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Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK stands ready to send more aid to Gaza as Minister pledges further support

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK stands ready to send more aid to Gaza as Minister pledges further support

    Minister for Development announces new UK support for Gaza on first visit in her role to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

    • extra UK aid announced today will support organisations on the ground seeking to get food, water and medicine to those who need it
    • Minister Chapman will call Israel’s decision to allow just a basic amount of food into Gaza ‘abominable’ after an ‘indefensible’ 11-week blockade.
    • on her first visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in her role, the Minister also emphasises the need to release all Israeli hostages held by Hamas and works towards a two-state solution

    Vulnerable Gazans must urgently be given full access to aid, UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said today [Wednesday 21 May] on her first visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in her role. 

    Following the Government’s calls, together with partners, for restrictions on aid access to be lifted, the UK has announced £4m of new UK humanitarian support for Gazans as the Minister reaffirms the UK’s commitment to driving peace in the region.

    The visit comes the day after Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced new sanctions hitting violent West Bank settlers, paused free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and called the Government of Israel’s actions ‘egregious’ and ‘intolerable’. 

    On her visit the Development Minister will say the limited restart of aid deliveries into Gaza is ‘simply not enough’ and she will urge the Israeli government to allow the unhindered provision of aid. She will say the blockade has been appalling and indefensible, particularly following an IPC report noting the entire population of Gaza is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.

    The Minister will announce new UK support during a visit to a Red Crescent centre, highlighting that the UK stands ready to provide the urgent aid to those who desperately need it, while expressing frustration much of it cannot yet reach them.

    Backing up words with action, the new UK support would cover essential medicines and medical supplies for up to 32,000 people, safe drinking water for up to 60,000 people, and food parcels for up to 14,000 people.

    Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said:

    The lack of aid reaching ordinary Gazans is appalling. The Israeli government’s failure to allow full humanitarian access to aid workers is abhorrent. Far too few trucks are crossing into Gaza. The UN has warned nearly half a million Palestinians, including children, are facing starvation.

    The UK is clear – Israel will not achieve security through prolonging the suffering of the Palestinian people.

    I have heard first hand from aid workers today of the abominable impact of this behaviour on real families. The UK has today pledged new support for Gazans but the brutal reality is most of it is stuck in limbo.

    We need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, a surge of aid, and a path towards long-term peace.

    During the first day of her visit (Wednesday, May 21), Minister Chapman has met with Palestinian Justice Minister Sharhabeel al-Zaeem, and talked to UNRWA representatives on resolving the challenges in getting aid to Palestinian communities.

    Tomorrow, she is due to meet the families of hostages cruelly held by Hamas, where she will highlight the importance of an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated end to the conflict which secures their urgent release. This is the only way to deliver long-term stability in the region, and at home, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Background

    • The £4 million contribution announced today will be made to the British Red Cross to deliver humanitarian relief in Gaza through their partner the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. This support has been allocated from the £101 million set aside for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) in financial year 2025-26, announced during the official visit of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa to the UK.
    • UK support to the OPTs since October 7, 2023, has so far provided 405,000 patient consultations across Gaza, food aid to at least 647,000 people, and improved water, sanitation and hygiene services to almost 300,000 people. 
    • Photos from the visit will be available on FCDO Flickr
    • See here for the Foreign Secretary’s statement announcing sanctions on West Bank violence network and the pause on negotiations for a free trade agreement.
    • See here for joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank delivered on 19/05/2025.
    • See here for joint statement from UK and 26 other humanitarian partners delivered on 19/05/2025.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin opened the Yuzhnoye electric depot of the Zamoskvoretskaya metro line

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Sergei Sobyanin opened a new electric depot “Yuzhnoye” of the Zamoskvoretskaya line. Its commissioning became the final stage of the formation of the largest in Russia and one of the largest in Europe complexes for the repair, maintenance and operation of metro cars.

    On behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin presented the Moscow Metro with the Order “For Valiant Labor”, which recognized the great merits of the metro workforce in strengthening and developing the capital’s transport complex. The award was timed to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the metro.

    In addition, 10 new “Moscow-2024” trains ceremoniously entered the Zamoskvoretskaya line. Together with metro employees and invited guests, Sergei Sobyanin rode on the lead train from the depot to the Krasnogvardeyskaya station.

    “This year, the Moscow Metro turns 90. It is a respectable age, but the Moscow Metro demonstrates a very young, energetic life, developing, adding new lines, new stations, first-class trains, electric depots, developing in a way that probably no other metro in the world is developing. Today, a new electric depot “Yuzhnoye” is being opened, the largest and most modern in Russia. The Zamoskvoretskaya line of the metro is being replenished with 10 new trains, the most modern. This year, in honor of the metro’s anniversary, in honor of its merits, the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree on awarding the Moscow Metro team with the Order for Labor Valor. This is a well-deserved award. The Moscow Metro is the most intensive in the world, the most accurate, the most reliable, the safest, the cleanest and the most beautiful. And the most beloved by Muscovite passengers,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    The Mayor of Moscow congratulated the entire staff of the capital’s metro, metro builders and everyone who is related to the metro on the award and anniversary.

    The head of the Moscow Metro, Viktor Kozlovsky, in turn, thanked the President of Russia for the award and Sergei Sobyanin for his assistance and constant participation in the development of the metro.

    “I would like to say a huge thank you to the President of our country, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, for the high assessment of our work, our many thousands of people, and personally to you, Sergey Semenovich, for your constant participation, for the development of the Moscow Metro. For the work that you do. The Moscow Metro is ready to continue to fulfill any tasks at a high level,” said Viktor Kozlovsky.

    Thanks to the unprecedented construction of new lines and stations, more than 90 percent of Muscovites now live in the service area of the rail frame stations. For comparison: in 2010, this figure was 70 percent. On weekdays, the metro carries more than 8.2 million passengers. The Moscow metro has become a world leader in important indicators. Thus, the accuracy of the schedule is 99.9 percent, the traffic intensity reaches 90-second intervals during rush hours on the most popular lines, a variety of payment methods and customer services are available, which leads to a high level of passenger loyalty.

    Development of the capital’s metro

    In 2010, city residents built most of the routes through the center. As a result, transfer stations here were overloaded almost all day long, and at peak times, passengers managed to get on far from the first train.

    Thanks to the development of the Moscow Metro infrastructure – the opening of new stations and the renewal of rolling stock – every year the trips become faster and more comfortable, many additional transfers and route options appear, the carriages become noticeably freer even during rush hours. There are no more overloaded sections in the metro.

    The first stage of the Moscow metro opened on May 15, 1935. It included 11.2 kilometers of lines and 13 stations – from Sokolniki to Park Kultury with a branch to Smolenskaya. Shortly before that, on November 10, 1934, the Severnoye electric depot began operating.

    Today, together with the Moscow Central Circle (MCC), the metro has 302 stations (271 metro stations and 31 MCC stations), as well as 23 electric depots, including the Brateevo car repair complex.

    Since 2011, 123 stations have been built and reconstructed in Moscow — their total number has increased by almost 1.7 times. New lines have started operating: Nekrasovskaya, Solntsevskaya and Troitskaya. Sokolnicheskaya, Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya, Zamoskvoretskaya and a number of other metro lines have been extended. Two new rings (MCC and Big Circle Line) provide convenient transfers and transit along routes without entering the center. In Soviet times, it took almost 40 years to build a network of such a scale.

    More than 130 kilometers of the capital’s metro tunnels were laid in five yearsSergei Sobyanin opened full service on the Troitskaya metro line

    The Moscow Metro employs over 65,000 workers (almost a third of whom are women), with an average age of 43. The company is represented by more than 200 professions and specialties. The metro workforce includes more than 100 dynasties with a total work experience of over 15 thousand years.

    In recent years, the city has been paying special attention to the renewal of its rolling stock. Moscow is the leader among European and American megacities in terms of the rate of renewal of its metro cars. Today, the Moscow Metro fleet has over 6.7 thousand cars of various models, with over 77 percent of them being of the current generation. Since 2010, the average age of metro cars has decreased almost twofold — from 20 to 12 years. By the end of 2025, another 272 Moscow-2024 cars are to be added to the fleet, and in 2030, the share of new trains will be about 90 percent, meaning that modern trains will serve passengers on all metro lines. In addition, the share of domestic components in Moscow-2024 trains has reached almost 95 percent.

    Trains created according to the technical specifications of the Moscow Metro are a standard for the metros of other cities and countries. In addition to the capital of Russia, trains based on the Moscow train are supplied to the metros of four cities – Kazan (Russia), Baku (Azerbaijan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Minsk (Belarus).

    Most trains in the Moscow metro are serviced under a life cycle contract. These are the Oka, Moskva, Moskva-2020 and Moskva-2024 type trains. The manufacturer’s service company is responsible for timely and high-quality maintenance, train diagnostics, washing and daily cleaning, as well as the readiness of the trains to go on the line.

    Electric depot as part of the metro

    In addition to performing their main function – parking, scheduled maintenance and washing of rolling stock, electric depots are the basic enterprises of the Moscow Metro for the repair of electric trains and auxiliary production, and also serve to accommodate personnel and equipment of various services. In fact, the electric depot is the technological heart of the metro.

    Without the construction of new electric depots, the development of the metro is impossible; they are as important a part of the infrastructure as stations and tunnels.

    Since 2011, 13 electric depots have been built and reconstructed as part of the Moscow Metro development program. Thus, eight new ones appeared: Aminyevskoye, Brateevo, Likhobory, Mitino, Nizhegorodskoye, Rudnevo, Solntsevo and Yuzhnoye (Brateevo-2). They service trains on six lines, are equipped with all the necessary equipment and are ready for technical maintenance, periodic and unscheduled repairs of cars. Another five electric depots have been reconstructed. These are Vladykino, Vykhino, Pechatniki, Planernoye and Sokol.

    This year, the city plans to complete construction of the Stolbovo (Salaryevo) depot on the Sokolnicheskaya Line. Three more depots are to appear by 2030: Ilyinskoye for the Rublevo-Arkhangelskaya Line, Biryulevskoye for the Biryulevskaya Line, and Troitskoye for the Troitskaya Line.

    Sergei Sobyanin: The first metro train arrived at the Stolbovo electric depot under constructionWhere trains spend the night: how metro cars are serviced and repaired at the Krasnaya Presnya depot

    Electric depot “Yuzhnoye”

    The Yuzhnoye electric depot is the largest in Russia and one of the largest complexes in Europe for the repair, maintenance and operation of wagons.

    The Zamoskvoretskaya Line is one of the longest and most popular in the Moscow metro. From 24 stations on the green line, you can make 19 transfers to other metro lines, the Moscow Central Circle (MCC) and the Moscow Central Diameters (MCD). More than 880 thousand trips are made on the line every day. At the most popular times, trains run at intervals of 1.6 minutes.

    The last 10 years have been a time of dynamic development of the Zamoskvoretskaya line. From 2015 to 2018, new stations “Tekhnopark”, “Khovrino” and “Belomorskaya” were opened, which improved transport accessibility of five districts of the capital: Khovrino, Levoberezhny, Zapadnoye Degunino, Nagatinsky Zaton and Danilovsky.

    In 2023, new tunnels were built in record time on the Kantemirovskaya-Tsaritsyno section. Last year, the first Moskva-2024 train entered service on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line, which marked the beginning of the rolling stock renewal process.

    Passengers on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line are transported by 78 trains (624 cars), including 30 trains (240 cars) “Moscow-2024”. On May 21, 2025, another 10 of these most modern trains in the world entered service. Thus, more than 50 percent of the rolling stock on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line has been updated. The process on the green line is planned to be completed in 2025-2026. Both modern Russian “Moscow-2024” trains and the newest “Moscow-2026” trains will run on it. More than 1.8 million residents of 21 districts through which the Zamoskvoretskaya Line passes will receive new and modern rolling stock – their trips will become much more comfortable.

    Until 2021, the trains of the Zamoskvoretskaya line were serviced by the Sokol (since 1938), Zamoskvoretskoye (since 1969) and Brateevo (since 2014) electric depots.

    However, in 2021, the Zamoskvoretskoye depot was transferred to service the rolling stock of the Big Circle Line of the metro, and now it fully serves the needs of the BCL, and also temporarily accepts trains of the Troitskaya Line.

    To replace the decommissioned capacities in the south of Moscow, a new electric depot, Yuzhnoye (Brateevo-2), was built next to the existing depot. As a result, the largest in Russia and one of the largest in Europe infrastructure complexes for the maintenance, repair and operation of metro cars was formed.

    “Together with the wagon repair plant, the Yuzhnoye electric depot has surpassed the previous record holder, the Mitino depot, in terms of scale. 46 buildings and structures have been built in Yuzhnoye, and the most modern and technologically advanced equipment has been installed: servicing of trains on the Zamoskvoretskaya line will be fast and high-quality. At the same time, the neighboring wagon repair plant will focus on major and medium repairs of wagons from all over the metro,” Sergei Sobyanin wrote in his

    telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    In the new Yuzhnoye depot, on a site of 13.6 hectares, buildings and structures with a total area of 77.3 thousand square meters were constructed, including a storage and repair building, a motor depot and an electrical centralization post, a compressor station, a warehouse, an administrative and household building and other structures – a total of 46 buildings for various purposes.

    The total length of the tracks at the Yuzhnoye depot is about 6.2 kilometers, which can be compared with the section between the Krylatskoye and Strogino stations, the longest in the Moscow Metro.

    After reaching its design capacity, the enterprise will create approximately 1.3 thousand jobs.

    Along with the modern carriages, a service company from the manufacturer arrived at the Yuzhnoye depot, which will service the new rolling stock (trains Moscow-2024 and Moscow-2026) under a life cycle contract for 30 years of operation.

    The staff was provided with the most favorable conditions for efficient work and good rest.

    The administrative building has a canteen for 160 people. The locomotive crews’ rest rooms are organized like hotel rooms, and the blocks are equipped with bathrooms. Separate comfortable rooms are provided for female drivers.

    There are currently 130 female drivers and assistant drivers working in the Moscow Metro. In addition, about 50 women are undergoing training in the profession. It is planned that female drivers will soon begin working on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line.

    The medical service includes pre-trip examination rooms, a doctor, a medical psychologist, a treatment room, a vaccination room, and a recovery room.

    There are also a sports hall and a gym with a physical education instructor’s office, an assembly hall and utility rooms (laundry, ironing, storage rooms for special clothing).

    After the commissioning of the Yuzhnoye depot, it took over the functions of servicing the Zamoskvoretskaya line, including the new Moscow-2024 series trains, which began carrying passengers in March 2024.

    At the same time, the Brateevo depot will become the main car repair complex of the Moscow Metro. Its capacity allows repairing the rolling stock of the Zamoskvoretskaya line, as well as carrying out technically complex repairs of cars of the Nomernoy and Rusich types from other metro lines. In total, up to 850 cars, 8.5 thousand wheels and more than 6.4 thousand engines per year – a record for similar facilities in Russia.

    The wagon repair complex will not only be the largest, but also the most modern, with a high level of automation – a conveyor for moving wheel pairs, electric bogies, and CNC machines.

    In terms of its scale, the new infrastructure complex, consisting of the Yuzhnoye depot and a wagon repair plant, has surpassed the previous record holder, the Mitino electric depot, which until now was the largest in Russia in terms of capacity. The total area of the complex is 32.2 hectares. The capacity of the complex allows servicing up to 2.4 thousand wagons per year.

    Main characteristics of the new infrastructure complex

    Depot “Yuzhnoye”:

    — capacity — 34 seats for trains;

    — night storage — 25 places;

    — washing — 12 compositions per day;

    — operational maintenance — 30 trains per day;

    — technical maintenance — four trains per day;

    — turning of wheel pairs — three cars per day;

    — current repairs — three trains per month;

    — jobs — about 1.3 thousand;

    — the total length of the tracks is 6.2 kilometers.

    Wagon repair complex “Brateevo”:

    — capacity — 11 seats for trains;

    — the total length of the tracks is 7.1 kilometers;

    — major repairs — 300 cars per year;

    — average repairs — 550 cars per year;

    — repair of traction electric motors — 6.4 thousand units per year;

    — wheel sets — 8.5 thousand pieces per year;

    — motor-compressors — two thousand pieces per year.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12781050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hopedale — Two overdue snowmobilers located deceased in Hopedale

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Two overdue snowmobilers were located deceased this past weekend by Hopedale Ground Search and Rescue and Hopedale RCMP.

    Shortly before 10:00 p.m. on May 17, 2025, Hopedale RCMP received the report of the two overdue men, ages 41 and 47, who were traveling together on a snowmobile. The two were last seen on the night of May 16 and were destined for a cabin outside of the community for a fishing trip.

    Hopedale Ground Search and Rescue were engaged and conducted a search of the area with the assistance of Hopedale RCMP. Tracks led searchers to the ocean where poor ice conditions were observed. The two men and the snowmobile they had been traveling on were located submerged in the water just outside of Hopedale. The bodies of the two men were recovered by GSAR.

    The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is engaged and the investigation is continuing.

    RCMP NL offers condolences to the family and friends of the two men and thanks Hopedale Ground Search and Rescue for the assistance provided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sex offender identified during Met Police Live Facial Recognition operation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The deployment of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology by Met Police officers in Southwark helped put a registered sex offender back behind bars.

    LFR is an advanced technology where Met officers position a van equipped with cameras in a pre-agreed location in London.

    These cameras capture live footage of people passing by and compare their faces against a database of wanted offenders. If a match is detected, the system generates an alert. An officer will then review the match and decide if they wish to speak with the individual.

    On the afternoon of Friday, 10 January, a police van with LFR was operating in the Denmark Hill area, when cameras alerted officers to 73-year-old David Cheneler as being a registered sex offender. Upon being stopped by officers, he was found to be with a six-year-old girl.

    Further checks confirmed he was in breach of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prevented him from being alone with a child under the age of 14. He was also in possession of a lock knife that was hidden in the buckle of his belt. He was arrested and taken into custody.

    Further enquiries from Met officers established Cheneler had picked the child up from school as a favour for her mother, which he’d also done on two previous occasions after building a relationship with them both over the course of a year.

    This case is another example of how the Met’s use of LFR is protecting communities by helping officers take dangerous offenders off the streets of London.

    The Met is a forerunner in using this technology as part of its commitment to make London safer by harnessing cutting-edge technology and data to identify and apprehend offenders who pose significant risks to our communities.

    Detective Constable Adam Pearce of the Met’s local policing team in south-east London, who led the investigation, said:

    “This is a prime example of how the Met is using technology to remove dangerous offenders from our streets, and Live Facial Recognition remains an important tool in protecting Londoners.

    “Although there were no allegations made towards David Cheneler on this occasion, it’s possible if he hadn’t been identified using this technology, he could have gone on to abuse this child.

    “Her mother was completely unaware of his offending history, and along with her young daughter, were both taken advantage of by Cheneler who abused their trust.”

    Lindsey Chiswick, the Met’s lead for Live Facial Recognition, said:

    “The Met is committed to making London safer, using data and technology to identify offenders that pose a risk to our communities.

    “This is a prime example of the variety of uses for LFR. The tool is not only used to find those wanted, but also to stop people on a watch list who have conditions they must adhere to.

    “These interventions are crucial. Without this technology, Cheneler may have had the opportunity to cause further harm.”

    David Cheneler, 73 (05.04.52), of Lewisham, appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, 20 May, where he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

    He pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 January to breaching the conditions of his SOPO, as well as possessing an offensive weapon.

    The SOPO was originally imposed in 2019 by the courts, following a previous conviction in 2010 for 15 counts of indecent assault on a female under 16 and five counts of gross indecency with a child between 1968 and 1993, for which he served a nine-year prison term.

    Live Facial Recognition enables the Met to take a more precise, intelligence-led approach to tackling crime.

    Each deployment is carefully planned based on operational needs and is guided by data to ensure resources are directed at offenders who pose the greatest threat to our communities.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATED: Chris Brown charged by the Metropolitan Police Service

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been charged following an investigation by detectives in the Metropolitan Police Service.

    Chris Brown, 36 (05.05.89), who is a US National, was charged on Thursday, 15 May with grievous bodily harm with intent.

    He appeared in custody at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May. He was remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 13 June.

    On Wednesday, 21 May he was granted bail by the court.

    The charge relates to an assault, which reportedly took place at a venue in Hanover Square in London, on Sunday, 19 February 2023.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – Shimsha Sahakara Bank Niyamitha, Maddur, Mandya District – Extension of Period

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to Shimsha Sahakara Bank Niyamitha, Maddur, Mandya District vide Directive BLR.DOS.SSMS.No.S2174/12-08-295/2022-23 dated February 23, 2023, for a period of six months up to August 24, 2023, as modified from time to time, which were last extended up to close of business on May 24, 2025 vide Directive DOR.MON/D-73/12.23.292/2024-25 dated November 21, 2024. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in the public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond May 24, 2025.

    2. Accordingly, the Reserve Bank of India, in exercise of the powers vested in it under sub-section (1) of Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, hereby extends the Directive for a further period of six months from the close of business on May 24, 2025, to close of business on November 24, 2025, subject to review.

    3. All other terms and conditions of the Directive under reference shall remain unchanged.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/383

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Home Sales Forecast Upgraded in May Outlook

    Source: Fannie Mae

    WASHINGTON, DC – Total single-family home sales are expected to close 2025 at 4.92 million units, with existing home sales accounting for 4.24 million of those units, according to the May 2025 Economic and Housing Outlook from the Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group. Revisions to the home sales forecast were driven in part by the ESR Group’s lower expectations for mortgage rates, which it now forecasts to end 2025 and 2026 at 6.1% and 5.8%, respectively. The latest outlook also projects real gross domestic product growing at 0.7% in 2025 and 2.0% in 2026 on a Q4/Q4 basis.

    Visit the Economic and Strategic Research site at fanniemae.com to read the full May 2025 Economic and Housing Outlook, including the Economic Developments Commentary, Economic Forecast, and Housing Forecast. To receive email updates with other housing market research from Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group, please click here.

    Opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views of Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group included in these materials should not be construed as indicating Fannie Mae’s business prospects or expected results, are based on a number of assumptions, and are subject to change without notice. How this information affects Fannie Mae will depend on many factors. Although the ESR Group bases its opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views on information it considers reliable, it does not guarantee that the information provided in these materials is accurate, current, or suitable for any particular purpose. Changes in the assumptions or the information underlying these views could produce materially different results. The analyses, opinions, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views published by the ESR Group represent the views of that group as of the date indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of Fannie Mae or its management.

    About the ESR Group
    Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group, led by Chief Economist Mark Palim, studies current data, analyzes historical and emerging trends, and conducts surveys of consumer and mortgage lenders to inform forecasts and analyses on the economy, housing, and mortgage markets.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee – 10:00AM

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the FY26 Department of State Budget Request on Capitol Hill, on May 21, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
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    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAGqh7jvyus

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Army’s Legacy: Shaping today’s Army | Legacy

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    For 250 years the Army has been critical not just in the defense of the nation, but also in its formation and stability. Check out the third in this four-part series as we look back through the history of the Army.

    by Army Multimedia and Visual Information Division
    About the U.S. Army:

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

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

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

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEgFwI4QpBk

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s Made By Basketball (MBB) bounce back, record first win in the Basketball Africa League (BAL)

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

    KIGALI, Rwanda, May 21, 2025/APO Group/ —

    On a BAL career night (www.BAL.NBA.com), Pieter Prinsloo recorded a game-high 30 points and 11 rebounds, Teafale Lenard Jr. added 20 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Made By Basketball (MBB, South Africa) defeated Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya) 75-74 when the BAL Nile Conference resumed at BK Arena in Kigali on Tuesday afternoon. MBB overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half and it came down to a dramatic three-pointer from Robinson Opong, his second in the game, to get Sam Vincent’s team one-point ahead with just over three seconds left.

    The Thunder were led by Evans Ganapamo (21 points) and Tylor Ongwae (20 points), but were shooting 36 percent from the floor and could not hold to the lead late in the fourth. It was MBB’s first win in the competition (1-2) as they look for a slot in the upcoming BAL Playoffs and Finals back home in Pretoria (June 6-14). After three games in Kigali, the Thunder (0-3) are still searching for a win.

    In the second game, Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) beat APR (Rwanda) 90-68, becoming the only undefeated team in the Nile Conference. Jean Jacques Boissy and Naseim Badrush combined for 52 points, 11 rebounds and six steals for Al Ahli, while Obadiah Noel and Chasson Randle scored 18 points each for APR, who were missing Aliou Diarra due to injury. After three games, Al Ahli (3-0) sits on top of the Nile Conference, with APR (2-1) losing their first game in the competition.

    The BAL continues on Thursday when Al Ahli takes on Nairobi at 4 p.m. CAT and APR faces MBB at 7 p.m. CAT.

    POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE:

    • MBB vs Nairobi City Thunder (https://apo-opa.co/3YT6kOi) (MBB: Head Coach Sam Vincent; Teafale Lenard Jr.; Thunder: Head Coach Bradley Thomas; Evans Ganapamo)
    • Al Ahli Tripoli vs APR (https://apo-opa.co/3H3wUy0) (Tripoli: Head Coach AbouAbou Charca Joseph Fouad; Deon Thompson; APR: Head Coach James Maye Jr.; Obadiah Noel)

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank’s Adesina Warns of Economic Shockwaves from United States (U.S.) Tariffs, Calls for Strategic Global Engagement

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

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 21, 2025/APO Group/ —

    As the United States imposes higher tariffs with global ramifications, African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has warned that these measures could trigger significant economic disruptions across Africa, affecting numerous nations and accelerating a strategic shift in global partnerships. 

    In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Dr Adesina revealed that 47 of Africa’s 54 countries will be impacted directly by the new U.S. trade policies, with potential declines in export revenues and foreign exchange reserves. 

    “When those currencies weaken, two things will happen: first, you will find that most of these countries are import-dependent. So, you’re going to find that high inflation becomes a problem,” said Adesina. “And secondly, you find that the cost of actually servicing a lot of their debt, which is foreign currency debt, but in local currencies, is going to get worse.” 

    Almost all African countries have been hit by higher tariffs announced by the Trump administration, with at least 22 nations facing up to a whopping 50 percent for almost all their products. Among the hardest hit countries are Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Botswana, Angola, Algeria, and South Africa. 

    The impacts of these higher tariffs are further exacerbated by significant cuts to USAID programs, which have already begun affecting access to essential medical supplies and humanitarian services in many countries, raising serious concerns about the future trajectory of U.S.-Africa relations. 

    Africa’s Strategic Response 

    Despite the challenges, Adesina emphasized that Africa cannot afford a trade confrontation with the United States, noting that the continent accounts for only 1.2 percent (approximately $34 billion) of America’s global trade—with a trade surplus of just $7.2 billion. 

    Instead, he proposed a pragmatic three-point strategy for the continent: Engage the U.S. through flexible and constructive trade negotiations, diversify export markets to reduce dependency on any single partner, and accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area implementation to unlock the potential $3.4 trillion market. 

    He stressed the need to expand Africa’s domestic market and boost domestic savings to develop consumption as a bigger share of its GDP, leveraging its massive population growth. More importantly, the continent must take advantage of the increasing external interest in its natural resources, such as cobalt and lithium, to negotiate a better trade and investment deal. 

    Addressing speculation that Africa may shift more decisively toward China in response to the higher U.S. tariffs, Adesina dismissed any notion of binary alignment. “U.S is a key ally of Africa—and so is China,” he stated. “Africa is building bridges, not isolating itself.” 

    He stressed that Africa seeks balanced, transparent, and mutually beneficial partnerships with all major global players, including the U.S., China, the European Union, and the Gulf states. “I think at the end of the day, we want to make sure that whatever deals that are being done with Africa are transparent, fair, equitable, and led by Africa and in Africa’s interests,” Adesina reiterated. 

    Beyond Aid: Driving Africa’s Self-Reliance 

    Dr. Adesina, who concludes his second and final term as president of the Bank in September, firmly rejected the long-standing paradigm of foreign aid dependency. “The era of aid as we’ve known it is completely gone,” he declared, calling instead for bold investments in domestic resource mobilization, infrastructure, and value-added industrialization. 

    He said aid must be turned into concessional financing to allow multilateral financial institutions like the African Development Bank to do more for the continent by mobilizing more private capital to develop and derisk projects.  

    While Africa represents nearly 20 percent of the global population and under three percent of global GDP, the Bank Group chief pointed to a resilient and transformative growth narrative: ten of the world’s twenty fastest-growing economies are in Africa. 

    He highlighted flagship initiatives under the African Development Bank’s “High 5” agenda that have impacted more than 565 million people through investments in power, food security, industrialization, regional integration, and initiatives to improve the quality of life of the people of Africa. 

    Over the past decade, the African Development Bank has invested more than $55 billion in infrastructure to bolster economic integration across Africa, alongside other critical investments to drive inclusive growth. It is by far the largest financier of infrastructure across Africa. 

    Adesina also cited the great potential of the Mission 300 project, a joint initiative by the World Bank and the African Development Bank to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030.  “Because without electricity, what can you do? You can’t industrialize, you can’t add value, you can’t be competitive in the dark,” he said. 

    He highlighted the achievements of the Africa Investment Forum, launched in 2018 by the Bank and eight other partners, saying it has since mobilized more than $225 billion in investment interest to the continent. The Forum is a multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary platform that advances projects to bankable stages, raises capital, and accelerates deals to financial closure. 

    Adesina believes that despite its challenges, Africa is the largest greenfield investment destination in the world, and it remains “the investor’s dream.” 

    “We got hydropower. We have a massive youth population that can become the labor force of the world. Sixty-five percent of the arable land left in the world to feed almost 9.5 billion people by 2050 is in Africa, so what Africa does with it will determine the future of food in the world,” he affirmed. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency secures over £526K in Proceeds of Crime case

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Environment Agency secures over £526K in Proceeds of Crime case

    An illegal enterprise in catalytic converters has brought confiscation orders for £526,215.04, at a Proceeds of Crime Award hearing.

    Converters

    The case led by the Environment Agency was concluded at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 16 May 2025.

    The ruling was made against Long Sutton-based Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd and director Edvars Stancik.

    Recorder John Hardy KC ruled that Stancik, 30, had made a benefit of £4,312,925.70 from his criminal activity while his company made a benefit of £4,344,827.60.

    The court heard assets of £495,280.88 were available from the company made up of cash in a bank account and seized catalytic converters.

    Stancik’s only asset was £30,934.16 from equity in a house he sold before his trial, the court was told.

    Recorder Hardy ordered those amounts to be confiscated and ruled that £100,111.65 should be paid to the Environment Agency to cover costs.

    At a previous hearing (4 September 2024), the company and Stancik were found guilty of running an illegal waste site at Long Sutton.

    The court heard that, between December 2019 and September 2021, Stancik, 30, acted as a director of the company and traded in catalytic convertors on a colossal scale. 

    A jury heard that neither Stancik nor his company had obtained an environmental permit before buying and selling thousands of catalytic converters.

    Stancik stored the devices in containers in Long Sutton and were stored in an irresponsible manner giving rise to health risks.

    A warrant for the arrest of Stancik, who is believed to be living in Lithuania, has been issued.  He has been given 3 months to pay or face 5 years in jail.

    The Environment Agency continues to investigate ways of retrieving further proceeds.

    Peter Stark, Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, said:

    “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the benefit they obtain from their illegal activities.

    “Offenders won’t get away with concealing information or their assets, and due to the EA’s hard work, justice has been served.

    “Waste crime can be a blight on the environment, communities and to legitimate businesses.

    “We will continue to work with professional partners like Lincolnshire Police in this case to prevent, disrupt, investigate, and stop waste offending.

    “If anyone suspects that a company or its directors are doing something wrong, contact our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

    The charges:

    Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd.

    • Operating a regulated facility, namely a waste operation, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton).

    • Operating a regulated facility, namely a waste operation, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    • Keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33(1)(c) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.) (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33(1)(c) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    Edvars Stancik

    • Causing a company to operate a regulated facility otherwise in accordance with an environmental permit contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) by virtue of Regulation 41(1) and 41(3) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to operate a regulated facility otherwise in accordance with an environmental permit contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) by virtue of Regulation 41(1) and 41(3) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to commit an offence, contrary to section 33(1)(c), 33(6) by virtue of s157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to commit an offence, contrary to section 33(1)(c), 33(6) by virtue of s157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    Background Information

    Catalytic converters are components in car exhausts.  They contain small amounts of precious metals contained within a metal case making them valuable.

    However, catalytic converters also contain carcinogenic fibres which, if ingested, can cause serious and irreversible lung disease. 

    The dangerous fibres can attach to shoes and clothing and be transported from one place to another.

     It is therefore extremely important that catalytic converters are handled only under the strict conditions of an environmental permit, supervised by the Environment Agency.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: NordVpn Cost (73% Coupon Code) How Much Does Nord Vpn Cost

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NordVpn : Is It Still the Best VPN for Privacy & Security? NordVpn Cost | NordVpn Discount Code

    If you’re looking for top-tier online privacy, fast streaming, and unbeatable security, NordVPN remains one of the most trusted names in the VPN industry. With millions of users globally and a strong reputation, many are asking: What is NordVPN and is it still worth it in 2025? In this in-depth guide, we cover everything from features to pricing, performance, and why NordVPN might be the right VPN for you.

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    NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service that helps protect your internet activity by encrypting your connection and masking your IP address. Based in Panama—a country with no mandatory data retention laws—NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, which means your browsing activity is never stored or tracked.

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    Project Name: NordVPN
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    Contact Person: Brian Thomson
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    Company Email: press@nordvpn.com

    Website: https://nordvpn.com

    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.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics ASA: Annual general meeting held on 21 May 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IDEX Biometrics ASA held the annual general meeting on 21 May 2025. 

    All resolutions were passed as proposed in the notice and agenda update for the meeting. The minutes of the meeting will be available at the company’s web site www.idexbiometrics.com in due course.

    For further information, please contact:

    Kristian Flaten, CFO, Tel: +47 95092322

    E-mail: ir@idexbiometrics.com

    About IDEX Biometrics:

    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market. For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com

    About this notice:

    This notice was issued by Kristian Flaten, CFO, on 21 May 2025 at 14:45 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to the Norwegian Securities Trading Act section 5-12.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Power Your Summer Plans with Hot Savings on Samsung Tech

    Source: Samsung

    Summer is heating up at Samsung – and so are the savings.
    The Discover Samsung Summer Sale is coming soon from June 2-8 with big savings on smart home essentials and mobile must-haves to power your summer. Mark your calendar for weeklong offers, curated bundles and new daily deals beginning at 9am ET each day. To get a head start on the savings, download the Samsung Shop App to unlock Early Access to exclusive offers beginning Friday, May 30 at 9am ET.
    Whether you’re planning the ultimate beach weekend, backyard staycation, or backpacking trip, Samsung AI features are here to help you make the most of your summer plans. Explore some of our favorite features for summer and take a peek at current and upcoming offers below.
    For summer travels, let Galaxy AI[1] take the lead on planning. Looking for flights? Hold the side button of your Galaxy S25 and ask Gemini[2] to find deals in real time before saving the results to your Samsung Notes app to easily reference later. Try out local cuisine with ease by pressing the side button of your Galaxy S25 and asking Galaxy AI to translate the menu before providing recommended meal options. And if you want the perfect photo to post, use Galaxy AI’s Generative Edit[3] feature to remove any unwanted background objects.

    Weeklong Deal: Save up to $300 on Galaxy S25 Ultra (promo price: starting at $1299.99)
    Weeklong Deal: Save $60 or up to $150 with eligible trade-in,[4] plus get a case on us with Galaxy Buds3 Pro (promo price: starting at $99.99)

    For backyard dinner parties, your connected kitchen is the ultimate sous chef. Use the AI Home screen[5] on select products in our 2025 Bespoke AI lineup to act as your personal assistant and convenient control center for your smart home. Plan your meals and create grocery lists or view your calendar and leave notes for your family, all from the screen. And once you finish dinner, tackle your sink full of dirty dishes with our latest Bespoke smart dishwasher, the quietest in its class.[6]

    Save up to $1,500 on Bespoke 4-Door French Door with AI Home & AI Vision Inside [7] (promo price: starting at $3,199)
    Save up to $400 on the 38 dBA Bespoke Smart Dishwasher with 3rd Rack Washing System (promo price: starting at $999)

    For movie marathons and more, experience the next big thing in television with Samsung Vision AI[8] on our 2025 TVs. The 2025 Samsung TV lineup offers breathtaking picture and immersive sound, paired with AI-backed features that take your TV to new heights. Use Click to Search[9] for instant info about your shows or movies, or enjoy content in your preferred language with Live Translate[10]. Universal Gestures even lets you control your TV with just a Galaxy Watch[11]. Plus, Samsung Vision AI helps upscale[12] everything you watch into crystal clear resolution, and even adapts your TV’s audio to your room for crisp dialogue and immersive sound. You can also pair your TV with a 2025 Samsung soundbar to amp up the audio even further.

    Happening NOW: Save up to $400 on S90F and S85F series OLED TVs (promo prices: starting at $1,399)
    Happening NOW: Save up to $500 on Q-series soundbars (promo prices: starting at $449)

    We’re also offering great savings on our 2024 OLED TVs, delivering pure blacks, bright whites and Pantone®-Validated color – all backed by powerful AI processors that optimize picture and sound as you watch. Whichever model you choose, you can shop with confidence from the #1 TV brand for 19 years running[13].

    Happening NOW: Save $1,400 on 65” Class OLED S90D (promo price: $1,299)
    Happening NOW: Save $2,100 on 77” Class OLED S95D (promo price: $2,499)

    Check back here next week for even more offers across our home entertainment lineup!
    For on-the-go smart home control, use the SmartThings app[14] on your mobile device. Seamlessly manage your compatible tech with automated routines, whether you’re turning on the lights for your arrival or cranking up the air conditioner on hot days. And with SmartThings Energy’s AI Energy Mode, you can receive personalized tips to help cut down on your energy usage and costs from your Samsung washer to your refrigerator to your TV and beyond.

    Save up to $1,100 on 3 cu. ft. Bespoke AI Laundry Ventless Heat Pump Dryer Combo All-in-One Ultra Capacity Washer with AI Home (promo price: starting at $2,199)
    Click here to download the SmartThings app

    For more on the Discover Samsung Summer Sale and details on the latest offers, visit Samsung.com.

    [1] Galaxy AI features by Samsung are free through 2025 and require Samsung account login.
    [2] Compatible with select apps. Requires Google Gemini account. Results may vary based on input; check responses for accuracy. Google and Gemini are trademarks of Google LLC.
    [3] Generative Edit requires a Samsung account login. Editing with Generative Edit results in a resized photo up to 12MP. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by Galaxy AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed.
    [4] For Samsung Trade-In terms and conditions, click here.
    [5] AI Home LCD Display on RF90F29/23BECRAA Refrigerators accesses AI Vision Inside , Bixby and personalized recipe recommendations based on AI algorithms. Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account required.
    [6] Together with DW90 models, compared to competitor models with MSRP $1399 or less.
    [7] AI Vision Inside can recognize and automatically label 37 unobscured fresh food items such as select fruits and vegetables; other items may be manually labeled. Results vary by manner of placement.
    [8] Samsung Vision Al is only available on 2025 Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED, OLED, QLED and The Frame TV models. Samsung Vision Al features vary by TV model. (Excludes Crystal UHD, FHD and HD TV models).
    [9] Available on certain models only, and on terrestrial, cable TV and Samsung TV Plus.
    [10] Works with antenna broadcast only. Available languages vary and may require download. Translation accuracy not guaranteed.
    [11] Available apps and services may vary and are subject to change without notice. Only supported on Galaxy Watch4 and later models, and Wear OS 5 and higher versions. Galaxy Watch sold separately.
    [12] Viewing experience may vary according to types of content and format. Upscaling may not apply to PC connection and Game Mode.
    [13] Source: Omdia, Feb 2025. Results are not an endorsement of Samsung. Any reliance on these results is at the third party’s own risk.
    [14] Available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Windows are the No. 1 human threat to birds – an ecologist shares some simple steps to reduce collisions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Hoeksema, Professor of Ecology, University of Mississippi

    Birds are drawn to the mirror effect of windows. That can turn deadly when they think they see trees. CCahill/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    When wood thrushes arrive in northern Mississippi on their spring migration and begin to serenade my neighborhood with their ethereal, harmonized song, it’s one of the great joys of the season. It’s also a minor miracle. These small creatures have just flown more than 1,850 miles (3,000 kilometers), all the way from Central America.

    Other birds undertake even longer journeys — the Swainson’s thrush, for example, nests as far north as the boreal forests of Alaska and spends the nonbreeding season in northern South America, traveling up to 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers) each way.

    These stunning feats of travel are awe-inspiring, making it that much more tragic when they are cut short by a deadly collision with a glass window.

    A wood thrush singing. Shared by the American Bird Conservancy.

    This happens with alarming regularity. Two recent scientific studies estimate that more than 1 billion birds – and as many as 5.19 billion – die from collisions with sheet glass each year in the United States alone, sometimes immediately but often from their injuries.

    In fact, window collisions are now considered the top human cause of bird deaths. Due to window collisions and other causes, bird populations across North America have declined more than 29% from their 1970 levels, likely with major consequences for the world’s ecosystems.

    These collisions occur on every type of building, from homes to skyscrapers. At the University of Mississippi campus, where I teach and conduct research as an ecologist, my colleagues and I have been testing some creative solutions.

    Why glass is so often deadly for birds

    Most frequently, glass acts as a mirror, reflecting clear sky or habitat. There is no reason for a bird to slow down when there appears to be a welcoming tree or shrub ahead.

    These head-on collisions frequently result in brain injuries, to which birds often succumb immediately.

    In other cases, birds are stunned by the collision and eventually fly off, but many of those individuals also eventually perish from brain swelling.

    Other injuries, to wings or legs, for example, can leave birds unable to fly and vulnerable to cats or other predators. If you find an injured bird, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

    Which windows are riskiest

    Some windows are much worse than others, depending on their proximity to bushes and other bird habitats, what is reflected in them, and how interior lighting exacerbates or diminishes the mirror effect.

    On our campus, some buildings with a great deal of glass surface area kill surprisingly few birds, while other small sets of windows are disproportionately deadly.

    A stunned Swainson’s thrush sits on the ground in front of a window on campus. The bird, which likely hit the window, eventually recovered and flew away.
    Jason Hoeksema/University of Mississippi

    One particular elevated walkway with glass on both sides between the chemistry and pharmacy buildings is a notoriously dangerous spot. The glass kills migratory birds each spring and fall as they try to pass between the two buildings on their way to The Grove, the university’s central-campus park area with large old oak trees.

    During the pandemic in 2020, student Emma Counce did the heart-heavy work of performing a survey of 11 campus buildings almost daily during spring migration. She found 72 bird fatalities in seven weeks. Five years later, my ornithology students completed a new survey and found 62 mortalities over the course of five weeks in 2025, demonstrating that we still have a lot of work to do to make our campus safe for migratory birds.

    Thrushes, perhaps due to their propensity for whizzing through tight spaces in the shady forest understory, have been disproportionately represented among the victims. Others include colorful songbirds – northern parulas, black-and-white warblers, prothonotary warblers, Kentucky warblers, buntings, vireos and tanagers.

    How to make windows less dangerous

    The good thing is that everyone can do something to lower the risk.

    Films, stickers or strings can be added on the exterior of windows, creating dots or lines, 2 to 4 inches apart, that break up reflections to give the appearance of a barrier.

    Exterior screens and blinds work great too. Just adding a few predator silhouette stickers is not effective, by the way – the treatment needs to span the whole window.

    Putting film with dots on windows, like this one at the University of Mississippi, can help birds spot the glass and stop in time. Without the dots, the reflection can look like more trees are ahead instead of glass and a hallway.
    Jason Hoeksema/University of Mississippi

    When applied properly, window treatments can make a huge difference. An inspiring example is McCormick Place in Chicago, the country’s largest convention center, which notoriously killed nearly 1,000 birds in a single night in 2023. After workers applied dot film to an area of the building’s windows equivalent to two football fields, bird mortality at the lakeside building has been reduced by 95%.

    The Bird Collision Prevention Alliance provides information on options for retrofitting home or office windows to make them more bird friendly.

    Options for new windows are also becoming more common. For example, the new Center for Science & Technology Innovation on my campus, which features many windows, mostly used bird-friendly glass with subtle polka dots built into it. This spring, we found that it killed only four birds, despite a very high surface area of glass.

    How you can help

    When trying to make a difference on your home turf, I suggest starting small. Make note of which specific windows have killed birds in the past, and treat them first.

    Use it as an opportunity to learn what approach might work best for you and your building. Either order a product or make something yourself and get it installed.

    How to make your windows safer for birds. Shared by Audubon New York and American Bird Conservancy.

    Then do another, and tell a friend. At the office, talk to people, find others who care and build a team to make gradual change.

    With some creative solutions, anyone can help reduce at least this major risk.

    Jason Hoeksema is affiliated with the University of Mississippi, Delta Wind Birds, and the Mississippi Ornithological Society.

    – ref. Windows are the No. 1 human threat to birds – an ecologist shares some simple steps to reduce collisions – https://theconversation.com/windows-are-the-no-1-human-threat-to-birds-an-ecologist-shares-some-simple-steps-to-reduce-collisions-255838

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo’s choice of name

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nathan Schneider, Assistant Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

    An 1878 photograph of Pope Leo XIII and members of his court, taken by Jules David. Wikimedia Commons

    When Robert Francis Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV, it could have meant many things. There were 13 Leos before him: The first, Leo the Great, was a fifth-century theologian who helped heal the doctrinal divisions among early Christians; Leo X, a member of the powerful Medici family, helped provoke the Protestant Reformation with his lavish lifestyle and sale of indulgences.

    Two days after his election, the new pope affirmed the most likely inference: that his name was a tribute to the most recent Leo, Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903. Less obvious, however, was what inspired his choice: the rise of artificial intelligence.

    As the new pope told the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025, he was inspired by his namesake’s teachings about economic justice during another time of radical technological change. Leo XIII applied Catholic tradition to the Industrial Revolution in a historic encyclical called Rerum Novarum, which became the founding document of modern Catholic economics.

    “In our own day,” Leo XIV said, “the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”

    I am a scholar of economic thought around technology and religion, and so the invocation of the previous Leo had immediate resonance for me. What lessons is the current pope drawing from his predecessor? What would Leo XIII say about AI?

    19th-century teachings

    Some might imagine that the answer is some kind of outright rejection. The Catholic Church has a sometimes earned reputation for denouncing the modern world in favor of its centuries-old traditions.

    One aspect of the reign of Leo XIII, who became pope in 1878, was an attack on modern individualism, which he denounced as “Americanism.” But his relationship with modernity was far from simply rejecting it. Leo XIII was the first pope captured on film, for instance, and he blessed the camera that recorded him.

    Leo XIII was the first pope to appear on film.

    In Rerum Novarum, which appeared in 1891, Leo responded to the roiling struggles between Gilded Age capitalists and the industrial workers they systematically exploited. The “teeming masses of the laboring poor” received “a yoke little better than that of slavery itself,” he wrote.

    The 19th-century pope refused to endorse either the capitalists’ wait-and-see promise of progress or the communists’ longing for a dictatorship of the proletariat. Instead, he offered a vision that became the cornerstone of modern Catholic social teaching.

    Leo XIII’s prescription for the Industrial Revolution of his time was to embrace private property, like the capitalists, but to spread it out far more widely among workers. Rerum Novarum contends it is “just and right that the results of labor should belong to those who have bestowed their labor.” If workers become owners, he explained, they can have a part in stewarding the gifts of God.

    Leo XIII’s writings have formed the foundation of modern Catholic social thought.
    L’Illustrazione Italiana via Wikimedia Commons

    The pope further called for public policy that would spread wealth and power in the industrial economy through widespread ownership: “The law, therefore, should favor ownership, and its policy should be to induce as many as possible of the people to become owners.”

    This was a radical position then, as it is now. Following Leo XIII’s call, many Catholics searched for ways to share ownership of industry more widely. This movement gave birth to cooperative businesses around the world, from the North American credit union system to the Mondragon Corporation in the Basque region of Spain, an industrial behemoth owned and governed by its workers.

    But for most of the world, Leo’s plea was forgotten in the capitalist-versus-communist Cold War.

    21st-century tech

    Today, we inhabit yet another Gilded Age. Wealth inequality in the United States has reached similar levels as in Leo XIII’s time, once again thanks to technological disruptions that funnel the benefits to a small elite. AI threatens to put the platform economy on steroids, upending work with the bots that only a few companies can afford to build.

    Policy debates about AI tend to be limited to what the big tech CEOs should or shouldn’t do. The Biden administration was poised to enshrine a few powerful companies as the arbiters of AI, handing them and the government power to determine what is and isn’t ethical. Now, the Trump administration is pulling out all the stops to compete with China. “The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety,” Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, told a major AI summit soon after taking office. “It will be won by building.”

    Channeling Leo XIII to confront the AI revolution, however, means looking past prevailing ideas, as he did in his time. His teachings suggest that the people who create and use AI should be the ones who actively own and govern it.

    This could take many forms. For instance, already there are workers organizing to shape how AI is deployed in their workplaces. In other contexts, cooperative businesses such as Land O’Lakes have worked with farmer-owners to use the data that farm machines produce to improve their practices. People do not have to be merely passive users of AI tools; when they have well-organized democratic power through unions and co-ops, they can make the technology more accountable to them.

    AI companies themselves can spread ownership and governance more widely. Fears about the dangers that powerful AI could pose if it gets out of hand have already prompted some founders to adopt unusual corporate structures. Anthropic, the company behind the AI assistant Claude, is a public-benefit corporation, which means that it can prioritize long-term social benefit above shareholder profits. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is owned by a nonprofit – an arrangement that has resisted efforts to turn it into a more conventional kind of company.

    Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, middle, speaks on a panel at an event about AI safety in 2024.
    AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

    But these structures still assume that AI’s future should be in the hands of an aristocracy of business and technical elites. Leo XIII, on the other hand, argued that everyone who participates in an enterprise should have a stake in it.

    For AI, that could include not only company employees but also the users who train the models, the communities that share their water and power with data centers, the workers who mine the raw materials for high-performance chips, and the creators who contribute to the systems’ knowledge.

    Early research has suggested that ordinary people are very concerned about turning power over to machines that they do not yet understand. They see consequences of AI in their lives that engineers in Silicon Valley are less likely to consider, from racial discrimination to workplace surveillance. Also, as a wonderful story by the science fiction writer Cadwell Turnbull suggests, people will likely use and trust AI more if they know it is truly accountable to them.

    In January 2025, the Vatican released a document calling for a “renewed appreciation of all that is human” in the age of AI. It warned against what Pope Francis called the “technocratic paradigm”: the mindset that gives up humans’ role as stewards of God’s creation and hands power over to systems, whether they are stock markets or computer programs.

    By taking the name Leo, I believe the new pope is suggesting something similar. The important question is not whether new technologies are good or bad. What matters far more is whether we can learn to share the responsibility of stewardship – whether we can all be partners in what this new industrial revolution is making possible.

    Nathan Schneider identifies as a Roman Catholic.

    – ref. 19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo’s choice of name – https://theconversation.com/19th-century-catholic-teachings-21st-century-tech-how-concerns-about-ai-guided-pope-leos-choice-of-name-256645

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Aristotle would scoff at Mark Zuckerberg’s suggestion that AI can solve the loneliness epidemic

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gregg D. Caruso, Professor of Ethics and Management and Director of the Waide Center for Applied Ethics, Fairfield University

    Mark Zuckerberg has said that chatbots could meet a need for Americans who want more friends. Andrej Sokolow/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

    Mark Zuckerberg recently suggested that AI chatbots could combat social isolation by serving as “friends” for people experiencing loneliness.

    He cited statistics that the average American has fewer than three friends but yearns for as many as 15. He was close: According to a 2021 report from the Survey Center on American Life, about half of Americans have fewer than four close friends.

    Zuckerberg then posited that AI could help bridge this gap by providing constant, personalized interactions.

    “I would guess that over time we will find the vocabulary as a society to be able to articulate why that is valuable,” he added.

    Loneliness and social disconnection are serious problems. But can AI really be a solution? Might relying on AI for emotional support create a false sense of connection and possibly exacerbate feelings of isolation? And while AI can simulate certain aspects of companionship, doesn’t it lack the depth, empathy and mutual understanding inherent to human friendship?

    Researchers have started exploring these questions. But as a moral philosopher, I think it’s worth turning to a different source: the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.

    Though it might seem odd to consult someone who lived over 2,000 years ago on questions of modern technology, Aristotle offers enduring insights about friendships – and which ones are particularly valuable.

    More important than spouses, kids or money

    In his philosophical text Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle maintained that true friendship is essential for “eudaimonia,” a Greek word that is typically translated as “flourishing” or “well-being.”

    For Aristotle, friends are not just nice to have – they’re a central component of ethical living and essential for human happiness and fulfillment.

    “Without friends, no one would choose to live,” he writes, “though he had all other goods.”

    A 10th-century manuscript of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.
    DeAgostini/Getty Images

    A solitary existence, even one of contemplation and intellectual achievement, is less complete than a life with friends. Friendship contributes to happiness by providing emotional support and solidarity. It is through friendship that individuals can cultivate their virtues, feel a sense of security and share their accomplishments.

    Empirical evidence seems to support the connection between friendship and eudaimonia. A 2023 Pew Center research report found that 61% of adults in the U.S. say having close friends is essential to living a fulfilling life – a higher proportion than those who cited marriage, children or money. A British study of 6,500 adults found that those who had regular interactions with a wide circle of friends were more likely to have better mental health and be happier.

    And a meta-analysis of nearly 150 studies found that a lack of close friends can increase the risk of death as much as smoking, drinking or obesity.

    Different friends for different needs

    But the benefit of friendship that Aristotle focuses on the most is the role that it plays in the development of virtue.

    In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle identifies three tiers of friendship.

    The first tier is what he calls “friendships of utility,” or a friendship that is based on mutual benefit. Each party is primarily concerned with what they can gain from the other. These might be colleagues at work or neighbors who look after each other’s pets when one of them is on vacation. The problem with these friendships is that they are often fleeting and dissolve once one person stops benefiting from the relationship.

    The second is “friendships of pleasure,” which are friendships based on shared interests. These friendships can also be transient, depending on how long the shared interests last. Passionate love affairs, people belonging to the same book club and fishing buddies all fall into this category. This type of friendship is important, since you tend to enjoy your passions more when you can share them with another person. But this is still not the highest form of friendship.

    According to Aristotle, the third and strongest form of friendship is a “virtuous friendship.” This is based on mutual respect for each other’s virtues and character.

    Two people with this form of friendship value each other for who they truly are and share a deep commitment to the well-being and moral development of one another. These friendships are stable and enduring. In a virtuous friendship, each individual helps the other become better versions of themselves through encouragement, moral guidance and support.

    As Aristotle writes: “Perfect friendship is the friendship of men who are good and alike in virtue. … Now those who wish well to their friends for their sake are most truly friends; for they do this by reason of their own nature and not incidentally; therefore their friendship lasts as long as they are good – and goodness is an enduring thing.”

    In other words, friendships rooted in virtue not only bring happiness and fulfillment but also facilitate personal growth and moral development. And it happens naturally within the context of the relationship.

    According to Aristotle, a virtuous friend provides a mirror in which one can reflect upon their own actions, thoughts and decisions. When one friend demonstrates honesty, generosity or compassion, the other can learn from these actions and be inspired to cultivate these virtues in themselves.

    To Aristotle, the most valuable friendships challenge you to become a better version of yourself.
    Anil Oguz/iStock via Getty Images

    No nourishment for the soul

    So, what does this mean for AI friends?

    By Aristotle’s standards, AI chatbots – however sophisticated – cannot be true friends.

    They may be able to provide information that helps you at work, or engage in lighthearted conversation about your various interests. But they fundamentally lack qualities that define a virtuous friendship.

    AI is incapable of mutual concern or genuine reciprocity. While it can be programmed to simulate empathy or encouragement, it does not truly care about the individual – nor does it ask anything of its human users.

    Moreover, AI cannot engage in the shared pursuit of the good life. Aristotle’s notion of friendship involves a shared journey on the path to eudaimonia, during which each person helps another live wisely and well. This requires the kind of moral development that only human beings, who face real ethical challenges and make real decisions, can undergo.

    I think it is best to think of AI as a tool. Just like having a good shovel or rake can improve your quality of life, having the rake and the shovel do not mean you no longer need any friends – nor do they replace the friends whose shovels and rakes you used to borrow.

    While AI may offer companionship in a limited and functional sense, it cannot meet the Aristotelian criteria for virtuous friendship. It may fill a temporary social void, but it cannot nourish the soul.

    If anything, the rise of AI companions should serve as a reminder of the urgent need to foster real friendships in an increasingly disconnected world.

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

    – ref. Aristotle would scoff at Mark Zuckerberg’s suggestion that AI can solve the loneliness epidemic – https://theconversation.com/aristotle-would-scoff-at-mark-zuckerbergs-suggestion-that-ai-can-solve-the-loneliness-epidemic-256758

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Welfare reform: Speech to the IPPR by Work and Pensions Secretary

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Welfare reform: Speech to the IPPR by Work and Pensions Secretary

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP speech to the IPPR setting out the case for welfare reform.

    I’m very grateful to my former employer IPPR for hosting us and to all of you for taking the time to come along, I’m especially grateful to Dominic for sharing his experiences, and I thought that was really important to hear today – about the benefits work brings to you, and the struggles you have faced, and your hopes for the future.

    I want to talk about the Government’s welfare reforms.

    How they will transform people’s lives, as part of our Plan for Change.

    [Political content removed]

    How these reforms will help ensure our welfare state is sustainable for the future.

    [Political content removed]

    Now Getting Britain Working is central to the Government’s Plan for Change.

    It is vital to delivering higher living standards in every part of Britain. 

    And it’s vital to achieving the number one mission of this Government, which is growing the economy.

    But Getting Britain Working is about so much more than this.

    It’s about giving people the dignity and self respect that we know good work brings.

    The purpose and belonging that Dominic spoke about so powerfully.

    It’s about improving the health of the nation, because we know good work is good for people’s mental and physical health – and can help reduce pressure on the NHS.

    And Getting Britain Working is critical to driving down child poverty and ensuring every child starts school ready to learn – perhaps the single most important step to transforming equality and opportunity in this country.

    And the scale and urgency of our task is there for all to see. 

    Nearly 1 in 10 people of working age are now on at least one sickness or disability benefit.  

    A near record 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness. 

    1 million young people are not in education, employment or training – that’s more than 1 in 8 of our young people – with all the long-term consequences this brings for their future health, job prospects and earnings potential.

    And 300,000 people with health conditions are falling out of work every single year, piling up even greater problems for the future.

    The result is millions of people who could work written off and denied the chance to build a better life …

    … with all these challenges far worse in parts of the Midlands and the North, whose economies were decimated in the 80s and 90s when whole industries closed, and who have never been given the investment, support and opportunity they need to recover.

    [Political content removed]

    … with the benefits bill for sickness and disability up £20 billion since the pandemic and set to rise by a further £18 billion by the end of this Parliament, unless we change course. 

    And the truth is … it doesn’t have to be this way.

    We are the only economy in the G7 whose employment rate still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.

    And spending on sickness and disability benefits in most other comparable countries is either stable or falling since the pandemic … yet ours continues to inexorably rise.  

    [Political content removed]

    And there is nothing inevitable about Britain’s future path, if we have the courage and conviction to act.

    We must start shifting so much spending from the costs of “failure” to investing in the jobs, skills and public services that people need to build a better life.

    This requires leadership and it requires reform. 

    Now the truth is, welfare reform is never easy. And it is rarely popular. 

    [Political content removed]

    So we will reform the welfare state.

    [Political content removed]

    Changing it to meet the social and demographic challenges of today and tomorrow and delivering the fairness, equality and opportunity people need and deserve.

    [Political content removed]

    Reforming the welfare state to offer them the same rights and chances to work as anybody else.

    When the welfare state was created, average life expectancy was 65, and the most common cause of illness and death was infectious diseases and accidents. 

    Now, average life expectancy is around 80. And 1 in 7 babies born today is likely to live to 100.

    Back then, disability was the exception. Now, 1 in 4 of us self-reports as disabled. And 1 in 3 of us will have a long-term health condition.

    But the welfare state has simply not kept pace with these changes.

    Our benefit system in particular forces too many sick and disabled people into a binary choice of can or can’t work – when we know many people’s physical and mental health conditions fluctuate, and many sick and disabled people want to and need to work.

    The system then writes people off, and traps them … without offering any help or support.

    The number of people on the health top up of Universal Credit is set to rise by 50 per cent to 3 million by the end of the decade. 

    And the number of people on Personal Independence Payments is set to more than double to 4.3 million.

    There are now 1,000 new PIP awards every single day. That’s the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year.

    This is not sustainable or fair – for the people who need support and for taxpayers.

    So unless we reform the system to help those who can work to do so…

    Unless we get social security spending on a more sustainable footing…

    And unless we ensure public money is focused on those with the greatest need and is spent in ways that have the best chance of improving people’s lives…

    …the risk is the welfare state won’t be there for people who really need it in future.

    That is why we are grasping the nettle of welfare reform. 

    Not for the sake of it, but to ensure the welfare state lasts for generations to come.

    Now we have already made huge strides in getting Britain working and growing again. 

    We are improving the quality of work and making work pay, with our landmark Employment Rights Bill.

    We are creating more good jobs in every part of the country – from clean energy to construction and through our modern industrial strategy.

    And we are investing an additional £26 billion this year to drive down NHS waiting lists, because getting people back to health is crucial to getting them back to work.

    But we also need big changes in our system of social security and employment support to deliver greater fairness and opportunity.

    Our plans are based on three clear objectives. 

    First, overhauling the system to help those who can work, get into work and stay in work.

    Last autumn our Get Britain Working white paper kicked off the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation, backed by and additional £240 million…

    … overhauling our Jobcentres to create a new national jobs and careers service, and shift the focus away from benefit administration alone.

    … investing in 16 new trailblazing programmes across the country – led by Mayors and local areas – to join up work, health and skills support, ensure every young person is earning or learning and to tackle the scar of economic inactivity.

    This year, we announced a further £1 billion a year in our new ‘Pathways to Work’ offer.

    Along with programmes like WorkWell, Connect to Work – which is being rolled out to the whole of England and Wales by December – and freeing up 1,000 work coaches to support sick and disabled people….

    …. Pathways to Work will guarantee a comprehensive offer of health, work and skills support for anyone who needs it. 

    … rolling out from next April when our benefit changes start to come in… 

    …. the biggest ever package of support for sick and disabled people.

    To underpin these changes in employment support, we are also creating a more pro-active, pro-work system. 

    We are consulting on a new Unemployment Insurance to provide a higher rate of time-limited income protection for people who lose their job but have paid into the system.

    We are scrapping the failed Work Capability Assessment [Political content removed] to help end the binary can/can’t work divide.

    We are reforming Universal Credit to encourage people to find work, and not stay on benefits…

    … reducing the health top up for new claims from April 2026, alongside active help to find work.

    …. and bringing in a sustained above inflation increase to the standard allowance in Universal Credit for the first time ever, delivering a cash increase of £725 a year by the end of the Parliament. 

    We’re introducing a new ‘right to try work’ by legislating to guarantee that work in and of itself will never lead to someone being called in for a benefit assessment to give people the confidences to take the plunge and try work. 

    To underpin our Youth Guarantee we are consulting on delaying access to the health top up in Universal Credit until someone is aged 22, with the savings reinvested into work support and training opportunities. 

    And we will support employers to recruit and retain more disabled people and people with health conditions through our Keep Britain Working review, led by the former boss of John Lewis, Sir Charlie Mayfield.  

    The second objective of our plans is to protect those who cannot work. 

    Those with the most severe, life-long conditions that will never improve and who can never work will have their Universal Credit protected – including young people aged under 22. 

    And we will guarantee they will never be reassessed in future, removing totally unnecessary stress, anxiety and uncertainty.

    To improve trust, we will also fundamentally overhaul our safeguarding approach to ensure all our processes and training are of the highest possible quality and to protect and support vulnerable people.

    Our third objective is to focus Personal Independence Payments on those with higher needs and to review the PIP assessment to ensure it is fair and fit for purpose.

    I know the concerns that have been raised about our proposals. I am listening carefully to all the points people raise.

    But 9 out of 10 people claiming PIP at the point when the changes come into force in November 2026 will not be affected by the end of the Parliament.

    And even with the changes we are making…

    … there will still be 750,000 more people receiving PIP by the end of this Parliament than there were at the start.

    … and spending will be £8 billion higher than it is now: rising faster than GDP, and faster than spending on public services.

    In making our changes, we are preserving PIP as a vital cash benefit that makes a contribution towards the extra cost of living with a disability. [Political content removed]

    We are consulting on how best to support those who will no longer be eligible, including so their health and care needs are met. 

    We will improve the experience of those going through the PIP assessment, switching back to more face-to-face assessments and recording them as standard.

    And we have begun the first review of the PIP assessment, in more than a decade – including the descriptors, and in consultation with disabled people and the organisations that represent them – to ensure it is fair and fit for purpose. 

    Taken together, our measures will reform the system to support those who can work to do so, to protect those who cannot, and to help ensure our welfare state lasts for generations to come.

    I want to finish by saying this.

    When I travel around the country, I know the places with the highest levels of economic inactivity and the largest number of people on sickness and disability benefits…

    … are the same places with the worst health, lowest life expectancy and fewest opportunities.

    The villages, towns and cities, especially in parts of the Midlands and North whose economies have still not recovered from the 80s and 90s, where economic demand remains weakest.

    Places that are full of talent and ambition but which need the investment – in jobs, infrastructure, skills, and public services – to build a better life for themselves and their communities.

    People in this country rightly demand change.

    [Political content removed]

    They need real hope built on real solutions.

    [Political content removed]

    Change of this scale isn’t easy.

    But it is possible.

    [Political content removed]

    That we will create the jobs, opportunities and public services people want and deserve. 

    Because a future dependent on benefits alone is not good enough for people in Blackpool, Birkenhead or Blaenau Gwent. 

    I am confident we will deliver. 

    Because all the evidence shows hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled people want to work.

    When they have a government that is on their side and provides the right support, they get work. 

    And that this can transform their lives. 

    Our task is urgent. 

    [Political content removed]

    So now let’s get on with the job.

    ENDS

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Record pension scheme funding means up to £160 billion ready to boost growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Record pension scheme funding means up to £160 billion ready to boost growth

    The reforms will support the Government’s Plan for Change by boosting economic growth and securing the financial future of millions of UK savers.

    • Funding levels in the Defined Benefit (DB) pension sector have hit a record high, with three in four now in surplus and deficit payments down by over £10 billion a year
    • Increased resilience follows years of businesses creating security for members through building a larger surplus.
    • New freedoms to safely release surplus funding will unlock investments and benefit savers as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Working people, pension scheme members and businesses are set to benefit from record highs in pension scheme funding. 

    The majority of DB schemes are now running at a surplus which means the value of their assets exceed that of the promised pension benefits due to members.

    Thanks to the forthcoming Pension Schemes Bill – trustees and employers will soon be able to safely release part of this surplus to boost investment and benefit scheme members. 

    Funding levels for DB pension schemes, sometimes known as “Final Salary” pensions, are current in their strongest ever financial position with the number of DB schemes sufficiently financed tripling since 2010. 

    Minister for Pensions, Torsten Bell, said:

    The record funding levels for Defined Benefit pension schemes is excellent news for Britain’s employers and workers.

    Fast falling deficit payments offer employers a cashflow boost of over £10 billion a year, that can support higher wages and investment. 

    And growing scheme surpluses can also be used productively. Currently some trustees are held back from sharing the benefits of a surplus, but our plans will allow all schemes to safely do so, delivering greater investment across firms and benefits for savers.

    In 2019, just 600 Defined Benefit schemes were financed sufficiently, meaning businesses could meet the costs associated with their schemes without dipping into operational budgets – by 2024 that figure had tripled to over 1,800.

    Because of this robust financial position, the additional payments businesses have had to pay to plug pension deficits has fallen from £16 billion in 2010 to under £5 billion in 2024. This is delivering an immediate cashflow benefit to firms and should support higher levels of investment and wages. 

    The funding position of schemes in deficit has improved significantly, from a collective deficit of £500bn in 2019 to a deficit of just £140bn in 2024. Schemes running at a surplus have seen their collective surplus now rise to more than £160bn. Currently, many schemes cannot access their surplus – but the forthcoming Pension Schemes Bill will allow Pension trustees and the sponsoring employers to safely release some surplus to invest back into their businesses and unlock more money for pension scheme members. The upcoming changes will focus on member protection, and trustees will continue to be required to fulfil their duties towards scheme beneficiaries. 

    These changes form part of a package of reforms in the upcoming Pension Schemes Bill that will secure the financial future of millions of UK savers and drive long-term economic prosperity.

    Additional Information

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council working in partnership to tackle illegal off-road biking

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Off-road vehicles including motorbikes, quad bikes and other similar vehicles are classed as motor vehicles and must meet specific standards to be legally ridden on public highways.

    Off-roaders must have the permission of the landowner to ride on private land and, even with permission, dangerous or careless riding can lead to prosecution. For more details, please visit Off-Road Vehicle Nuisance.

    Off-roaders may also be in breach of the High Court injunction banning street racing in the Black Country, and therefore in contempt of court, if they are used on the public highway or land open to the public either for racing or to perform stunts.

    Meanwhile, parents who are considering purchasing off-road vehicles for young people should be aware that they may be held accountable for the actions of their children if they are found using vehicles anti-socially, including fines and legal action.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “As a council, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our residents.

    “The anti-social use of off-road vehicles is not only dangerous but also illegal. It can cause significant distress and danger to our communities and offenders may face fines, prosecution or have their vehicles seized.

    “We are working closely with West Midlands Police and other partners to identify and take action against offenders, and are pursuing legal measures against persistent offenders.

    “But we need the public’s help. If you witness the anti-social use of off-road vehicles, please report it to us, in confidence.”

    People can report the anti-social use of off-road vehicles to the Wolverhampton Anti-Social Behaviour Unit via asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk, Report anti-social behaviour or by calling 01902 556789, or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via CrimeStoppers.

    Alternatively, contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat at West Midlands Police or call 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

    When reporting, please provide as much information as possible, including the location of the incident, a description of the vehicle(s) involved, the time and date of the incident and any photos or videos, if available.

    Chris Seymour, ASB Officer for Wolverhampton Police, said: “We are committed to dealing with the ongoing issues surrounding the use of off-road bikes and the associated anti-social behaviour – we will continue to work closely with our partners to identify and prosecute offenders.”

    For more information or to discuss concerns, please contact the council’s Community Safety Team via safer@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Residents lay first bricks for almost 100 new energy efficient council homes as part of major overhaul

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    It is part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s citywide strategy to identify solutions for 4,100 homes built by out dated, non traditional construction methods.

    Keon Homes, appointed through the council’s housing framework, are building the new homes, with the first ones now emerging on School Lane.

    Demolition of the ageing bungalows is simultaneously taking place across the estate on Alleston Road, Alleston Walk, Grosvenor Road, Grosvenor Crescent, Lincoln Green, School Lane, and Wood Lane.

    To date, 21 properties have been demolished and the first phase will see 36 bungalows built by summer 2026.

    All of the old bungalows have been declared defective under the 1985 Housing Act – and suffer from a number of issues including failing structural elements, leaking and poorly insulated roofs, very poor thermal efficiency, and wet rot in the floor.

    The council has therefore taken the decision to replace the properties before they have an adverse effect on tenants’ health and wellbeing.

    The new, modern council bungalows will also provide a greater ability to adapt properties to meet tenants’ needs, something which has been difficult to achieve in the out dated properties due to their structural limitations.

    The redevelopment programme is being managed on behalf of the council by Wolverhampton Homes and follows extensive and ongoing consultation with residents.

    Existing council tenants, currently living in the out dated bungalows, will be given the opportunity to move into the new properties. The remaining new homes will be allocated to local people in line with the council’s official housing allocations policy.

    Diane Brookshaw of Grosvenor Crescent and Lincoln Green Estate Tenants Residents’ Association Chair said: “We’re all excited and can’t wait to get into our new homes.

    “It’s great to see the first bricks getting laid and the process has been very good generally – we’ve been updated all the way through.”

    City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “This is a major milestone for the project and it was great to see the residents excited to watch the first bricks being laid for their new homes.

    “The non traditional built properties they were living are in such poor structural condition that they can no longer be economically and satisfactorily maintained.

    “For the safety and comfort of our residents, we are delivering better homes in the long term that they can make their own in the same location.

    “We have been talking regularly with all those affected and have engaged with all tenants, who are relishing the prospect of moving into brand new homes. They understand the absolute necessity to remove these out dated bungalows and replace them with new modern homes.”

    Keon Homes Project Manager, Matt Wilkes, said: “Laying the first bricks is always a special moment and delivers a visual sign to local people that the exciting vision is becoming a reality.

    “Keon Homes is proud to be supporting the City of Wolverhampton Council on its ambitious housing framework, not only creating high quality homes that are energy efficient but delivering vibrant communities that make a real difference to individuals and families.”
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 21 May 2025 Departmental update Message by the Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO – May 2025

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Kate O’Brien, Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO

    In a time when vaccine preventable disease outbreaks are surging and the health of millions is in jeopardy, World Immunization Week 2025 served as a powerful reminder of what is “Humanly Possible”. Vaccines stand as proof that less disease, more life, is achievable through collaboration. Decades of collective efforts between governments, aid agencies, scientists, healthcare workers, communities and parents got us to where we are today –– a world where vaccines save at least 6 lives every minute and protect people of all ages against more than 30 life-threatening diseases.  

    Despite incredible progress, we must confront a painful reality: trust in vaccines is under threat, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are rising, and funding reductions, may leave millions without vital immunizations. 

    There is a growing issue of misinformation and misrepresentation about vaccines. False claims, distortion of scientific evidence, and vaccine revisionism are undermining decades of progress. This is not just wrong — it’s dangerous. It threatens public trust, puts lives at risk, and jeopardizes the immunization programmes that have protected millions for decades.  

    WHO is a scientific organization, committed to using high-quality scientific evidence to inform vaccine development and recommendations. High-quality clinical trials and rigorous safety assessments are at the core of vaccine development and authorization for use. We call on the global immunization community – including world leaders, national governments and medical providers – to stand firm in following the evidence to inform policies and decisions. It is vital that parents and people who are due for vaccination have accurate information about disease vaccines are designed to prevent and about the safety, performance and impact of vaccinations. 

    WHO is actively supporting countries and partners on vaccine confidence by developing tools to counter misinformation, promoting the proven safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and strengthening the bridge between science and public trust. But this is not a task for WHO alone. Leaders across sectors — from ministries of health to faith leaders and community influencers — should speak clearly and consistently about why vaccines matter and how they are safe. 

    This week, WHO Member States are gathering for the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), where the progress report on the Global Road Map for Defeating Meningitis by 2030, will be discussed by all Member States. This marks an important moment to reaffirm our collective commitment to eliminating meningitis as a public health threat, with a focus on equitable vaccine access, rapid diagnostics, early detection, and outbreak prevention. 

    On May 20, Member States at the 78th WHA formally adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement—a milestone after three years of negotiations prompted by the global impacts of COVID-19. The agreement aims to strengthen global cooperation, equity, and preparedness, including fair access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. But its success depends on more than commitments—it must reinforce what already works: public trust, science, strong immunization systems, and timely, accurate information. As recent outbreaks of measles, cholera, and polio remind us, no agreement can protect us if confidence in vaccines falters or health systems are too fragile to respond. 

    Over 100 side events are being held on the remits of the WHA including: 

    • “Outsmarting Outbreaks: Innovation, Integration, and Investment” – Tuesday, 20 May 2025, will explore how smarter systems, better surveillance, and collective action can stop outbreaks before they start. 
    • “Integrating Solutions to Defeat Malaria, Meningitis, and Polio” – Tuesday, 20 May 2025, will highlight how disease programs can work together to maximize efficiency and reach vulnerable communities. 
    • “New perspectives for the world without tuberculosis” – Wednesday, 21 May 2025, will review progress toward the End TB Strategy, highlight national innovations in TB care, and emphasize the need for integration, funding, and political commitment to eliminate TB by 2030. 
    • “Tuberculosis in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations” – Thursday, 22 May 2025, will spotlight the challenges of TB programming in crisis settings and explore innovative, integrated approaches to strengthen TB responses in fragile contexts. 
    • “The Power of Prevention: Immunizing for a Safer, Healthier World” – Friday, 23 May 2025, will emphasize the urgent opportunity to eliminate measles and rubella through system strengthening and the introduction of universal rubella vaccination. 
       

    A common thread connects these critical issues: sustained progress relies on strong, equitable, and trusted immunization systems. The stakes are high. Misinformation is on the rise. WHO is undergoing reform. And the immunization community is being asked to do more with fewer resources. 

    But we are prepared. We have the knowledge. We have the tools. Now, we need unity — to act together, grounded in evidence — to safeguard vaccines and the future they enable. 

    Let’s use this World Health Assembly as a moment to double down on what works, confront the threats that risk reversing our hard-won gains, and reaffirm the promise of immunization for all. 

    It is humanly possible to ensure even more children, adolescents, adults – and their communities – are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.  

    Click here for the full list of official side events, and here for other side events and convenings occurring around the 78th World Health Assembly.

    Click here to subscribe to the Global Immunization Newsletter.

    “,”datePublished”:”2025-05-21T11:25:40.0000000+00:00″,”image”:”https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/headquarters/initiatives/gap-f/highland-children-in-viet-nam.jpg?sfvrsn=9edc81d1_4″,”publisher”:{“@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”World Health Organization: WHO”,”logo”:{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”url”:”https://www.who.int/Images/SchemaOrg/schemaOrgLogo.jpg”,”width”:250,”height”:60}},”dateModified”:”2025-05-21T11:25:40.0000000+00:00″,”mainEntityOfPage”:”https://www.who.int/news/item/21-05-2025-message-by-the-director-of-the-department-of-immunization–vaccines-and-biologicals-at-who—may-2025″,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”NewsArticle”};
    ]]>

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Costa to travel to Côte d’Ivoire to receive UNESCO peace prize on 22 May 2025

    Source: Council of the European Union

    The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to receive the UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize on 22 May 2025. In the margins of the ceremony, he will also meet the Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, to discuss bilateral relations, regional stability and preparations for the upcoming EU-African Union summit later this year.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. – Qatari Forces Partner for Invincible Sentry

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    DOHA, Qatar (May 20, 2025) – For the third time in seven years, Qatar hosted U.S. forces to participate in a combined military exercise designed to improve interoperability and strengthen the enduring partnership between the two countries. 

    Exercise Invincible Sentry 2025 (IS-25) took place April 13-17 and was designed as a crisis-response rehearsal, using scenarios depicting a simulated transnational security threat. The exercise validated U.S. and Qatari crisis-response planning and strengthened staff proficiency and execution in critical mission areas. Qatar previously hosted IS in 2019 and 2021 in preparation for the country to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Progressive Reports April 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OHIO, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) today reported the following results for the month ended April 30, 2025:

      April
    (millions, except per share amounts and ratios; unaudited) 2025   2024   Change
    Net premiums written $ 6,837     $ 6,178     11   %
    Net premiums earned $ 6,641     $ 5,575     19   %
    Net income $ 986     $ 421     134   %
    Per share available to common shareholders $ 1.68     $ 0.72     134   %
    Total pretax net realized gains (losses) on securities $ (3 )   $ (267 )   (99 ) %
    Combined ratio   84.9       89.0     (4.1 ) pts.
    Average diluted equivalent common shares   587.7       587.4     0   %
      April 30,
    (thousands; unaudited) 2025   2024   % Change
    Policies in Force          
    Personal Lines          
    Agency – auto 10,246   8,720   18
    Direct – auto 14,938   12,105   23
    Special lines 6,705   6,153   9
    Property 3,590   3,261   10
    Total Personal Lines 35,479   30,239   17
    Commercial Lines 1,174   1,108   6
    Companywide 36,653   31,347   17
               
               

    See Progressive’s complete monthly earnings release for additional information.

    About Progressive

    Progressive Insurance® makes it easy to understand, buy and use car insurance, home insurance, and other protection needs. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach us however it’s most convenient for them — online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, via the Progressive mobile app, or in-person with a local agent.

    Progressive provides insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and homes; it is the second largest personal auto insurer in the country, a leading seller of commercial auto, motorcycle, and boat insurance, and one of the top 15 homeowners insurance carriers. 

    Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price®, Snapshot®, and HomeQuote Explorer®.

    The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, trade publicly at NYSE: PGR.

    Company Contact:
    Douglas S. Constantine
    (440) 395-3707
    investor_relations@progressive.com
     
    The Progressive Corporation
    300 North Commons Blvd.
    Mayfield Village, Ohio  44143
    http://www.progressive.com

    Download PDF: Progressive April 2025 Complete Earnings Release

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Ripple Whales monitor as Nimanode set to Kick-off $NMA token Presale

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The highly anticipated $NMA token presale for Nimanode is officially scheduled to commence on May 22nd, 2025 at 3 PM UTC.

    Excitement grows in the XRPL ecosystem as the first-of-its-kind No-Code AI Agent builder platform announces the date for their presale. As it is anticipated to be the most impactful in XRP history. Get Early Access

    Whales on the XRPL Ecosystem are positioned and interested in becoming the front-runners as XRPL, a blockchain in desperate need for real innovation, witnesses its first tilt towards Blockchain Infrastructure.

    Nimanode introduces a convergence of On-Chain execution and Off-chain intelligence to create AI agents that can execute smart contracts, automate DeFi strategies, integrate APIs, monitor NFTs, manage tasks across chains, and evolve over time — all without writing a single line of code.

    Why Nimanode is Stealing the Spotlight?

    Nimanode is creating the future of work through AI Agents, offering a no-code gateway to advanced agent-driven ecosystems, making it a game-changer for both developers and non-technical users.

    This AI-powered platform is built on the XRP Ledger for high speed, low cost, and unmatched scalability. With its zero-code agent builder and decentralized agent marketplace, Nimanode is unlocking real-world utility for creators, developers, and businesses alike.

    Whether you’re launching a dApp, managing RWA, automating your smart contracts, or building Institutional workflows, Nimanode is the only toolkit you’ll need.

    Join Telegram Community

    An Ecosystem Powered By $NMA

    At the heart of Nimanode ecosystem lies $NMA, the utility and governance token that powers agent deployment, upgrades, voting etc, designed with a deflationary mechanism in mind to promote scarcity and long term value. Offering various utilities such as

    Agent Builder: NMA will serve as fuel for the creation and deployment of AI agents on the platform.
    Agent Marketplace: Holders of NMA will be able to access discounts and purchase agents on Nimanode’s Agent marketplace.
    Governance Participation: Holders are offered a position in the DAO to participate in Governance and vote on proposals.
    Staking & Reward: Staking $NMA will serve as a means of passive income to holders. Revenue generated on the platform will also be shared to holders.

    Visit Presale Page

    Rising Momentum Indicates Massive Potential

    The Nimanode community is rapidly gaining momentum, with early supporters, XRP whales, developers, and AI enthusiasts rallying around its bold vision of an autonomous agent-driven Web3.

    Whales are already positioned and ready to partake in the Presale which could deliver exceptional returns as a 25% return on DEX Listing is already planned for $NMA.

    Do not Miss Out!

    $NMA token launch is more than just a token sale, it’s a leap toward ownership of intelligent, automated blockchain infrastructure.

    With a limited 30-day window beginning on March 22nd, early birds are getting an edge and advantage in what could be the most impactful Presale towards innovation on the XRP ecosystem.

    Website: https://nimanode.com

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Documentation: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Nimanode. 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.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b41e8484-b81f-4a4a-b19f-803976fcfcfa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Achieves Top Ranking by iMoneyNET™ (EPFR)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RYE, N.Y., May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gabelli Funds, LLC is proud to announce that the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund (the “Fund”) (NASDAQ: GABXX) has earned two top honors from iMoneyNet™ (EPFR). The Fund was ranked #1 Money Market Fund in the 100% U.S. Treasury Retail category as of March 31, 2025, and also achieved the highest 12-month total return among 95 funds in the Government Retail category as of April 30, 2025. With $5.6 billion in assets under management, this recognition underscores the Fund’s commitment to a low-cost, tax-efficient strategy focused solely on U.S. Treasury securities, reinforcing its position as a leading choice for investors seeking safety, liquidity, and attractive after-tax returns.

    Since its launch in 1992, the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund has consistently ranked among the top in its category, led by Co-Portfolio Managers Judith Raneri and Ronald Eaker for over 32 years. “For more than three decades, investors have relied on the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund for safety, liquidity, and competitive yield—especially during periods of market volatility,” said Judith Raneri. “Our consistent performance reflects a disciplined investment strategy and a strong commitment to delivering a stable, high-quality cash management solution,” added Ron Eaker.

    The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC (a subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., OTCQX: GAMI), invests solely in U.S. Treasury securities. With expenses capped at 0.08% and tax-exempt dividends, the Fund provides a secure, liquid, and tax-efficient cash management solution.

    For more information regarding the Fund, visit our website or call:

    Judith A. Raneri Ronald S. Eaker
    914-921-5417 914-921-5413

    iMoneyNet™ (a service of EPFR) is a leading source of money market fund data and analysis, widely recognized as an authoritative benchmark for institutional and retail investors worldwide.

    An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. There is no guarantee that the Fund can achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the fund carefully before investing. The prospectus contains more complete information about this and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. You can obtain a prospectus by calling Gabelli Funds, LLC at 1-800-GABELLI (1-800-422-3554).

    Distributed by G.distributors, LLC, a registered broker dealer and member of FINRA.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed61c4f3-8b80-41ca-a30e-7401c02353f8.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart Research: Rising Stars in MEME Token Platforms: An In-Depth Look at the Mechanisms and Outlook of Believe and LetsBonk.fun

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mahe, Seychelles, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart Research, the research arm of BitMart Exchange, has released a comprehensive analysis spotlighting two rapidly emerging forces in the MEME token issuance landscape: Believe and LetsBonk.fun. As competition in the meme economy intensifies, these platforms are reshaping token creation through innovative launch mechanics, deep community integrations, and disruptive incentive structures. The report examines Believe’s algorithmic, social-influence–driven token generation on X, and LetsBonk.fun’s seamless in-app token deployment rooted in the Solana ecosystem. With explosive user growth, increasing market capitalizations, and novel monetization models, both platforms are challenging incumbents like Pumpfun and setting new standards for community-led, creator-first Web3 ecosystems.

    1.Believe

    Introduction to Believe

    Believe is a MEME token issuance platform founded by Ben Pasternak. Formerly known as Clout.me—with a “celebrity token” model—the project rebranded to focus squarely on “social assetization.” Its core mechanism allows any user to tweet on X in the format $TICKER+NAME and mention @launchcoin. The system then uses an algorithm to assess the user’s social influence and, if criteria are met, automatically triggers a smart-contract–based token deployment. Approved tokens first enter a bonding-curve issuance phase and receive a $10,000 seed fund from the platform to support the founding team. Once a token’s market capitalization surpasses $100,000, it moves into a liquidity-enhancement phase by migrating to the Meteora protocol for deep market-making support.

    According to the official economic model, the platform applies a 2% transaction fee: 1% is awarded to the token creator as an incentive, 0.1% goes to community evangelists, and the remaining 0.9% funds platform maintenance. This tiered revenue structure both safeguards creators’ core interests and fuels community-driven early promotion, while providing the financial foundation for sustainable platform growth.

    Popular Projects on Believe

    1. LaunchCoin

    As the flagship token of the Believe ecosystem, LaunchCoin is an upgraded iteration of Ben Pasternak’s early PASTERNAK token, fully embodying the brand evolution from Clout.me to the Believe platform. On its first day of trading, LaunchCoin reached a $80 million market capitalization. After weathering market fluctuations, it began a strong recovery on May 11 and has since grown to a $330 million market cap—40× its launch valuation—with over 27,000 unique holders.

    1. Dupe

    Dupe is the ecosystem token for the furniture-affordable–search engine Dupe.com. The platform’s official Instagram boasts 367,000 followers, and its monthly active user base exceeds 1 million. Dupe’s market cap peaked at $70 million and currently hovers around $34 million.

    1. Goonc

    Issued by Pata van Goon—an engineer from the OpenAI tech team—GOONC quickly went viral thanks to its technical-elite endorsement. The token’s market cap once surged to $70 million and now steadies in the $45.5 million range.

    2. LetsBonk.fun

    Introduction to LetsBonk.fun

    LetsBonk.fun is a meme token issuance platform co-launched by BONK—the leading meme project in the Solana community—and Raydium. Positioned as Solana’s LaunchPad + creator-incentive hub, the platform went live on April 26. Its popularity has recently exploded thanks to meme projects like Hosico, Useless, and IKUN. Token issuance is as simple as clicking “Create Token” within the app, though a minimum 2 SOL of liquidity must be provided before the token can be listed for trading on Raydium.

    LetsBonk.fun Revenue Model

    Every trade on the platform incurs a 1% fee, which is allocated to the development fund, BONKsol validators, and BONK buy-and-burn. Specifically:

    • 35% of revenue is used to buy back and burn BONK, implementing a deflationary mechanism
    • 30% is used to purchase and stake BONKsol to secure and provide liquidity for the network
    • 19.2% is directed to an ecosystem development fund
    • 7.6% goes into strategic reserves
    • 7.6% is allocated for technical development and operations (split equally among hiring, growth & development, and integrations)
    • 12% is dedicated to user incentives and marketing, broken down into 4% BonkRewards, 4% marketing, and 4% community-governance support (SBR)

    Between April 29 and May 15, daily revenue surged from roughly 2,000 SOL to 24,000 SOL—a more than 12× increase—while token issuance spiked to nearly 50,000 tokens on May 15 (a 233% rise over average).

    Popular Projects on LetsBonk.fun

    1. Hosico

    Inspired by the Instagram-famous cat with 1.8 million followers and rendered in a Ghibli-style AI aesthetic, Hosico’s token launched at 4 AM and reached a $10 million market cap within its first hour. It later peaked at $60 million and currently sits at around $22 million.

    1. USELESS

    Born from a tweet by BONKGUY on X—“This is a useless currency; it shouldn’t be pumped”—USELESS rode its nihilistic, emotionally charged narrative to rapid fame. Since launch on BONK, its market cap soared to $34 million and now stabilizes at approximately $24 million.

    3. Competitive Analysis: Believe, LetsBonk.fun, Pumpfun, and Others

    Believe’s distinct advantage lies in its X-based token issuance mechanism: projects cannot pre-sell tokens before launch and must rely on secondary-market trading or social-tag purchases. It charges no listing fee, but requires a relatively high entry barrier of roughly 85 SOL, which may slow initial liquidity. In contrast, LetsBonk.fun supports dual issuance both on its own platform and via X, and is tightly integrated with the BONK token; it even returns 10% of fees to liquidity providers upon exit to incentivize deployment. 

    Overall, neither model represents a revolutionary departure from existing MEME-token platforms; they primarily optimize issuance methods and add ancillary features. Although both have recently captured some of Pumpfun’s daily issuance volume, they still lag significantly behind Pumpfun’s overall scale.

    Daily new MEME issuance

    4. Future Outlook

    The MEME-token space is currently crowded with largely homogeneous issuance platforms. While platforms like Believe and LetsBonk.fun may siphon off some of Pumpfun’s short-term hype, long-term sustainability—once speculative capital recedes—will be the market’s true test. To date, Believe has greatly simplified the MEME-token launch process via X, and LetsBonk.fun has created strong ecosystem synergy through deep BONK integration. As market enthusiasm cools and new competitors emerge, their ability to maintain momentum will hinge on whether they can introduce fresh innovations or incubate genuinely “wealth-creating” MEME assets.

    Read the full research article here: 

    About BitMart

    BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. New users can register here to unlock an $8,000+ welcome bonus.

    Risk Warning:

    The information provided is for reference only and should not be considered a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any financial asset. All information is provided in good faith. However, we make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of such information.

    All cryptocurrency investments (including returns) are highly speculative in nature and involve significant risk of loss. Past, hypothetical or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of digital currencies may rise or fall, and there may be significant risks in buying, selling, holding or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial situation and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal or tax advice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: GCM Grosvenor to Present at the William Blair 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference on June 4, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GCM Grosvenor (Nasdaq: GCMG), a global alternative asset management solutions provider, announced today that Michael Sacks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GCM Grosvenor, will present at the William Blair 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference on Wednesday, June 4 at 8:40 a.m. CDT.  

    A link to the live audio webcast of the presentation will be available on GCM Grosvenor’s public shareholders website and the event website. For those unable to listen to the live audio webcast, a replay will be available for 90 days following the presentation. 

    About GCM Grosvenor 

    GCM Grosvenor (Nasdaq: GCMG) is a global alternative asset management solutions provider with approximately $82 billion in assets under management across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return investment strategies. The firm has specialized in alternatives for more than 50 years and is dedicated to delivering value for clients by leveraging its cross-asset class and flexible investment platform.

    GCM Grosvenor’s experienced team of approximately 550 professionals serves a global client base of institutional and individual investors. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and Sydney. For more information, visit: gcmgrosvenor.com.

    Public Shareholders Contact
    Stacie Selinger
    sselinger@gcmlp.com
    312-506-6583

    Media Contact 
    Tom Johnson and Abigail Ruck 
    H/Advisors Abernathy 
    tom.johnson@h-advisors.global / abigail.ruck@h-advisors.global
    212-371-5999 

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