62nd Executive Committee (EC) Meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Shri Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director-General, NMCG, focused on sustainability in river rejuvenation. Conservation of critical wetlands and promoting the reuse of treated wastewater through city specific reuse plans and were deliberated in the meeting. The Committee approved projects that align with the mission’s objectives of ecosystem restoration across the Ganga basin. It may be noted that Namami Gange program has been recognised as one of the Top TEN, World Restoration Flagship initiatives by UN Decade (UNEP&FAO)

    In another important development, the EC gave the green light to the “Conserving and Sustainably Managing NathmalpurBhagad (Wetland) in Bhojpur District, Bihar” project, with an estimated cost of ₹3.51 crore. The project is the fifth wetland being undertaken under NGP. It aims to establish an effective management arrangement for NathmalpurBhagad. So far, under Namami Gange conservation of 4 wetlands have been already sanctioned at:

    1. KalewadaJheel, Muzaffarnagar, UP
    2. Namiya Dah Jheel,Prayagraj, UP
    3. Reoti Dah Wetland, Ballia, UP
    4. Udhwa Lake (Ramsar Site) Sahibganj, Jharkhand

    It focuses on integrating biodiversity and ecosystem service values into river basin conservation and developmental planning. The project proposes a dual approach with interventions at the sub-basin (Ghaghara, Gomti & Sone confluence) and site levels (NathmalpurBhagad), including activities such as wetland delineation, hydrological regime enhancement, species and habitat conservation, ecological assessment, risk evaluation, capacity building, communication and outreach, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the wetland ecosystem.

    Nathmalpur Wetland

     

    The EC also approved funding of ₹34.50 lakh for the “Capacity Building Initiatives for making water-sensitive cities in the Ganga Basin” project for the preparation of City Plans and training on the reuse of treated wastewater for Agra and Prayagraj Districts in Uttar Pradesh. The project aims at preparation of city level reuse plan aligned to the National Framework for Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW) developed by NMCG.

     

    Nathmalpur Wetland

    These project approvals reaffirm NMCG’s commitment to integrated water management and environmental restoration. As the Mission continues to evolve, such strategic decisions will play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable river ecosystem for future generations.

    The meeting was attended by Sh. Mahabir Prasad, Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor of Ministry of Power, (additional charge) River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti; Sh. Nalin Srivastava, Deputy Director General of NMCG; Sh. Anoop Kumar Srivastava, Executive Director (Technical); Sh. Brijendra Swaroop, Executive Director (Projects) Sh. S.P. Vashistha, Executive Director (Administration); Sh. Bhaskar Dasgupta, Executive Director (Finance); Sh. Prabhash Kumar, Additional Project Director of Uttar Pradesh SMCG and Sh. S. Chandrasekhar, I.F.S., Chief Conservator of Forest -cum- State Nodal Officer, Environment & Climate Change, Bihar.

    ***

    Dhanya Sanal K

    (Release ID: 2127245) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Institute of Foreign Trade receives approval to establish off-campus centre at GIFT City, Gujarat

    Source: Government of India

    Indian Institute of Foreign Trade receives approval to establish off-campus centre at GIFT City, Gujarat

    Move aligns with NEP 2020; will offer flagship MBA (International Business) and promote trade research

    IIFT GIFT City centre to strengthen India’s trade education ecosystem and support export-led growth

    Posted On: 06 MAY 2025 10:37AM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has approved the establishment of an off-campus centre of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The centre will be set up in accordance with the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023.

    The approval under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, comes after IIFT’s successful compliance with the conditions laid out in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued in January 2025. These included submission of a development roadmap to establish a multidisciplinary institution with over 1,000 students, availability of qualified faculty, detailed academic programmes, plans for a permanent campus, and creation of a state-of-the-art library.

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, congratulated IIFT on receiving the approval, stating: “Heartiest congratulations to @IIFT_Official on getting approval to open its new off-campus centre in @GIFTCity_, India’s global financial hub. This paves the way for training talent in the institute’s flagship programme, MBA (International Business), besides short-term training programmes and research in the area of International Trade.”

    The upcoming GIFT City campus will be located on the 16th and 17th floors of GIFT Tower 2. It will offer IIFT’s flagship MBA (International Business) programme, along with specialised short-term training courses and research in international trade and related fields.

    The initiative aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to promote multidisciplinary learning and expand access to high-quality education.

    Established in 1963 under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, IIFT is a premier institution dedicated to capacity building in international trade. It was declared a Deemed to be University in 2002, holds an A+ grade from NAAC, and is accredited by AACSB, making it part of a select group of globally recognised business schools.

    The GIFT City campus is expected to significantly contribute to India’s trade education ecosystem and support the nation’s aspiration of becoming a global export powerhouse.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

    (Release ID: 2127199) Visitor Counter : 14

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government expresses gratitude to Chief Executive of Consumer Council for actively promoting and protecting consumer rights and interests

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         In response to the announcement made by the Consumer Council today (May 6) that its Chief Executive, Ms Gilly Wong Fung-han, would leave the Council upon the completion of her contract today, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, thanked Ms Wong for her active promotion and protection of consumer rights and interests over the years.
     
         Mr Yau said, “Ms Wong has served as the Chief Executive of the Council since 2012. Under her leadership, the Council has been committed to safeguarding the rights and interests of consumers. Also, it has been keeping pace with the times, including stepping up publicity and education to protect consumer rights and interests in response to the growing popularity of online shopping, as well as assisting elderly consumers to strengthen their self-protection capabilities. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ms Wong for her contributions and wish her the best in her future endeavours in various fields.”
     
         The Council is conducting a recruitment exercise for the post of Chief Executive, and will announce the selection result and appointment arrangement in due course.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Inaugurates Bharat Telecom 2025; Highlights India’s Export Potential

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Inaugurates Bharat Telecom 2025; Highlights India’s Export Potential

    India Showcases Global Telecom Ambitions at Bharat Telecom 2025

    Minister Scindia: “We’re not just connecting villages; we’re connecting futures. Every tower we raise, every byte we transmit, brings 1.4 billion people closer to opportunity”

     “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold vision and unwavering resolve have transformed India from a digital follower into a global digital leader — turning aspirations into infrastructure, and policy into progress.” Minister Scindia

    Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar:  “Today, India stands ready not merely as a market or consumer but as a creator, partner and trusted provider of world-class telecom solutions. The narrative has changed from a historical made-for-India to made-by-India.”

    More than 130 foreign delegates from over 35 countries participate

    Over 80 leading Indian Telecom and ICT companies showcased innovative products and solutions across multiple domains

    Posted On: 06 MAY 2025 1:41PM by PIB Delhi

    “Bharat Telecom is not just a conference — it is a declaration of India’s intent to shape the future of global connectivity through innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth.” said Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, while inaugurating Bharat Telecom 2025 in New Delhi today. He said, “When ideas, innovation, and intent come together in harmony, they create not a cacophony, but a symphony — and Bharat Telecom is that symphony of global collaboration and opportunity.”

    Organized by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC), in collaboration with Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Bharat Telecom 2025 plays a significant role in India’s vision to become a global hub for telecom manufacturing, services, and exports. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Dr.Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, alongside industry leaders, foreign delegates, and innovators from across the telecom value chain. The two-day event Bharat Telecom 2025, besides providing an interactive platform for stakeholders, also showcases an Exclusive International Business Expo.

    In his inaugural remarks, Minister Scindia further highlighted India’s growing role as a telecom exporter and a hub of innovation, backed by progressive reforms and production-linked incentives. “We’re not just connecting villages; we’re connecting futures. Every tower we raise, every byte we transmit, brings 1.4 billion people closer to opportunity”, Minister Scindia asserted. He highlighted, “It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold vision and unwavering resolve that have transformed India from a digital follower into a global digital leader — turning aspirations into infrastructure, and policy into progress.”

    Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia highlighted “In just 22 months, we connected 99% of our villages with 5G and brought 82% of our population onto the network, deploying 470,000 towers—this is not evolution; it is a telecom revolution.” He pointed out, “This digital highway we have built across India is not merely about communication—it is the infrastructure of infrastructure, empowering 1.4 billion citizens with access to healthcare, education, governance, and economic opportunity.”

    The minister emphasized India’s extraordinary rise as a global digital powerhouse, attributing it to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed out that India has not only caught up with the world in areas like 4G and 5G, but is now leading the charge, with sweeping reforms and technological innovation shaping the country’s trajectory. Shri Scindia underlined the role of India’s telecom sector as a transformative force and described the nation’s evolution from expensive, limited mobile access in the 1990s to now being the world’s second-largest telecom market and the cheapest data provider.

    Speaking at the session, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, said, “There are moments in a nation’s journey when it not only participates in global conversations but defines their course. Today, India stands ready not merely as a market or consumer but as a creator, partner and trusted provider of world-class telecom solutions. The narrative has changed from a historical made-for-India to made-by-India.”

    Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar emphasized that India is undergoing a pivotal transformation in the global telecom arena, evolving from a consumer to a creator of technology. He highlighted that this progress was driven by the Digital India initiative launched a decade ago and supported by forward-thinking government policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Citing initiatives like the production-linked incentive scheme, progressive spectrum management, and the Telecom Technology Development Fund, he pointed to India’s dramatic rise in domestic manufacturing, exports, and innovation. He further mentioned that India now plays a significant role in global supply chains, including producing 15% of the world’s iPhones. He concluded by outlining the country’s future focus on 6G leadership, satellite broadband expansion, and quantum communication networks to strengthen digital sovereignty.

    Mr. Arnob Roy, Chairman, TEPC, in his welcome address said, “Bharat Telecom showcases the transformative power of India’s indigenous telecom ecosystem, highlighting our unparalleled growth and innovation in the global telecom industry.” He acknowledged the Indian government’s strategic policies that have fostered innovation and manufacturing in the Telecom sector, and invited delegates to explore the innovations at the Bharat Telecom exhibition 2025.

    Bharat Telecom 2025 has been conceptualised to reinforce India’s position as a reliable and trusted telecom products manufacturing and export destination, by highlighting the country’s growing capabilities in telecom equipment, ICT services and next-generation digital technologies. Over 80 leading Indian Telecom and ICT companies showcased innovative products and solutions across multiple domains.

    The event saw enthusiastic international participation, with more than 130 foreign delegates from over 35 countries, representing government bodies, private enterprises etc. It also featured thematic exhibitions, conference sessions, high-impact B2B meetings, strategic networking sessions and knowledge-sharing forums focusing on cutting-edge communication technologies such as 5G, Optical Fibre, Broadband Infrastructure, Satellite Communication, IoT, AI-driven Networks and more.

    About TEPC:

    Established in 2009 under the Foreign Trade Policy of the Government of India, the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) plays a vital role in promoting and facilitating the export of telecom equipment and services. Its mandate spans the entire telecom ecosystem, including ICT hardware and software, infrastructure products, system integration, consultancy, and service provision. TEPC serves as a key platform for diverse stakeholders such as equipment manufacturers, system integrators, service providers, and other entities operating within the telecom sector.

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    (Release ID: 2127228) Visitor Counter : 89

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to visit Laos to promote GBA’s development opportunities and Hong Kong’s unique advantages

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to visit Laos to promote GBA’s development opportunities and Hong Kong’s unique advantages 
         Ms Chan will attend the “Business and Investment Opportunities in Hong Kong – Gateway to Greater Bay Area” seminar hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore. She will also participate in a discussion titled “Hong Kong – A Super-connector and Super Value-adder between the Greater Bay Area and Laos” and exchange views with participants to promote how Hong Kong can help Lao enterprises and talent seize the tremendous opportunities brought about by GBA development.
     
         During her stay in Vientiane, Ms Chan will call on the officials of the Chinese Embassy in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos. She will also meet with representatives of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lao Chinese Chamber of Commerce to learn about the latest developments in Laos and to promote the development opportunities of the GBA.
     
         Ms Chan will conclude her visit and return to Hong Kong on May 8.
    Issued at HKT 15:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nilufar Ramji: Shaping Johnson’s Giant Leaps Forward 

    Source: NASA

    A first-generation college graduate, Nilufar Ramji was blazing trails long before arriving at NASA. With her multifaceted expertise, she is helping shape the messaging behind humanity’s return to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. 
    Ramji is currently on detail as the co-executive producer for NASA’s live broadcasts, ensuring the agency’s missions and discoveries are clearly and effectively communicated to the public. Through her work, she expands understanding of what space exploration means for all—and why it matters. 

    Before stepping into her acting role, Ramji served as the lead public affairs officer for Moon to Mars activities at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. She spearheaded communication strategies for the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, which works with private companies to deliver science and technology payloads to the lunar surface. She has also provided live commentary for International Space Station operations to learn and prepare for Artemis missions.  
    Ramji played a pivotal role in communicating NASA’s involvement in two major lunar missions in 2025 including Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 which successfully delivered 10 NASA payloads to the Moon’s Mare Crisium on March 2. Ramji served as the live mission commentator, helping audiences around the world follow the historic moment—from lunar orbit insertion to touchdown. She also led communications for Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission, which landed near the Moon’s South Pole on March 6, marking the southernmost lunar landing ever achieved. 

    Early in her NASA career, she led agencywide STEM communications, shaping how NASA connects with students and educators. As a lead strategist, she developed messaging that made science and technology more accessible to younger audiences—helping inspire the Artemis Generation. 
    “Being one of the storytellers behind humanity’s return to the Moon is something I take pride in,” she said. “People don’t realize what exploring our solar system has done for us here on Earth. Going to the Moon and onto Mars will bring that message home.” 

    Ramji communicates not just the science of space, but its greater significance. “How can we be thoughtful in our communications?” is a question that drives her approach. Whether guiding a live broadcast or developing messaging about lunar science, she is constantly evaluating, executing, and refining NASA’s voice. 
    She also understands the importance of commercial partnerships in expanding human presence in space. “It’s exciting to see how many different people and organizations come together to make this a reality,” she said. “By creating a larger space economy, we’re able to do things faster and cheaper and still accomplish the same goals to make sure we’re all successful.” 

    In Aug. 2023, Ramji delivered a TEDx Talk, “Storytelling from Space” in Sugar Land, Texas, where she emphasized the power of narrative to inspire and unite humanity in the quest to explore the universe. Drawing from her NASA experience, she illustrated how communication bridges the gap between complex science and public engagement. 
    She credits her mentors and colleagues for supporting her growth. “I have great mentors and people I can lean on if I need help,” she said. “It’s something I didn’t realize I had until I came to NASA.” 
    Ramji believes stepping outside your comfort zone is essential. “Discomfort brings new learning, understanding, and opportunities, so I like being uncomfortable at times,” she said. “I’m open and receptive to feedback. Constructive criticism has helped me grow and evolve—and better understand NASA’s mission.” 
    For her, balance means creating intentional space for reflection, growth, and meaningful connection. 

    Before joining NASA, Ramji had already built an international career rooted in service. She worked at the Aga Khan Foundation in Canada, a nonprofit organization focused on addressing challenges in underdeveloped communities through education and healthcare. 
    She led visitor programs, workshops and more than 250 events—often for diplomats and global leaders—to promote “quiet diplomacy” and dialogue. 
    “Transparency, quality, fairness and diversity of perspective are all important to me,” she said. “People come from different experiences that broaden our understanding.” 
    Ramji later moved to East Africa as the foundation’s sole communications representative across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. There, she trained more than 300 staff and built a communications strategy to help local teams share stories of impact—both successes and challenges—with honesty and empathy. 
    Her work left a lasting mark on the communities she served and underscored the power of communication to drive positive change. 

    In 2013, Ramji moved to the United States and started over, rebuilding her network and career. She worked for the Aga Khan Council for USA in Houston, leading a volunteer recruitment program that connected thousands of people with roles suited to their skills. 
    She later applied for a contractor position—not knowing it was with NASA. “I never thought my skills or expertise would be valued at a place like NASA,” she said. But in 2018, she accepted a role as a public relations specialist supporting International Space Station outreach. She has been shaping the agency’s storytelling ever since.  
    Ramji’s journey represents NASA’s commitment to pushing boundaries and expanding humanity’s knowledge of the universe. With collaboration, transparency, and vision, she is helping bring the next frontier of space exploration to life. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Spain: EIB Group and Cetelem join forces to provide €200 million financing for energy efficiency investments to households

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The EIB Group has signed a €93 million synthetic securitisation agreement with Cetelem, BNP Paribas Personal Finance commercial brand in Spain, to support sustainable projects in the country.
    • The agreement will allow Cetelem to unlock €200 million to finance projects carried out by households aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of homes.

    The EIB Group, composed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), has signed a €93 million synthetic securitisation agreement with Cetelem, BNP Paribas Personal Finance commercial brand in Spain, targeting 100% green projects that support energy efficiency in the country. The operation will help Cetelem to mobilise €200 million to finance projects carried out by households that will increase the energy efficiency of homes.

    The operation will originate a new portfolio of climate action and environmental sustainability loans to households. These loans will support residential property renovations, small scale renewable energy projects, and the purchase of energy-efficient equipment in Spain. Eligible investments in energy-efficient housing equipment will include, among others, the installation of high-energy performance boilers, insulation windows or solar panels. The projects financed by this operation will improve energy efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions and help mitigate climate change.

    A significant number of these projects are expected to be implemented in cohesion regions where the income per capita is below the EU average.

    This operation is one more demonstration of the EIB Group’s role of promoting new financial instruments like securitisation that help unlock capital for green projects, reduce the risk borne by sponsoring financial institutions and strengthen the EU capital markets union.

    “We are very pleased to join forces for the first time with Cetelem in Spain to make easier for households investing in energy efficiency projects”, stated Gemma Feliciani, EIB Director of Financial Institutions. “Supporting financial institutions to unlock capital that make the energy transition accessible to all is at the core of EIB vision to advance climate action and the integration of the European capital markets”.

    EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt added: “This securitisation operation is a good example of how innovative financing methods can help the transition to a greener and more sustainable future. The agreement with Cetelem will make loans available to households so that they can invest in improving the energy efficiency of their homes and making them a relevant actor in the combat against global warming”.

    María Ruiz-Manahan, CEO of BNP Paribas Personal Finance Spain, confirms with satisfaction that “this agreement will enable both, our clients and commercial partners, to benefit from better financing conditions, contributing to a more inclusive and responsible consumption models”. Ruiz-Manahan adds that “thanks to this operation and EIB support, BNP Paribas Personal Finance Spain through its commercial brand Cetelem, reinforce its position in the financing of solar panel and sustainable solutions for households, aligned with the purpose of our company.”

    The agreement with Cetelem contributes to the EIB Group’s strategic priorities of climate action, sustainable housing, cohesion and the capital markets union. These are part of the Group’s eight priorities set out in its Strategic Roadmap for the years 2024-2027.

    Transaction details

    This transaction is the first synthetic securitisation entered into between Banco Cetelem and the EIB Group, referencing a portfolio of Spanish consumer auto exposures.  Both entities of the EIB Group are involved in the transaction. The EIF is providing protection on the mezzanine tranche of €93 million which is in turn counter-guaranteed by the EIB. The junior tranche is fully retained by Cetelem. Key features of the transaction include synthetic excess spread, a one-year revolving period and pro-rata amortisation of the tranches, subject to performance triggers.

    Background information

    About the EIB Group

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.

    In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024, helping power the country’s green and digital transition and promote economic growth, competitiveness and better services for its people.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    About BNP Paribas Personal Finance

    “Promote access to more responsible and sustainable consumption to support our customers and partners”

    BNP Paribas Personal Finance, known in the Spanish market through its commercial brand Cetelem, is a bank specializing in consumer credit, personal loans, card management, current accounts, paid savings accounts and deposits, operating in Spain since 1988.

    Financial partner of major companies in the distribution of durable consumer goods and the motor industry, it is also a reference for market information and analysis thanks to studies by the Cetelem Observatory.

    The Cetelem Observatory has been publishing its studies in Spain since 1997. It is a benchmark for the analysis of Spanish consumer habits and trends. The Cetelem Observatory has been consolidated with five important annual reports (Motor, Consumption Europe, Sustainability, Consumption Spain and Bike), monthly editions, and specific thematic and seasonal studies.

    BNP Paribas Personal Finance is located in the International Financial Services area, within the retail banking division of BNP Paribas. BNP Paribas Personal Finance is an active member of the Spanish Association of Credit Institutions (ASNEF), the Association of Spanish Companies Against Fraud (AEECF) and the Association for the Development of Customer Experience (DEC).

    MIL OSI Europe News –