Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI: Easy Metrics and Connors Group Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Enhanced Warehouse Performance Management for 3PLs and Retail

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BELLEVUE, Wash., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Easy Metrics, a leader in warehouse performance management, has announced a strategic partnership with Connors Group, a leading management consulting and industrial engineering firm specializing in operational strategies for manufacturing and retail supply chains. The collaboration brings together advanced technology and proven consulting expertise to help companies improve productivity, streamline warehouse workflows, and boost profitability.

    The partnership pairs Connors Group’s strengths in continuous improvement, systems implementation, and workforce management with Easy Metrics’ cloud-based labor management and warehouse performance management platform. Connors Group will act as a strategic partner, implementing Easy Metrics and integrating it with their LaborPro™ solution to enhance labor planning and execution.

    With deep roots in retail and manufacturing, Connors Group expands Easy Metrics’ reach into new markets, while Easy Metrics provides a modern, scalable alternative to legacy labor management systems. Together, the companies will help customers uncover inefficiencies, optimize labor spend, and accelerate performance across their networks.

    “The partnership between Easy Metrics and Connors Group brings world-class technology and operational expertise to our customers,” said Steve Cascio, Chief Revenue Officer of Easy Metrics. “Connors Group’s years of experience, with a focus on improving operational efficiencies and reducing costs, complements our goal of helping customers identify and define quantifiable metrics to measure ongoing success.”

    Together, Connors Group and Easy Metrics help clients align workforce strategies with real-time performance data—accelerating time-to-value and delivering practical, on-the-floor impact for 3PL and retail environments.

    Shawn Roche, Vice President of Connors Group’s Supply Chain Practice shared, “This partnership bridges the gap between insights and outcomes. With Easy Metrics’ platform and our deep operational and engineering expertise, we can strategically work together to optimize performance for large organizations across their operational network.”

    About Connors Group

    Connors Group helps organizations align people, processes, and technology to achieve maximum performance. By combining strategic management consulting, extensive field experience, and industrial engineering with their proprietary labor planning platform, LaborPro™, they provide practical solutions that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve workforce agility. Since 2008, Connors Group has partnered with leading companies across retail, supply chain, manufacturing, QSR, healthcare, and the public sector to drive lasting operational improvements and a 7.25x ROI on over 1,000 projects.

    About Easy Metrics

    Operations and finance leaders use Easy Metrics’ cloud platform to analyze, forecast, and manage the cost and performance of their warehouse operations. Easy Metrics empowers leaders to drive operational speed and efficiency, cut waste, prioritize investments, and adopt labor and automation strategies that fuel their business growth. Easy Metrics is based in Bellevue, Washington, and is backed by Nexa Equity, a private equity firm based in San Francisco, CA. For more information, please visit https://easymetrics.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0bf55119-5681-42c7-aa7a-e308fb84da96

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Organizations race to embed AI into enterprise workflows, EXL study finds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Organizations are changing the ways they work, sometimes radically, to embed AI throughout their workflows and to scale and maximize ROI, according to new research by EXL [NASDAQ: EXLS], a global data and AI company. A 90% majority of organizations have significantly changed their operating model to accommodate AI, with 39% having completely redesigned how they work. Over the next year, companies expect over half of their processes will include AI.

    The second annual EXL Enterprise AI Study: Driving Execution at Scale is based on a survey of 290 C-suite and other senior decision makers across the banking and finance, insurance, retail, utilities, and healthcare payer industries. Its findings shine a spotlight on the massive growth of enterprise GenAI implementations to date but also warn of data quality issues, talent shortages, and other roadblocks that could curtail some of the early progress companies have made as they move deeper into company-wide enterprise AI initiatives.

    The following are some of the report’s key findings:

    • Confident AI Leaders Emerge: Respondents in this year’s survey are feeling confident in how they’re faring on AI adoption. More than half (54%) believe they are “a little ahead” of their competitors in AI implementation and 22% believe they are “far ahead.” Leaders in the field have been able to create a new operating model by embedding AI into their business workflows. These organizations are capitalizing on AI and are able to effectively manage and make available the data AI needs to excel at scale.
    • New Customers, Improved Margins Among Top AI Priorities: Half (50%) of business leaders say that improving ways to target and attract new customers are their top priority for AI technology. Executives also say they hope AI can help them improve margins and profitability (47%) and reduce operating costs (47%). 
    • Some AI Integrations Stuck in Neutral: While many organizations have quickly adopted GenAI, companies reported AI initiatives across roughly 60% of their enterprise remain stuck in pilot mode. What’s more, some executives fear the speed of these adoptions may soon be interrupted due to talent, user adoption, and data quality obstacles, with 73% of organizations of the belief that improving their data capabilities will present a moderate or significant challenge. Just 30% of respondents said their company’s data is accessible on an enterprise-wide basis.
    • Talent Tops Cost as Biggest Barrier to AI Adoption: The biggest single barrier to AI adoption is shortage of talent or skills for AI use (31%), followed by concerns about data privacy and security (30%) and cost or budget constraints (30%).

    “The true power of AI can only truly be unlocked when it is seamlessly embedded into workflows—fueled by data that is AI ready, enabled by the right technology and infrastructure and powered by skilled talent,” said Anand “Andy” Logani, chief data and AI officer at EXL. “When executed effectively, it delivers meaningful business value without disruption.”

    The full report, 2025 EXL Enterprise AI Study: Bridging Strategy and Operations, can be accessed here.

    About EXL

    EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a global data and AI company that offers services and solutions to reinvent client business models, drive better outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform businesses, including the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and capital markets, retail, communications and media, and energy and infrastructure, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. We are headquartered in New York and have approximately 60,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to EXL’s operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond EXL’s control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning EXL’s possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of its business strategy. These statements may include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of management’s experience in the industry as well as its perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. You should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although EXL believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect EXL’s actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors, which include our ability to maintain and grow client demand, our ability to hire and retain sufficiently trained employees, and our ability to accurately estimate and/or manage costs, rising interest rates, rising inflation and recessionary economic trends, are discussed in more detail in EXL’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including EXL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible to predict these events or how they may affect EXL. EXL has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws.

    Contacts
    Media
    Keith Little
    +1 703-598-0980
    media.relations@exlservice.com

    Investor Relations
    John Kristoff
    +1 212 209 4613
    IR@exlservice.com

    PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/4e977a3b-6c39-4444-a5ef-b4859e3e2a1e

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Imperial Petroleum Inc. Announces the Date for the Release of First Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Results, Conference Call and Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATHENS, Greece, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Imperial Petroleum Inc. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and drybulk seaborne transportation services, announced today that it will release its first quarter financial results for the period ended March 31, 2025 before the market opens in New York on May 23, 2025.

    On May 23, 2025 at 10:00 am ET, the company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company’s operations and outlook.

    Conference Call details:

    Conference call participants should pre-register using the below link to receive the dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call.

    Online Registration:

    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIaef045aa9f5b46a7b5e8eb48c2e56115

    Slides and audio webcast:

    There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. website (www.imperialpetro.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

    ABOUT IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.

    IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and drybulk seaborne transportation services. The Company owns a total of thirteen vessels on the water – seven M.R. product tankers, two suezmax tankers, three handysize drybulk carriers and one panamax drybulk carrier – with a total capacity of 807,000 deadweight tons (dwt), and has contracted to acquire an additional six drybulk carriers of 387,000 dwt aggregate capacity. Following these deliveries, the Company’s fleet will count a total of 19 vessels. IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.’s shares of common stock and 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and trade under the symbols “IMPP” and “IMPPP,” respectively.

    Company Contact:
    Fenia Sakellaris
    IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.
    info@imperialpetro.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: TopLine Financial Credit Union Receives Statewide Recognition for Member Service Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAPLE GROVE, Minn., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, was named winner of the Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award, sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN). The Louise Herring award recognizes credit unions that demonstrate in an extraordinary way the practical application of the movement’s principles in serving their members.

    Topline was awarded in the Louise Herring Category for the credit union’s partnership with Rondo Community Land Trust (RCLT), a non-profit in St. Paul, to help make homeownership more affordable for individuals and families earning low-to-moderate incomes, and to preserve affordability for small businesses operated by people of color and non-profits at risk of displacement from rising rents.

    TopLine joined forces with Rondo Community Land Trust as the first credit union to be one of their approved mortgage lenders for their Homebuyer Initiated Program (HIP). This program assists home buyers at or below 80% area median income (AMI) to purchase and make repairs on a single-family home (including duplexes) in St. Paul or Suburban Ramsey County.

    “We are honored to be recognized for our partnership with Rondo Community Land Trust,” said Mick Olson, TopLine Financial Credit Union President and CEO. “We are committed to building strong connections with nonprofit community partners such as RCLT. By working together, we can drive economic growth and diversity, promote financial inclusion and access, and help more individuals achieve their financial dream of homeownership.”

    The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the statewide trade association that works to ensure the success, growth and vitality of Minnesota credit unions. For more information, visit www.mncun.org.

    Rondo Community Land Trust (CLT) is a community based affordable housing and commercial land trust operating in St. Paul and Suburban Ramsey County. For more information, visit www.rondoclt.org.

    TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota’s 9th largest credit union, with assets of over $1.1 billion and serves over 70,000 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit financial cooperative offers a complete line of financial services from its ten branch locations — in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Forest Lake, Maple Grove, Plymouth, St. Francis and in St. Paul’s Como Park — as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com or www.ahcu.coop. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties in Minnesota and their immediate family members, as well as employees and retirees of Anoka Hennepin School District #11, Anoka Technical College, Federal Premium Ammunition, Hoffman Enclosures, Inc., GRACO, Inc., and their subsidiaries. Visit us on our Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about the credit union’s foundation, visit www.TopLinecu.com/Foundation.

    CONTACT:
    Vicki Roscoe Erickson
    Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
    TopLine Financial Credit Union
    verickson@toplinecu.com | 763.391.0872

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52c4da82-782a-4a8f-9324-2650a4257373

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Creatd, Inc. to Acquire Strategic Stakes in PCG Advisory Inc., and Related Affiliates in $2.3 Million All-Stock Transaction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Creatd to acquire 25% of PCG Advisory and two closely aligned companies, as well as a 20% stake in a related technology start-up in a $2.3M all-stock deal, expanding its investor advocacy and communications platform by integrating PCG’s products to its peer community.
    • Acquisition adds $2.3 million in net equity to Creatd’s balance sheet, and builds on Creatd’s strategy of buying synergistic, scalable assets, where operationally Creatd can help expand technology applications.
    • Advances Creatd’s partner CEOBLOC, and its mission to level the playing field for retail investors and small-cap companies.

    NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Creatd, Inc. (OTC: CRTD) has executed a binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) to acquire 25% of PCG Advisory, Inc., 25% of its two related companies, PRISM Media Holdings and PRISM MediaWire, and 20% of an affiliated technology start-up AIRHub, (collectively, the “PCG Companies”), in a collective $2.3 million all-stock transaction. PCG Companies is a leading investor relations and strategic communications firm, utilizing advancements in technology and digital marketing services to enhance its offerings.

    Founded by Wall Street veteran Jeff Ramson, PCG Companies have built a reputation for helping microcap and small-cap companies navigate the complex landscape of investor relations, social media, regulatory compliance, and corporate positioning. With a stable, long-standing client base, PCG has consistently generated revenue and expanded its network, resulting in an EBITDA-positive business model. Creatd expects to enhance PCG’s offerings and drive further growth across its client portfolio.

    Strategic Rationale

    The purchase supports Creatd’s broader strategy of utilizing technology to unify data, governance, and investor engagement into a single platform for public companies. PCG’s integration fits naturally with CEOBLOC, an affiliate of Creatd and a media and community platform for vetted microcap companies that drives awareness and distinguishes quality stakeholders in the space.

    “With the purchase of a 25% interest in PCG Advisory & its two related companies, as well as a 20% stake a related technology start-up, we continue to execute on our vision of providing best-in-class investor engagement tools and services that empower small-cap companies and their investors,” said Jeremy Frommer, Chairman & CEO of Creatd. “PCG’s deep expertise in investor relations and social media, combined with Creatd’s AI-powered capabilities, creates an ecosystem that bridges the gap between companies, particularly in the microcap space, and retail investor awareness.”

    “I’ve known Creatd’s CEO, Jeremy, and his team for nearly a decade, and have long respected their relentless drive and vision,” said Jeff Ramson, Founder and CEO of PCG Advisory. “Partnering with Creatd presents an incredible opportunity to enhance the value we provide to our clients and expand our reach. Creatd’s AI-driven, tech-first approach to investor engagement, combined with PCG’s capital markets expertise and digital marketing focus, aims to redefine how companies connect with investors in a digital-first world.

    The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    About Creatd, Inc.

    Creatd, Inc. is a publicly traded holding company that focuses on investments and operations across technology, media, advertising, and consumer sectors. By leveraging its expertise in structured finance and acquisitions, Creatd identifies and nurtures opportunities within small-cap companies, driving growth and innovation across its diverse portfolio. For more information, visit https://www.creatd.com/

    For investor relations, contact ir@creatd.com

    About PCG Advisory, Inc.

    PCG Advisory is a leading investor relations and strategic communications firm focused on providing high-impact services to innovative and emerging companies worldwide. The firm specializes in investor relations, capital markets strategy, digital media, and corporate communications, with deep expertise across life sciences, technology, and other emerging growth sectors.

    With a proven track record of helping clients effectively engage with the investment community, PCG Advisory, along with its related companies PRISM Media Holdings and PRISM MediaWire delivers tailored solutions designed to enhance visibility, build credibility, and support long-term value creation. For more information, please visit www.pcgadvisory.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements: This statement includes forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions about future events and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements often contain terms like “expected,” “anticipated,” and “estimated.” Factors influencing future outcomes are unpredictable and may emerge over time. We do not commit to updating any forward-looking statement post its publication date. Our SEC filings provide further details and risk disclosures.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Invitation: Boralex to hold Investor Day and present its 2030 Strategy on June 17, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boralex inc. (“Boralex” or the “Company”) (TSX: BLX) announces that its 2030 Strategy will be presented at an Investor Day on June 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Toronto.

    Financial analysts, investors and the media are invited to attend the conference in person in Toronto or via a live video webcast during which members of Boralex’s senior management will present the various aspects of the 2030 Strategy and financial targets.

    Date and time

            Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET)

    To attend the live conference

    Webcast link: https://meetings.lumiconnect.com/400-747-683-475

    In person in Toronto (analysts, investors and media): please contact Dominique Hamelin (dominique.hamelin@boralex.com) to reserve your place.

    Anyone interested in this conference are invited to attend the webcast, which will be broadcast live and available for replay on Boralex’s website at www.boralex.com until July 17, 2026.

    Media availability

    Members of Boralex’s Executive Committee will be available for media interviews on the afternoon of June 17, 2025, either by telephone or videoconference, to discuss the company’s 2030 Strategy. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Camille Laventure, Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and Communications. Her contact details are provided at the end of this press release.

    About Boralex

    At Boralex, we have been providing affordable renewable energy accessible to everyone for over 30 years. As a leader in the Canadian market and France’s largest independent producer of onshore wind power, we also have facilities in the United States and development projects in the United Kingdom. Over the past five years, our installed capacity has increased by more than 50% to 3.2 GW. We are developing a portfolio of projects in development and construction of more than 8 GW in wind, solar and storage projects, guided by our values and our corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach. Through profitable and sustainable growth, Boralex is actively participating in the fight against global warming. Thanks to our fearlessness, discipline, expertise and diversity, we continue to be an industry leader. Boralex’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BLX.

    For more information, visit boralex.com or sedarplus.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

    For more information

    MEDIA INVESTOR RELATIONS
    Camille Laventure
    Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and External Communications
    Boralex Inc.
    438 883-8580
    camille.laventure@boralex.com
    Stéphane Milot
    Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Planning and Analysis
    Boralex Inc.
    514 213-1045
    stephane.milot@boralex.com
       

    Source: Boralex inc.        

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Pizza Day Meets Trump Dinner: HTX Unveils One Million USDT in Rewards!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is leading the charge in a unique dual celebration on May 22, as Bitcoin Pizza Day coincides with the Trump Dinner. This moment, where history meets the present, is drawing global attention. In celebration of this special occasion, HTX has proudly partnered with diamond sponsors JUST Protocol, SunPump, APENFT, BitTorrent, and WINkLink, alongside platinum sponsors Levva and ChainGPT, to launch a series of Pizza Day-themed promotions across multiple business lines, including Spot, Futures, Earn, and Community, boasting a total prize pool of nearly 1 million USDT. Whether you’re a new or existing HTX user, you’ll discover exclusive opportunities and exciting benefits throughout these events.

    Event 1: HTX Pizza Day Celebration: 200,000 USDT in Surprise Gifts with Seven Project Partners

    Get ready for Pizza Fest! From May 13 to May 26, HTX is joining forces with seven esteemed partner projects—SunPump, APENFT, JUST Protocol, WINkLink, BitTorrent, Steem, and MEVerse—to deliver a 14-day Pizza Day Celebration packed with over 200,000 USDT in Surprise Gifts. During the event, users can claim daily gifts on the HTX App, distributed at 02:00 (UTC) daily. On May 22 at 12:00 (UTC), Bitcoin Pizza Day, HTX will drop even more Surprise Gifts featuring bigger rewards, distributed in the form of tokens, Cashback Vouchers, Futures Trial Bonuses, Margin Interest Vouchers, and APY Booster Coupons.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com/support/105001328825783?invite_code=rdmu6223&inviter_id=11353960

    Event 2: Join the Pizza Day Celebration to Discover Four Amazing Benefits and Grab Your Share of $200,000

    From May 20 at 10:00 (UTC) to May 25 at 10:00 (UTC), HTX invites both new and existing users to join the four-tiered rewards event and share a total prize pool of up to $200,000. See below for details:

    1. New users who sign up and complete any spot, futures, or margin trade during the event will receive a welcome package that includes a 20 DOGE airdrop, APY Booster Coupons for SmartEarn, and Margin Interest Vouchers.

    2. Users will receive 15 USDT for their first successful referral. By inviting more friends, they’ll unlock Mystery Boxes worth up to 1,500 USDT each, containing popular cryptos like $BTC, $TRUMP, and $HTX. Additionally, they can earn up to another 1,500 USDT when their invitees reach the trading volume target.

    3. Eligible returning users who complete spot trading on HTX will have a chance to win BTC in a lucky draw. Additionally, after funding their USDT-M Futures account, they can earn APY Booster Coupons for SmartEarn.

    4. Users who trade designated cryptos in spot or futures, or create spot grid trading strategies, will have a chance to share $30,000 in $HTX.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com.co/en-us/mars/activity-center?callId=174728142724462

    Event 3: Take the BTC Pizza Day Quiz at HTX Square and Win Your Share of 200 USDT

    From May 16 at 02:00 (UTC) to May 23 at 15:59 (UTC), HTX Square is launching a quiz challenge where users can win rewards. Participants who follow HTX Square in the HTX Community and answer all the quiz questions correctly will have the opportunity to share the 200 USDT prize pool.

    * View details: https://square.htx.com/btc-pizza-day-celebration-take-the-quiz-win-rewards-2/

    Event 4: HTX Earn Bonanza for BTC Pizza Day: Enjoy Up to 10% APY on Popular Assets

    Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day with the HTX Earn Bonanza from 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 19 to 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 25. HTX is launching this special campaign featuring Earn products for both new and existing users. First-time subscribers at HTX Earn can enjoy New User Exclusive products with 100% APY. All users can subscribe to Fixed, Flexible, and Shark Fin products with 14 designated cryptocurrencies, including USDT, and earn up to 10% APY on HTX Earn. Additionally, participants who meet the net subscription increase requirement will each receive a 5% APY Booster Coupon for the USDT Flexible product.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com.ec/en-us/support/95001601423089

    Event 5: HTX Affiliates Pizza Day Special: Team Up & Trade with Your Invitees to Win a Full Case of Kweichow Moutai

    Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day with the limited-time HTX Affiliates Special Event, running from 10:00 (UTC) on May 20 to 10:00 (UTC) on May 25. HTX Affiliates can refer friends to sign up using an exclusive invitation link or code and form a trading team with invitees. Once the team reaches the required trading volume, rewards will be unlocked. The top prize is a 6-bottle case of Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com.de/en-us/support/35001621553884

    Event 6: HTX Convert Contest Now Live with 10,000 USDT Up for Grabs

    Don’t miss the HTX Convert Contest! It runs from 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 14 to 15:59:59 (UTC) on May 31. Trade designated cryptos on HTX Convert and reach a total trading volume of ≥500 USDT during the event to qualify for a share of the 5,000 USDT prize pool, with the top individual reward of up to 1,000 USDT. Complete 10 or more trades to unlock an additional prize pool — the more trades made, the bigger the share. Additionally, first-time converters on HTX Convert can also join an exclusive 2,000 USDT prize pool for new users, with up to 20 USDT per person available.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com.ec/en-us/support/25001446791888

    May 22 isn’t just about commemorating Bitcoin’s first “real-world transaction”; it is also a day for the global crypto community to celebrate the growth of the crypto industry and to share in its rewards. To honor this special day, HTX is launching a multifaceted celebration featuring diverse events that boost user engagement, elevate the festive atmosphere, and fully showcase the platform’s dynamic ecosystem.

    Pizza’s on the table and the party’s heating up. Join HTX today and experience the biggest crypto event of the year!

    About HTX

    Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

    As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

    To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on XTelegram, and Discord.

    For further inquiries, please contact Ruder Finn Asia, glo-media@htx-inc.com.

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by HTX. 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/0fc6cf35-38b5-4b16-8b54-5298d501bfe3

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Incorta Announces “Incorta Connect,” Expanding Access to Live Data Integration with Modular Scalability

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FOSTER CITY, Calif., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Incorta, the most efficient data integration platform, today introduced Incorta Connect, a new offering that provides a more accessible way for organizations to deliver live, harmonized data for analytics and AI. Built on a modular foundation, Incorta Connect offers a simple and fast entry point into powerful data integration capabilities, with the flexibility to scale and unlock advanced features over time. This new solution empowers teams to start with what they need today and expand as their data and analytics requirements evolve.

    Built on the same engine trusted by global enterprises like Broadcom, Sketchers, and Shutterfly, Incorta Connect enables rapid and low-code data integration from any source system, including Oracle, SAP and other ERP, CRM, legacy, and cloud platforms, directly into modern destinations such as Snowflake, Google BigQuery, Power BI, and Tableau.

    “Incorta Connect brings our signature innovation–live, detailed data delivery from complex systems like Oracle and SAP–and makes it available to a broader market,” said Ashwin Warrier, VP and Head of Product at Incorta. “It’s a faster entry point that lets teams solve their most pressing data challenges now, while giving them a clear and scalable path forward.”

    Live Data from Any Source, to Any Destination—In Days, Not Months

    Incorta Connect is purpose-built for companies that want fast, reliable access to source-level business data without the time, cost, and complexity of traditional ETL pipelines.

    With Direct Data Mapping®, schema-aware automation, and hundreds of native connectors, Incorta Connect enables:

    • 3–5 day implementation (vs. 4–10 weeks for traditional platforms)
    • Live data updates in minutes, not hours or days
    • Full support for multi-source data harmonization across ERP, CRM, and legacy systems
    • Low-code, no-code experience that reduces IT burden
    • Destination-agnostic delivery to cloud warehouses, lakehouses, and BI tools
    • Transparent pricing model designed to deliver the best total cost of ownership (TCO) and fastest time to value, at any scale

    Incorta Connect is not a limited or stripped-down version. It’s the same high-performance platform offered, with modular flexibility to support a broader range of use cases and teams.

    “Operational excellence depends on fast, reliable access to high-quality data,” said Andy Nallappan, President and Chief Operating Officer at Cloud Software Group. “Incorta Connect eliminates latency, reduces pipeline complexity, and gives us the agility to make smarter decisions with less overhead.”

    Use Case Spotlight: Oracle to BigQuery

    A Fortune 500 global CPG company faced mounting complexity in extracting Oracle Fusion data into Google BigQuery. Legacy ETL tools required heavy coding, constant maintenance, and a large data team, yet still failed to meet the business need for fast, reliable access to financial and supply chain data.

    Incorta Connect changed that, fast.

    Using Incorta’s Direct Data Mapping technology, the company went from proof of concept to production in weeks, delivering analytics-ready Oracle data to BigQuery in just 10 weeks with a lean team. Incorta handled schema changes automatically, tracked deletions, maintained referential integrity, and enabled incremental refreshes every five minutes, something legacy tools couldn’t do without significant custom effort.

    This level of automation, scale, and speed in Oracle-to-BigQuery delivery is rare, unlocking real-time insight without the overhead of traditional ETL.

    Built for Modular Growth

    Incorta Connect supports a modular growth model, making it easy to start with live data delivery and expand into analytics, visualization, or AI-powered use cases over time. This approach helps organizations realize faster time to value while significantly reducing the total cost of ownership compared to traditional ETL and data pipeline solutions. Use cases include:

    • ERP modernization: Streamline Oracle or SAP data migration to the cloud
    • Analytics-ready pipelines: Feed Power BI, Tableau, and Looker with real-time, governed data
    • AI & machine learning: Deliver high-fidelity training data for forecasting and predictive models
    • Financial operations: Enable faster close, improved compliance, and more accurate reporting

    With its low-code approach and end-to-end observability, Incorta Connect gives users full control over their data journey—from ingestion to insight. Learn more about Incorta Connect’s pricing, capabilities, and deployment options at incorta.com/incorta-connect or reach out to the Incorta team at incorta.com/demo.

    About Incorta

    Incorta is the first and only open data delivery platform that enables real-time analysis of live, detailed data across all systems of record—without the need for complex ETL processes. By enabling direct analysis on raw, source-identical data, Incorta provides faster, more accurate insights while removing barriers to exploration. With intuitive low-code/no-code tools, AI-powered querying through Nexus, and prebuilt business data applications, enterprise teams can quickly surface insights, break down technical roadblocks, and make smarter decisions without heavy engineering effort. Incorta’s unmatched efficiency shortens time to value and lowers total cost of ownership, helping data teams move at the speed of business. For more information, please visit www.incorta.com.

    Media Relations Contact:

    Elizabeth Byington

    incorta@sparkpr.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Armed groups are invading Benin’s forest reserves. Why and what to do about it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Papa Sow, Senior Researcher, The Nordic Africa Institute

    Benin’s Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, also called Pendjari National Park, and its surroundings have been targeted by non-state armed groups since 2019.

    Pendjari National Park, which covers approximately 4,800km², is one of five protected areas in Benin and is one of the main biodiversity conservation areas in west Africa. It has been a World Heritage Site since 2017.

    It is an integral part of the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, a transboundary biosphere reserve. The W Park is shared by Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso. Arly is located in Burkina Faso and Pendjari in Benin.

    The geographical configuration of the park facilitates all kinds of movements. Non-state armed groups attempt to exploit the porous borders to hide, stock up on natural resources — including gold and poached wildlife — or turn them into rear bases. Non-state armed groups take advantage of the park’s inaccessibility and its dense, wild forests to turn them into refuges.

    Bloody battles are underway to conquer special forest territories, which I call “protected jihadism areas” because of their use by armed movements claiming to be jihadists.

    As part of a study on the causes of migration in and from the northern parts of Benin Republic, close to Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo and Nigeria, I analysed the impact that these non-state armed groups were having on local populations and protected areas.

    I have been working on migration issues for about 25 years, and most of my observations in west Africa show that armed groups cause displacements in the sub-region. They contribute to a land and pastoral crisis, inconsistency in the distribution of forest resources, and a poorly integrated approach to the management of protected areas.

    I interviewed experts, local journalists, research assistants who I worked with during several years and displaced people in Benin and the west African sub-region about the direct impacts of smuggling, the depletion of natural resources, threats, and the use of violence in forest reserves.

    My observations are that the spiral of violence by non-state armed groups is dangerously disrupting the conservation and protection of the environment, increasing fear and insecurity among communities, and ruining the local economy, especially activities that revolve around the tourism sector.

    The violence

    On 8 January 2025, close to 30 soldiers were killed in the north of Benin, in Karimama near the “Triple Point” – an extensive area in the W-Arly-Pendjari complex where Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso meet.

    More than 120 soldiers were killed in the area between 2021 and 2024. There has also been carnage of the animals and plants.

    Since 2018, the Katiba Ansar-ul Islam, Serma, Sekou Muslimou and Abou Hanifa have been operating in Burkina Faso. They are considered jihadists – mostly under the aegis of Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), the Al Qaeda branch in the Sahel.

    Reasons for the proliferation of non-state armed groups in the park are multiple. It’s difficult for the state authorities to reach them there. There is the battle among non-state armed groups over the control of pastures and water bodies in the area. The park is also a place where non-state armed groups work with traffickers of adulterated gasoline from Nigeria, called Kpayo in Benin. They buy thousands of litres of gasoline from them every week at exorbitant prices.

    The Beninese state is is not very visible in some places despite the anti-terrorist Operation Mirador launched in 2021 with more than 3,000 soldiers. Since the first attack in 2019, more than US$120 million has been spent on security by Benin. But the number of attacks and kidnappings has multiplied.

    The main reason is the fragility of the security of the three state border areas.

    The non-State armed groups have their own crossing points that they control. Sub-regional collaboration between states is almost non-existent. The 2017 Accra Initiative, composed of five countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo – seems to have stagnated since some member states pulled out of the regional grouping Ecowas. A genuine regional force capable of countering the activities of these non-state armed groups is necessary.

    Benin is developing a military partnership with France. But the already tense diplomatic relationship between Benin and its neighbours – Niger and Burkina Faso – and the ambivalent policy of Togo, which “threatens” to join the Alliance of Sahel States – are not factors conducive to effective regional military cooperation.

    How people are being affected

    The park depends, in part, on funding generated by tourism and external partners. Conservation has been managed, since 2020, by the APN – Rangers African Parks Network. In 2024, it employed 337 eco-guards, including six expatriates. These eco-guards, on the front lines against non-state armed groups, are also being killed. Their work in gathering threat-related information is important to the Beninese Armed Forces.

    The activities of residents living near the park, transport networks and systems, and trekking services are the hardest hit. The work of NGOs that supported local populations has been reduced. Many NGOs have withdrawn from their activities. Small businesses are under threat.

    But the hardest-hit sector is tourism, which has affected the livelihoods of people. There has been a significant decline in the number of tourists. This directly affects local communities for whom tourism activities remain an important source of income.

    Tanguiéta, a town 70km from the border with Burkina Faso and not far from Pendjari Park, has been the worst affected due to a decline in income from accommodation and catering activities. Jobs have been lost.

    Migrants from the sub-region who had specialised in tourism entrepreneurship, including tour guides and artisans, have turned to other activities or left the town.

    What needs to be done

    The following measures could help protect the park and local people:

    • strengthen communication and surveillance capabilities

    • increase surveillance aircraft, helicopters and drones with the support of international donors and the Ecowas

    • train Beninese Armed Forces in conservation practices

    • increase support for community development projects

    • diversify activities to reduce dependence on tourism.

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

    ref. Armed groups are invading Benin’s forest reserves. Why and what to do about it – https://theconversation.com/armed-groups-are-invading-benins-forest-reserves-why-and-what-to-do-about-it-256136

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: The UK might have accepted the idea of youth mobility with the EU, but it’s not happening any time soon

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Usherwood, Professor of Politics & International Studies, The Open University

    View Apart/Shutterstock

    The language might be dry, but the political shift is significant. Monday’s summit between the UK and EU leaders in London resulted in an acknowledgement of the “mutual interest to deepen our people-to-people ties, particularly for the younger generation”.

    This announcement is an important step forward in the creation of a youth mobility scheme between the EU and UK, even if it has required a name change to become a “youth experience scheme”. It is the first time that a British government has formally accepted this as something to negotiate and implement.

    However, there is scant detail about how it will work in practice and what the inevitable limits will be. While the permitted activities (“work, studies, au-pairing, volunteering, or simply travelling”) seem extensive, they are prefaced with the dreaded words “such as” – which means no one has actually agreed any of it.

    It was clear over a year ago that the basic models that the two sides have for youth mobility differ. The EU wants lengthy exchange periods and home tuition fees for students; the UK wants shorter stays, caps on numbers and retention of international fees for EU students at UK universities. The achievement of a deal would require at least one of them to move. This week makes this difference now the formal position, rather than showing whether movement is possible.


    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.


    It’s possible that discussion of British participation in the Erasmus+ scheme for student mobility might be a partial stopgap, making exchanges within study programmes easier. However, the ambition for creating those deeper people-to-people ties will need more to make it meaningful.

    As the troubled history of this idea should indicate, there’s still a very long way to go before anyone gets to use the scheme in practice.

    The founding irony of a youth mobility scheme with the EU after Brexit is that it was originally a British idea. It was produced under Rishi Sunak following his conclusion of the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland, when he was looking for areas to rebuild ties with Europe.

    In 2023, feelers had been put out to various EU member states about concluding bilateral deals with the UK. While there was some interest, the general feeling was that this was best handled at an EU level, to avoid any cherrypicking of countries by London.

    A summary of UK-EU youth mobility proposals.
    Simon Usherwood, CC BY-NC-SA

    In April 2024, the European Commission produced an ambitious proposal for a scheme. It put forward that 18- to 30-year-olds would be able to get a visa for up to four years for any purpose – work, study, travel – without quotas on numbers.

    Both the Conservative government and the Labour opposition had rejected the proposal out of hand. This was partly out of concerns over the potential impact on immigration figures and on student finances: the commission suggested EU students should be able to pay UK university fees. Mostly, however, it came from a desire not to be seen to make a big agreement with the EU that looked a bit like freedom of movement.

    To be clear, youth mobility is very much not freedom of movement. The latter implies no limits on entry, length or purpose of stay, as well as access to any kinds of public services as if you were a resident national. The former still means paying for a visa and strict limits on those services. But such legal points remain rather marginal in the British political and media debate.

    Since last year, there has been some to and fro, but largely behind closed doors and with the incoming Labour government continuing the line that such a scheme wasn’t on the cards. While the UK has a number of youth mobility schemes with countries around the world, these are typically limited by quotas and time (normally to two years) and require the person to be working or studying.

    Moving on?

    On the British side, Home Office concern about immigration figures is clearly still critical, especially in the context of the recent white paper that aims to cut back migration. Universities too have been vocal about the financial impact of losing tuition fee income from EU students.

    But on the EU side, the matter is seen very differently. To some extent, the interest is in maintaining the links with the UK, especially for young people that could gain from experiencing more of how their neighbours live. But much more than this is the sense that youth mobility has become something of a test for the British government.

    Labour’s return to office last July marked the unleashing of a significant diplomatic effort to engage with European counterparts and to talk up the value of working together. Youth mobility is a test of that value for some in European capitals, both in terms of being able to negotiate an agreement and of being able to sell it to the British public.

    The coming weeks and months will therefore be a key period if the reset is to result in more sustainably improved relations. Even if the basic shape of UK-EU relations isn’t about to shift, the ability for both sides to be able to talk and act constructively will still matter in delivering from that long list of summit ambitions.

    Simon Usherwood receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, as a Senior Fellow of the UK in a Changing Europe initiative.

    ref. The UK might have accepted the idea of youth mobility with the EU, but it’s not happening any time soon – https://theconversation.com/the-uk-might-have-accepted-the-idea-of-youth-mobility-with-the-eu-but-its-not-happening-any-time-soon-256628

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Armed groups are invading Benin’s forest reserves. Why and what to do about it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Papa Sow, Senior Researcher, The Nordic Africa Institute

    Benin’s Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, also called Pendjari National Park, and its surroundings have been targeted by non-state armed groups since 2019.

    Pendjari National Park, which covers approximately 4,800km², is one of five protected areas in Benin and is one of the main biodiversity conservation areas in west Africa. It has been a World Heritage Site since 2017.

    It is an integral part of the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, a transboundary biosphere reserve. The W Park is shared by Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso. Arly is located in Burkina Faso and Pendjari in Benin.

    The geographical configuration of the park facilitates all kinds of movements. Non-state armed groups attempt to exploit the porous borders to hide, stock up on natural resources — including gold and poached wildlife — or turn them into rear bases. Non-state armed groups take advantage of the park’s inaccessibility and its dense, wild forests to turn them into refuges.

    Bloody battles are underway to conquer special forest territories, which I call “protected jihadism areas” because of their use by armed movements claiming to be jihadists.

    As part of a study on the causes of migration in and from the northern parts of Benin Republic, close to Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo and Nigeria, I analysed the impact that these non-state armed groups were having on local populations and protected areas.

    I have been working on migration issues for about 25 years, and most of my observations in west Africa show that armed groups cause displacements in the sub-region. They contribute to a land and pastoral crisis, inconsistency in the distribution of forest resources, and a poorly integrated approach to the management of protected areas.

    I interviewed experts, local journalists, research assistants who I worked with during several years and displaced people in Benin and the west African sub-region about the direct impacts of smuggling, the depletion of natural resources, threats, and the use of violence in forest reserves.

    My observations are that the spiral of violence by non-state armed groups is dangerously disrupting the conservation and protection of the environment, increasing fear and insecurity among communities, and ruining the local economy, especially activities that revolve around the tourism sector.

    The violence

    On 8 January 2025, close to 30 soldiers were killed in the north of Benin, in Karimama near the “Triple Point” – an extensive area in the W-Arly-Pendjari complex where Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso meet.

    More than 120 soldiers were killed in the area between 2021 and 2024. There has also been carnage of the animals and plants.

    Since 2018, the Katiba Ansar-ul Islam, Serma, Sekou Muslimou and Abou Hanifa have been operating in Burkina Faso. They are considered jihadists – mostly under the aegis of Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), the Al Qaeda branch in the Sahel.

    Reasons for the proliferation of non-state armed groups in the park are multiple. It’s difficult for the state authorities to reach them there. There is the battle among non-state armed groups over the control of pastures and water bodies in the area. The park is also a place where non-state armed groups work with traffickers of adulterated gasoline from Nigeria, called Kpayo in Benin. They buy thousands of litres of gasoline from them every week at exorbitant prices.

    The Beninese state is is not very visible in some places despite the anti-terrorist Operation Mirador launched in 2021 with more than 3,000 soldiers. Since the first attack in 2019, more than US$120 million has been spent on security by Benin. But the number of attacks and kidnappings has multiplied.

    The main reason is the fragility of the security of the three state border areas.

    The non-State armed groups have their own crossing points that they control. Sub-regional collaboration between states is almost non-existent. The 2017 Accra Initiative, composed of five countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo – seems to have stagnated since some member states pulled out of the regional grouping Ecowas. A genuine regional force capable of countering the activities of these non-state armed groups is necessary.

    Benin is developing a military partnership with France. But the already tense diplomatic relationship between Benin and its neighbours – Niger and Burkina Faso – and the ambivalent policy of Togo, which “threatens” to join the Alliance of Sahel States – are not factors conducive to effective regional military cooperation.

    How people are being affected

    The park depends, in part, on funding generated by tourism and external partners. Conservation has been managed, since 2020, by the APN – Rangers African Parks Network. In 2024, it employed 337 eco-guards, including six expatriates. These eco-guards, on the front lines against non-state armed groups, are also being killed. Their work in gathering threat-related information is important to the Beninese Armed Forces.

    The activities of residents living near the park, transport networks and systems, and trekking services are the hardest hit. The work of NGOs that supported local populations has been reduced. Many NGOs have withdrawn from their activities. Small businesses are under threat.

    But the hardest-hit sector is tourism, which has affected the livelihoods of people. There has been a significant decline in the number of tourists. This directly affects local communities for whom tourism activities remain an important source of income.

    Tanguiéta, a town 70km from the border with Burkina Faso and not far from Pendjari Park, has been the worst affected due to a decline in income from accommodation and catering activities. Jobs have been lost.

    Migrants from the sub-region who had specialised in tourism entrepreneurship, including tour guides and artisans, have turned to other activities or left the town.

    What needs to be done

    The following measures could help protect the park and local people:

    • strengthen communication and surveillance capabilities

    • increase surveillance aircraft, helicopters and drones with the support of international donors and the Ecowas

    • train Beninese Armed Forces in conservation practices

    • increase support for community development projects

    • diversify activities to reduce dependence on tourism.

    – Armed groups are invading Benin’s forest reserves. Why and what to do about it
    – https://theconversation.com/armed-groups-are-invading-benins-forest-reserves-why-and-what-to-do-about-it-256136

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK sanctions hit West Bank violence network

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK sanctions hit West Bank violence network

    UK sanctions individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as Foreign Secretary pauses Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Israel

    • New sanctions target 3 individuals, 2 illegal settler outposts and 2 organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 
    • Today’s measures include financial restrictions and travel bans, including on high-profile extremist settler leader Daniella Weiss
    • In a statement to the House, the Foreign Secretary is set to announce a formal pause of Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Israel, effective immediately.
    • He will make clear the UK’s complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza, repeat UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally, and reiterate that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza.

    In response to the persistent cycle of serious violence undertaken by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, the Foreign Secretary has announced new sanctions today.

    Today’s measures target 3 individuals, including prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss, as well as 2 illegal outposts and 2 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

    These individuals and entities are now subject to measures including financial restrictions, travel bans, and director disqualifications, and will follow 18 other individuals, entities, and companies already sanctioned relating to serious violence against communities in the West Bank.

    The measures follow a dramatic surge in settler violence in the West Bank, with the UN recording over 1,800 attacks by settlers against Palestinian communities since 1 January 2024.

    In a statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary is also set to announce the formal pause of Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Israel, effective immediately. While the UK government remains committed to the existing trade agreement in force, it is not possible to advance discussions on a new, upgraded FTA with a Netanyahu government that is pursuing egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.

    His statement will address latest developments on the ground in Gaza, making clear the UK’s complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza, the threat of starvation for the Gazan population, and the UK’s condemnation of the Israeli government’s plans to drive Gazans from their homes into a corner of the Strip. The Foreign Secretary will also repeat UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally and reiterate that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza.

    The new steps follow a joint statement issued by the Prime Minister along with the leaders of France and Canada, setting out their strong opposition to the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and to illegal settlements in the West Bank. They also made clear that if Israel does not cease this action, further action will be taken in response.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    I have seen for myself the consequences of settler violence. The fear of its victims. The impunity of its perpetrators.

    The sanctioning of Daniella Weiss and others today demonstrates our determination to hold extremist settlers to account as Palestinian communities suffer violence and intimidation at the hands of extremist settlers.

    The Israeli government has a responsibility to intervene and halt these aggressive actions. Their consistent failure to act is putting Palestinian communities and the two-state solution in peril.

    The announcement comes as Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer summons Israel’s Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the expansion of military operations in Gaza.

    Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said:

    Today I will set out to Ambassador Hotovely the government’s opposition to the wholly disproportionate escalation of military activity in Gaza and emphasise that the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible. I will urge Israel to halt settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank.

    Israel must abide by its obligations under International Humanitarian Law and ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza. The limited amount of aid entering is simply not enough.

    We must get an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and a path to a two-state solution is the only way to ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

    Background

    Individuals and entities sanctioned today:

    • Daniella Weiss – has been involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Weiss is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.

    • Harel Libi – Owner of Libi Construction and Infrastructure. Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Libi is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.

    • Zohar Sabah – has been involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Sabah is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.

    • Coco’s Farm – is associated with a person who is or has been involved in activity which amounts to facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.  Coco’s Farm is now subject to an asset freeze.

    • Libi Construction and Infrastructure –has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts resulting in the forced displacement of Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, activities which cause the psychological suffering of Palestinians, and activities which often leads to violence perpetrated against Palestinians. Libi Construction and Infrastructure is now subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification.

    • Nachala – has been involved in facilitating, inciting, promoting and providing logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts and forced displacement of Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, activities which cause the psychological suffering of Palestinians, and which often lead to violence perpetrated against Palestinians. Nachala is now subject to an asset freeze.

    • Neria’s Farm – is associated with a person who is or has been involved in activity which amounts to facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neria’s Farm is now subject to an asset freeze.

    Definitions

    • Asset freeze: where an asset freeze applies, in summary, it is generally prohibited within the UK, and for UK persons outside the UK, to: (1) deal with funds or economic resources, owned, held or controlled by a designated person; (2) make funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to, or for the benefit of, a designated person; and (3) engage in actions that, directly or indirectly, circumvent the financial sanctions prohibitions. 
    • Director Disqualification Sanctions: Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it will be an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a company or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a UK company. 
    • Travel ban: an individual subject to a travel ban will be an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, meaning that they must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Places Holds on EPA Nominees Until Republicans Cease Efforts to Abuse the CRA to Revoke California’s Clean Air Act Waivers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Places Holds on EPA Nominees Until Republicans Cease Efforts to Abuse the CRA to Revoke California’s Clean Air Act Waivers

    Senator Padilla: “If this attempt is successful, the consequences will be far-reaching, not only for our clean energy economy, the air our children breathe, and for our climate, but for the future of the CRA and for the Senate as an institution.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, placed a hold on the four pending Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominees until Republicans stop their reckless attempts to overrule the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision regarding California’s clean air waivers that allow the state to implement more protective air quality standards.

    The Trump-led EPA recently submitted three California waivers as “rules” to Congress — despite knowing full well that these waivers were not rules — in a cynical attempt to overturn the waivers with a 50-vote threshold under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The Senate Parliamentarian determined that any resolutions aimed at overturning California waivers would not be entitled to the CRA’s expedited procedures and would therefore require 60 votes to secure Senate passage. Reporting indicates that Senate Republicans may soon move forward to bypass the filibuster to rescind these waivers, which would require overruling the Parliamentarian.

    Revoking California’s waivers would not only cause disastrous public health, environmental, and economic impacts, but would also mean Republicans took the “nuclear option,” undermining longstanding Senate procedures that could be applied to legislation far beyond the CRA and giving agencies significantly more control over the Senate floor.

    “This objection is a direct result of the agency’s cynical attempt to weaponize the Congressional Review Act (CRA) by attempting to submit as ‘rules’ three waivers issued to the State of California under the Clean Air Act (CAA),” wrote Senator Padilla. “If this attempt is successful, the consequences will be far-reaching, not only for our clean energy economy, the air our children breathe, and for our climate, but for the future of the CRA and for the Senate as an institution.”

    Padilla detailed the longstanding precedent making clear that EPA’s waivers are not rules subject to the Congressional Review Act. None of the more than 100 individual waivers or waiver-related decisions to California — under both Democratic and Republican Administrations — have ever been submitted as a rule since Congress granted the EPA this waiver authority in 1967 in bipartisan fashion. He also underscored the enormous stakes of overruling the Senate Parliamentarian, including for providing essential checks against executive branch agencies trying to exploit the CRA to enact their own agenda on matters that are not rules.

    “Here, for the first time in the history of the CRA, an agency submitted matters that they knew were not rules. Some of my Republican colleagues are now arguing that the Parliamentarian should have no role to limit this partisan gamesmanship, and the Senate should throw out the rulebook and overturn the Parliamentarian,” continued Senator Padilla. “If the Trump EPA and Senate Republicans are successful at this ploy, the Senate will have no choice but to accept this as status quo in the future. This would grant agencies unchecked control over the Senate floor — an unprecedented encroachment by the executive branch into the Senate’s internal operations.”

    Padilla laid out a list of potential actions that the Trump Administration could take to abuse the CRA, including revoking the broadcast licenses or other approvals for media outlets when they disagree with their news coverage; rescinding Food and Drug Administration approvals of vaccines, birth control, or mifepristone; or targeting the organizations of President Trump’s political opponents for retribution.

    “None of these actions are rules, which is why they’ve never been submitted to Congress as rules. But if my Republican colleagues open this door and overturn the Parliamentarian’s wise safeguards on this type of abuse, there would be no practical limit, and the Senate could be forced to vote repeatedly on such matters that are clearly not ‘rules’ notwithstanding the plain language of the CRA,” added Senator Padilla.

    By taking the nuclear option to overrule the Senate Parliamentarian, Padilla noted that a future Democratic Administration could target approvals for fossil fuel project leases, loan agreements, or permitting as well as for liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminals. They could also use the CRA to try to reverse the Trump Administration’s actions on matters including immigration, foreign policy, and staffing cuts.

    “Since this cynical attempt to weaponize the CRA was triggered by the administration’s political leadership at the EPA, at the urging of their Big Oil allies, I must object to proceeding to any nominations for the EPA pending on the Senate’s executive calendar,” concluded Senator Padilla. “I will continue to object until the agency withdraws its false submissions to Congress or the Majority Leader commits not to overturn the Parliamentarian’s determination on this matter.”

    A Senate hold blocks unanimous consent to speed up consideration of a nomination and forces the body to spend time debating and voting on the nominee. The EPA nominees currently pending on the Senate floor include Deputy Administrator nominee David Fotouhi, Chief Financial Officer nominee Catherine Hanson, and Assistant Administrator nominees Jessica Kramer and Aaron Szabo.

    Senator Padilla has been outspoken in pushing back against Republican attacks on California’s Clean Air Act waivers. Earlier this month, Senators Padilla, Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, took to the Senate floor to sound the alarm on Senate Republicans’ consideration of moving forward with their plan to revoke California’s Clean Air Act waivers. Padilla, Whitehouse, and U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also led Democratic Ranking Members in strongly warning Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) of the dangerous and irreparable consequences if Senate Republicans overrule the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision on California’s waivers.

    Last month, Senators Padilla, Whitehouse, and Schiff welcomed the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision that the waivers are not subject to the CRA. Padilla also joined Whitehouse and Schiff in blasting Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s weaponization of the EPA after the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) similar finding. Padilla and Schiff previously slammed the Trump Administration’s intent to roll back dozens of the EPA’s regulations that protect California’s air and water.

    Full text of Padilla’s hold statement is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: ZeroFox Partners With GASA and GSE to Fight Fraud With Enhanced Threat Detection Capabilities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZeroFox, the leader in external cybersecurity, has entered into a collaborative partnership with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and the Global Signal Exchange (GSE) to bolster joint measures to prevent online scams and fraud.

    GASA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing scams by bringing together law enforcement, cybersecurity companies and governments to fight fraud. GSE is a global clearinghouse for real-time sharing of scam and fraud signals. This alliance gives GASA and GSE access to ZeroFox’s threat intelligence on scams and fraudulent and malicious sites, and other threat data, empowering the larger security community with more visibility into online impersonation and related threats in order to defend against them more effectively.

    Every day, ZeroFox leverages its global intelligence collection and analysis to process tens of thousands of malicious URLs, IPs, and phishing domains. Access to this critical data is granted to select partners – now including GASA and GSE – through integrations to ZeroFox’s Global Disruption Network (GDN), which publishes information on newly-found threats like malicious content for the threat intelligence community.

    This new partnership will arm GASA and GSE with a comprehensive view of the cyber threat landscape, and will display any malicious URL, IP or domain received from ZeroFox’s GDN on their platform, alerting other GSE partners of potential digital risks.

    “ZeroFox’s Global Disruption Network is a powerful tool providing fresh, high-fidelity phishing, fraud and malware insights for rapid knowledge sharing. We enable GDN partners to protect their users quickly and reduce the likelihood of success for malicious actors,” said Russ Bentley, Executive VP of Product Management, ZeroFox. “We’re proud to partner with GASA and GSE, two organizations dedicated to protecting consumers worldwide from online scams and fraud. Collaborating with them aligns with our mission of making the internet safer for everyone.”

    Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA, shared: “ZeroFox has been in the business of fighting cybercrime since 2013. In this time, they developed deep expertise in domain monitoring, managed threat intelligence services, and domain takedown services. Their know-how and cybercrime knowledge will be of tremendous value to the Global Signal Exchange.”

    “We’re really pleased to be partnering with ZeroFox. Their data that GSE is consuming, including URLs that might contain malware, phishing domains, IP addresses identified as hosting fraudulent sites, or even social media sites potentially impersonating a brand or person, is already making a significant contribution to the volumes of open signals we are providing via the GSE,” states Mark Robertshaw, COO of Oxford Information Labs, creator of the GSE.

    To learn more about ZeroFox’s Global Disruption Network or join our list of partners, visit https://www.zerofox.com/products/global-disruption-network/.

    About ZeroFox
    ZeroFox, an enterprise software-as-a-service leader in external cybersecurity, has redefined security outside the corporate perimeter on the internet, where businesses operate, and threat actors thrive. The ZeroFox platform combines advanced AI analytics, digital risk and privacy protection, full-spectrum threat intelligence, and a robust portfolio of breach, incident and takedown response capabilities to expose and disrupt phishing and fraud campaigns, botnet exposures, credential theft, impersonations, data breaches, and physical threats that target your brands, domains, people, and assets. Join thousands of customers, including some of the largest public sector organizations as well as finance, media, technology and retail companies to stay ahead of adversaries and address the entire lifecycle of external cyber risks. ZeroFox and the ZeroFox logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZeroFox, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Visit www.zerofox.com for more information.

    About GASA
    GASA brings together governments, law enforcement, consumer protection organizations, financial authorities and providers, brand protection agencies, social media, Internet service providers and cybersecurity companies to share knowledge and define joint actions to protect consumers from getting scammed.

    About GSE
    The GSE platform provides tools for trusted parties to share threat intelligence. Currently processing more than 130 million threat signals, plus hundreds of millions of data points for enrichment, the GSE enables multi-directional signal sharing.

    Media Inquiries
    Sara Jacono
    LaunchTech Communications for ZeroFox
    press@zerofox.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Optimum selects the Digital Vending Machine® from Bango to bring new subscription bundles to customers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bango (AIM: BGO), the leader in subscription bundling, today announces a new licensing agreement with Optimum, a leading U.S. telecommunications provider, operated by Altice USA. Through this collaboration, Optimum customers can access compelling subscription bundles, powered by the Digital Vending Machine® (DVM™) from Bango. Optimum is a significant brand in the U.S. telecommunications market, providing fiber internet, mobile, TV, and phone services to approximately 4.5 million customers in 21 states across the country.

    Eligible Optimum TV and Internet customers can now enjoy a promotional offer of six complimentary months of access to two popular SVOD services, directly through Optimum, offering a new way to manage their subscriptions through their Optimum bill. The offer is the first of many that the company plans to bring to customers, with more streaming partners and consumer subscription services to be made available through Optimum’s partnership with Bango.

    This launch marks the beginning of Optimum’s use of the Bango DVM™, which is already transforming how companies across telecommunications, retailing, and banking deliver digital services. With a single integration, partners gain access to a growing portfolio of premium subscription providers, enabling them to quickly and easily create and customize compelling bundles that resonate with their customers.

    “We’re delighted to partner with Optimum to bring these exciting offers to life,” said Anil Malhotra, CMO at Bango. “The DVM™ empowers Bango partners to innovate through subscription bundling and to scale quickly, delivering high-impact offers that increase customer satisfaction and business growth.”

    About Bango

    Bango enables content providers to reach more paying customers through global partnerships. Bango revolutionized the monetization of digital content and services, by opening-up online payments to mobile phone users worldwide. Today, the Digital Vending Machine® is driving the rapid growth of the subscriptions economy, powering choice and control for subscribers.

    The world’s largest content providers, including Amazon, Google and Microsoft trust Bango technology to reach subscribers everywhere.

    Bango, where people subscribe. For more information, visit www.bango.com

    About Optimum

    Optimum is a brand of Altice USA, one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to approximately 4.5 million residential and business customers across 21 states. The company operates Optimum Media, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional and national businesses and advertising clients. Altice USA also offers hyper-local news through its News 12 Networks.

    Media contact: 

    Anil Malhotra, CMO, Bango 
    anil@bango.com 
    Tel: +44 7710 480 377 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Progress ShareFile Enhances Secure Enterprise Collaboration with Deep Microsoft 365 Interoperability

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ShareFile AI-powered, document workflow and file sharing platform with enhanced security offers industry-leading deep Microsoft 365 integration and features for enterprise teams 

    BURLINGTON, Mass., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS), the trusted provider of AI-powered digital experience and infrastructure software, today announced that Progress® ShareFile® is now deeply integrated with Microsoft 365. This product advancement strengthens the platform’s integration with Microsoft 365 by delivering seamless, secure coauthoring and optimized file collaboration across Office for the web, desktop and mobile—helping enterprises streamline complex workflows while unlocking improved productivity.

    Through this product collaboration, ShareFile will now enable real-time coauthoring in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, allowing teams to collaborate effortlessly on large and complex files while minimizing version conflicts. Customers also benefit from expanded file size limits, supporting documents up to 100MB in Word and Excel and 2GB in PowerPoint via Office Online—promoting smooth collaboration on high-resolution presentations, detailed financial models and other critical business content.

    Purpose-Built for Secure, Seamless Collaboration
    The ShareFile AI-powered, document-centric collaboration platform is designed to help businesses of all sizes simplify document sharing with enhanced security, better protect sensitive data and promote client and team collaboration. For businesses that need greater efficiency in their document collaboration processes, the platform’s enhanced Microsoft 365 integration removes common barriers to promote secure, real-time coauthoring of important documents— streamlining work and boosting productivity.

    Driving Innovation Through Strategic Partnership
    Progress works closely with Microsoft on the future of cloud-based file management and enterprise collaboration. This integration and partnership establish the foundation for future ShareFile enhancements, enabling organizations using Microsoft 365 to dramatically improve their productivity.

    “We’re pleased with the deeper product integration with ShareFile,” said Harshal Pati, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft. “By integrating directly into Microsoft 365, ShareFile empowers enterprises to enhance security, collaboration and productivity—whether working on a single document or managing large projects across distributed teams, ensuring greater productivity and efficiency at every stage.”

    “ShareFile delivers AI-driven, enterprise-grade collaboration, deeply embedded within the Microsoft 365 experience,” said Loren Jarrett, EVP & GM, Digital Experience, Progress. “This deliverable is an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to helping organizations to accelerate their productivity, streamline workflows and take their efficiency and effectiveness to the next level.”

    To learn more about ShareFile and its integrations, click here.

    About Progress 
    Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS) empowers organizations to achieve transformational success in the face of disruptive change. Our software enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible AI-powered applications and digital experiences with agility and ease. Customers get a trusted provider in Progress, with the products, expertise and vision they need to succeed. Over 4 million developers and technologists at hundreds of thousands of enterprises depend on Progress. Learn more at www.progress.com.  

    Progress and ShareFile are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

    Press Contacts:           
    Kim Baker          
    Progress        
    +1-800-477-6473          
    pr@progress.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Thomas Financial Group Closes Over $34 Million in Bridge Loans for USDA Takeout in Under 40 Days

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a powerful demonstration of speed and strategic execution, Thomas Financial Group (TFG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Bankshares Inc., in partnership with Siguler Guff, Phoenix Lender Services (PHX), and Community Bank & Trust, successfully originated, underwrote, and closed three hospitality bridge loans totaling over $34 million in less than 40 days. All loans are structured for USDA Business & Industry (B&I) program takeout, reinforcing the firm’s capacity to deliver complex, time-sensitive financing solutions.

    • $11.335MM Bridge Loan (USDA B&I Takeout Pending)
    • $12.19MM Bridge Loan (USDA B&I Takeout Pending)
    • $10.545MM Bridge Loan (USDA B&I Takeout Pending)

    While USDA lending is traditionally known for its thorough but lengthy approval process, TFG is redefining what’s possible. Through creative structuring and seamless collaboration across its lending ecosystem, TFG and its partners provide rapid bridge loan execution to fill the timing gap – giving borrowers immediate access to capital while finalizing their long-term USDA financing. The recently closed projects will create and retain nearly 50 jobs across key rural markets.

    “These transactions prove that USDA lending doesn’t have to be slow or complicated,” said Zach Chandler, SVP, Government Guaranteed Lending of Thomas Financial Group. “When you work with TFG, PHX, and Community Bank & Trust, you’re getting a team that understands how to move at the speed of business – without compromising the long-term benefits of USDA-backed financing.”

    TFG’s USDA bridge-to-permanent platform is available in all 50 states and every U.S. territory, providing borrowers in rural communities with access to flexible financing structures tailored to their timing and growth needs. In a market climate defined by rate uncertainty and capital constraints, borrowers value the security of a 30-year fully amortizing loan with no balloons or call provisions – exactly what USDA lending can provide.

    “Peace of mind in today’s economy is priceless,” added Chandler. “Our ability to deliver both speed and long-term stability makes us a trusted partner for developers, business owners, and project sponsors across the country.”

    If you’re seeking fast, creative financing for your rural project – with the peace of mind that comes from a long-term USDA solution – now is the time to act.

    Contact TFG today to explore our USDA bridge-to-permanent platform and discover what’s possible when you partner with a team built for execution.

    TFG Contact
    Email: Zach@thomasfinancialgroup.com
    Phone: (770) 655-1569

    About Thomas Financial Group

    Thomas Financial Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Bankshares Inc., is a nationally recognized leader in USDA and SBA lending. In partnership with Phoenix Lender Services and Community Bank & Trust, TFG specializes in complex capital solutions that support rural economic development, small business growth, and infrastructure expansion.

    About Community Bankshares Inc.

    Community Bankshares Inc. is a privately held financial holding company headquartered in LaGrange, Georgia, with subsidiaries including Community Bank & Trust, Thomas Financial Group, and Phoenix Lender Services. Through its network of specialized financial institutions, Community Bankshares Inc. delivers innovative, relationship-driven banking and lending services across the United States, with a strong emphasis on rural development, government-guaranteed lending, and community reinvestment.

    About Community Bank & Trust

    Community Bank & Trust is a full-service commercial bank and a subsidiary of Community Bankshares Inc. Based in LaGrange, Georgia, CB&T is an SBA Preferred Lender with a growing national footprint in USDA and small business lending. Known for its personalized service and deep lending expertise, CB&T partners with businesses and communities to deliver flexible, dependable financing solutions that support long-term growth across rural and underserved markets.

    About Phoenix Lender Services

    Phoenix Lender Services is the operational engine behind the USDA and SBA lending platform and wholly owned subsidiary of Community Bankshares Inc. Specializing in origination, underwriting, processing, closing, and servicing, Phoenix provides seamless back-end support and strategic oversight for government-guaranteed loans. With a team of seasoned professionals and a nationwide reach, Phoenix empowers lenders and borrowers with the tools and expertise needed to deliver consistent, compliant, and efficient results.

    Media Contact
    Abigail Davison
    Uproar by Moburst for Community Bankshares, Inc.
    abigail.davison@moburst.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Alation Acquires Numbers Station to Unlock a New Era of Agentic Workflows

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alation Inc., the leader in enterprise data intelligence, today announced that it has acquired Numbers Station AI, a pioneer in building AI agents for data workflows. The combined capabilities of Alation and Numbers Station will accelerate the ability of data and engineering teams to quickly build and deploy a new class of AI-native analytics applications featuring agentic workflows that operate with enterprise-grade governance and context.

    Organizations are demanding more effective ways to leverage their data for insights and real-time decisions, particularly in the era of AI. Despite its promise, scaled adoption in production use cases continues to be a challenge. For organizations to achieve what is truly possible with AI, they need systems that are trustworthy and deeply integrated with diverse enterprise data ecosystems.

    Structured data—such as customer records, supply chain records, and financial transactions—represents an organization’s most critical assets. AI agents struggle to understand and take action on that data due to incomplete semantics and data definitions, unclear governance policies, and missing context of the lineage and data quality of the underlying data sets. Without this foundation, agents risk producing inaccurate outputs and violating privacy and compliance requirements.

    Together, Alation and Numbers Station are uniquely positioned to close this gap. By combining Numbers Station’s agents with Alation’s rich metadata foundation, customers will be able to build intelligent applications that reason over structured data, understand business context, and automate real-time decision-making—all while maintaining rigorous governance and compliance standards. This will unlock a new era of agentic workflows that can deliver tangible business outcomes at enterprise scale.

    “Numbers Station has proven the impact AI agents can have in the enterprise when companies are able to trust this new way of working and brings an exceptional team that shares our obsession with empowering data users,” said Satyen Sangani, co-founder and CEO of Alation. “Together, we’re laying the foundation for the next decade of enterprise data intelligence—one where humans and agents collaborate seamlessly to turn data into action.”

    “From the start, our vision has been to enable anyone to be a data app builder,” said Chris Aberger, co-founder and CEO of Numbers Station. “By joining forces with Alation, we’re pairing our AI-native foundation with the most trusted enterprise data intelligence platform. This unlocks a future where agents don’t just find data—they do more with it.”

    Numbers Station, AI & Solving The Structured Data Problem for Businesses

    Founded out of Stanford’s PhD lab for machine learning and AI, the Numbers Station team authored the first academic paper to demonstrate how large language models could be deployed to meet the complex, domain-specific needs of enterprise data leaders. Numbers Station’s agents bring automation and natural language interaction to tasks like data analysis, visualization, and end-to-end action—helping data teams build AI-native applications faster with more confidence.

    As part of the acquisition, the Numbers Station team will join Alation to drive continued innovation at the intersection of AI and data. All existing Numbers Station customers will be fully supported and will benefit from expanded resources and roadmap continuity under Alation’s platform.

    To learn more about the acquisition, read the blog, “Alation Acquires Numbers Station: Enabling AI to Understand Structured Data at Scale.”

    About Alation
    Alation is the data intelligence company. More than 600 global enterprises — including 40% of the Fortune 100 — rely on Alation to realize value from their data and AI initiatives. Customers such as Cisco, DocuSign, Nasdaq, Pfizer, and Samsung trust Alation’s platform for self-service analytics, cloud transformation, data governance, and AI-ready data, fostering data-driven innovation at scale. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, Alation has been recognized five times by Inc. Magazine as one of the Best Workplaces. To learn more, visit www.alation.com.

    Media Contact
    Ashley Womack
    Sr. Director, Corporate Marketing
    650-504-2647
    ashley.womack@alation.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Exterro Cracks the Code for Partners Aiming to Drive Sustainable Revenue Growth in the Data Risk Management Market with Launch of ExPN – the Exterro Partner Network

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTLAND, Ore., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exterro, a global leader in unified data risk management solutions, today announced the launch of its groundbreaking Exterro Partner Network (ExPN). This transformative, global, strategic program redefines how organizations tackle complex data challenges by reimagining the partner ecosystem, creating unrivaled revenue opportunities and establishing a new paradigm for customer success.

    “In today’s fragmented data risk landscape, true innovation demands powerful alliances,” stated Exterro Chief Revenue Officer, Jim Cox. “We’re not just launching a partner program—we’re creating a movement that equips solution providers, law firms, service providers, developers, and resellers with unprecedented capabilities to capture market share. ExPN delivers the comprehensive framework, specialized expertise, and strategic advantage partners need to capitalize on the rapidly expanding data risk management marketplace.”

    This launch signals a pivotal evolution and investment in Exterro’s commercial strategy, featuring dedicated resources for partners worldwide and a meticulously structured program with escalating benefits. Elite partners who master Exterro’s unified suite of solutions—spanning data privacy, security, governance, digital forensics and incident response (DFIR), and e-discovery—will unlock exclusive advantages including:

    • Strategic partnership with executives (not just account managers)
    • A multi-tier structure with clear pathways to Elite status
    • Advanced revenue enablement and brand amplification
    • Specialized certifications and expertise development
    • Priority opportunity protection
    • Performance-driven financial incentives

    BREAKING THE GROWTH CEILING
    ExPN fundamentally transforms business potential for partners by providing the industry’s only truly unified approach to data risk management. This breakthrough ecosystem eliminates the limitations of traditional partner programs, enabling organizations to deliver sophisticated, high-margin solutions while simplifying technology relationships. By leveraging Exterro’s award-winning platform, partners establish themselves as indispensable strategic advisors capable of addressing interconnected data challenges across the enterprise landscape.

    “The market has been constrained by point solutions from a variety of vendors that create complexity rather than clarity,” explained Bruce Holbert, senior director of Channel Sales at Exterro. “ExPN shatters this paradigm. Our partners can now deliver immediate strategic value while simultaneously positioning themselves at the forefront of future data risk challenges—all through a single, comprehensive platform that grows alongside their business objectives.”

    Today’s organizations operate in an environment defined by accelerating litigation risks, rising regulatory scrutiny, and increasing cyber threats. Fragmented, point-based tools are no longer sufficient to manage the growing complexity of data across legal, compliance, and security domains. In the face of these challenges, ExPN creates win-win-win scenarios for resellers, service providers, systems integrators, and technology companies and end customers alike. Partners’ deep expertise, combined with cutting edge Exterro technology, delivers complete data risk management solutions that unify e-discovery, digital forensics and incident response, and data privacy, security, and governance workflows within a single, easy-to-use platform.

    Global Expansion and ExPN Access
    The Exterro Partner Network is now open to qualified partners across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. As part of the launch, Exterro will engage with new and existing partners through briefings, joint planning sessions, and targeted go-to-market initiatives, creating join go-to-market plans to support the needs of enterprises around the world.

    To learn more about ExPN or to apply, visit https://www.exterro.com/about/partners or contact partners@Exterro.com

    About Exterro
    Exterro empowers organizations to manage data risks with a complete platform for e-discovery, data privacy, cybersecurity and governance, and digital forensics. Unlike any other software provider, Exterro makes it easy for organizations to understand their data and take swift action. Exterro’s AI-driven solutions provide accurate, actionable insights, enabling businesses to ensure compliance, reduce risks, and streamline operations while lowering costs. With Exterro, organizations gain the clarity and confidence needed to address their most critical data challenges. For more information, visit www.exterro.com.

    Media Contact
    Hazel Ramirez – North America
    hazel@plat4orm.com
    570-975-9261

    Anamika D Kumar – Global
    PR & Communications
    anamika.dhirendrakumar@exterro.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Cloudera Delivers AI-Powered Unified Data Visualization in On-Premises Data Centers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, today announced the latest release of Cloudera Data Visualization, extending its AI capabilities to customers operating in on-premises environments.

    This new offering is a high-performance AI tool that democratizes insights across the full data lifecycle. With Cloudera Data Visualization, data engineers, business analysts, and data scientists can seamlessly communicate, collaborate, and share insights, without compromising data security or governance – all through the common language of visualization.

    Enterprises often struggle to appropriately visualize data due to silos across multiple platforms, complex integrations, and data governance limitations. Without a unified view, data visualization can be incomplete or misleading, often resulting in ineffective decision-making.

    Cloudera Data Visualization, now available on-premises, provides secure and integrated AI capabilities native to the Cloudera platform, empowering organizations to self-service visualization across multi-cloud and hybrid environments and the entire data lifecycle. This enables users to now unlock the value of their on-prem data through intuitive, out-of-the-box picturing and natural language querying. With Cloudera Data Visualization, enterprises can move faster, more efficiently, and with increased collaboration.

    “As enterprises continue to prioritize both multi-cloud and hybrid environments, they need to see their data as a part of a bigger picture,” says Leo Brunnick, Chief Product Officer at Cloudera. “Bringing together AI-driven insights, secure infrastructure, and seamless collaboration in one unified platform, users can see the missing puzzle pieces of their data, wherever they may be. It’s not just about being able to see the data; it’s about seeing how it all fits together to deliver business-critical insights.”

    Key features of Cloudera Data Visualization include: 

    • Out-of-the-Box Imaging: Use an intuitive drag-and-drop builder or choose from a wide range of custom extension options to create graphs or charts for every use case—from customer loyalty shifts to decades’ worth of trading trends—all in one platform.
    • Built-in AI Tools: Leverage AI in your BI workflows with AI Visual, a built-in AI tool in Cloudera Data Visualization. Unlock visual and structured reports easily using natural language querying, making AI-driven insights more accessible than ever.
    • Predictive Application Builder: Create unique applications with this innovative capability that is pre-built with machine learning models served in Cloudera AI, as well as models in Amazon Bedrock, OpenAI, and Microsoft Azure OpenAI.
    • Enterprise Security: Leverage enterprise data from anywhere without moving, copying, or creating security gaps with integrated security with Cloudera Shared Data Experience (SDX).
    • Robust Governance: Take complete control of data used for picturing with advanced governance features.

    “By integrating directly with Cloudera’s unified platform, users benefit from a consistent experience, enhanced collaboration, and full lifecycle data exploration—all while retaining full control over their own infrastructure,” said industry analyst, Sanjeev Mohan. “Now, Cloudera users can picture and share insights securely within their on-prem environment, allowing their teams to be more agile and informed in their decision-making.”

    Visit the Cloudera website to learn more about Cloudera Data Visualization, now available on-premises.

    About Cloudera
    Cloudera is the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI. With 100x more data under management than other cloud-only vendors, Cloudera empowers global enterprises to transform data of all types, on any public or private cloud, into valuable, trusted insights. Our open data lakehouse delivers scalable and secure data management with portable cloud-native analytics, enabling customers to bring GenAI models to their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring responsible, reliable AI deployments. The world’s largest brands in financial services, insurance, media, manufacturing, and government rely on Cloudera to use their data to solve what once seemed impossible—today and in the future.

    To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact
    Jess Hohn-Cabana
    cloudera@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: 72% of professionals report using AI at work, compared to just 48% in 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intapp (NASDAQ: INTA), a leading global provider of AI-powered solutions for professionals, released findings today from its 2025 Technology Perceptions Survey. Reaching more than 800 fee earners across the accounting, consulting, finance, and legal industries in the U.S. and U.K., the survey shows a significant shift in how professionals view and use AI.

    “AI is becoming an essential part of the workflow for professionals, who are driving top-line and bottom-line growth within their firms as a result,” said Robin Tech, Vice President of AI and Data at Intapp. “Widespread AI adoption is here to stay and firms that are not ready are falling behind.”

    AI adoption becomes the standard

    Professionals are increasingly recognizing the benefits of using AI at work, especially when it comes to time-consuming manual tasks. As the survey shows, the top two AI use cases and highest areas of growth for AI use are summarizing data and generating documents.

    • 72% of professionals say they use AI at work, up from 48% last year.
    • 56% of firms have adopted AI, with another 32% getting started on their AI journey, showing a near-term potential for 88% of firms to adopt AI institutionally.

    Not only are they eager to integrate AI into their day-to-day tasks, but many are already doing so, often without firm approval or oversight. 50% of professionals say they’ve used AI tools for work that were not authorized by their firm. Another 23% say they have not done so yet, but they would.

    “Unauthorized AI usage creates new attack vectors threatening data security,” said Tech. “Both early adopters and slower adopters will need to be aware of the risks of unauthorized AI usage, particularly with sensitive client data.”

    AI helps professionals work smarter and faster

    As professionals incorporate AI tools into their workflows, they’re finding new ways to think of creative solutions, improve turnaround times, and impress clients.

    • 62% believe that AI has been highly useful in the workplace.
    • 82% say that the quality of AI-generated work is at least as good as their own.
    • 41% said that AI enabled them to synthesize large amounts of information.
    • 38% said that AI helped them think of creative solutions.

    AI drives professional and firm growth

    Professionals are reallocating time saved by AI to focus on higher-level work and supercharge growth.

    • 42% have reallocated time saved to focus on higher-level client work.
    • 28% have reallocated time saved to strengthen relationships with clients, while 25% have strengthened relationships with their broader network
    • 23% have reallocated time to pursue new business opportunities.
    • 24% have reallocated time saved to increase billable hours.
    • 23% have reallocated time saved to pursue new business opportunities.

    To learn more, see the full survey results and read the research report here: Intapp.com/2025-tech-perceptions-survey

    About the study
    The Intapp 2025 Tech Perceptions Survey was conducted by Rockbridge Research among 820 fee earners in the U.S. and U.K. across four verticals: accounting, consulting, capital markets (including investment banking and private equity) and legal. Results were collected between November 5 and November 22, 2024, using an email invitation and online survey. Quotas were set to ensure representation across geographies and industries. The margin of error is +/- 3.2% at the 95% confidence level.

    About Intapp
    Intapp software helps professionals unlock their teams’ knowledge, relationships, and operational insights to increase value for their firms. Using the power of Applied AI, we make firm and market intelligence easy to find, understand, and use. With Intapp’s portfolio of vertical SaaS solutions, professionals can apply their collective expertise to make smarter decisions, manage risk, and increase competitive advantage. The world’s top firms — across accounting, consulting, investment banking, legal, private capital, and real assets — trust Intapp’s industry-specific platform and solutions to modernize and drive new growth. For more information, visit Intapp.com and connect with us on LinkedIn

    Media contact

    Ali Robinson
    Global Media Relations Director
    Intapp, Inc.
    press@intapp.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: FIFA and Wanda Group partnership largest annual sponsorship deal in construction and real estate sector, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    FIFA and Wanda Group partnership largest annual sponsorship deal in construction and real estate sector, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Sport

    In 2016, Wanda Group signed a 15-year deal, which sees the brand serve as a top-tier FIFA partner. Under the agreement, Wanda secured rights to all FIFA competitions and corporate activities, extending through the 2030 World Cup, with a deal value reported to be approximately $56.57 million per year. Alongside the brands’ partnership with FIFA, Wanda Group is the highest spending brand across the construction and real estate sector in 2025, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’ s latest report, “Sponsorship Sector Report – Construction & Real Estate 2025”, reveals that across the construction and real estate sector, soccer commands the top position in terms of annual sponsorship revenue and deal volume in 2025. Mitsui Fudosan is recognized as the most active brand across the sector, boasting 11 active partnerships in 2025.

    Olivia Snooks, Sport Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Wanda Group was the first Chinese company to achieve top-tier partner status with FIFA. The partnership between Wanda Group and FIFA aims to facilitate the advancement of grassroots soccer development in China and across China.”

    Saudi Arabia has seen a surge in the construction and real estate sector’s involvement with the sports sponsorship industry and occupies a significant portion of the higher-value partnerships across the sector. Brands including Roshn and Red Sea Global, both are owned by the Saudi backed Public Investment Fund (PIF) have both partnered with teams competing in the Saudi Professional League, the top-flight soccer league in Saudi Arabia. Roshn’s naming rights partnership with the Saudi Professional League is one of the largest partnerships across the sector.

    Snooks continues: “The PIF’s involvement in the sponsorship activities across the Saudi Professional League has had a major impact on soccer across Saudi Arabia. The PIF has essentially taken control of the biggest clubs across the Saudi Pro League, as well as the league itself. Through Roshn serving as the league’s title partner and the PIF owning four of the biggest clubs across the league, this enables the fund to not only benefit from one of their brands gaining exposure but also four of their teams gaining more revenue.”

    Despite a decline in the number and total value of transactions within the construction and real estate sector from 2018 to 2019, the industry has experienced consistent year-over-year growth in both the quantity of agreements signed and their cumulative annual worth through 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, the volume of deals signed plateaued; however, the annual value of these deals increased. Taking this into consideration, it could be suggested that even though the volume of deals agreed upon has not increased, the value of the deals that brands across the sector are committing to is growing.

    Snooks concludes: “2025 will present uncertainty for the global economy given the tariffs, which have been implemented by US President Donald Trump. As tariffs elevate the expense of imported materials, including steel and aluminum, construction firms frequently find themselves absorbing these increased costs. The degree to which these developments will influence the construction and real estate sector’s engagement in the sports sponsorship arena remains to be determined.

    “However, it is important to mention that as the tariffs only apply to materials being imported into the US, for brands that do not do business in the US, they are less likely to be affected; the situation is also very changeable with tariff rates changing and having already been postponed for 90 days since the original announcement.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £1 billion BioNTech investment sets way for jobs, growth, breakthroughs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    £1 billion BioNTech investment sets way for jobs, growth, breakthroughs

    Covid-19 vaccine pioneers BioNTech commit to up to £1 billion, 10-year investment in the UK.

    • Covid-19 vaccine pioneers BioNTech commit to up to £1 billion, 10-year investment in the UK.
    • New research and AI centres to be established in London as well as Cambridge – demonstrating the benefits of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor – to develop the next generation of life-changing medicines.
    • Underpinned by up to £129 million of government support, this agreement underscores the government’s commitment to life sciences as a key part of the Plan for Change, driving improvements in healthcare, and delivering economic growth.

    Hundreds of highly skilled jobs will be created, and new research centres will be set up aimed at making new advances in medical science, thanks to a planned investment of up to £1 billion into the UK by world-leading biopharmaceutical company BioNTech announced today (Tuesday 20 May).

    This is one of the biggest investments in the history of UK life sciences, made possible with government backing – all part of plans to support this growth-driving sector as part of the Plan for Change, and our mission to turbo-charge economic growth in every part of the country.

    This historic investment is a testament to the confidence in the UK life sciences – one of the priority sectors of the economy that will form a key part of the forthcoming Industrial Strategy – as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and innovations that could overhaul what’s possible in healthcare. The sector is already thriving, worth £108 billion to the economy and providing more than 300,000 highly skilled jobs across the country. But through measures like our commitment to investing up to £520 million in the sector through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, we want to boost UK life sciences to even greater heights, bolstering our ambitions to grow the economy, create jobs, and building on the UK’s position as the second-most attractive destination for international investment.

    BioNTech will invest in the UK over the course of the next 10 years as part of an ambitious plan to significantly expand their presence here. That will see them create two new R&D hubs, the first to be based in Cambridge, as well as an AI hub to be based at BioNTech’s planned UK headquarters in London. These are planned to create more than 400 new highly skilled jobs over the next 10 years, including researchers in clinical and scientific drug development, bioinformatics, and a range of supporting functions. Indirectly, the investment is also likely to create a substantial number of additional jobs in the supply chain.

    BioNTech are the pioneering company behind mRNA vaccines and cancer immunotherapies notably used to tackle COVID-19, and more recently trialled to help patients with cancer.

    According to the Academy of Medical Sciences, every £1 spent on medical research delivers a return of 25p, every year, forever after that, so the long-term economic impact of an investment in research on this scale, speaks for itself. This is the government’s Plan for Change, in action, and shows how our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor are already pulling international investment into the UK.

    BioNTech signed an agreement finalising the investment together with Science Secretary Peter Kyle today. As part of the agreement, the government will contribute up to £129 million in grant funding over a period of 10 years.

    Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    This investment will propel the growth-driving life sciences sector to new heights, delivering cutting-edge facilities, building careers in the future-facing jobs we want our children to have, and ultimately unlocking progress in medical science that could save lives.

    This is a clear indication of how we will deliver the government’s Plan for Change: working together with the best and brightest businesses and innovators to unlock their potential, and then reap the benefits for the economy, health and more that their drive and genius can deliver.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    This is another testament to confidence in Britain being one of the world’s top investment destinations and a global hub for life sciences. It will create hundreds of high-skilled, well-paid jobs, as we deliver on our promise to put more money in working people’s pockets through our Plan for Change.

    CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, Uğur Şahin, said:

    This agreement marks the next chapter of our successful strategic partnership with the UK government. Together, we have already made a meaningful difference in expanding access to investigational personalized cancer therapies for patients. Now, we are taking the next step to accelerate and broaden our research and development efforts advancing towards our vision to translate science into survival for patients.

    In Cambridge, BioNTech plans to set up a new R&D centre focused on genomics, oncology, structural biology, and regenerative medicine. In London, BioNTech intends to establish its UK headquarters, which will be home to a new AI hub led by InstaDeep Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of BioNTech SE, and a leading global technology company in the field of AI and machine learning. This hub will enable medical research, using AI, including looking into understanding disease causes, drug target selection and predictive analytics.

    Over time, this work could lead to the discovery and development of new therapies, diagnostics and treatments for a range of diseases that currently cause heartbreak for countless patients and their families – all supporting the mission to rebuild the NHS for the long-term, that sits at the heart of the government’s Plan for Change.

    It also builds on the government’s existing strategic partnership with BioNTech, to provide up to 10,000 patients with investigational personalised cancer immunotherapies by 2030. This is already transforming the experience of patients by broadening access to cancer vaccine trials in the UK.

    The government’s support for BioNTech’s investment is a further example of how we are backing the UK’s thriving life sciences sector to even greater success – following on from the announcement of the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund at the Autumn Budget, and strategic collaborations agreed with other innovative life sciences companies. We will say more about our vision for a thriving future for UK life sciences in the forthcoming Life Sciences Sector Plan.

    Steve Bates, CEO of the UK BioIndustry Association, said:

    BioNTech’s investment demonstrates the UK’s position as a top destination for life sciences innovation and underlines why the government is absolutely right to back our sector as a priority for growth.

    BioNTech is not only a pioneer in mRNA science, but also a visionary partner in building a truly unique public-private collaboration with the UK government and NHS – one that sets a benchmark for the world.

    The UK has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leverage its strong position to attract investment from global investors to create well-paid jobs and scale UK companies, if the upcoming Life Sciences Sector Plan can address long-standing structural challenges in the financing and commercial environment.

    Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the ABPI, said:

    This investment is a testament to the fantastic skills, research capabilities, and scientific infrastructure we have in the UK. It is also a template for how the UK could unlock further life science sector growth by removing the barriers and roadblocks to investment.

    Big investments like this are years in the making and require both sides to have confidence that the other will deliver on their commitments. Trust is slow to build, but this deal shows it is worth the time and the risk.

    Life science companies are already the largest investors in UK R&D – but much of this comes from a handful of companies with deep UK roots. The UK has an opportunity to capture more of the global science pie if we can improve our competitive offering to the sector.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Best in Advertising: GUU Students Win FROG Festival

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    Students of the State University of Management won the All-Russian festival-competition of journalists, advertisers and PR people “Life in creative flight!”, which was held at the Voronezh State University.

    In total, almost 400 works from students of Russian universities studying in areas of training related to communication technologies were submitted to the competition’s organizing committee.

    The jury evaluated projects in 19 nominations of the Mass Media Master competition in the categories of Television and Radio Broadcasting and Press and Internet Publications and 8 nominations of the FROG competition, which includes advertising and PR materials.

    Creative projects by students of the Institute of Marketing of the State University of Management became winners and prize winners in several nominations of the festival.

    In the nomination “Printed and polygraphic advertising” 1st place was taken by the project of students of the State University of Management “Live here and now”. Authors: Maria Stefani and Violetta Vdovitsa. Supervisor – Alexandra Timokhovich.

    “According to VTsIOM statistics, every second Russian is dissatisfied with their lives. One of the reasons is the syndrome of postponed life. In the developed digital layouts of social advertising, we used the technique of analogy with an airport board, where flights with symbolic destinations of “dream”, “success”, “chance”, “love” are postponed and cancelled. Just as flight delays cause anticipation, disappointment, so postponing goals does not allow them to be realized,” Maria Stefani explained the idea of the project.

    In the nomination “Radio Advertising” (radio commercial) our students took several prizes at once:

    1st place – project “Don’t forget your elders”. Authors: Dmitry Denisov, Pavel Polyakov, Riad Gubatov, Viktor Lozovsky. Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

    “In modern society, there are frequent situations when representatives of the older generation are left without due attention and care from their relatives. Literally, elderly people are left to their own devices, forced to cope with everyday life, illnesses, and financial difficulties on their own. In the audio clip, we urge you to think about this problem, to become more sensitive and attentive to the elderly,” shared Pavel Polyakov.

    2nd place – project “Take your eyes off the screen”. Authors: Maria Bychenkova, Elizaveta Ruzanova, Alena Kladnitskaya. Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

    3rd place – project “Let’s save food from the trash”. Authors: Yulia Talishevskaya, Ekaterina Tkacheva, Marina Belova. Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

    3rd place – project “Doxing is the scourge of the modern Internet community”. Author: Anastasia Lilyakova. Leader – Alexandra Timokhovich.

    Congratulations to the winners and the head of the student projects! We wish you interesting projects and further victories!

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Nonprofit news media leaders are struggling to stop leaning on the foundations that say they should branch out more

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Katherine Fink, Associate Professor of Media, Communications, and Visual Arts, Pace University

    If the basket falls, at least there are some other eggs on hand that might not break. Iryna Veklich/Moment via Getty Images

    You’ve probably heard the adage about not putting all your eggs in one basket.

    It’s an especially meaningful one for newspapers. For decades, they relied heavily on advertising revenue. That arrangement stopped working about 20 years ago, as audiences moved online and advertisers followed. News media outlets moved online as well, but they found themselves in a losing battle for advertising dollars against new digital competitors such as Craigslist, Facebook and Google. One-third of U.S. newspapers have closed in the past two decades, most of them local.

    As their income from ads and subscriptions has dwindled, some news organizations that used to rely mainly on ad revenue, such as The Salt Lake Tribune and Philadelphia Inquirer, have become nonprofits – opening the door to other sources of revenue. And interest in launching news organizations as nonprofits has been growing. Meanwhile, some for-profit media outlets have begun to obtain some philanthropic support and ask for donations from readers and subscribers.

    I’m a journalism studies researcher and a former journalist myself. To better understand how news leaders were thinking about their future in this ever-evolving landscape, I researched the fundraising approaches of local nonprofit news outlets across the U.S.

    I interviewed 23 local news leaders about their fundraising strategies and their views on the best way to balance their sources of funding in the long term. What I found is that nonprofit news media outlets are finding it necessary to pursue multiple streams of revenue, including from foundations, in the search for sustainable business models. But the ideal revenue mix may look different for each organization.

    Foundations are footing half the bill

    Foundations, especially the Knight Foundation, have become major supporters of nonprofit news media in recent years. According to the Institute for Nonprofit News, foundations provided about half of all revenue for nonprofit news media in 2023. Another 29% came from individual donations. And 17% came from ads and other sources of earned, rather than donated, revenue.

    Money raised through grants from foundations can arrive in larger amounts and be more predictable than advertising revenue. But it often comes with strings attached. For example, in exchange for a grant, a media outlet might be pressured to adjust its editorial priorities or adopt specific technologies.

    The nonprofit news leaders I interviewed also said foundations tend to be more interested in starting new organizations than sustaining media outlets that are already up and running.

    Some foundations are now making that point clearer than ever by telling the nonprofit news organizations they have supported not to depend too much on them anymore. The Knight Foundation and other funders have informed potential applicants they must demonstrate they are pursuing revenue diversity as a condition for getting a grant.

    In other words, nonprofit media shouldn’t put all of their eggs in the foundation basket, either.

    Branching out

    The local news leaders I interviewed said they didn’t necessarily see having a variety of revenue sources as a path to sustainability. And adding new revenue streams comes with costs, such as hiring membership directors or advertising salespeople. Local news leaders said it’s hard to know whether making those investments will pay off.

    Still, under pressure to rely less on foundations and more on other types of revenue, they’ve been branching out in recent years. According to the Institute for Nonprofit News, foundations provided 57% of nonprofit news revenue in 2018; in 2024, that share had declined to 51%.

    But it’s not clear how much more revenue could come from other sources. Donations from readers tend to be provided in small amounts, so news organizations need a lot of them. And individuals donate to news organizations for a variety of reasons, so news organizations need to hire fundraisers who can craft a variety of messages. Getting large numbers of readers to donate is hard, however, because audiences for local news tend to be small.

    Nonprofit news organizations can also accept advertising. However, advertising is a taxable form of revenue, unlike donations. The IRS has also warned organizations that they can lose their tax-exempt status if they accept too much income that is “unrelated” to their nonprofit missions, including advertising.

    Pooling donor funds

    Ultimately, the nonprofit news leaders I interviewed say every type of revenue has its drawbacks. And the more complicated their revenue mix becomes, the more complicated their approach to fundraising has to be.

    Local news organizations already operating on shoestring budgets don’t have the capacity to complicate their fundraising, even though they say they agree with the general principle of revenue diversity.

    The nonprofit news leaders did have encouraging things to say about a newer fundraising trend: pooled donor funds. With pooled donor funds, multiple donors contribute to a single charity that serves as an intermediary that disburses that donated money to a particular kind of nonprofit.

    For the media, examples include the Institute for Nonprofit News’ NewsMatch and Press Forward, a coalition of 20 foundations.

    Pooled donor funds can be considered a form of revenue diversity, since they combine contributions from multiple sources and are used to persuade individual readers to “match” donations from the pooled funds with their own contributions. That can potentially insulate news organizations from major changes as grants from individual foundations come and go.

    Researching the role of ‘earned revenue’

    I plan to publish the results of another study soon. It’s about the role that “earned revenue,” meaning advertising, sponsorships and other entrepreneurial sources of money, is playing in the funding of nonprofit news media.

    The Institute for Nonprofit News has called it “perhaps the most underutilized revenue stream for nonprofit news.”

    But the nonprofit news leaders I interviewed had mixed feelings about earned revenue. In part, that was because of ambiguous guidance about how much of it news organizations may accept without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

    Given President Donald Trump’s recent threats against other nonprofits, including universities and hospitals, news organizations may be even more reluctant to test those limits.

    Katherine Fink 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. Nonprofit news media leaders are struggling to stop leaning on the foundations that say they should branch out more – https://theconversation.com/nonprofit-news-media-leaders-are-struggling-to-stop-leaning-on-the-foundations-that-say-they-should-branch-out-more-255821

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Making the MFF Fit for Purpose

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    Opening Remarks by Alfred Kammer, IMF European Department Director, for the Annual EU Budget Conference

    May 20, 2025

    Thank you for the opportunity to join this important discussion today on the EU budget.

    Europe stands at a transformative crossroads. The global environment is increasingly complex, and structural changes are reshaping the foundations of European economies. The challenges before us are significant: strengthening productivity and resilience amid demographic aging and rising geopolitical and trade tensions while increasing defense spending in a fiscally sustainable way, and enhancing energy security and accelerating the clean energy transition.

    This is an extraordinary combination of challenges, and it will take an extraordinary effort to meet them. The key is to combine (i) a determined push to complete the single market with (ii) national reforms to allow Europe’s firms to grow to scale. The benefits of doing both promise to be much larger than EU-level and national efforts could achieve on their own. For example, dropping “red tape” that holds back firms at the national level will have a significant larger effect on investment when supported by a much deeper and fully integrated European capital market. And (iii) we will need the EU budget to amplify these efforts by enabling the joint provision of European public goods and incentivizing national reforms. Just think of the importance of energy security for the single market—this is just one example of a European public good where the EU budget has an important role to play.

    The Multiannual Financial Framework, or MFF, has proven its strategic importance time and again. It has supported economic convergence through cohesion policy, and, more recently, the ambitious NextGenerationEU package launched in 2020 helped Europe recover from the pandemic with renewed resilience.

    Yet, once again, the scale and nature of the challenges ahead require a fundamental rethink. To remain fit for purpose, the upcoming MFF must undergo a comprehensive overhaul. Our recommendations focus on three critical areas.

    First, a more ambitious budget with a stronger focus on European public goods is needed.

    Over time, the MFF has evolved to reflect emerging needs, but it has not kept pace with the expanding list of challenges that demand a joint EU-level response. Its current size and structure are insufficient to meet the scale of new investments required.

    The budget must prioritize areas where EU action can deliver the greatest value—by generating positive spillovers, leveraging economies of scale, and also avoiding duplication between member states. These are the hallmarks of European public goods. Investments in energy security, defense capabilities, and research and innovation are clear examples where joint EU action is both necessary and efficient.

    To meet these needs, we must consider a significant increase in expenditures targeted at European public goods, from 0.4 percent of GNI currently to at least 0.9 percent, based on various estimates from the Commission and others. Doing so without reducing allocations to existing programs would imply increasing the MFF budget by at least 50 percent for the 2028–2034 period, from 1.1 percent of GNI to 1.7 percent of GNI.

    In the first instance, more EU spending on public goods would reduce the burden on national budgets for the provision of these public goods. But, importantly, this would not simply shift costs from the national to the EU level. With coordinated EU-level investment, greater efficiency will be achieved and, thus, net savings in the provision of these public goods will be generated. For instance, in the case of investments for the clean energy transition, we estimate that improved coordination at the EU level could reduce aggregate costs by approximately 7 percent. At a time when many countries face tight fiscal constraints, such efficiency gains are critical.

    Second, we must ensure the MFF is more performance-based, streamlined, and adaptable.

    At the core of this effort should be a stronger focus on performance. Linking financial support more systematically to outcomes—an approach implemented through the Recovery and Resilience Facility—can significantly improve the effectiveness of EU spending. The performance-based approach should be expanded across more areas of the EU budget, particularly where targeted financial incentives can catalyze national and regional reforms that complement EU objectives. But as we expand this approach, we must also ensure it remains as simple and transparent as possible—complexity can hinder both implementation and accountability. Programs under cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy are clear candidates. Importantly, though, effective implementation will also require leveraging local and regional expertise to tailor solutions to specific contexts.

    Beyond performance, the design of the MFF must be modernized to reduce complexity and increase strategic focus. Consolidating the more than 50 budgetary programs into a smaller number of thematic clusters, organized around key policy priorities, would help streamline the budget. Moreover, harmonizing requirements across programs would reduce the administrative burden for governments, organizations, and beneficiaries, while improving accessibility and implementation.

    The budget also needs to become more adaptable. The events of the past five years have demonstrated the need for greater flexibility to respond to evolving circumstances. Thus, the MFF should be equipped with a greater margin for reallocation within the budget and stronger flexibility instruments—backed by sufficient resources—to address more frequent and intense shocks. A mid-term review process within the regular budget cycle could continue to help respond to changing realities.

    Third, the financing framework of the budget must be strengthened.

    A more ambitious EU budget will require an enhanced financial capacity. Currently, the MFF is predominantly funded through national contributions based on GNI. To support a step-up in European public goods investment, the financing model should be expanded to include borrowing and more robust own resources.

    Borrowing capacity—particularly during the initial investment scale-up—can enable the EU to achieve shared objectives without delay, while smoothing the fiscal impact for member states over time. Moreover, bond-financing can support the further development of a European safe asset, thereby advancing capital market integration and contributing to macro-financial stability.

    At the same time, the long-term sustainability of the EU budget requires solid and predictable revenue sources. Progress on new own resources is essential—not only to finance existing debt obligations under NextGenerationEU, but also to underpin future borrowing. The Commission’s proposals, including revenue based on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and potentially a harmonized corporate tax base under the “Business in Europe” initiative, represent a meaningful step forward.

    In the longer term, additional revenue sources linked to European public goods—such as user fees on jointly funded infrastructure—may also play a role as the budget evolves toward supporting more EU-wide investments, even if the scope remains limited for now.

    In conclusion, meeting Europe’s complex challenges requires a more impactful EU budget. The next MFF presents a unique opportunity to scale up ambition, deliver on shared priorities, and transform the budget into a true engine for growth, resilience, and European sovereignty.

    This will not be an easy path. Increasing the budget, improving its design, and broadening its financing base will all require political consensus across member states. But the potential rewards are significant: a more united, more competitive, and more secure Europe.

    Thank you.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER:

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/20/sp052025-ak-making-the-mff-fit-for-purpose

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Plymouth Rock Assurance Announces Fourth Season of Fan-Favorite Series “The Bostonians”

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bruins® defenseman Hampus Lindholm returns to star alongside iconic Boston sports mascots Wally, Blades, and Pat Patriot

    BOSTON, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the fourth year in a row, Plymouth Rock Assurance welcomes back “The Bostonians”— a crew of Boston-inspired roommates, including Red Sox Groundskeeper, Patriots Militia Man, and the beloved sister from Lawrence—along with New England sports mascots and Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm, the official brand ambassador for Plymouth Rock’s Bruins Insurance Program. The first episode of season 4 has been released and highlights Plymouth Rock’s collaboration with the Red Sox.

    The 2025 installment of the series will continue the tradition of blending Boston sports culture with clever, locally inspired storytelling—delighting fans with familiar faces and lighthearted moments across Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and community-centered themes.

    Launched in 2022 with Boston-based creative agency Rival, the advertising campaign features the “Motley Crew” of Boston sports personalities alongside fan favorite mascots, including Blades, Pat Patriot, and Wally, living together in a fictional home. The short commercials will be featured in several TV spots airing on NESN and on Plymouth Rock’s YouTube page. Three other shorts will follow with the last episode airing in tandem with the kickoff of the 2025-2026 NHL season in October.

    “At Plymouth Rock, we take immense pride in supporting the Boston sports community—from the ice, to the field, to the diamond,” said Brad Baker, Managing Director, Marketing at Plymouth Rock Assurance. “Our ‘Bostonians’ series is a tribute to the fans, players, and shared moments that define this city’s unmatched sports culture. Whether you’re a Bruins, Patriots, or Red Sox fan, we’re honored to collaborate with these iconic teams and continue celebrating the people who make Boston sports so special.”

    Check out the latest videos of “The Bostonians” and meet the crew by visiting: https://www.plymouthrock.com/lp/thebostonians

    About Plymouth Rock
    Plymouth Rock was established to offer its customers a higher level of service and a more innovative set of products and features than they would expect from an insurance company. Plymouth Rock’s innovative approach puts customers’ convenience and satisfaction first, giving them the choice to do business the way they want—online, with a mobile app, by phone, or by contacting their Plymouth Rock agent. Customers can chat, text, or email to get answers quickly and easily. Plymouth Rock Assurance® and Plymouth Rock® are brand names and service marks used by separate underwriting, managed insurance, and management companies that offer property and casualty insurance in multiple states. Taken together, the companies write and manage more than $2.3 billion in auto and home insurance premiums across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

    Each underwriting and managed insurance company is a separate legal entity that is financially responsible only for its own insurance products. You can learn more about us by visiting plymouthrock.com.

    Contact:
    Kevin Long
    Plymouth Rock Assurance
    mediarelations@plymouthrock.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Trio enters into Letter of Intent to acquire 2000 acres in P.R. Spring Utah, one of largest tar-sand deposits in North America outside of Canada.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    California, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trio Petroleum Corp (NYSE American: TPET) (“Trio” or the “Company”), a California-based oil and gas company, is pleased to announce it has entered into a Letter of Intent to acquire 2000 acres at P.R. Spring, Unita Basin, Utah from Heavy Sweet Oil LLC. (HSO). According to a report provided by Dr. Douglas S. Hamilton, who holds Bachelor’s (HONs) and Ph.D. degrees in Geology from the University of Sydney, Australia, P.R. Spring area contains an estimated 6.75 billion barrels of OOIP within its basin boundary limits. This information was ascertained through detailed mapping of bitumen outcrops by various authors*, analysis of historical core hole and petroleum exploration wells, and examination of laboratory-derived measurements of porosity and oil saturation from 100’s of cores.

    An Optimization Study conducted by Dr Amanda Bustin, President of Bustin Earth Science Consultants, indicated a typical project well has an estimated ultimate recovery (“EUR”) of 300,000 barrels of oil with stable production rate exceeding approximately 40 barrels of oil per day. The 2000-acre parcel will support up to 1000 wells in seven well pods. Once complete Trio believes that the project, fully developed, could provide upwards of 50,000 barrels a day with an approximate 20-year life. With an expected initial total drilling and completion cost of less than $800,000 per well and declining with scale, we believe the economics and size of the opportunity are superlative and transformative for a company like Trio.

    The initial product from these wells will be commercial grade asphalt directly from the site for 90% of the production with an estimated 10% balance being a diesel range product. Both products are low sulfur and are expected to demonstrate a very low carbon footprint. This may enable our project to sell both spec commercial grade asphalt binder, which is expected to sell locally at a premium to WTI, as well as green diesel that is expected to sell at an even higher margin to WTI (per Valkor Oil and Gas LLC project developer and operator).

    Samples of produced oil from Heavy Sweet’s Asphalt Ridge project, which is located next to the P.R. Spring in the Unita Basin, confirm oil composition and above-ground facilities have been designed allowing for the separation of the two products, asphalt and diesel, providing the ability to capture product prices superior to WTI.

    The Operator is Heavy Sweet Oil, LLC, in partnerships with Valkor Oil and Gas LLC, a vertically integrated project development company with expertise in shallow heavy oil and in green and socially beneficial hydrocarbon projects.

    According to J. Wallace Gwynn of Energy News, the P.R. Spring Project is known to be one of the largest tar-sand deposits in North America outside of Canada, making it a potential giant oilfield, and is distinctive given its low wax and negligible sulfur content, which is expected to make the oil very desirable for many industries, including shipping. The project has the potential to be both large and highly profitable.

    As a result of this new opportunity, Trio allowed its option for an additional 77.75% in Asphalt Ridge to expire.

    Terms of Acquisition

    Upon the execution of the LOI by the Parties, Trio paid HSO a non-refundable payment of $150,000 for the option to acquire 2,000 acres of Trio’s choice and develop the P.R. Spring Project.

    Upon Trio entering into a Definitive Agreement with HSO for the P.R. Spring Project, at the closing of the Proposed Transaction (“Closing”) it is expected that Trio shall (i) issue to HSO 1,492,272 restricted shares of Trio’s common stock and (ii) pay to HSO $850,000, in cash, which shall be applied toward the acquisition and development of the P.R. Spring Project.

    It is also expected that Trio will provide 100% of the required capital expenditures for the development of the P.R. Spring Project, and Trio and HSO will each be entitled to 50% of the net profits derived from the P.R. Spring Project.

    Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Definitive Agreement, it is intended that Trio will construct a minimum of seven production wells in connection with the P.R. Spring Project, during the two-year period after the Closing.

    It is also expected that the Definitive Agreement will contain such other terms and conditions as are customary in an acquisition of this nature including, without limitation, representations and warranties, conditions for Closing and applicable indemnifications.

    Trio’s obligation to enter into the Definitive Agreement shall be subject to delivery of evidence of a minimum sustained production rate of 40 barrels per day for a continuous 30-day period from each of the two wells at the Asphalt Ridge site.

    *Gwynn published a Utah Geological Survey Open-File Report (no. 527) in 2008 that exhaustively compiled tar sand data for the P.R. Spring area from numerous resource-characterization and hydrocarbon reserve investigations. This compilation defines the area of the tar sand deposit at P.R. Spring (figure 4). Geological maps and measured sections of the tar sand deposits are presented in Whittier and Becker (1962) and Byrd (1967), and Gwynn (1971) and Clem (1984) attempted correlation of the bitumen-bearing sandstone units. Properties of the tar sand deposits are published in Johnson and others (1975a, b, c), Dana and Sinks (1984a, b), and Sinks (1985). Analysis of oil extracted from the tar sands is documented in Wood and Ritzma (1972). Reserves and economic potential are discussed in Dahm (1980) and Clem (1984).

    About Trio Petroleum Corp
    Trio Petroleum Corp is an oil and gas exploration and development company in California, Saskatchewan and Utah.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    All statements in this press release of Trio Petroleum Corp (“Trio”) and its representatives and partners that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Acts”). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words “estimates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “intends,” “on-track”, “plans,” “anticipates,” or “may,” and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Acts and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Acts. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may change. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the Trio’s control, that could cause actual results to materially and adversely differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth in the Risk Factors sections of the Trio reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of such documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Trio undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Redwood Empire Financial Communications
    Michael Bayes
    (404) 809 4172
    michael@redwoodefc.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Thrive Launches Compliance Center Offering Unrivaled Expertise

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today announced its new Compliance Center. The Compliance Center provides mid-market businesses and public sector organizations with valuable content that aligns with industry-specific needs and international regulations, delivering comprehensive support for diverse industries.

    As technology continues to advance, global regulatory expansion continues to advance protections around personal data from cyberattacks or other misuse. With new and evolving standards appearing on the international stage, such as DORA, the EU AI Act, and data privacy laws that differ region to region, maintaining compliance and seamless operations is becoming increasingly complex. With streamlined, compliance-friendly processes and technology in place, mid-market businesses and public sector organizations can focus on growth and innovation. Thrive’s tailored, scalable solutions align with industry-specific needs and international regulations.

    “Whether it’s industry-specific or government-enforced, organizations are facing stricter and ever-changing regulations to ensure they are protecting their users’ data,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Thrive empowers mid-market organizations across the globe to meet regulatory requirements, improve operations, and achieve business goals. By leveraging robust guidelines, best practices, and automation, Thrive optimizes security and mitigates potential fines.”

    Thrive currently supports organizations across various industries – including financial services, healthcare, and government operations – that want to maintain compliance in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Thrive services can effectively help modernize IT infrastructure, managing risk in data protection, business continuity planning, strategic consulting, vCISO services, and secure Cloud operations.

    The Compliance Center builds on Thrive’s teams of subject matter experts, including supporting organizations with DORA regulations, CMMC, CJIS, and more. Thrive experts are also trained to address specific regulatory requirements and policy areas, including HIPAA and SEC. For more information on our newest service, Cyber Essentials (CE) and Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) consulting, auditing, and certification, see here. To learn more about these offerings, visit Thrive’s website here.

    About Thrive

    Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

    Contacts

    Hannah Johnston

    thrive@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Best No Deposit Casino Bonus USA 2025 | Best Crypto Casino No Deposit – SuperSlots

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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    Media Contact:

    Project name : Superslots

    Address – 47 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011, USA
    Company Website: https://superslots-ag.com/
    Email: support@superslots-ag.com
    Phone: (08) 8326 3976
    Contact person name: Ryan
    contact person email: ryan@superslots-ag.com

    Disclaimer
    This information is for general and entertainment purposes only—not legal, financial, or gambling advice. Always verify details and follow your local laws. Gambling carries risks; wager responsibly and only what you can afford to lose, and seek help if you feel out of control. Some links may be affiliate links at no extra cost to you, and will may be unavailable or restricted in certain regions.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0389af05-bcb1-4d56-8a7c-36039fe63aaf

    The MIL Network