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  • MIL-OSI Security: CISA Welcomes Madhu Gottumukkala as the New Deputy Director

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    WASHINGTON – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is proud to announce the appointment of Madhu Gottumukkala as its new Deputy Director. In this role, he will help lead CISA’s mission to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the cyber and physical infrastructure that the American people rely on every day. 

    Prior to his appointment as the CISA Deputy Director, Dr. Gottumukkala served as Commissioner and Chief Information Officer for South Dakota’s Bureau of Information and Technology, overseeing statewide technology and cybersecurity initiatives. He assumed this role after serving as South Dakota’s second-ever chief technology officer, focused on innovation through the adoption of emerging technologies, while increasing efficiency by replacing outdated legacy systems.

    “I am honored to be appointed by Secretary Noem to serve as Deputy Director of CISA. As a former state and local leader, I have seen firsthand the exceptional work CISA does in advancing our nation’s cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience,” said Gottumukkala. “I look forward to building on that foundation by fostering collaboration and strengthening resilience across all levels of government and the private sector. Together, through trusted partnerships, transparency, and shared responsibility, we can better manage systemic risks and safeguard the critical functions that ensure our nation’s safety and prosperity.”

    “CISA is excited to welcome Madhu to the team. As we work around the clock to safeguard our nation’s most critical infrastructure, Madhu brings a unique blend of technical expertise and real-world experience that will enhance our mission,” said CISA Senior Official Performing the duties of the Director Bridget Bean. “His deep understanding of both the complexities and practical realities of infrastructure security will strengthen CISA in its role as the nation’s lead cyber defense agency and the national coordinator for infrastructure resilience today and into the future.”

    With over 24 years of experience in information technology (IT), Dr. Gottumukkala has held leadership roles spanning both the public and private sectors, including work across the wireless and telecom, unified communications, and health technology industries. He currently serves on the Advisory Committee of the College of Business and Information Systems at Dakota State University.

    Dr. Gottumukkala holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems from Dakota State University, an MBA in Engineering and Technology Management from the University of Dallas, an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Andhra University.

    For more information about CISA’s leadership team, please visit the official CISA website at CISA Leadership | CISA

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    About CISA 

    As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

    Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 19 May 2025 News release WHO recognizes four countries with life-saving trans fat elimination policies

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized four countries – the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Norway, the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Singapore – for their exemplary efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from their food supplies. These countries have implemented best-practice policies alongside effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to promote public health.

    The WHO validation certificates were officially presented by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly. “Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. Trans fats are a major contributor to preventable deaths each year, particularly due to their impact on heart health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “These countries are not only protecting the health of their populations, but also setting an exemplary standard for other countries to follow.”

    This recognition marks another significant milestone in the global effort to eliminate trans fats, reflecting not only policy commitments but also the concrete actions being taken to remove trans fat from the food supply.

    Trans fat clogs arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and coronary heart disease – responsible for over 278 000 deaths each year globally. Trans fat, or trans-fatty acids (TFA), are unsaturated fatty acids that come from either artificial (industrial) or natural sources. Industrially produced trans fats are often found in many baked goods such as biscuits, pies and fried foods, as well as margarine, vegetable shortening, Vanaspati ghee, among many others. Both industrially produced and naturally occurring trans fats are equally harmful.

    “Recognizing the incredible harm caused by industrially produced trans fats, we became the second country to introduce measures to eliminate it. An EU-wide regulation is now in place, and Austria acknowledges its pioneering role in this important development. Bold, evidence-based policies can deliver real public health impact, and we are proud to be among the countries leading this global effort,” said Korinna Schumann, Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria.

    Seven years ago, WHO called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fats. At that time, only 11 countries covering 6% of the global population had best-practice trans-fat elimination policies in effect. Today, nearly 60 countries have best-practice policies in effect, covering 46% of the global population.

    “Eliminating industrially produced trans fats marks a significant milestone in our commitment to protecting our population’s health. We are proud to be among the 60 countries implementing this lifesaving policy, and especially honored to be recognized as one of the nine countries leading the way in eliminating this harmful ingredient,” said Dr Hilal bin Ali bin Hilal Alsabti, Minister of Health, Oman.

    WHO recommends that governments implement best-practice trans fat elimination policies either by setting a mandatory limit of 2 grams of trans fat per 100 grams of total fat in all foods and/or by banning the production and use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) as an ingredient in food products. The WHO validation programme for trans fat elimination recognizes countries that have gone beyond introducing best practice policies by ensuring that rigorous monitoring and enforcement systems in place. Monitoring and enforcing compliance with policies is critical to maximizing and sustaining health benefits.

    “Our efforts to implement robust, best-practice trans fat elimination policies are showing clear, measurable results. The latest monitoring data confirms that it is not only possible to reduce trans fat intake but to virtually eliminate it,” said Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Health and Care Services, Norway.

    Replacing trans fats with healthier oils and fats is a low-cost intervention that yields high economic returns by improving population health, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. Governments can eliminate the cause of 7% of cardiovascular disease globally with a low-cost investment aimed at reducing or eliminating trans fats from the food supply.

    “Our journey towards eliminating industrially produced trans fats began over a decade ago. Today, we have made significant progress. This is a powerful testament to what can be achieved through applying a consistent public health policy, across countries and regions, and working collaboratively with the industries. We are proud to stand alongside other countries in building a healthier and safer food environment for all,” said Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore.

    WHO remains committed to supporting countries in their efforts and to recognizing their achievements. By working with national nutrition and food safety authorities, WHO can better support governments not only in developing and adopting trans fat elimination policies, but also in monitoring and enforcing them to ensure lasting impact.

    The next application cycle for the TFA elimination validation programme is now open and countries are welcome to apply by 31 August 2025 to be considered for the third cycle.
     

    Note to editors

    The World Health Organization has partnered with Resolve to Save Lives, a not-for-profit organization, to support the development and implementation of the REPLACE action package. Launched in 2018, the WHO’s REPLACE action package provides a strategic approach to eliminating industrially produced trans fat from national food supplies.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Provides Update on May 16 Severe Storms and Tornadoes

    Source: US State of Missouri

    MAY 19, 2025

    Jefferson City — JEFFERSON CITY – Today, Governor Mike Kehoe provided an update on the recovery efforts following the devastating severe storms and tornadoes that struck on May 16, leaving widespread destruction in St. Louis and the southeast Missouri region. Governor Kehoe and state officials spent Saturday with local officials in St. Louis surveying some of the hardest-hit areas. All levels of government are fully engaged, and recovery efforts continue across the region.

    Ahead of the storm, Governor Kehoe extended the Missouri State of Emergency declaration, which has allowed first responders, road crews, and emergency management officials to move quickly. The Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan remains in effect.

    • Damage Assessments and Local Support: State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) regional coordinators continue working swiftly with local emergency managers to make initial damage assessments in preparation for a federal major disaster declaration request. SEMA staff are coordinating resource requests from local emergency managers for needed supplies, materials, and support services with sheltering, debris clearance, damage assessments, and other needs. For more information on the federal disaster declaration process, visit this link.
    • White House Coordination and Federal Support: Governor Kehoe has been in direct contact with President Donald Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator David Richardson, and Missouri’s Congressional delegation on the situation and discussed state efforts and federal assistance.

    Today, Governor Mike Kehoe also took two actions to expedite federal assistance to Missouri following the severe storms and tornadoes that struck the state on May 16, causing seven deaths and widespread damage in the St. Louis region and areas of southeast Missouri:

    • Governor Kehoe requested that President Donald Trump issue a federal Emergency Declaration for the State of Missouri in response to the May 16 tornadoes and severe storms, which, if approved, would authorize Direct Federal Assistance (DFA) and up to $5 million in immediate funding to the state to support emergency protective measures and debris removal.
    • The Governor also requested that FEMA participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) of damage to homes and personal property in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County along with Cape Girardeau, Iron, New Madrid, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne counties in southeast Missouri, in preparation for a request by the Governor for a federal Major Disaster Declaration for these areas.

    “Friday’s severe storms and tornadoes caused devastation in the St. Louis region and areas of southeast Missouri, took the lives of seven people, resulted in thousands of homes, businesses, and public infrastructure being damaged or destroyed, and left tens of thousands without power,” Governor Kehoe said. “Local first responders, officials, businesses, and volunteer groups are working around the clock to recover, but the task before us is tremendously large and recovery will not be easy. A federal Emergency Declaration will provide an immediate infusion of needed funds while the joint preliminary damage assessments will allow the normal federal Major Disaster Declaration process to move forward. We appreciate President Trump, Secretary Noem, FEMA Acting Administrator Richardson, and Trump Administration officials for their quick communication and responsiveness to the situation.”

    A federal Emergency Declaration provides federal resources to support state response operations to protect lives, safeguard public health and provide for public safety. It does not delay or affect the process of pursuing a federal Major Disaster Declaration, which would provide Individual Assistance to help homeowners and renters, and Public Assistance, which would reimburse local governments for emergency response costs, debris removal, and repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. Individual Assistance and Public Assistance require joint preliminary damage assessments by teams made up of representatives from FEMA, SEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local emergency management officials, extensive documentation, and a federal review process that can take weeks to complete.

    Beginning Wednesday, May 21, six teams will survey and verify documented damage in Cape Girardeau, Iron, New Madrid, St. Louis, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne counties and the City of St. Louis to determine if Individual Assistance can be requested through FEMA. Individual Assistance allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses. Initial damage assessments for roads, bridges and other public infrastructure are ongoing, potentially resulting in a request for PDAs for Public Assistance in the future.

    SEMA continues to coordinate with local officials and volunteer and faith-based partners to identify needs and assist impacted families and individuals. Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or www.211helps.org or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.

    For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Capito, Barrasso Introduce Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) recently introduced pro-growth legislation to boost investment in American manufacturing and help small businesses, farmers, and ranchers purchase the equipment and supplies they need to build their operations and support their employees.
    The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act will reduce tax bills for business owners looking to purchase equipment—including machinery, farming equipment, energy infrastructure, building upgrades, commercial vehicles, mining equipment, and more. This will free up resources to go toward employee salaries, materials, and other critical business expenditures.
    “West Virginia’s manufacturers and small business owners are the backbone of our economy,” Senator Capito said. “The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act will give them the tools they need to compete, grow, and hire. By allowing greater investment in equipment and operations, this bill strengthens our global competitiveness and supports the hardworking Americans driving innovation and economic growth across the country.”
    “Wyoming’s small businesses are what keeps our economy going strong. We want to make sure they have every opportunity to succeed,” Senator Barrasso said. “Right now, they face an uphill battle with high prices and a mountain of new regulations. The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act will go a long way in helping Wyoming’s farmers, ranchers and small businesses expand their operations, better compete and hire more workers.” 
    “Manufacturers are driving the economy by investing in job-creating projects and cutting-edge equipment and machinery. The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act would incentivize and support these important investments by reducing the cost of capital equipment purchases and the debt financing that makes them possible. Manufacturers commend Sens. Barrasso and Capito for their leadership in introducing this bill, and we encourage Congress to include these policies in comprehensive legislation that preserves and extends pro-manufacturing tax provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” Charles Crain, Managing Vice President of Policy, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), said.
    “Doubling the small business expensing threshold (Section 179) will be a huge win for small employers. This will allow small businesses to make significant capital investments which will help to grow the Main Street economy. NFIB applauds Senators Barrasso and Capito for introducing this important legislation,” Jeff Brabant, Vice President, Federal Government Relations, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said.
    “America’s economic security relies on a strong manufacturing sector and small business growth. The “Restore American Investment Now” (RAIN) Coalition applauds Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for introducing the Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act, which restores the EBITDA standard for business interest deductibility. Restoring the EBITDA standard will help businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. We thank the Senators championing this pro-growth legislation to strengthen American manufacturing, support small business expansion, and create more opportunity for American workers,” Michael O’Rielly, Spokesman, RAIN Coalition, said.
    “Tax policy plays a critical role in the restaurant industry’s success. Pro-growth policies ensure that restaurant owners can continue investing in their businesses – upgrading equipment, expanding dining rooms, and creating jobs. With economic uncertainty beginning to slow spending, restoration of the critical interest expense deductions and small-business expensing are top priorities for our members. We appreciate Sens. Barrasso and Capito’s continued support of restaurant operators and small business owners and hope that Congress will include these important policies in any tax package they pass this year,” Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President, National Restaurant Association, said.
    BACKGROUND:
    The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act delivers two pro-growth tax proposals that will boost investment in capital-intensive industries like manufacturing, energy production, and agriculture.
    Expanded Business Interest Deduction:
    The bill revises the limitation from 30% of a business’s Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT), back to 30% of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization, and depletion (EBITDA).
    This protects businesses from being punished for investments in machinery, capital equipment, mining, drilling, and research and development (R&D).
    Enhanced Small Business Expensing:
    The second provision expands Section 179, which allows taxpayers to deduct the cost of certain business assets in the year they are purchased rather than depreciating them over time.
    Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the maximum deduction amount was increased to $1 million from $500,000, helping small businesses acquire the equipment needed to expand operations.
    The bill builds on this success by lifting the deduction cap to $2.5 million, accelerating small businesses’ access to capital.
    The provision covers a wide range of eligible expenses, including machinery, mining tools, farming implements, energy production equipment, commercial vehicles, building upgrades, and other critical investments.
    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Announces Second Hurricane Helene Budget Proposal

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Announces Second Hurricane Helene Budget Proposal

    Governor Stein Announces Second Hurricane Helene Budget Proposal
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today Governor Josh Stein visited Carolina Domes in Union Mills to propose additional funding for the Hurricane Helene recovery effort. Governor Stein recommends an additional $891 million to help western North Carolina rebuild.

    “Western North Carolina is coming back strong, but there is much more work to do,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I urge the General Assembly to pass a second round of funding so that the rebuilding and recovery efforts can continue as quickly and effectively as possible.”

    Governor Stein’s budget proposal includes: 

    • $260 million to spur economic recovery by supporting businesses and local governments and promoting western North Carolina’s tourism industry.
    • $239 million to strengthen critical infrastructure by repairing damaged schools, expanding debris clean-up, and investing in projects to safeguard against future disasters.
    • $113 million to advance housing recovery and provide assistance to families who have struggled with rent, mortgage, and utility bills.
    • $105 million to rehabilitate waterways and land used by farmers as well as fund wildfire prevention and response.
    • $23 million to address food insecurity in western North Carolina and the needs of affected community colleges.
    • $152 million for required state matching of federal disaster programs, investments in communication and disaster system improvements, and existing requirements that are not funded by state or federal dollars. 

    The Stein administration continues to be laser-focused on rebuilding western North Carolina. During Small Business Week, Governor Stein and North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley highlighted small businesses in Marshall that were impacted by Helene. He also announced that the Dogwood Health Trust, the Duke Endowment, and the State of North Carolina have distributed $55 million to more than 2,000 businesses in western North Carolina.

    The State of North Carolina also launched an additional $55 million state infrastructure program allowing local governments to apply for up to $1 million to rebuild public infrastructure that small business rely on, such as sidewalks and sewers. The Governor also joined the commencement ceremonies of Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College to honor the graduates’ resiliency in the wake of Hurricane Helene. 

    Read Governor Stein’s full Helene recovery budget proposal here. (Please note figures above are rounded to the nearest whole number.)  

    May 19, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Governors are leading the fight against climate change and deforestation around the world, filling a void left by presidents

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mary Nichols, Distinguished Counsel for the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, University of California, Los Angeles

    Forests like the Amazon play vital roles in balancing the environment, from storing carbon to releasing oxygen. Silvestre Garcia-IntuitivoFilms/Stone/Getty Images

    When the annual U.N. climate conference descends on the small Brazilian rainforest city of Belém in November 2025, it will be tempting to focus on the drama and disunity among major nations. Only 21 countries had even submitted their updated plans for managing climate change by the 2025 deadline required under the Paris Agreement. The U.S. is pulling out of the agreement altogether.

    Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the likely absence of – or potential stonewalling by – a U.S. delegation will take up much of the oxygen in the negotiating hall.

    You can tune them out.

    Trust me, I’ve been there. As chair of the California Air Resources Board for nearly 20 years, I attended the annual conferences from Bali in 2007 to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, in 2023. That included the exhilarating success in 2015, when nearly 200 nations committed to keep global warming in check by signing the Paris Agreement.

    In recent years, however, the real progress has been outside the rooms where the official U.N. negotiations are held, not inside. In these meetings, the leaders of states and provinces talk about what they are doing to reduce greenhouse gases and prepare for worsening climate disasters. Many bilateral and multilateral agreements have sprung up like mushrooms from these side conversations.

    This week, for example, the leaders of several state-level governments are meeting in Brazil to discuss ways to protect tropical rainforests that restore ecosystems while creating jobs and boosting local economies.

    What states and provinces are doing now

    The real action in 2025 will come from the leaders of states and provinces, places like Pastaza, Ecuador; Acre and Pará, Brazil; and East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

    While some national political leaders are backing off their climate commitments, these subnational governments know they have to live with increasing fires, floods and deadly heat waves. So, they’re stepping up and sharing advice for what works.

    State, province and local governments often have jurisdiction over energy generation, land-use planning, housing policies and waste management, all of which play a role in increasing or reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    Their leaders have been finding ways to use that authority to reduce deforestation, increase the use of renewable energy and cap and cut greenhouse gas emissions that are pushing the planet toward dangerous tipping points. They have teamed up to link carbon markets and share knowledge in many areas.

    In the U.S., governors are working together in the U.S. Climate Alliance to fill the vacuum left by the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle U.S. climate policies and programs. Despite intense pressure from fossil fuel industry lobbyists, the governors of 22 states and two territories are creating policies that take steps to reduce emissions from buildings, power generation and transportation. Together, they represent more than half the U.S. population and nearly 60% of its economy.

    Tactics for fighting deforestation

    In Ecuador, provinces like Morona Santiago, Pastaza, and Zamora Chinchipe are designing management and financing partnerships with Indigenous territories for protecting more than 4 million hectares of forests through a unique collaboration called the Plataforma Amazonica.

    Brazilian states, including Mato Grosso, have been using remote-sensing technologies to crack down on illegal land clearing, while states like Amapá and Amazonas are developing community-engaged bioeconomy plans – think increased jobs through sustainable local fisheries and producing super fruits like acaí. Acre, Pará and Tocantins have programs that allow communities to sell carbon credits for forest preservation to companies.

    Global Forest Watch uses satellite data to track forest cover change. Green shows areas with at least 30% forest cover in 2000. Pink is forest loss from 2003-2023. Blue is forest gain from 2000 to 2020.
    Global Forest Watch, CC BY

    States in Mexico, including Jalisco, Yucatán and Oaxaca, have developed sustainable supply chain certification programs to help reduce deforestation. Programs like these can increase the economic value in some of foods and beverages, from avocados to honey to agave for tequila.

    There are real signs of success: Deforestation has dropped significantly in Indonesia compared with previous decades, thanks in large part to provincially led sustainable forest management efforts. In East Kalimantan, officials have been pursuing policy reforms and working with plantation and forestry companies to reduce forests destruction to protect habitat for orangutans.

    It’s no wonder that philanthropic and business leaders from many sectors are turning to state and provincial policymakers, rather than national governments. These subnational governments have the ability to take timely and effective action.

    Working together to find solutions

    Backing many of these efforts to slow deforestation is the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force, which California’s then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger helped launch in 2008. It is the world’s only subnational governmental network dedicated to protecting forests, reducing emissions and making people’s lives better across the tropics.

    Today, the task force includes 43 states and provinces from 11 countries. They cover more than one-third of the world’s tropical forests. That includes all of Brazil’s Legal Amazon region, more than 85% of the Peruvian Amazon, 65% of Mexico’s tropical forests and over 60% of Indonesia’s forests.

    From a purely environmental perspective, subnational governments and governors must balance competing interests that do not always align with environmentalists’ ideals. Pará state, for example, is building an 8-mile (13 kilometer) road to ease traffic that cuts through rainforest. California’s investments in its Lithium Valley, where lithium used to make batteries is being extracted near the Salton Sea, may result in economic benefits within California and the U.S., while also generating potential environmental risks to air and water quality.

    Each governor has to balance the needs of farmers, ranchers and other industries with protecting the forests and other ecosystems, but those in the task force are finding pragmatic solutions.

    Pará State Gov. Helder Barbalho arrives for the Amazon Summit in August 2023. Eight South American countries agreed to launch an alliance to fight deforestation in the Amazon at the meeting.
    Evaristo SA / AFP via Getty Images

    The week of May 19-23, 2025, two dozen or more subnational leaders from Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Indonesia and elsewhere are gathering in Rio Branco, Brazil, for a conference on protecting tropical rainforests. They’ll also be ironing out some important details for developing what they call a “new forest economy” for protecting and restoring ecosystems while creating jobs and boosting economies.

    Protecting tropical forest habitat while also creating jobs and economic opportunities is not easy. In 2023, data show the planet was losing rainforest equivalent to 10 soccer fields a minute, and had lost more than 7% since 2000.

    But states and cities are taking big steps while many national governments can’t even agree on which direction to head. It’s time to pay attention more to the states.

    Mary Nichols is affiliated with the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, which cosponsors the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force.

    – ref. Governors are leading the fight against climate change and deforestation around the world, filling a void left by presidents – https://theconversation.com/governors-are-leading-the-fight-against-climate-change-and-deforestation-around-the-world-filling-a-void-left-by-presidents-256988

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Manchester Man Sentenced for Defrauding State and Federal Taxpayers of Nearly $300K in Pandemic Relief Funds

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced for his involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain CARES Act funds from the United States government and the State of New York, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

    Kyereem Sackey, age 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty to 18 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  Sackey was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $295,167.  In January 2025, Sackey pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of bank fraud.

    “The defendant exploited a national crisis for personal gain,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack. “He stole nearly $300k in pandemic relief funds that were meant to support struggling families and small businesses. This office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who stole from the government during the pandemic and intentionally depleted the public fisc for personal profit.”

    “While the entire world was focused on dealing with a pandemic, Kyereem Sackey was selfishly focused on exploiting programs designed to help people struggling financially to instead enrich himself,” said Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “With today’s sentence, Mr. Sackey has been held accountable for cheating taxpayers, and the FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice those who have committed similar crimes.”

    “Kyereem Sackey and his co-defendants engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain New York Department of Labor pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits and Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program loans. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who seek to exploit these critical benefit programs,” said Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

    According to the court documents and statements made in court, Sackey used social media to conspire with others to file false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. Sackey filed unemployment insurance claims in the State of New York on behalf of a co-defendant, which he was not entitled to.  When the money was deposited into the co-defendant’s bank account, a portion of the money was sent to Sackey and another co-defendant.  Sackey and his co-defendants filed approximately $50,000 in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.  In addition to the claim made on behalf of his co-defendant, Sackey filed claims on behalf of a dozen individuals as well as himself resulting in more than $250,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits to be paid by the State of New York.

    Sackey also used a co-defendant’s information to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans using a false and fraudulent business that did not exist.  Sackey provided the bank with false documents, including fabricated tax documents.  Court records show that Sackey fraudulently applied for and obtained more than $30,000 in PPP loans.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General led the investigation.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy is prosecuting the case.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Take part in the Big Fix at Rath Mor this weekend

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Take part in the Big Fix at Rath Mor this weekend

    19 May 2025

    Give your broken household items a new lease of life this weekend at the BIG FIX event taking place in Rath Mor Business Park, courtesy of Repair and Share Foyle.

    The organization will mark its third anniversary with a special community celebration featuring music, food, entertainment and a host of interactive activities on Saturday May 24th from 10am – 1pm. People are invited to bring along broken and unloved items and will have the opportunity to learn some useful new skills, from wiring a plug to mending breakages in the toy hospital.

    Looking ahead to the event, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, encouraged people to go along. “Repair and Share Foyle are doing a wonderful job breathing new life into old items, and I want to thank them for their positive work over the past three years in teaching people to repair and reuse.

    “We are all guilty of just disposing of old household appliances and things that seem a bit past their sell-by date. But with a bit of TLC they can be made good as new, saving money and helping to reduce the amount being thrown away. It’s a win win for everyone and I hope to see everyone at Saturday’s event in Rath Mor.”

    Repair & Share Foyle is just one of almost 70 Repair Cafés across the UK taking part in The BIG FIX 2025 campaign. The campaign has grown into a national movement to reduce waste, and also bring communities together to work towards a more sustainable future.

    Caroline McGuinness-Brooks, Managing Director of Repair & Share Foyle, said: “This weekend’s BIG FIX repair cafe is another great opportunity to come along, choose repair over disposal and learn some new skills – it’s also our 3rd birthday so we’re promising cake!”

    Visitors can bring broken items like small pieces of furniture, electricals, clothing, toys, and tools for sharpening, and their team of talented volunteer fixers will do their best to repair them on the spot — while sharing tips to help people mend things for themselves in the future.
    There will also be a one-day-only discount on memberships for the Library of Things — a lending library for tools, events equipment, and other handy items — making it easier and more affordable for everyone to share and borrow instead of buy new.

    The Big Fix will run from 10am – 1pm on Saturday May 24th at Repair and Share Foyle, Rath Mor Business Park – all are welcome.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Overhauls Reckless Biden-Era Lending Program

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced an overhaul of the Community Advantage Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) program – a Biden-era program designed to grant government-backed 7(a) loans to “underserved communities” through “mission-based lenders.” As with other Biden-era schemes, lax oversight of the program has resulted in alarmingly high rates of loan default. Effective immediately, the agency has issued a moratorium on the expansion of the program – and through a new standard operating procedure (SOP), will require existing lenders to meet prudent financial stability standards as a condition of further participation.

    “Community Advantage is a perfect example of how the last Administration weaponized government programs to tip the scale against deserving small businesses and toward preferred groups and political allies, even when it meant greater risk to American taxpayers,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said. “This Administration is putting a stop to reckless lending experiments and restoring safeguards to protect both taxpayer dollars and the integrity of the 7(a) loan program for America’s entrepreneurs.”

    As a program built on a network of unregulated non-depository lenders, Community Advantage generated a 7% default rate over the last 12 months – more than double that of the overall 7(a) loan portfolio. Additionally, the portfolio is disproportionately stressed, with multiple lenders generating early problem loan rates above 30%.

    Community Advantage began as a pilot program under the Obama Administration when the SBA licensed a constellation of non-bank, non-regulated organizations to distribute the funds, including nonprofits and fintechs. Understanding the risk of this arrangement, the Trump Administration issued a moratorium on the approval of new Community Advantage lending licenses in 2018.

    However, in 2023, the Biden Administration revived Community Advantage and approved more than 140 new, unregulated lenders for the program, selectively certifying groups including “The Progress Fund,” “PeopleFund,” and “Black Business Investment Fund.” It then attempted to increase the loan limit for the program from $250,000 to $500,000 – or up to $2 million to fund climate-related projects in support of the Green New Scam.

    The SBA has reinstated the moratorium on the approval of new Community Advantage lending licenses. Additionally, among other mandates, the new SOP will require existing lenders to dramatically increase their capital reserves as a condition for continued program participation – to mitigate the taxpayer risk and high default rates associated with “mission-based lenders” operating outside the federal banking regulatory system.

    # # #

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Commerce Awards $50,614 to Tackle Workforce Challenges Through Innovative Regional Projects

    Source: US State of North Dakota

     The North Dakota Department of Commerce has awarded $50,614to one organization as part of Round 6 of the Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP). This program provides funding to help regional workforce entities create innovative solutions to address their most pressing workforce challenges.

    “This project represents a meaningful step toward strengthening North Dakota’s workforce,” said Commerce Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howe. “By expanding access to childcare, we’re removing a major barrier for working families and supporting long-term economic growth in the region.”

    The organization receiving funding in this round includes:

    Delight & Co.: Awarded $50,614 to expand and enhance childcare services in Ward County by remodeling their current facility. This investment supports critical workforce needs by transitioning from a group license (serving 30 children) to a center license, allowing them to serve approximately 300 children. The project will significantly increase access to quality childcare in the region, benefiting families, employers, and the local economy.

    Learn more about Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) and apply at https://ndgov.link/RWIP.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Interview] A Premium Camera Experience That Anyone Can Enjoy: Behind the Scenes of Developing the Galaxy S25 Series Camera

    Source: Samsung

    DSLR cameras, once a common sight at tourist destinations just a few years ago, are now rarely seen. That’s because the entire process of creating the perfect shot — from capturing the moment to editing the result — can now be easily done with a smartphone in the palm of the user’s hand.
     
    Samsung Electronics has led the evolution of the Galaxy camera under three development principles:
     
    Delivering the best picture quality for anyone, anywhere, anytime
    Offering features that satisfy even professional users
    Providing the ability to create content with easy and simple editing
     
    The Galaxy S25 series is the culmination of these innovations, delivering a camera experience that pushes the limits of smartphones with high-pixel sensors, high-performance APs and powerful AI models.
     
    So how did the Galaxy S25 series’ revolutionary camera experience come together? Samsung Newsroom sat down with camera developers from the Visual Solution Team of the MX Business at Samsung to hear the story directly from them.
     
    ▲ (From left) Jihye Kim, Pyojae Kim, Yunju Bae and Wonchul Choi from the MX Business’ Visual Solution Team
     
     
    From Landscapes to Portraits, Every Moment Is Crystal Clear
    The Galaxy S25 Ultra is equipped with a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, the first in the Galaxy series. “This means that photos with a wide angle of view can be taken with greater clarity and detail,” said Wonchul Choi, who led the development of camera quality. “We optimized not only hardware upgrades such as high-pixel sensors and lenses, but also software technology by building a system that enables AI models to operate organically,” Choi explained. As a tip for getting the most out of the feature, he added, “The ultra-wide-angle camera is ideal for capturing vast landscapes, but it can also be used for close-up shots to create a unique sense of depth.”
     
    ▲ Wonchul Choi
     
    The ProVisual Engine, which uses AI-powered technology to enhance the camera experience, has also evolved. “We analyzed a full range of skin tones and preferences, and worked to use AI technology to present options for a broader variety of users. For better results, developers of various age groups took portraits themselves in different environments,” said Choi, explaining the improved portrait experience compared to previous models. “AI recognition and processing technologies analyze elements such as the person, clothing and background in the photo and optimizes each area to bring out the finer details, such as hair texture and even the subject’s pupils.”
     
    The Nightography feature for shooting in low-light conditions has been improved as well. “For the Galaxy S25 series’ Nightography, we focused a lot on video shooting,” said Choi. “We applied 10-bit HDR video as the default for videos to achieve more realistic and richer picture quality, and applied a solution that separates the subject from the background and analyzes movement to remove noise with precision,” he said.
     
     
    Shooting and Editing With DSLR Quality Like a Pro
    Is it possible to get DSLR-quality results with a smartphone camera? The new Virtual Aperture feature in the Expert RAW app does by creating depths of field and aperture effects similar to those of a DSLR camera, delivering high-quality results that look like they were shot by a professional.
     
    “We applied an interface that recreates the effect of changing the aperture of a lens on a DSLR camera, allowing users to flexibly select deep or shallow depths of field,” said Pyojae Kim, who led the development of the Virtual Aperture feature, before proudly adding that the AI-powered innovation overcomes the physical limitations of smartphones.
     
    ▲ Pyojae Kim
     
    Achieving the depths of field and bokeh effects unique to DSLR cameras was no easy task. The training image database was built using more than 200,000 photos taken simultaneously with both Galaxy and DSLR cameras. “We had to manually control both the focus and exposure of the DSLR camera, and there were some nerve-wracking moments of having to dispose of our hard work because the photos were out of focus or taken with the wrong exposure,” said Kim. “We learned how difficult of a task it is to obtain data.”
     
    While photos have a DSLR-like quality, videos can now be filmed in Log Video mode, a feature normally found in digital cameras that professionals use. Log video is a recording format that makes it easier to color-correct in post-production and create high-quality videos. To make log videos accessible to the average user, the Galaxy S25 series also comes with the Color Correction feature, which allows users to easily correct their video footage in the Gallery app with the click of a button.
     
     
    Fun and Easy AI Editing With Just a Few Taps
    First introduced in the Galaxy S24 series, Generative Edit has evolved by leaps and bounds in the Galaxy S25 series. “We focused on enhancing the fun and useful features that only generative AI can deliver,” said Jihye Kim. “We’ve improved the AI models so that they can now accurately recognize areas of the photo with only a simple touch and seamlessly erase those areas or add onto them. We also made improvements to each of the component technologies involved in generative editing.”
     
    ▲ Jihye Kim
     
    The AI models used for Generative Edit and other generative AI features were developed through continuous collaboration with Google. “My team members and I took turns traveling to Google’s San Francisco Campus for a month at a time,” Jihye Kim said. “I remember staying up late at night, sharing ideas with the developers to improve the model.”
     
    The nature of generative AI, which produces different results each time, often posed challenges during development. “We constantly mulled over how to quantitatively evaluate the results in a situation where they change every time. We also had to anticipate a wide range of edge cases to prevent the AI from producing inappropriate images,” she explained.
     
    New to the Galaxy S25 series and the Galaxy lineup as a whole is the Best Face feature. This feature selects the best facial expressions of up to five people from multiple Motion Photos and composites them into a single picture-perfect group shot. “The Best Face feature can not only change a closed-eyed face to an open-eyed face, but can also turn a face from looking to the side to looking straight ahead,” Kim said. “My mom kept closing her eyes every time we took family photos, so we often had to retake them several times. It’s very useful in that kind of situation,” she added with a laugh.
     
     
    An Unrivaled AI Filter Experience That Captures the User’s Unique Vibe
    With Filters, the Galaxy S25 series also offers a variety of filters that intuitively capture each user’s unique aesthetic.
     
    “We have enhanced the AI-powered feature to make it easier for anyone to capture the color or mood of their favorite photos while also improving the overall user experience to make it more user-friendly,” said Yunju Bae, who led the development of Filters. “We went through detailed tuning and repeated evaluations to balance technology and aesthetics to perfect filter quality.”
     
    ▲ Yunju Bae
     
    Filters let users choose a photo they like and utilize AI to analyze the color and style of the photo to produce a personalized filter. “I often look at a photo and think, ‘I want to take a photo with this kind of vibe,’ so I wanted to make it easy to recreate the style I like without going through complicated editing,” Bae said as she explained the background behind the feature’s development.
     
    Filters’ new film-style filters naturally capture the aesthetic unique to analog film. “The look and feel of analog film is a subjective area, so we went through a lot of trial and error to quantify it for digital reproduction,” Bae said. “We analyzed a lot of actual film, and through constant experiments and adjustments, we made meaningful progress in numerical representation to adequately reproduce the aesthetic of analog film,” she said. Bae also expressed her gratitude for the various experiments and analyses done in collaboration with Samsung Research, which played an integral role in enhancing the technical reliability of Filters.
     
     
    The Future of the Galaxy Camera Visual Experience
    The Galaxy S25 series has set a new standard for mobile cameras — but the Visual Solution Team is just getting started. The developers are already working on even bigger innovations to shape the future of smartphone imaging.
     
    Asked about the team’s plans and ambitions for the future, Wonchul Choi replied, “Our goal is to further strengthen the camera’s picture quality fundamentals, all while maximizing convenience and accessibility so that it can perform at its best no matter where or when it’s used.”
     
    “We plan to analyze the market’s response to Virtual Aperture and incorporate it into Portrait mode. By continuing to expand the features, we’ll ensure that the photo quality of the best DSLR cameras out there can be fully experienced on mobile devices,” added Pyojae Kim.
     
    “We’ve put forth our best effort to continuously improve quality and introduce new generative AI features to users, but there’s always room to do better We’ll make these features more accessible so that users can more easily and comfortably utilize the powers of generative AI,” said Jihye Kim.
     
    Sharing her bold aspirations, Yunju Bae concluded with, “We want to expand the shooting experience to the point where artistic sensibilities and technology naturally blend together through AI. We aim to deliver an experience that’s good enough to replace different types of hardware.”
     
    Smartphone cameras are no longer just a technical feature. They’ve become iconic, indispensable items that capture and share life’s stories. The Galaxy camera is constantly evolving to make it easier for anyone to create high-quality photos and videos, and to personalize their content. As it evolves, so too will the ways users see, share and shape the moments that matter most.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Biz2Credit Small Business Earnings Report Finds SMB Earnings Climbed Higher in April

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biz2Credit’s monthly Small Business Earnings Report found that average monthly earnings were up to $47,700 in April 2025, up $9,100 from March’s number. This is a consistent run of monthly gains, with earnings rising 48% since January.

    Key Findings for April 2025

    • Average Monthly Earnings: $47,700. (Mar. 2025: $38,600 – an increase of $9,100)
    • Average Monthly Revenue: $522,400. (Mar. 2025: $531,900 – a decrease of $9,500)
    • Average Monthly Expenses: $493,300. (Mar. 2025: $474,700 – a decrease of $18,600)

    A year ago (March 2024), average revenues were $692,900, while average expenses were $651,200. Average earnings were $41,700, a figure that is $3,100 more than the average earnings in March 2025. Additionally, inflation has seen a significant decline, from 3.4% in April 2024 to 2.3% in April 2025. However, tariff-related worries have kept small businesses on edge as they struggle to make revenue projections.

    “Small and medium businesses have found a way to remain economically strong despite trade policy uncertainty” said Rohit Arora, CEO and co-founder of Biz2Credit.

    “Tariffs remain a top concern for small business owners who continue to await further clarity from the White House about trade policy and tariffs before as they make pivotal business decisions,” added Arora, one of the nation’s leading experts in small business finance. “In the meantime, business operators are cutting back expenses, resulting in earnings swinging upward for the first few months of the year.” Q1 was particularly pressured as the new administration came in and began implementing new trade policy, sending markets and small business sentiment plummeting at an alarming rate.

    Summary

    The Biz2Credit Small Business Earnings Report summarizes primary data of companies that applied for funding each month. It assesses the financial health of small businesses by analyzing primary data provided directly by small to midsized firms in the U.S. as part of the application process on Biz2Credit’s award-winning digital funding platform. The report provides one of the most up-to-date readings on the financial health of small businesses currently available. Click here to review the Small Business Earnings Report.

    Methodology

    Biz2Credit examines a number of small business financial metrics in the Small Business Earnings Report, including annual revenue, operating expenses, age of business, credit score, approval rate, and funding rate. Data is drawn from over 100,000 completed financing applications submitted to Biz2Credit’s online small business funding platform between Jan. 2022 and Apr. 2025.

    About Biz2Credit

    Founded in 2007, Biz2Credit has helped thousands of companies access more than in small business financing. Biz2Credit is headquartered in New York City, employs over 800 people with over half in product, data science, and engineering roles. Using data analytics and predictive modeling, Biz2Credit seeks to enhance the accuracy and transparency of business credit decisions, fueling long-term economic development. Visit www.biz2credit.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).

    Media Contact: Brett Holzhauer, (818) 326-1109, brett.holzhauer@biz2credit.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK forges economic ties with multiple emerging markets through outreach to Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (May 19) that the Director-General of Investment Promotion and leadership team have completed multiple duty visits to emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East this month, actively promoting Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities in overseas markets and fostering mutual co-operation. The team participated in various events, met with government organisations, chambers of commerce, business leaders, and company representatives, to deepen exchange in economic and trade between Hong Kong and these places. During the visit to the Middle East, as witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and local leaders, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to strengthen economic and trade ties and promote deeper business collaboration between the two regions.

    Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Charles Ng, Acting Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Ms Loretta Lee, and sector team heads visited Türkiye, Hungary, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Romania, actively promoting Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities. They emphasised Hong Kong’s advantages of connecting the country with the world under “one country, two systems,” and sought to actively expanding into emerging markets, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, and demonstrate the synergistic power of the complementary strengths between the city and the Mainland.

         Mr Lee led a business delegation to Qatar and Kuwait from May 11 to 14, Ms Loretta Lee was part of the delegation. Witnessed by the Chief Executive, three MoUs were signed with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Qatar Businessmen Association, and the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, further strengthening collaborative relationships.

    Ms Alpha Lau visited emerging markets along the Belt and Road initiative including Istanbul, Türkiye; Budapest, Hungary; and Cairo, Egypt, from May 10 to 20, meeting with external economic relations committees, export promotion agencies, investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, financial services organisations and strategic enterprises, to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities and the advantages of raising capital through Hong Kong. She spoke at multiple business seminars co-organised by chambers of commerce, business associations, and external economic relations committees, expanding networks and seeking new business opportunities for Hong Kong and hosted two media roundtable discussions to tell the good stories of Hong Kong.
     
    Mr Ng visited Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Casablanca, Morocco, from May 11 to 16. In Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Ng spoke at a CEO Forum and engaged with chambers of commerce and industry to highlight Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector in the Belt and Road Initiative. In Morocco, he met with various financial institutions and professional associations to emphasise Hong Kong’s robust financial markets and innovation ecosystem. Mr Ng also met with local media to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages.
     
    Global Head of Financial Services, FinTech & Sustainability at InvestHK, Mr King Leung met with representatives from local financial institutions in Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi to discuss opportunities for digital and technological collaboration between the two regions. The Head of Consumer Products, Ms Angelica Leung met with retail and luxury brand leaders in Bucharest, tapping into emerging markets like Romania and demonstrating why Hong Kong is the ideal location to set up a regional headquarters to thrive across the region’s retail and luxury sectors.
     
    Ms Lau said, “In addition to reaching out to traditional markets, InvestHK is also strengthening economic ties with emerging markets to create more collaboration opportunities. Amid unprecedented global economic challenges and the reshaping of global supply chains, overseas enterprises are keen to expand their presence in Asia. InvestHK will align with the Belt and Road Initiative and the trend of collaborating with the ‘Global South’, deepen international exchanges and collaboration, actively promote cross-border investment, capital market cooperation, and technological innovation exchanges, and assist enterprises in establishing and expanding their business in Hong Kong and the wider region.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bank of Åland Plc: Pasi Poikkeus appointed Deputy Head of the Finnish Mainland Business Area

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bank of Åland Plc
    Change, Board/Executive Team/Auditors
    May 19, 2025, 17.00 EET

    Pasi Poikkeus appointed Deputy Head of the Finnish Mainland Business Area

    Pasi Poikkeus has been appointed Deputy Head of the Finnish Mainland Business Area, thereby also becoming a deputy member of the Executive Team. Poikkeus holds degrees in Master of Social Sciences (econ.) and Executive Master of Business Administration and is Head of the bank’s Private Banking within the Finnish Mainland Business Area. He has been with Bank of Åland since 2023 and will assume his new position immediately.

    For further information, please contact:
    Peter Wiklöf, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Bank of Åland Plc, tel. +358 204 291 225
    Pasi Poikkeus, Head of Private Banking Finland, tel +358 50 358 3000

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BexBack Launches 100x Leverage, No KYC, $50 Welcome Bonus, and Double Deposit Bonus to Empower Crypto Futures Traders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin surged from $74,500 to break the $100,000 threshold, many analysts agree that a new crypto bull market has officially begun. In this environment, savvy investors are increasingly turning to high-leverage futures trading as a way to maximize returns with minimal capital.

    BexBack is embracing this shift by doubling down on its trader-first strategy, launching a powerful set of promotional incentives: a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and up to 100x leverage across 50+ leading cryptocurrencies. Most importantly, the platform offers trading with no KYC required, making it accessible to users who were previously limited by verification or leverage restrictions. These tools are designed to help traders fully capitalize on the momentum of the bull market — with more flexibility, more power, and fewer barriers.

    What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?

    Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:

    Suppose the Bitcoin price is $60,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.

    One day later, if the price rises to $63,000, your profit will be (63,000 – 60,000) * 100 BTC / 60,000 = 5 BTC, a yield of up to 500%.

    With BexBack’s deposit bonus

    BexBack offers a 100% deposit bonus. If the initial investment is 2 BTC, the profit will increase to 10 BTC, and the return on investment will double to 1000%.

    Note: Although leveraged trading can magnify profits, you also need to be wary of liquidation risks.

    How Does the 100% Deposit Bonus Work?
    The deposit bonus from BexBack cannot be directly withdrawn but can be used to open larger positions and increase potential profits. Additionally, during significant market fluctuations, the bonus can serve as extra margin, effectively reducing the risk of liquidation.

    About BexBack?

    BexBack is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform that offers 100x leverage on BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, XRP, and 50+ others futures contracts. It is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina. It holds a US MSB (Money Services Business) license and is trusted by more than 500,000 traders worldwide. Accepts users from the United States, Canada, and Europe. There are no deposit fees, and traders can get the most thoughtful service, including 24/7 customer support.

    Why recommend BexBack?

    No KYC Required: Start trading immediately without complex identity verification.

    100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds, double your profits.

    High-Leverage Trading: Offers up to 100x leverage, maximizing investors’ capital efficiency.

    Demo Account: Comes with 10 BTC and 1M USDT in virtual funds, ideal for beginners to practice risk-free trading.

    Comprehensive Trading Options: Feature-rich trading available via Web and mobile applications.

    Convenient Operation: No slippage, no spread, and fast, precise trade execution.

    Global User Support: Enjoy 24/7 customer service, no matter where you are.

    Lucrative Affiliate Rewards: Earn up to 50% commission, perfect for promoters.

    Take Action Now—Don’t Miss Another Opportunity!

    If you missed the previous crypto bull run, this could be your chance. With BexBack’s 100x leverage and 100% deposit bonus and $50 bonus for new users (available after making a deposit of at least 100 USDT or 0.001 BTC and completing one trade within one week of registration), giving you the edge to become a winner in the new bull run.

    Sign up on BexBack now, claim your exclusive bonus and start accumulating more BTC today!

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b581bb4-df3d-4643-a17a-66e245ace5a7

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/afa8ddc4-bc5c-4d6a-9549-7f04cd1edce6

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ffc63ec-36f2-4692-81ef-b34b15678e72

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca711b05-6553-405f-a954-587d09dcdc54

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Angles for SAP from insightsoftware Now Supports SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) to Remove IT Blockers and Simplify Data Access

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RALEIGH, N.C., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — insightsoftware, the most comprehensive provider of solutions for the Office of the CFO, today announced that its purpose-built data intelligence and analytics solution, Angles for SAP, can now be fully integrated with SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). This advancement enables supply chain and operations teams to seamlessly leverage Angles for SAP across the SAP BTP landscape. It simplifies data access, enriches reporting capabilities, and accelerates time-to-insight across SAP and non-SAP data sources.

    According to Gartner Inc., 90% of organizations plan to adopt a hybrid cloud approach by 2027. For scalable, compliant deployments, clean and context-aware data is essential. The integration of Angles for SAP with SAP BTP makes this possible, allowing customers to simplify SAP reporting, create tailored solutions, and make mission-critical decisions. For even greater benefit, Angles for SAP customers can leverage AI Doc Assist, a capability from Lineos, AI powered by insightsoftware. AI Doc Assist boosts productivity with generative AI and proprietary documentation to deliver fast, precise, and actionable insights.

    “Cloud ERP adoption is increasing, yet many organizations face challenges with timely and actionable operational reporting. Alongside global economic volatility, empowering decision-makers with faster insights and more efficient workflows has never been more critical,” said Axel Streichardt, VP, Product Management, ERP Reporting & BI at insightsoftware. “The integration of Angles for SAP with SAP BTP delivers advanced, modern analytics and reporting capabilities without the need to rebuild data models.”

    With more than 25 years of SAP data expertise, Angles for SAP empowers customers to unlock more value from their SAP investments. It complements native tools with advanced analytics, prebuilt semantic models, and AI-driven insights – all now deployable and extensible through SAP BTP. Angles for SAP capabilities drive measurable impact across operational reporting, supply chain management, predictive modeling, and scenario planning. Customers have reported up to 50% efficiency gains, 16% reductions in stock levels, and 20% improvements in production efficiency.

    Visit insightsoftware at upcoming SAP Sapphire events to learn more about how Angles for SAP turns critical SAP data into real-time, actionable insights:

    About insightsoftware
    insightsoftware is a global provider of comprehensive solutions for the Office of the CFO. We believe an actionable business strategy begins and ends with accessible financial data. With solutions across financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, and operations, we transform how teams operate, empowering leaders to make timely and informed decisions. With data at the heart of everything we do, insightsoftware enables automated processes, delivers trusted insights, boosts predictability, and increases productivity. Learn more at insightsoftware.com.

    Media Contacts
    Inkhouse for insightsoftware
    insightsoftware@inkhouse.com

    Daniel Tummeley
    Corporate Communications Manager
    PR@insightsoftware.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ICC calls for G7 leadership to revitalise global trade system 

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: ICC calls for G7 leadership to revitalise global trade system 

    Hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce under the theme “Bolstering Economic Security and Resiliency”, the B7 Summit was held in Ottawa from 14–16 May.

    ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO featured as an executive spotlight speaker during the Summit where he urged G7 countries to demonstrate leadership in shaping the future of global trade.

    “A strong, stable, and predictable multilateral trading system is essential, and leadership from the G7 community must drive this forward.”

    ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO

    “Revitalising the multilateral trading system should be on Page 1 of the Brief of Leaders going into the G7 Summit in Alberta next month,” he added.

    Speaking on a keynote panel alongside Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Matthew Harrington, Global President and COO of Edelman, and Bianca Freedman, CEO of Edelman Canada, Mr Denton stressed the growing need for business to play a proactive leadership role in easing global tensions and highlighted ICC’s focus on advancing practical solutions to restore confidence in the global trading system.

    “Without leadership, we risk drifting into a more fragmented global economy where uncertainty becomes the norm, and the basic safeguards of the trading system erode. That would be a loss not just for governments, but for businesses and communities everywhere that rely on open, stable markets to grow and prosper.”

    Strengthening the voice of business globally

    Throughout the B7 Summit, ICC representatives engaged in bilateral meetings with high-level officials, including the G7 Sherpa and Deputy Minister Cindy Termorshuizen, as well as with chamber leaders.  

    The ICC International Court of Arbitration (ICA) and the ICC Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) were recognised in the final B7 Communiqué, which outlines the business community’s key policy proposals for G7 leaders. ICC was cited as a leading example of how to implement the B7’s Strategic Trade Coordination recommendations.

    The B7 Summit culminated in the presentation of policy recommendations to the Canadian government ahead of the G7 Summit, scheduled to take place from  15-17 June in Kananaskis, Alberta.

    The B7 serves as the official business engagement platform for the world’s seven largest advanced economies. ICC first participated in the B7 Summit in 2024, under Italy’s G7 Presidency. ICC is also a Network Partner to the B20 and continues to play a leading role in the G20 process, having been actively engaged since 2010.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WASHINGTON COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to Highlight Shapiro-Davis Administration’s Investments to Create More Jobs and Build Shovel-Ready Sites for Businesses

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    May 19, 2025 – Monongahela, PA

    ADVISORY – WASHINGTON COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to Highlight Shapiro-Davis Administration’s Investments to Create More Jobs and Build Shovel-Ready Sites for Businesses

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley will join state and local leaders and economic development officials for a news conference to highlight investments by the Shapiro-Davis Administration to create more jobs and build shovel-ready sites for businesses Monday, May 19, at 1:30 p.m. at 462 Cracker Jack Rd., Monongahela, PA 15063.

    The Shapiro-Davis Administration is delivering a $250,000 planning grant to the Mon Valley Alliance through the first round of the PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) program.

    WHO: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley, state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, Carroll Township Supervisor Ken Hillman, Fallowfield Township Supervisor Bruce Smith, representatives from the Mon Valley Alliance

    WHAT:
    News conference to highlight investments by the Shapiro-Davis Administration to create more jobs and build shovel-ready sites for businesses

    WHEN:
    Monday, May 19, at 1:30 p.m.

    WHERE:
    462 Cracker Jack Rd.,
    Monongahela, PA 15063

    RSVP:
    Members of the news media who are interested in attending must RSVP to Kirstin Alvanitakis at kirstinalv@pa.gov to receive logistical details.

    Attendees must also complete and submit a waiver.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tomato trade dispute between the US and Mexico is boiling over again – with 21% tariffs due in July

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Andrew Muhammad, Professor of Agriculture and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee

    The country of origin – Mexico – is noted on the label of a package of Campari tomatoes for sale in the produce section of a Safeway grocery store on March 4, 2025, in Denver. AP Photo/David Zalubowski

    Although technically they’re a fruit, tomatoes are one of the most-consumed vegetables, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Among the fresh produce the nation buys from foreign countries, tomatoes often rank first or second, behind avocados.

    This trade is now jeopardized because the Trump administration has revived a three-decade-old effort to limit imports.

    As economists who study global trade issues affecting agricultural commodities and processed food products, we have assessed the benefits of imported tomatoes and other products on consumers and businesses. Fresh tomato imports ensure year-round availability for consumers, contribute significantly to the U.S. economy by generating billions in sales and supporting thousands of jobs, and promote competitive pricing that benefits both consumers and businesses.

    New import restrictions could put all that at risk because domestic production cannot satisfy national demand. For tomatoes, like steel and other products, efforts to reverse trade imbalances can decrease consumer satisfaction and potentially destroy more jobs and economic activity than they create.

    Initiating a dumping investigation

    This tussle over tomatoes began in the 1990s.

    At that time, unprecedented growth in tomato imports from Mexico prompted U.S. producers to ask the Clinton administration to investigate whether they were being sold at unfairly low prices. If that were the case, it would violate both World Trade Organization rules and U.S. trade policy.

    The U.S. responded with an antidumping investigation, conducted by the Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission. The agencies were tasked with seeing if imports are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair market value – the definition of dumping.

    Dumping can harm domestic producers by depressing local prices to compete with imports, causing financial distress. An antidumping duty is essentially a tariff.

    The Commerce Department ruled against Mexican producers, finding that they had engaged in dumping, but reached an agreement with them. Mexican tomato exporters agreed to set minimum prices, leading the U.S. to call off its investigation. The U.S. and Mexico have subsequently entered into a string of suspension agreements over the years.

    The first was implemented in 1996, and the most recent took effect in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s prior term after his administration had threatened to impose a 17.5% tomato tariff.

    Squashing the tomato suspension agreement

    But in April 2025, the Commerce Department announced that it would withdraw from the latest tomato suspension agreement. The Trump administration plans to begin to impose, starting in July, antidumping duties of 21% on fresh tomatoes imported from Mexico.

    It is not obvious at this stage if American importers and consumers will bear the full burden of this tariff, or if Mexican tomato exporters will absorb this cost.

    This move is supposed to benefit fresh tomato producers in the U.S. – most of which are in Florida, with a significantly smaller number located in California. The tariffs could, however, hurt produce distributors, wholesalers and retailers, as well as American consumers.

    People in the U.S. have become accustomed to buying fresh tomatoes to toss into their salads and stuff into their sandwiches year-round, even though in most of the country you can only harvest field-grown tomatoes in the warmest months of the year.

    Focusing only on fresh tomatoes

    This dispute doesn’t involve all the tomatoes and tomato products Americans eat.

    U.S. tomato production is split into two main categories. Fresh tomatoes are usually purchased in a supermarket’s fresh produce section, to be consumed whole, chopped or sliced. This dispute is about those tomatoes.

    The other kind is processing tomatoes, which companies use for making tomato paste, canned or stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce. California leads the nation in processing tomato production. Unlike fresh tomatoes, where the U.S. imports far more than it produces or exports, the U.S. is actually running a trade surplus in processed tomato products.

    When the North American Free Trade Agreement was implemented in January 1994, U.S. fresh tomato production was more than four times the quantity of imported fresh tomatoes: 3.7 billion pounds (1.7 million metric tons) produced versus only 870 million pounds (400,000 metric tons) imported.

    Domestic production has steadily declined since then, while imports have increased. Imported fresh tomatoes are now twice as plentiful: 2.2 billion pounds (1 million metric tons) were grown in the U.S. in 2023, compared with 4.4 billion pounds (2 million metric tons)“ imported .

    This happened as Americans were eating more fresh tomatoes than ever: almost 20 pounds (9 kilograms) per capita in 2023.

    Mexico supplies most of the fresh tomatoes Americans buy in supermarkets.
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    Influx didn’t clearly affect prices

    In 2024, fresh tomato imports totaled US$3.6 billion, with $3.1 billion coming from Mexico. This was a 367% increase since NAFTA took effect, adjusted for inflation.

    Given that costs of production are lower in Mexico for many products, especially in the fresh produce sector where labor costs are less than half U.S. levels, you might figure that this arrangement has kept prices for fresh tomatoes in the U.S. low. But there’s little evidence to support that. Instead, the opposite seems true.

    In 1995, the price that U.S. importers paid of Mexican tomatoes was 31 cents per pound. Since then, import prices have steadily increased to 74 cents per pound in 2024. They have often exceeded prices paid to American farmers and kept pace with the overall rise in food prices the past three decades.

    While restricting imported Mexican tomatoes might benefit U.S. tomato producers by making it easier for them to raise their prices, there are other factors to consider. Imports play a crucial role in boosting economic activity and creating jobs. According to a recent study, these imports generated a total economic impact of more than $8 billion.

    The extra $5 billion comes from all the value-added activities associated with getting that produce from the border to consumers. That total economic impact supports approximately 47,000 U.S. jobs tied to tomato storage, distribution, wholesaling and retailing.

    We would expect antidumping duties on imported fresh tomatoes to increase prices, and reduce the amount of fresh tomatoes Americans can buy. That would also shrink some of the economic impact and eliminate some of the jobs spurred by the imported tomato boom.

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

    – ref. Tomato trade dispute between the US and Mexico is boiling over again – with 21% tariffs due in July – https://theconversation.com/tomato-trade-dispute-between-the-us-and-mexico-is-boiling-over-again-with-21-tariffs-due-in-july-255813

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Leaders can promote gender equity without deepening polarization − here’s how

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Colleen Tolan, Postdoctoral Researcher for the Center for Women in Business, Rutgers University

    Dialogue can make a difference. Pixelfit/E+/Getty Images

    Americans largely agree that women have made significant gains in the workplace over the past two decades. But what about men? While many Americans believe women are thriving, over half believe men’s progress has stalled or even reversed.

    To make matters more complex, recent research has revealed a massive divide along gender and partisan lines. The majority of Republican men think full gender equity in America has been achieved, while the majority of Democratic women think there’s still work to be done.

    As researchers at the Rutgers Center for Women in Business, we think this divide matters a lot. And for business leaders, this gap isn’t just a social or political issue. It’s a leadership challenge with direct implications for team cohesion and morale. If gender equity efforts are seen by some employees as a loss rather than a collective gain, leaders risk inadvertently entrenching division.

    When equity feels like a loss

    Efforts to advance gender equity often come with the reassurance that equality isn’t a zero-sum game – that women’s advancement need not come at men’s expense. Data backs this up, showing, for example, that having gender-diverse executive teams can boost company profits by as much as 21%.

    Yet workers’ perceptions of gender equity efforts tell another story.

    For example, 61% of Americans believe changing gender norms have made it easier for women to be successful at work, but only 36% say the same for men. What’s more, 61% of men think women have equal job opportunities, but only 33% of women believe the same thing.

    These differences reveal an important truth: Perception, not policy alone, shapes how equity efforts are received.

    Involving men in the equity conversation

    Research suggests men and women associate power with different psychological outcomes. Men are more likely to associate power with control, while for women, power is more often linked to a feeling of freedom. As a result, efforts to share power may feel more liberating to women but destabilizing to men – particularly to those already in power.

    But this doesn’t mean one’s gain needs to come at another’s expense – just that people make sense of change through the lens of their own identities and experiences.

    When men perceive progress for women as a threat to their status or opportunity, resistance grows, even in the face of data suggesting otherwise. This cycle becomes especially difficult to break because it requires challenging one’s own beliefs, which isn’t always easy.

    This is why learning about others’ experiences is so useful. For example, a man and a woman might be equally ambitious and capable, but perhaps only one of them experiences being routinely interrupted in meetings. These differences in personal history and lived experience shape how work environments are interpreted and therefore navigated.

    Understanding this diversity of perspectives and discussing lived experiences can help gender equity efforts become more effective. Building a truly equitable future requires acknowledging that feelings about efforts required to reach that future may differ widely.

    With that in mind, here are some best practices for leaders to consider as they navigate the changing landscape.

    Preparing for differences in perspective

    Avoid zero-sum thinking. If men think gender equity efforts will erode their opportunities or diminish their own power, they’ll disengage. Leaders should instead frame equity as essential to team and business success – and ground conversations in metrics that show how inclusion drives outcomes.

    Know that the stakes may vary. Women may see gender equity as a matter of justice or even survival, and when stakes are existential, compromise can be difficult. At the same time, they may experience organizational progress toward gender equity as a personal win. Publicizing these changes and their mutually beneficial gains can help to create a more cohesive team where everyone can thrive.

    Be aware that different clocks are ticking. Some men may view change as happening too quickly, destabilizing established norms. Women, on the other hand, may feel progress is too slow, given centuries of systemic inequity. Holding both views as worthy of respect requires teamwork. Encourage dialogue where the goal is mutual understanding rather than unity.

    Building coalitions around shared experiences

    Promote policies that benefit everyone. By promoting policies such as hybrid work and parental leave that benefit everyone, workplaces will attract and retain a more diverse workforce, which leads to greater innovation. Encourage men to take advantage of these policies and ensure your company culture makes it acceptable to do so. This enables men to actually experience the benefit of these initiatives. Align efforts around shared values – such as the desire for healthier families, better education or stronger economies.

    Use both/and thinking. Supporting men who express fears about status loss can open space for dialogue. Provide that space. At the same time, acknowledge the ongoing struggles women continue to face and their fears about workplaces returning to “the way they used to be.” One viewpoint does not need to negate the other.

    Prioritize lived experience. Rather than insisting that everyone see gender equity the same way, find ways for men to experience mutually beneficial initiatives. Then, encourage dialogue about experiences rather than ideas.

    Bridge divides with dialogue

    Mixed mentorship matters. Pairing employees with mentors of different backgrounds – across gender, race, age, department or seniority level – can help them cultivate curiosity and learn from one another.

    Activate resource groups. Groups focused on cross-cultural engagement provide employees with a platform to discuss challenges, share experiences and collaborate on inclusion initiatives. Additionally, encouraging allies to participate in employee resource groups and business resource groups fosters increased openness and understanding. Leaders can support groups by providing resources, visibility and executive sponsorship.

    Embrace discomfort. In general, people work to avoid feeling uncomfortable. However, discomfort is often necessary for growth. Starting with this premise and encouraging thoughtful, open and honest discussions about sensitive topics and potential fears can help foster transparency and build trust. Leaders can facilitate these conversations through town halls, roundtable discussions or dedicated dialogue sessions.

    Progress depends not just on metrics and policies but on trust, communication and humility. When people feel seen and heard – whether they’re feeling empowered or uncertain – they’re more likely to engage.

    In other words, the real opportunity isn’t to win an argument about whether gender equity is “done,” but to build organizations where everyone can see a future for themselves in the workplace – and feel as if they have a role in shaping it.

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

    – ref. Leaders can promote gender equity without deepening polarization − here’s how – https://theconversation.com/leaders-can-promote-gender-equity-without-deepening-polarization-heres-how-254921

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: May 20: NFFE-IAM, IAM Union to Welcome Minority Business Development Agency Employees Back to Work After Administrative Leave, RIF Threats

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    WASHINGTON, May 19, 2025—The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) and the IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) will gather outside the Department of Commerce on Tuesday, May 20, at 8:30 a.m. to welcome back employees of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). 

    Approximately 35 employees, represented by NFFE-IAM, had been placed on administrative leave and faced a Reduction in Force (RIF) threat. Now returning to their jobs, they will be greeted with signs of support and solidarity.

    Federal workers are the backbone of our nation, providing essential services that keep our country running.

    Event Details:

    What: IAM Union and NFFE-IAM to host a visibility event to welcome back MBDA workers

    When: Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

    Where: Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. (supporters will gather at the 14th Street main entrance)

    Who: IAM Union, NFFE-IAM, labor allies, and community supporters

    RSVP: Interested reporters can RSVP by emailing Bethany Shelton (bshelton@iamaw.org).

    Supporters will hold signs welcoming the MBDA workers back and thanking them for their work. Members of Congress, elected officials, and local community leaders are invited to attend this event.

    The IAM Union and NFFE-IAM invite members of the media to attend and cover this event. Visuals and interview opportunities will be available.

    The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries. 

    goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by CE at Welcome Dinner for Global Prosperity Summit 2025 (English only) (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Welcome Dinner for the Global Prosperity Summit 2025 today (May 19):

    President Wu Hailong of China Public Diplomacy Association, Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Mrs Regina Ip (Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council and Chairperson of Savantas Policy Institute), Professor Yang Jiemian, Chairman of the Academic Advisory Council of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Mr Iñaki Amate, Chair of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 
    Given today’s global turmoil, connectivity has never been more important. In a time of economic uncertainty, Hong Kong serves as a welcoming financial harbour. Here, information, capital, goods and people flow freely, thanks to our common law system and a legal regime similar to that of many of the world’s leading financial hubs. With economies everywhere seeking security, seeking ways of boosting their economy, Hong Kong is proving highly attractive to them.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Trade facilitation pact signed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau and the General Administration of Customs (GACC) today signed the Cooperation Arrangement on Single Window – a trade facilitation measure between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

    The co-operation arrangement was signed by Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau and Minister of the GACC Sun Meijun.

    Noting that the Mainland is Hong Kong’s largest partner in trade in goods with frequent cross-boundary trade, Mr Yau said the Single Window provides a one-stop electronic platform for the trade to lodge various types of documents for trade declaration and cargo clearance.

    The arrangement will allow collaboration and interconnectivity of the systems of the two places to reach new heights, enhancing the existing mechanism of exchange and co-operation as well as exploring different areas of collaboration, he added.

    The bureau has been implementing the Single Window in three phases, with the first two phases in full service since 2020 and 2023 respectively, covering 42 types of trade documents. Phase 3 services will be rolled out in batches from 2026 onwards.

    The GACC and the Customs & Excise Department launched the Mainland-Hong Kong “Single Submission for Dual Declaration” Scheme in 2024, covering all cargo imported from the Mainland through land boundary control points. The scheme spares enterprises the time and manpower required for declaration and minimises operating costs.

    It covers all cargo passing through land boundary control points between the two places starting today, enabling industry stakeholders to reuse road cargo information when submitting to the systems of both sides. The scheme will be reprovisioned in Phase 3 of the Single Window. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: TrueCommerce EDI Achieves SAP® Certified Integration with RISE with SAP S/4HANA® Cloud

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COVENTRY, England and PITTSBURGH , May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TrueCommerce announced today that its EDI solution has achieved SAP® certification as integrated with RISE with SAP S/4HANA® Cloud. The integration supports versions 2023 and newer of the S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, and complements TrueCommerce’s existing SAP-certified EDI integration with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. 

    “Coming on the heels of our EDI integration with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public, this latest certification for SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private extends our EDI integration offering for companies on the path to digital transformation with S/4HANA Cloud,” said Ryan Tierney, SVP of Product at TrueCommerce, a global provider of supply chain and trading partner connectivity, integration and omnichannel solutions. “As we continue to expand our portfolio, we remain focused on the future—providing our customers with cutting-edge options and the flexibility to choose the integration approach that best aligns with their unique business needs and positions them for long-term growth.” 

    Key features and benefits of TrueCommerce EDI Integration for SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition include: 

    • Enhanced Efficiency and Compliance: The integration helps streamline operations by automating the exchange of critical business documents, reducing manual processes, and decreasing the potential for errors.
    • Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN) Support: Compliance with trading partners’ requirements is crucial, and the TrueCommerce solution supports various ASN types, enabling robust compliance.
    • Multi-threading Capabilities: This feature enables the simultaneous exchange of multiple large transactions—resulting in fewer delays and faster processing.
    • Integrated Documents: The integration includes comprehensive support for order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, and warehousing workflows—simplifying supply chain processes.
    • Drop Shipping and eCommerce: TrueCommerce supports drop ship orders and integrates with multiple sales channels, empowering businesses to quickly respond to market demands.

    The SAP Integration and Certification Center (SAP ICC) has certified that TrueCommerce’s EDI Integration for SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition (version number 8.12.2.110) integrates with RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud using standard integration technologies. 

    Connect with TrueCommerce 

    About TrueCommerce 
    At TrueCommerce, we empower businesses to improve their supply chain performance and drive better business outcomes. Through a single connection to our high-performance global supply chain network, businesses receive more than just EDI, they get access to a fully integrated network that connects their customers, suppliers, logistics partners and internal systems. Our cloud-based, fully managed services help businesses achieve end-to-end supply chain management, streamlined delivery, and simplified operations. With 25+ years of expertise and trusted partnership, TrueCommerce helps businesses reach their true supply chain potential today while preparing them for the future with our integration-agnostic network. That’s why thousands of companies—from SMBs to the global Fortune 100, across various industries—rely on us. To learn more, visit https://www.truecommerce.com. 
    TrueCommerce is a trademark of True Commerce, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. 

    SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Amanda Dana Honored with ‘Inspiring Leader Award’ by Orange Bank & Trust and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Mid-Hudson Valley business community gathered Thursday, May 8, at The Country Club at Otterkill in Campbell Hall as Amanda Dana, Director of Tourism for Orange County and Executive Director of the Orange County Film Office, was honored with the 2025 WGW Inspiring Leader Award.

    The recognition was presented by Orange Bank & Trust Company and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. as part of the “Women Guiding Women” (WGW) initiative, which was created to empower and elevate women in the business world.

    Dana has been an integral part of Orange County’s leadership team since 2018, when she was named Tourism Director. As the organization expanded, it acquired the Orange County Film Office, which expanded her role to include serving as Executive Director. Dana is also the Past President of Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc., the 10-county regional destination marketing organization. She has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience in the Hudson Valley, having spent 18 years in executive recruiting/talent management, and 10 years in real estate and economic development, including a role at the Orange County Partnership, where she led its Business Retention & Expansion division.

    “Amanda’s vision, dedication, and passion have helped elevate Orange County’s profile, which has had a tremendous impact on our local economy,” said Carla Alfieri, SVP/Senior Private Banking Officer at Orange Bank & Trust Company. “She exemplifies a WGW Inspiring Leader, and we were thrilled to honor her at this year’s event.”

    Dana said, “I am truly honored to be recognized by Orange Bank & Trust Company. Promoting our region and sharing all it has to offer has been a highlight of my career, and it means so much to be acknowledged by an organization that is a cornerstone of our community.”

    The program also included a panel discussion on navigating the stages to a successful and enjoyable retirement, from your 20s to your 60s, as well as potential forks in the road that can pop up along the way. The discussion was moderated by WGW host, Kathy Cole, VP Private Banking Officer, Orange Bank & Trust, and featured Carla Alfieri, SVP/Senior Private Banking Officer, Orange Bank & Trust Company, Cynthia Hand, VP, Trust Officer, Orange Bank & Trust Company; and Kelly Lynch-Moloney, VP/Portfolio Manager, Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc.

    About Orange Bank & Trust Company
    Orange Bank & Trust Company is the Hudson Valley’s premier financial institution focusing on commercial lending, business banking, payment processing and wealth management services. For more than 133 years, Orange Bank & Trust Company has been an economic engine of the community, with more than $2.5 billion in assets and playing a vital role in increasing opportunities for local businesses, creating jobs for generations of residents, spurring region-defining developments, and maximizing investments to neighborhood-serving non-profits. The Bank is regularly recognized as one of New York’s top places to work.

    L-R: Margaret Kranz, AVP Branch Manager, Orange Bank & Trust; Kathy Cole, VP Private Banking Officer, Orange Bank & Trust; Kelly Lynch-Moloney, CFP ®, VP Portfolio Manager, Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc.; Amanda Dana, Director of Tourism for Orange County, Executive Director of the Orange County Film Office and 2025 Inspiring Leader Winner; Damiane Doyle, 1st VP Commercial Team Leader, Orange Bank & Trust; Cynthia Hand, Esq., VP, Trust Officer, Orange Bank & Trust; Carla Alfieri, Senior Vice President, Director of Private Banking, Orange Bank & Trust; Candice Varetoni, AVP Marketing Officer, Orange Bank & Trust

    Contact Info: Candice Varetoni, AVP Marketing Officer,
    Cvaretoni@orangebanktrust.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5be3e78e-2fd6-452b-a86c-0c131bfa14d5

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Family Fun day set to celebrate community at Fratton Bridge Centre

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth City Council, through its Business Enterprise Centres, is thrilled to invite residents to a Fratton Family Fun day. This event is a free celebration of community taking place on Saturday 24 May from 11am–3pm at Fratton Bridge Centre which has recently undergone a refurbishment.

    This family event will take over Fratton Bridge Centre and includes Punch & Judy, a mesmerizing magic show, and craft activities alongside face painting, community performances, local history and gaming sessions.  Families are also invited to help create an art installation that will celebrate Fratton’s community.

    The event marks a milestone in the transformation of Fratton Bridge Centre, which was acquired by the Council in September 2023 with support from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund. The centre has since undergone refurbishment, including upgrades to retail spaces, a new welcoming entrance, and the arrival of new businesses and community organisations such as The Pompey Cycle Hub, Fratton Together, the Parenting Network, and the Electric Dreamz interactive technology exhibition centre.

    Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of the council with responsibilities for economic development said:

    “The refurbishment has re-energised Fratton Bridge Centre.  By working together with community and local business we are committed to revitalising our high streets.  Events like the Fratton Family Fun Day are a great way to bring people together and celebrate the positive changes happening in our city.”

    The refurbishment of Fratton Bridge Centre is part of a wider regeneration effort to enhance the area through improvements to the high street and investments in new homes and employment opportunities.

    Fratton Family Fun is a free event. For programme details visit rediscoverportsmouth.co.uk/fratton-bridge

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Duck Creek Technologies Announces Tyler Jones as Chief Marketing Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, announces the appointment of Tyler Jones as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). As CMO, Jones will be responsible for overseeing Duck Creek’s strategic marketing and branding efforts, driving the company’s global expansion and leadership as a provider of P&C insurance software and services.

    “Tyler is a seasoned marketer and leader who understands how to deliver value to our customers and partner ecosystem,” said Mike Jackowski, Chief Executive Officer of Duck Creek Technologies. “He has a wealth of experience building and scaling world-class marketing organizations for cloud-based software companies. I am thrilled to welcome him to the Duck Creek team and look forward to working with him to accelerate our growth and expand our market leadership.”

    With over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology, insurance, and customer experience, Tyler joins Duck Creek from CLARA Analytics, where he led growth initiatives and commercial partnership programs that drive the adoption of AI-powered solutions.

    “I am honored and excited to join Duck Creek at this pivotal time in the insurance industry,” said Tyler Jones. “Duck Creek is a visionary company that is transforming the way insurers operate and serve their customers. I am impressed by the company’s culture, products, and customer-centric approach. I look forward to collaborating with the talented Duck Creek team and partners to amplify our brand, engage our audiences, and drive business outcomes.”

    Tyler held pivotal roles at Kaiser Permanente and AIG, where he spearheaded large-scale digital transformations. At Kaiser Permanente, he led a $250 million multiyear overhaul of the revenue cycle and consumer medical billing systems. As Global Head of Data Strategy at AIG, he focused on leveraging data to inform strategic decisions and enhance customer experiences.

    At CLARA Analytics, Tyler continued to drive customer-centric strategies, ensuring that clients achieved optimal value from the company’s AI platform. His leadership was instrumental in CLARA’s mission to deliver compelling ROI to customers within months of implementation.

    Jones holds an undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Utah and a Master of Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

    About Duck Creek Technologies 
    Duck Creek Technologies is the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and X.

    Media Contacts: 
    Marianne Dempsey/Tara Stred
    duckcreek@threeringsinc.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BIO-key and Cloud Distribution Co. Partner to Expand IAM and Biometric Security Solutions Across the Middle East

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALL, N.J. and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BIO-key International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKYI), a global leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM) and biometric authentication solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Cloud Distribution Co., a prominent Value-Added Distributor (VAD) headquartered in Saudi Arabia, with operations across the Middle East. Cloud Distribution joins BIO-key’s Channel Alliance Partner (CAP) program to deliver BIO-key’s full suite of IAM and biometric authentication solutions to enterprises and public institutions in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and across the region. This partnership strengthens BIO-key’s local capabilities while enabling Cloud Distribution to expand its cybersecurity portfolio with innovative, high-impact identity technologies.

    As part of this strategic collaboration, Cloud Distribution Co. has committed dedicated in-country resources to support BIO-key’s expansion in the region. A Pre-Sales Engineer, a Business Development Manager (BDM), and a Project Manager—based in Riyadh—will be part of Cloud Distribution’s team fully focused on BIO-key. This investment reflects Cloud Distribution’s clear bet on BIO-key’s growth and long-term value in the Middle East market, ensuring local expertise, responsive support, and successful deployments.

    Cloud Distribution will lead sales enablement, partner development, and technical execution for the following BIO-key technologies:

    • PortalGuard® – a comprehensive IAM platform supporting MFA, SSO, and centralized access management
    • Passkey:YOU™ – a FIDO2-compliant passwordless solution
    • PIN:You™ – a secure, tokenless, user-friendly PIN-based authentication method
    • WEB-key – a proven biometric engine for strong authentication
    • Identity-Bound Biometrics (IBB) – binding access to the individual, not the device
    • Certified biometric scanners including PIV-Pro and EcoID II

    “We are proud to partner with BIO-key and bring their cutting-edge identity and biometric authentication solutions to our growing portfolio. At Cloud Distribution, we prioritise cybersecurity technologies that address modern threats with innovation and scalability. Our investment in local resources dedicated to BIO-key reflects our belief in their vision and our commitment to delivering value across the region,” said Thamer Abdallah, CEO & Founder of Cloud Distribution Co.

    “Our partnership with Cloud Distribution reflects our dedication to the Middle East—not only through innovative solutions but also through strategic alliances with partners who share our vision. The addition of dedicated Cloud Distribution resources for BIO-key in Riyadh is a smart and impactful move that ensures we remain close to our customers and ready to scale,” said Alex Rocha, International Managing Director at BIO-key.

    About Cloud Distribution Co. (https://dcloud.com.sa)
    Cloud Distribution Co., part of the Ideal Group, is a leading Saudi-based Value-Added Distributor of cybersecurity and infrastructure solutions across the Middle East. Known for its deep technical expertise, local presence, and focus on innovation, Cloud Distribution supports its partner network with best-in-class technologies and services that drive secure digital transformation.

    About BIO-key International, Inc. (www.BIO-key.com)
    BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication and cybersecurity with biometric-centric, multi-factor identity and access management (IAM) software securing access for over forty million users. BIO-key allows customers to choose the right authentication factors for diverse use cases, including phoneless, tokenless, and passwordless biometric options. Its cloud-hosted or on-premise PortalGuard IAM solution provides cost-effective, easy-to-deploy, convenient, and secure access to computers, information, applications, and high-value transactions.

    BIO-key Safe Harbor Statement
    All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). The words “estimate,” “project,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Act. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    Investor Contacts
    William Jones, David Collins
    Catalyst IR
    BKYI@catalyst-ir.com or 212-924-9800

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Patriot Bank Expands Its Board and Senior Leadership Team

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Richard Smith, Jeff Seabold and Thedora Nickel elected Directors.
    • Paul Simmons appointed EVP, Chief Credit Officer
    • Nicole L. Wells appointed SVP, Head of Operations
    • Rebecca Mais appointed SVP, High Net Worth and Specialty Deposits
    • Raquel Gillett appointed SVP, Digital Transformation and Risk Analytics

    STAMFORD, Conn., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Patriot Bank, N.A. (“Patriot Bank”), the wholly owned subsidiary of Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNBK), is pleased to announce the election of Richard Smith, Jeffrey Seabold and Thedora Nickel to serve on the Patriot Bank’s Board of Directors and the appointment of the following leaders to the management team:

    • Paul Simmons as Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer
    • Nicole L. Wells as Senior Vice President, Head of Operations
    • Rebecca Mais as Senior Vice President, High Net Worth and Specialty Deposits
    • Raquel Gillett as Senior Vice President, Digital Automation and Risk Analytics

    These appointments strengthen Patriot Bank’s leadership team as the organization focuses on delivering exceptional banking services to high-net-worth clients and the fiduciaries who serve them.

    “We are delighted to welcome Richard, Jeff, Teddy, Paul, Nicole, Rebecca, and Raquel to their new roles,” said Steven Sugarman, Chief Executive Officer of Patriot Bank. “Their collective expertise and vision will advance Patriot’s mission to empower our clients while delivering exceptional value to our shareholders.”

    Richard Smith, Director

    Richard Smith brings 40 years of banking expertise, specializing in private banking for high-net-worth individuals. Beginning his career as a banking analyst with Manufacturers Hanover in New York, he later held senior roles at Imperial Bank and Comerica Bank in Southern California. In 2005, Smith founded The Private Bank of California and served as its President. After its sale to Banc of California in 2012, he was named President of Banc of California’s Private Banking Division. Smith serves on the Board of CalPrivate Bank, the Zimmer Children’s Museum, and the Westside Food Bank in Los Angeles.

    “It is a privilege to join Patriot Bank’s Board of Directors,” said Smith. “Patriot Bank’s commitment to serving high net worth clients and their advisors aligns with my passion for fostering strong client relationships.”

    Jeffrey Seabold, Director

    Jeff Seabold is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and executive leader with almost 30 years of experience in corporate strategy, business development, and executive management. He has a proven history in real estate finance and commercial banking.

    Mr. Seabold is the Co-Founder and a Director of The Change Company CDFI LLC and Change Lending LLC, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on home lending. Previously, Mr. Seabold was the Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Banc of California, Inc., a publicly traded bank holding company and federally chartered national bank headquartered in Irvine, California. Seabold was also the Founder of CS Financial, Inc., a national mortgage finance company, Co-Founder for Camden Capital Partners, LLC, a bridge & mezzanine real estate lender and servicer, and the Founder of Camden Escrow, Inc., a real estate settlement services provider.

    “I’m proud to join the Board of Directors at Patriot Bank and support its mission of delivering personalized, high-quality banking solutions,” said Seabold. “Throughout my career, I have seen the value of building lasting relationships based on trust, service, and understanding. I look forward to contributing my experience to help Patriot Bank deepen its connection with clients and to build a trusted financial partner for our clients.”

    Thedora Nickel, Director

    Thedora Nickel has over 30 years of banking leadership experience, with deep expertise in domestic and international operations, client service, and organizational transformation. She currently serves as Executive Director of The Change Company and Change Lending. Prior to this role, Nickel was Chief Administrative Officer at Banc of California where she led the strategic direction of key enterprise and operational functions. She previously held several senior leadership positions at Bank of America over a 25-year career, most recently as SVP, Group Operations Executive, overseeing national research, resolution, and reconcilement functions in support of the bank’s bank centers, capture sites, and cash vaults. Earlier, she led the Transaction Services West Region with responsibility for over two thousand employees and five processing units. A certified Six Sigma Executive, Nickel also dedicates her time mentoring MBA students at the University of California, Irvine and serves on the board of The Whole Child, a non-profit organization serving vulnerable families in Los Angeles County.

    “I’m honored to join Patriot Bank’s Board of Directors,” said Nickel. “With my experience driving operational excellence and delivering client-focused solutions, I look forward to helping the organization build a strong foundation for sustainable growth.”

    Paul Simmons, Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer

    Paul Simmons is a seasoned banking executive with over 35 years of experience in commercial lending, credit, and financial services. Prior to joining Patriot Bank, Mr. Simmons served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Sunwest Bank, Silvergate Bank and Banc of California. He has overseen all aspects of credit administration, asset quality, and lending operations. He also held senior leadership positions at Citigroup, GE Capital, Apollo Real Estate Advisors, and Zions Bancorporation. A graduate of Brigham Young University, Simmons is recognized for his strategic acumen and breadth of experience.

    “I’m honored to join Patriot Bank as its Chief Credit Officer,” said Simmons. “Over my career, I have been fortunate to lead credit organizations at banks of all sizes — always with a focus on building strong credit cultures, managing risk with discipline, and partnering with lending teams to drive smart, sustainable growth. I am excited to be a part of this high-performing executive team to bring that same approach to Patriot Bank and to contribute to Patriot Bank’s turnaround focused on serving our clients with excellence.”

    Nicole L. Wells, Senior Vice President, Head of Operations

    With over 30 years of experience in banking and financial services, Nicole L. Wells joins Patriot Bank as its Senior Vice President and Head of Operations. She served as Head of Strategic Retail Operations at Santander Bank, N.A. in Greater Boston, a role she started in September 2020. Previously, Ms. Wells served as SVP, Private Banking Operations at Banc of California. Wells also held roles at Bank of America, Countrywide Bank, Western Federal Credit Union, and Citibank. Wells holds an M.P.A. in Public Administration with a focus on Organizational Leadership from California State University-Dominguez Hills and completed the Executive Education Program at Columbia Business School.

    “I am delighted to join Patriot Bank and lead its bank operations,” said Wells. “My experience in driving strategic business enablement, simplification, and process excellence will support the Bank’s commitment to delivering seamless, client-focused services.”

    Rebecca Mais, Senior Vice President, High Net Worth and Specialty Deposits

    Rebecca Mais joins Patriot Bank as its Senior Vice President, High Net Worth and Specialty Deposits. Ms. Mais, bringing over 17 years of experience, leading Private Banking and Non-Profit divisions. Previously, she held leadership roles at Banc of California, Bank of Hope and Commerce Bank, where she specialized in market expansion and developing customized deposit solutions for high-net-worth individuals, centers-of-influence, and specialized sectors, including real estate, entertainment, Institutional Banking, Non-Profits, RIA and Business Management Services. Mais is passionately committed to the families and communities we serve and is the Board Secretary of the Westside Food Bank Non-Profit. She is a highly engaged, results-driven, and client-centric leader who is recognized for her ability to drive deposit growth and foster long-term client relationships. Mais holds an Executive M.B.A. from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and a B.S. in Business Administration/Fashion Merchandising from Philadelphia University.

    “It’s a privilege to work with such an incredible team to deliver tailored financial solutions that meet the unique needs of our remarkable clients,” said Mais. “I look forward to building Patriot into a client-focused bank able to empower the communities we serve.”

    Raquel Gillett, Senior Vice President, Digital Transformation and Risk Analytics

    Raquel Gillett joins Patriot Bank as its Senior Vice President of Digital Transformation and Risk Analytics, bringing over 20 years of experience in banking and financial services. Previously, she served in senior roles at The Change Company, COR Clearing, Banc of California, California National Bank, and Southern Pacific. She has led technology-driven process improvements as well as overseen financial controls. Ms. Gillett is highly experienced implementing innovative digital risk and reporting solutions, integrating systems, and optimizing reporting frameworks.

    “I am thrilled to join Patriot Bank to lead its digital transformation, leveraging technology to empower our bankers to serve our clients safely and with operational excellence. Strengthening our risk analytics will allow Patriot to pursue our mission and vision safely and soundly,” Gillett said.

    For more information about Patriot Bank, please visit www.bankpatriot.com.

    Media Contact:

    Kirsten Hoekman
    Patriot Bank, N.A.
    Phone: (203) 252-5905
    Email: khoekman@bankpatriot.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 180 Degree Capital Corp. Issues Q1 2025 Shareholder Letter

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTCLAIR, N.J., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 180 Degree Capital Corp. (NASDAQ:TURN) today issued the following Q1 2025 Shareholder Letter:

    Fellow Shareholders,

    As discussed in our press release issued on April 14, 2025, we ended the first quarter of 2025 with a net asset value per share (“NAV”) of $4.42. We are pleased with our performance in Q1 2025, that we believe favorably positions 180 Degree Capital as we continue to make progress on the steps required to complete our proposed Business Combination with Mount Logan Capital Inc. (“Mount Logan”). For those of you who may not have had a chance to listen to our joint call with the team from Mount Logan or to review the presentation deck that summarizes the proposed transaction, both can be found at https://ir.180degreecapital.com/ir-calendar/detail/2908/180-degree-capital-and-mount-logan-capital-proposed-merger. Our excitement for the potential of this transaction to create value for our shareholders has only grown since we announced this proposed Business Combination and conducted this joint call.

    We noted in a press release issued on May 7, 2025, that we filed an amended preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) 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. 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. 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.

    As mentioned earlier, 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 of the Business Combination, 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.

    To remind everyone of our original views and comments included in our Q4 2024 Shareholder Letter issued on February 14, 2025, Mount Logan has the following attributes that we believe will provide value to 180 Degree Capital shareholders:

    • Mount Logan has what we believe to be an outstanding management team comprised of its CEO, Ted Goldthorpe, its Co-Presidents, Matthias Ederer and Henry Wang, and its CFO, Nikita Klassen;
    • Mount Logan’s asset management platform has approximately $2.4+ billion of assets under management (as of September 30, 2024) that we believe generates predictable fee revenue that can be used to benefit the growth of the combined company and its shareholders;
    • Mount Logan has operational leverage and unique investment access through its association with BC Partners, a leading global private equity and credit firm;
    • Mount Logan is focused on what we believe is the fast-growing market of private credit;
    • We believe that Mount Logan remains undiscovered by the majority of investors due to it being listed on the Cboe Canada exchange rather than a US national exchange; and
    • We believe Mount Logan is significantly undervalued by public market investors.

    For 35 years, I have been a value investor attempting to uncover great companies that I believe are trading below their intrinsic value. As we spent more time with Ted and his colleagues over the past 10 months, it became abundantly clear to us that: 1) we believe Mount Logan is one of these great undiscovered and undervalued companies and 2) the combination of our two companies has the potential to unlock substantial value for 180 Degree Capital shareholders by:

    1. Providing a path to a combined entity that, based on combined shareholder equity as of December 31, 2024, and an estimated distribution of ownership as of the date of the announcement of the Business Combination, would result in 180 Degree Capital shareholder’s portion of the combined shareholder equity being higher than our NAV as of the date of signing of the definitive agreement on January 16, 2025, and as of March 31, 2025.

      For those of our investors who feel more comfortable assessing value based on net asset value/book value, we note that publicly traded comparable companies to what would be our combined company often trade at multiples of book value rather than discounts. For those investors who are comfortable or more interested in valuing based on operating company metrics, we believe the valuation of our combined business will be based on a multiple of fee-related revenues attributed to earnings from the management of permanent and semi-permanent capital vehicles. Other similar businesses commonly trade at significantly higher multiples of operating metrics than the multiple implied by the value of Mount Logan set by the terms of our proposed Business Combination.

    2. Changing to an asset-light operating company that leverages an association with BC Partners enables economies of scale that are not possible at 180 Degree Capital’s current size; and
    3. Substantially increasing the available capital for us to be able to leverage our relationships with small and microcapitalization public companies, to develop capital structure solutions that seek to unlock value and generate favorable risk-adjusted returns.

    As the table below shows, we believe our shareholders have benefited from our ability to generate positive returns on our investments since we took over management of 180 Degree Capital. These returns were offset by material declines in the legacy private portfolio that we inherited.

    Public Portfolio
    Contribution to Change in NAV
    (Q4 2016-Q1 2025)    		 Legacy Private Portfolio
    Contribution to Change in NAV
    (Q4 2016-Q1 2025)
    +$3.35/share -$2.41/share
      TURN Public Portfolio Gross Total (Excluding SMA Carried Interest) TURN Public Portfolio Gross Total (Including SMA Carried Interest) Change in NAV Change in Stock Price Russell Microcap Index Lipper Peer Group Average
    Inception to Date
    Q4 2016 – Q1 2025    		 +198.7% +218.3% -37.0% -4.1% +44.3% +66.1%

    On a relative basis, our gross total return for Q1 2025 of +4.5% compares favorably to the –14.4% total return for the Russell Microcap Index.1 The difference between our gross total return and our net total return, or change in NAV, of -4.7% to $4.42 as of March 31, 2025, was primarily the result of expenses related to our Business Combination, including almost $300,000 in additional professional fees resulting from the public efforts to derail our proposed Business Combination. Our day-to-day operating expenses declined by over 30% from Q1 2024.

    Public Portfolio Performance in Q1 2025

    The slide below shows the basis for our investment performance in Q1 2025:

    Ticker Symbol Shares Owned @ 12/31/24 Net Shares Purchased (Sold) During Quarter Shares Owned @ 3/31/25 Value @ 12/31/24 Cash (Invested) Received from Sales / Dividends Value @ 3/31/25 Value + Cash Received Total Q/Q Net Change % Change
    ACNT 377,750 (10,890) 366,860 $4,223,245 $133,731 $4,644,448 $4,778,179 $554,934 13.1%
    AREN 992,992 0 992,992 $1,330,609 $0 $1,717,876 $1,717,876 $387,267 29.1%
    AVNW 0 10,200 10,200 $0 ($210,768) $195,534 $195,534 ($15,234) (7.2%)
    BCOV 1,053,580 (1,053,580) 0 $4,583,073 $4,688,431 $0 $4,688,431 $105,358 2.3%
    CVGI 410,000 0 410,000 $1,016,800 $0 $471,500 $471,500 ($545,300) (53.6%)
    IVAC 1,046,597 (1,046,597) 0 $3,558,430 $4,293,141 $0 $4,293,141 $734,711 20.6%
    LTRX 656,139 12,572 668,711 $2,703,293 ($34,949) $1,665,090 $1,665,090 ($1,073,151) (39.2%)
    MAMA 0 20,000 20,000 $0 ($122,552) $130,200 $130,200 $7,648 6.2%
    PBPB 1,091,206 0 1,091,206 $10,279,161 $0 $10,377,369 $10,377,369 $98,209 1.0%
    PBPB/WS 80,605 0 80,605 $351,558 $0 $327,256 $327,256 ($24,301) (6.9%)
    RFIL 472,506 0 472,506 $1,847,498 $0 $2,216,053 $2,216,053 $368,555 19.9%
    SCOR 400,451 0 400,451 $2,338,634 $0 $2,751,098 $2,751,098 $412,465 17.6%
    SNCR 854,788 0 854,788 $8,205,965 $0 $9,308,641 $9,308,641 $1,102,677 13.4%
    SNCR-RS 12,000 12,000 24,000 $103,665 $0 $222,784 $222,784 $119,119 114.9%
    Total Other   $0 ($193,561) $185,350 $185,350 ($8,211) (4.2%)
    Total Public Portfolio $40,541,931 $8,553,473 $34,213,199 $43,328,502 $2,224,746  
    Public Portfolio Gross Total Return (Excluding Carried Interest from SMA) 4.5%
    Public Portfolio Gross Total Return (Including Carried Interest from SMA) 4.5%

    I, as the largest individual shareholder of 180 Degree Capital, and Daniel as a top-ten shareholder, could not be more excited about the future of the combined entity. We are not the only ones who understand the potential for value creation from this Business Combination. Some of our largest shareholders have signed either voting agreements or non-binding indications of support, that when combined with ownership of management and the board, account for approximately 27% of our outstanding shares in the aggregate. We appreciate the time and consideration these shareholders spent to understand the merits of this proposed Business Combination and their support for it. We also appreciate the time and interest of new shareholders who have become interested in 180 Degree Capital’s common stock because of the proposed Business Combination.

    We believe the proposed Business Combination to be the best opportunity to build value for all shareholders of 180 Degree Capital. We believe strongly in its future under the leadership of Ted and his colleagues. I have been an investor in the public markets for 35 years, during which time investors entrusted me with billions of dollars of capital. We are interested in building true value for shareholders over the short and long term. We believe this combination achieves both of these objectives. 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 and thank you, as always, for your support.

    All the best,

    Kevin M. Rendino
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    The table below summarizes 180 Degree Capital’s performance over periods of time through the end of Q1 20251:

      Quarter 1 Year 5 Year Inception to Date
      Q1 2025 Q1 2024- Q1 2025 Q1 2020- Q1 2025 Q4 2016- Q1 2025
    TURN Public Portfolio Gross Total Return
    (Excluding SMA Carried Interest)    		 4.5% 5.6% -6.8% 198.7%
    TURN Public Portfolio Gross Total Return
    (Including SMA Carried Interest)    		 4.5% 0.8% 43.8% 218.3%
             
    Change in NAV -4.7% -14.3% -30.5% -37.0%
             
    Change in Stock Price 8.2% -7.5% -2.6% -4.1%
             
    Russell Microcap Index -14.4% -7.0% 76.1% 44.3%
    Russell Microcap Growth Index -17.8% -5.0% 43.5% 29.6%
    Russell Microcap Value Index -11.3% -6.0% 106.7% 57.7%
    Russell 2000 Index -9.5% -4.0% 86.2% 65.3%
    Lipper Peer Group -10.1% -6.6% 113.2% 66.1%


    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 proposed 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, Mount Logan Capital Inc. (“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 14, 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.ca/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 letter and the materials accompanying it, 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 the cost savings and any other 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 stock or 180 Degree Capital’s common stock; 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.

    1. Past performance is not an indication or guarantee of future performance. Gross unrealized and realized total returns of 180 Degree Capital’s cash and securities of publicly traded companies are compounded on a quarterly basis, and intra-quarter cash flows from investments in or proceeds received from privately held investments are treated as inflows or outflows of cash available to invest or withdrawn, respectively, for the purposes of this calculation. 180 Degree Capital is an internally managed registered closed-end fund that has a portion of its assets that are fair valued on a quarterly basis by the Valuation Committee of its Board of Directors, and 180 Degree Capital does not have an external manager that is paid fees based on assets and/or returns. Please see 180 Degree Capital’s filings with the SEC, including its 2024 Annual Report on Form N-CSR for information on its expenses and expense ratios.

    The MIL Network –