NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI: Metrika Successfully Completes Proof-of-Concept on Evaluating Operational Risks in Digital Assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Metrika, a leading provider of real-time, dynamic risk management solutions for digital assets and blockchain, collaborated with Moody’s Ratings on a proof-of-concept (PoC) to evaluate key risk indicators (KRIs) for digital assets, issued on multiple blockchains, focusing on operational challenges such as platform network health, governance breakdowns and others. This PoC provided an opportunity to explore insights into technological risks associated with digital assets across multiple blockchains. The collaboration helped evaluate potential approaches for identifying and addressing operational challenges in digital finance, including monitoring for issues that may emerge throughout the lifecycle of digital assets.

    Nikos Andrikogiannopoulos, CEO of Metrika, emphasized the significance of the collaboration: “By bringing our technology together with Moody’s Ratings’ expertise in evaluating financial exposures, we demonstrated how digital asset risks can be quantified within traditional risk assessment systems. Transparency and risk management are critical to supporting institutional engagement in tokenized finance.”

    “As tokenization gains momentum across industries, institutions need to be able to identify and manage potential operational vulnerabilities in digital finance effectively,” said Rajeev Bamra, Head of Strategy, Digital Economy at Moody’s Ratings. “The collaboration with Metrika allowed us to explore how digital finance risks can be systematically measured, ensuring transparency and data-driven insights as digital assets become more integrated into mainstream economy.”

    The PoC helped advance the analysis of institutional-grade digital assets by demonstrating the applicability of Metrika’s specialized risk metrics with Moody’s Ratings’ expertise in assessing financial exposures. The approach enables quantifiable, real-time risk monitoring at both protocol and asset levels, addressing a critical need in the rapidly evolving tokenized finance landscape.

    In this PoC, the collaboration explored how financial institutions could potentially benefit from:

    1. Seamless incorporation of tokenized assets into established evaluation processes
    2. Real-time risk insights to support informed decision-making
    3. Scalable analysis capabilities meeting growing institutional demand

    As tokenization continues to transform the marketplace, reliable assessments will become essential infrastructure for ensuring transparency and stability. 

    About Metrika

    Metrika is the leading provider of real-time, dynamic risk management solutions for digital assets and blockchain. Metrika’s SaaS platform enables financial institutions, enterprises, and regulatory bodies to proactively monitor, assess, and mitigate risks across tokenized assets, stablecoins, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain networks. By transforming fragmented, manual risk processes into structured, automated frameworks, Metrika delivers advanced analytics and industry-aligned Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) tailored for the evolving digital asset ecosystem. Trusted by global financial leaders, including G-SIBs, asset issuers, asset managers, credit rating agencies, and regulators, Metrika empowers organizations to enhance transparency, strengthen compliance, and build operational resilience. More information available on: www.metrika.co

    Contact

    Renjie Butalid

    VP Business Development

    Metrika

    renjie@metrika.co

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9a766e82-08ba-437a-b184-badc7ede249c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bank of Åland Plc: Decisions at the 2025 Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bank of Åland Plc
    Stock exchange release, decisions of general meeting
    March 25, 2025, 17.00 EET

    Decisions at the 2025 Annual General Meeting, Bank of Åland Plc (Ålandsbanken Abp)

    Adoption of financial statements and granting of discharge from liability of those accountable

    Today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bank of Åland Plc approved the adoption of the financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for 2024 and granted discharge from liability to those accountable for the financial year 2024.

    Dividend distribution and announcement of the record date for dividend payment

    In accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors, the AGM approved the distribution of a dividend of EUR 2.40 per share plus an extra dividend of EUR 0.35 per share for the accounting period January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. The record date for payment of the dividend is Thursday, March 27, 2025. The dividend payment date will be Thursday, April 3, 2025.

    Compensation report

    The AGM dealt with the Bank’s compensation report and adopted it.
     
    Election of the Board of Directors and fees for Board members

    The number of Board members was set at seven.

    The AGM unanimously re-elected Board members Anders Å Karlsson, Nils Lampi, Mirel Leino-Haltia, Malin Lombardi, Christoffer Taxell, Ulrika Valassi and Anders Wiklöf.

    The term of office of Board members covers the period until the end of the next AGM.

    At the statutory meeting of the Board the same day, Nils Lampi was elected as Chairman and Christoffer Taxell as Deputy Chairman of the Board.

    The Chairman will be paid an annual fee of EUR 37,000 and the Deputy Chairman will be paid an annual fee of EUR 31,500.

    Other Board members will each receive an annual fee of EUR 29,000.

    In addition, a fee will be paid for each Board and committee meeting attended.

    For Board meetings, the Chairman will be paid a fee of EUR 1,000 per meeting and each other member EUR 750 per meeting. For committee meetings, each Board member belonging to the committee will be paid a fee of EUR 750 per meeting and each Board member who is a committee chairman will be paid a fee of EUR 1,000 per meeting. In addition, compensation for travel and accommodation expenses as well as daily subsistence allowances are paid in compliance with the instructions of tax authorities and the Bank’s travel guidelines.

    Election of auditor and audit fees

    The AGM decided to appoint the authorised accounting firm of KPMG Oy Ab as auditor, with Henry Maarala (KHT) as auditor in charge. The term of office of the auditor covers the period until the end of the next AGM.

    The AGM decided to appoint the authorised accounting firm of KPMG Oy Ab, with certified sustainability auditor (KHT) Henry Maarala as sustainability auditor in charge. The term of office of the sustainability auditor covers the period until the end of the next AGM.

    The AGM approved the payment of the auditors’ fees as invoiced.

    The Board of Directors

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: RegEd Webinar with Datos Insights to Spotlight Distribution & Compensation Management Trends in the Insurance Industry

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Raleigh, NC, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RegEd, the leader in enterprise compliance and regulatory technology solutions, is partnering with Datos Insights to present a timely and insightful webinar, “The Future of Distribution & Compensation Management – Key Trends and Strategies.” The event will explore the rapidly evolving landscape of producer management, the increasing need for modernization, and how carriers can stay ahead by leveraging the latest technology solutions.

    As insurers navigate a shifting workforce demographic, the demand for streamlined onboarding, licensing, and compensation systems has never been greater. With 64% of carriers citing “ease of doing business” as a top priority and 42% investing in new DCM solutions, the industry is at a pivotal moment for transformation.

    The webinar will feature expert insights from Jackie Morales, Senior Principal at Datos Insights, Michael Pouliot, EVP of Sales at RegEd, and Jacob Spitzley, VP of Product Management at RegEd. Together, they will discuss key trends, including the role of automation, AI-driven workflows, and API-enabled integrations in shaping the future of distribution management.

    “The insurance industry is experiencing a massive shift as veteran producers retire and new generations enter the workforce with different expectations for digital efficiency,” said Michael Pouliot, EVP of Sales at RegEd. “Firms that fail to modernize their distribution and compensation management risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive landscape. This webinar will provide insurers with actionable insights to optimize their systems, reduce manual processes, and future-proof their distribution strategies.”

    Key topics to be covered include:

    • Bridging the Generational Technology Gap – Retaining institutional knowledge while modernizing operations.
    • Enhancing the Producer Experience – Automating onboarding, credentialing, and compliance for greater efficiency.
    • Strategic DCM Investments – Where insurers are focusing their technology spend to drive long-term growth.
    • Industry Best Practices – Leveraging modern solutions to streamline distribution and improve productivity.

    Event Details:
    Date: Tuesday, April 8th
    Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET

    Insurance executives, compliance professionals, and distribution leaders are encouraged to attend this essential session. To register, visit here.

    About RegEd 

    RegEd is the market-leading provider of RegTech enterprise solutions with relationships with more than 200 enterprise clients that represent more than 35 of the top 50 insurance companies. 

    Established in 2000 by former regulators, the company is recognized for continuous regulatory technology innovation with solutions hallmarked by workflow-directed processes, data integration, regulatory intelligence, automated validations, business process automation and compliance dashboards. The aggregate drives the highest levels of operational efficiency and enables our clients to cost-effectively comply with regulations and continuously mitigate risk. 

    Trusted by the nation’s top financial services firms, RegEd’s proven, holistic approach to RegTech meets firms where they are on the compliance and risk management continuum, scaling as their needs evolve and amplifying the value proposition delivered to clients. For more information, please visit www.reged.com. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan’s Indigenous Businesses Sector Showcased at Annual Gathering

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on March 25, 2025

    Largest Indigenous Economic Development Event in Country Returns for a Fourth Year

    Today, the Government of Saskatchewan hosted its fourth annual Indigenous Business Gathering (IBG) at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. This year’s event saw massive year-over-year growth with over 1,100 people registered and more than 130 trade show booths. 

    “Collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses is crucial for the future growth and success of our province and the Indigenous Business Gathering plays a vital role in making these connections possible,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “More Indigenous participation strengthens industries across our province while supporting economic reconciliation efforts. It is important that we recognize the growth and success of Indigenous owned businesses as they create jobs and opportunities in communities across Saskatchewan.”

    First Nations and Métis citizens represent over 17 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population, emphasizing the crucial role Indigenous-owned businesses and communities play in fostering economic growth in the province. In the fourth quarter of 2024, 4.7 per cent of Saskatchewan’s private businesses were majority-owned by Indigenous peoples. This was the third highest rate among the provinces and above the national average of 3.2 per cent. 

    [embedded content]

    “Kitsaki Management is proud to partner with the Indigenous Business Gathering,” Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership Chief Executive Officer Ron Hyggen said. “The connections formed here at IBG translate into real partnerships, contracts, and growth opportunities that might otherwise never materialize. By bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses together, we are not just networking, we are actively reshaping Saskatchewan’s economic landscape to be more inclusive and innovative.”

    Through the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation (SIIFC), the province is increasing access to capital for Indigenous communities and entities to participate in natural resource development and value-added agriculture.

    In 2024, SIIFC announced its first ever loan guarantee for a group of six Indigenous partners to support their investment in the Seven Stars Energy project alongside Enbridge. This project will financially benefit nearly 25 per cent of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous population.

    Projects like these are key to strengthening the provincial economy, while protecting and promoting Saskatchewan’s vibrant communities.

    For more information, visit: siifc.ca.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Dominican Republic Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations 4

    (Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    The new Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations, Wellington Bencosme, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    Prior to his appointment, Mr. Bencosme served as his country’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados from 2021 to 2025. 

    From 2018 to 2020, he was Minister Counsellor at his country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, during its term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.  Before that, from 2015 to 2018, he served as Minister Counsellor and Director of Relations with the United States and Canada at the Dominican Republic’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Between 2007 and 2013, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission at his country’s embassy in Washington, D.C., as well as Minister Counsellor between 2004 to 2007.  He has also worked as an economist, consultant and academic, specializing in international trade.

     Mr. Bencosme holds a Master of Science in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in economics, with a concentration in finance, from the University of Massachusetts, both in the United States.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: No. 9/2025 – Managers’ transactions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nasdaq Copenhagen                                                                                   
    Nikolaj Plads 6
    DK-1067 Copenhagen K   

    Copenhagen, 25 March 2025
    ANNOUNCEMENT no. 9/2025

    Managers’ transactions

    Pursuant to Article 19 of the market abuse regulation Cemat A/S hereby announces the following information received 24 March 2025.

    Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated  
    Name: Frede Clausen
    Reason for the notification:  
    Position/status: Chairman of the board of directors in Cemat A/S
    Initial notification/Amendment: Initial
    Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor  
    Name: Cemat A/S
    LEI: 213800899MWAZT9KQZ78
    Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted  
    Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument: Shares
    Identification code: ISIN DK0010271584
    Nature of the transaction: Purchase of shares
    Price(s): DKK 319,200
    Volume (s): 300,000
    Aggregated information:  
    • Aggregated volume
    		 300,000
    DKK 319,200, equivalent to DKK 1.064 per share
    Date of the transaction: 24 March 2025
    Place of the transaction: Nasdaq Copenhagen, XCSE
         

    Cemat A/S

    Jaroslaw Pawel Lipinski
    CEO                      

    This announcement has been prepared in a Danish-language and an English-language version. In case of doubt, the Danish version prevails.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Indiana Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by July Storms and Tornadoes

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Indiana of the April 23, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storms and tornadoes occurring on July 9, 2024.  

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Gibson, Knox, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick in Indiana, as well as Gallatin, Wabash and White counties in Illinois, and Henderson and Union counties in Kentucky.   

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises 

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. 

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.” 

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. 

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 23, 2025. 

    ### 

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Introduce Bills to Protect Public Lands from Trump Admin’s Mass Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    Legislation would restore laid off National Park and U.S. Forest Service workers who were illegally fired by the Trump admin

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Mark Kelly, Tina Smith, Ruben Gallego, Jeanne Shaheen, and Chris Van Hollen introduced the Protect Our Parks Act of 2025 and the Save Our Forests Act of 2025 to restore the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) workers who were illegally fired by the Trump administration to make sure our national parks and forests remain accessible, safe, and well-maintained.

    “We’re all for rooting out real government waste and abuse,” said Hickenlooper. “The Trump administration’s mass layoffs of public servants who care for our public lands and help prevent wildfires is not the way to do it. Colorado – and our economy – depend on the people who carry out this vital work.”

    Specifically, the Protect Our Parks Act of 2025 and the Save Our Forests Act of 2025 will:

    • Restore staffing levels at the NPS and USFS to improve visitor experience and ensure the safety and upkeep of public lands
    • Rehire recently terminated employees to address staffing shortages
    • Keep critical projects moving, including those funded under the Great American Outdoors Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act

    Following the Trump administration’s reckless decision to fire 3,400 USFS employees, Hickenlooper sounded the alarm and called on Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to reinstate them. He also wrote a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to resolve the staffing shortages caused by the mass layoffs of 2,300 NPS workers.

    Hickenlooper invited Amelia Hoffman, a veteran who was recently fired from her jobs as a USFS worker in Fort Collins, as his guest to President Trump’s Joint Address to uplift her story showing how these dangerous cuts impact Colorado.

    Full text of the Protect our Parks Act of 2025 is available HERE. Full text of the Save our Forests Act of 2025 is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More funding to combat rural and wildlife crime

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    More funding to combat rural and wildlife crime

    Funding boost for specialist rural and wildlife crime units.

    Rural communities will be better protected from the scourge of crimes such as equipment theft, livestock theft and hare coursing which can devastate countryside communities, farming and wildlife, through a funding boost to dedicated police units.

    The National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit will receive over £800,000 to continue their work tackling rural and wildlife crime, which can pose unique challenges for policing given the scale and isolation of rural areas.

    Funding to the National Rural Crime Unit will enable the unit to continue to increase collaboration across police forces, harnessing the latest technology and data to target the serious organised crime groups involved in crimes like equipment theft from farms.

    The National Wildlife Crime Unit will strengthen its ability to disrupt criminal networks exploiting endangered species both in the UK and internationally. Enhanced data analysis and financial investigation will help the unit track illegal wildlife profits and ensure offenders face justice.

    The funding comes as the government works with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to deliver the new Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy, to ensure the entire weight of government is put behind tackling rural crime.

    Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said:

    When you report a crime, it should be properly investigated, with victims having faith that justice will be delivered and criminals punished.

    But too often victims of crime in rural communities have been left feeling undervalued and isolated, whether it be famers having equipment or livestock stolen, or villages targeted by car thieves and county lines gangs. 

    This new funding, alongside the forthcoming Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy and our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will help deliver the change rural communities deserve, ensuring no matter where you live your streets are safe and police responsive to your local needs as we continue to deliver on our Plan for Change.

    The government is determined to ensure its Safer Streets Mission applies to all communities no matter where they live with rural communities set to benefit from more visible local policing through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

    This will deliver 13,000 more neighbourhood police officers and police community support officers by the end of the Parliament as part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

    Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said:

    For too long, rural crime has gone unpunished. Organised crime, fly-tipping and farm theft blight our countryside.

    This government will crackdown on these criminals and bring them to justice with specialist rural policing units to protect farmers and our rural communities.

    The new funding follows the government’s flagship Crime and Policing Bill, which gives police and local authorities new powers to tackle crime, including crimes that do real damage to rural communities.

    This includes new statutory guidance for local authorities to support them to make full and proper use of their fly-tipping enforcement powers.

    New warrantless powers of entry for police to enter premises identified by electronic mapping will give officers a valuable tool to tackle equipment and machinery stolen from farms and agricultural businesses. 

    The government is committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 which will make it harder for criminals to sell stolen agricultural equipment. Secondary legislation is due to be introduced later this year.

    Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, Head of National Rural Crime Unit said:

    This funding is critical and will enable information sharing and joint operations to continue across the UK facilitated by the National Rural Crime Co-Ordinator.

    The contribution to the replacement of the operational team vehicles is equally important as it will allow the continued support of forces on the ground and recovery of stolen equipment which since the inception of the team in 2023 stands at over £22 million.

    Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, Head of UK Wildlife Crime said:

    This funding is a significant step forward in the fight against wildlife crime. By enhancing our intelligence capabilities and strengthening enforcement, we will be better equipped to protect endangered species and disrupt the criminals who exploit them.

    The UK is seen as a centre of excellence in tackling this global issue, working closely with international partners to ensure a safer future for our planet’s wildlife.

    The funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit will reinforce the UK’s leadership in global wildlife crime prevention, through the unit’s work with INTERPOL and global enforcement agencies to combat the illegal wildlife trade on a worldwide scale.

    Wildlife crime not only threatens biodiversity but also fuels organised crime and corruption.

    Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:

    Rural crime blights the countryside, so we welcome the news of more funding as well as the upcoming launch of the new national strategy.

    Farmers and communities – many already struggling with isolation – have had enough of criminals and violent organised gangs targeting them. They deserve to feel safe and protected.

    As recent CLA analysis found, some police forces lack dedicated rural officers and basic kit. This new funding is a step in the right direction in the fight against rural crime, and must be used to equip more officers as well as improve training for call handlers.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: aiCraft.Fun Soars to 500K+ Users in a Month, 1st AI Revolution on Monad Ready to Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — aiCraft.fun, a rising star in the AI and Web3 space featured on Bitcoin.com, is making significant strides as the leading AI Agent Launchpad on Monad, a high-performance Layer-1 blockchain. With a user base approaching 500K+ in just one month, and a notable presence at the PLS 369 Conference in Las Vegas, the platform is positioning itself as a key player in the intersection of AI, blockchain, and real-world business applications.

    aiCraft.fun: Expanding Reach Through 20+ Strategic Partnerships

    aiCraft.fun has secured partnerships with Kintsu, Magma, Bean Exchange, and 17+ other firms, broadening its AI Agent applications across diverse sectors. aiCraft’s AI Agents optimize supply chain processes, leveraging Monad’s 10,000 TPS throughput via parallel execution on Kintsu, a liquid staking platform. AI solutions by aiCraft also enter the entertainment sector in collaboration with Magma, a Web3 gaming infrastructure provider, to transform in-game economies—an industry projected to reach $8.6 billion in revenue by 2027, per Newzoo research.

    These collaborations build on aiCraft’s existing work with Fizen.io, integrating Travel AI Agents into the Fizen Super App and its portfolio of 4,000+ global gift card brands, including Nike, Adidas, and Uber. They showcase aiCraft’s ability to deliver tailored AI solutions across industries.

    Unmatched Community Growth: 500K+ Users and 12M Transactions in Over One Month

    As a result of massive go-to-market strategies, aiCraft.fun’s growth trajectory is striking, signaling a huge launch ahead. The platform has surged to over half a million users in just over a month—a 141% jump from the 360K reported on March 17, 2025—while racking up 12M transactions, a 200% increase from 6M in the same period. This meteoric rise has solidified aiCraft’s position as a Top 3 dApp on Monad, surpassing giants like Uniswap and Magic Eden.

    With a weekly active user (WAU) of 210K, and a global reach spanning the US, UK, Hong Kong, China, Japan, aiCraft.fun is capturing the imagination of creators and businesses worldwide. Its $AICFUN token sale has also sparked buzz, with over 200 KOLs sharing posts, reflecting the excitement around this AI Agent platform.

    Hit the Spotlight at PLS 369 Conference: AI Meets Crypto Innovation

    aiCraft.fun’s momentum reached new heights at the PLS 369 Conference, at the Flamingo Las Vegas Conference Center. The team was thrilled to see their advisor, Joey Bertschler, take the stage on the AI panel, bringing aiCraft’s vision of smart tech solutions to the forefront of the crypto and business innovation conversation. Joey, a thought leader with ties to OpenAI and Forbes, highlighted how platforms like aiCraft are bridging AI and blockchain to solve real-world problems, from travel to retail to gaming.

    “Seeing Joey at PLS 369 was a proud moment for us,” said Harry, CEO of aiCraft.fun. “We’re en route to making AI Agents a cornerstone of Web3 innovation, and events like these put aiCraft in the global spotlight where it belongs.”

    Why aiCraft.fun Is the Future of AI and Web3

    Built natively on Monad—a Layer-1 blockchain with $244M in funding and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility—aiCraft.fun empowers creators to train, deploy, and monetize AI Agents easily. From Sales Agents driving revenue for travel and retail to Income Generation Agents earning passive income via tips and commissions, the platform’s one-click deployment and tokenization features (via Initial Agent Offerings) are a game-changer.

    With the massive buzz on X by KOL, 20 B2B partners ready to deploy AI Agents, and a technical advisor from OpenAI and Forbes, aiCraft.fun is not just a dApp—it’s a movement. Harry expressed deep appreciation for the platform’s community: “We’re incredibly grateful to the aiNADs community for driving this growth. Their support has been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to be launching our first AI Agent with our partners and rolling out the $AICFUN token.” Built on Monad, which has raised $244 million and offers Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, aiCraft is preparing to deploy its first AI Agent and launch its token, marking a pivotal step in its journey.

    Join the AI Revolution Today

    The future of AI and Web3 is here, and aiCraft.fun is leading the charge. Whether you’re a creator looking to earn passive income or a business aiming to supercharge operations, now is the time to get involved.

    Get involved & stay updated:
    Website: https://aicraft.fun/
    X: https://x.com/aicraftfun

    Contact:
    Evelyn Wong
    CMO
    info@aicraft.fun

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the aiCraft Pte.Ltd. 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.

    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/5112775a-da9e-4f15-9c16-e44a504fe80e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: In the age of AI-powered deepfake attacks, Trust Stamp unveils cutting-edge protection against the rising threat of both deepfakes and injection attacks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Atlanta, GA, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trust Stamp announces a groundbreaking innovation in biometric security with the allowance by the United States Patent and Trademark Office of a patent application for its “Shape Overlay for Proof of Liveness” mechanism. This disruptive advancement improves the security of remote person authentication by defending it against deepfake and injection attacks.

    As digital fraud techniques become increasingly sophisticated, traditional biometric authentication methods face significant security challenges. One of the most critical vulnerabilities is the use of deepfake technology and injection attacks, where malicious actors attempt to bypass biometric security systems using pre-captured or AI-generated images. Trust Stamp’s novel Shape Overlay for Proof of Liveness counters these threats by implementing an interactive challenge-response mechanism.

    This patented approach requires users to interact with randomly generated shape overlays on their device screens, ensuring real-time verification of a live subject. Unlike other solutions that demand specialized hardware, Trust Stamp’s system is designed to function seamlessly across all smartphone models, making it an accessible and cost-effective security measure.

    Andrew Gowasack, President and Co-Founder of Trust Stamp, underscores the importance of this technology, “The rise of deepfake technology poses a significant threat to biometric security, and our solution provides an additional line of defense. By incorporating interactive liveness verification, we make biometric authentication far more resilient against injection attacks and fraudulent access attempts.”

    Dr. Norman Poh, Chief Science Officer of Trust Stamp, highlights the accessibility of the innovation, “This solution offers a highly adaptable challenge-response mechanism that can be implemented on any smartphone, regardless of make or budget. By eliminating the need for specialized hardware, we ensure that robust biometric security is available to everyone.”

    Trust Stamp continues to lead the industry in AI-powered biometric authentication, developing innovative solutions that prioritize security, privacy, and accessibility. With the Shape Overlay for Proof of Liveness, Trust Stamp reaffirms its commitment to protecting digital identities in an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape.

    Inquiries

    Trust Stamp                                                   Email: Shareholders@truststamp.ai
    Andrew Gowasack, President

    About Trust Stamp

    Trust Stamp is a global provider of AI-driven identity authentication solutions. Specializing in privacy-first biometric security, Trust Stamp delivers cutting-edge technology to enhance digital identity protection across financial services, government, and enterprise applications. For more information, visit www.truststamp.net.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Growers Edge Announces Brian Weis as Managing Director of Mortgage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JOHNSTON, Iowa, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Growers Edge, a financial technology firm that provides modern financial products and data-driven tools for agricultural retailers, manufacturers, and lenders, today announced Brian Weis as Managing Director, Mortgage.

    A former senior vice president at Fairway Independent Mortgage and vice president at Guaranteed Rate, Weis has a track record of scaling high-performing sales teams, building systems that turn loan officers into category leaders, and forging profitable industry relationships that benefit his team and clients.

    “From growing up on a dairy farm, I learned that agriculture is about more than just crops and livestock: it’s about having the right support when you need it,” said Weis. “At Growers Edge, we’ll provide that support by helping growers unlock capital they can use to improve and expand their businesses.”

    Since joining Growers Edge in January, Weis has focused on three key initiatives:

    • Strategic partnerships: Through expanded partnerships with funding sources like Farm Credit System and other ag-focused banks, Growers Edge is building a framework for flexible wholesale lending.
    • New product development: By empowering some of the world’s biggest retail originators to invent and streamline their own digital mortgage processes, Growers Edge is ensuring ag lenders and growers get the same access and convenience.
    • Loan officer empowerment: By helping loan officers specialize in complex FSA and RD loans, Growers Edge is delivering a tech-enabled competitive edge with technology that enhances loan officer relationships with growers.

    “We brought Brian on board to develop deep relationships with two key groups: ag-focused banks and their grower customers,” said Matt Hansen, CEO of Growers Edge. “As a next step, we’ll link them with a technical engine that transfers farmland data into accurate land valuations and deliver the first end-to-end lending experience for the agricultural industry.”

    Last year, Growers Edge acquired AQUAOSO Technologies, which offers its services under the Agcor brand and provides mapping, data, and analytics software for agricultural lenders. After expanding RangeAg, its farmland valuation tool, to cover more than 144 million acres of land across nine states, Growers Edge also announced it protected over 1 million acres of American farmland from downside risk.

    About Growers Edge

    Growers Edge provides modern financial products and data-driven tools that help forward-thinking agriculture retailers, manufacturers, and lenders reduce their growers’ risks and costs when adopting newer innovative solutions and practices. The company’s crop plan warranty and input financing solutions are trusted by dozens of retailers and manufacturers to assist hundreds of growers affordably purchase their products and guarantee yields on over one million acres of cropland.

    Media Contact
    Sergut Dejene
    sergut@propllr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Christodoulos Patsalides: Current landscape and future challenges

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, colleagues,

    It is a great pleasure to welcome you today to this conference, jointly organized by the Central Bank of Cyprus and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). I extend my sincere gratitude to our distinguished speakers and participants for joining us today to engage in an important discussion on the structural transformation of the Cypriot economy over the recent years.

    Cyprus stands at a pivotal moment in its ongoing economic evolution. Over the past decade, we have witnessed significant shifts in our economic and banking models, from the recovery following the financial crisis of 2013 to a more diversified and resilient economy today. At the same time, global and regional developments-including geopolitical and trade tensions, technological advancements, and climate imperatives- are shaping a new economic reality that requires strategic adaptation and agile forward-looking policies, but they are also fueling uncertainty that warrants vigilance and agility.

    The ESM has played a crucial role in safeguarding financial stability in the euro area and has been a key partner in Cyprus’s economic recovery and resilience. Its role in ensuring a robust macroeconomic and financial performance is as relevant today as it was during the crisis years. However, stability and robustness alone are not enough-we must also ensure that our economy is built on a foundation of sustainability, innovation, and inclusiveness.

    The Banking Sector: a pillar of economic stability

    A critical component of our economic transformation has been the strengthening of our banking sector. Over the past decade, Cyprus has made remarkable progress in enhancing financial stability, reducing non-performing loans, and improving regulatory oversight. The banking sector today is resilient and enjoys stronger capital and  liquidity buffers, among the highest in the euro area. These reforms have positioned our financial institutions to support economic growth more effectively.

    Looking ahead, the continued modernization of our banking system will be crucial. Embracing digitalization, strengthening financial literacy, and ensuring access to financing for businesses and households are key priorities. Additionally, aligning with European banking standards and sustainability frameworks will further enhance the sector’s role in fostering long-term economic stability. The resilience and adaptability of our financial institutions will be instrumental in supporting Cyprus’s broader economic transformation.

    Structural Changes: the future of the Cypriot economy

    Cyprus has made substantial progress in bolstering its financial system and expanding its economic diversification. However, structural challenges persist, and our discussions today will center on effective strategies to tackle them. I will now mention some of the key areas of transformation that have strengthened Cyprus’s ability to withstand external shocks, whether from financial market fluctuations, geopolitical shifts, or supply chain disruptions:

    We have reduced reliance on traditional sectors and expanded our footprint on industries such as technology, fintech, and renewable energy.

    The adoption of digital financial services enhanced productivity, and promoted  innovation.

    We have aligned our economy with European and global sustainability goals, thus ensuring that growth is both environmentally responsible and economically viable.

    As regards labour market and skills development, we have adopted demographic changes by fostering lifelong learning, and ensuring that our workforce is equipped with the skills necessary for the jobs of the future.

    Structural reforms and the Stability and Growth Pact

    Structural changes are not just a necessity for economic modernization, they are also closely linked to the European framework for fiscal and economic governance. The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) sets the rules for sound public finances in the euro area, ensuring that fiscal policies support economic stability and sustainable growth. As Cyprus continues its path of economic transformation, it is imperative that our structural reforms are aligned with the principles of fiscal responsibility, debt sustainability, and macroeconomic resilience. The budget surplus for 2024, which reached 4,5% of GDP, illustrates our commitment to fiscal responsibility. Furthermore, the trajectory of public debt, which reached 61,9% in January 2025, reinforces the country’s progress toward long-term financial stability.

    The SGP framework emphasizes structural reforms that enhance productivity, competitiveness, and economic resilience. For Cyprus, this means:

    • Strengthening public finances further while supporting growth-enhancing reforms in key sectors.
    • Ensuring that investments in digital and green transformation are conducted in a fiscally sustainable manner.
    • Enhancing the efficiency of public administration and regulatory frameworks, fostering an environment that supports private sector growth and innovation.

    At the Central Bank of Cyprus, we recognize the importance of the balance between fiscal prudence and strategic investment in long-term growth. Our policies must safeguard that Cyprus continues to comply with the European fiscal framework while creating the conditions for sustainable economic progress.

    A shared responsibility for the future

    While challenges remain, Cyprus has repeatedly exhibited through time endurance and its ability to adapt, reform, and progress. It is now the time to navigate the next steps in this journey, identifying policy priorities, investment opportunities, and regulatory frameworks that will further shape a healthy and prosperous future of our economy. A research and policy center has been recently established at the Central Bank of Cyprus, dedicated to conducting in-depth analysis and research to inform and guide our policy decisions.

    I encourage an active engagement in today’s discussions, exchange of ideas, and exploring solutions that will enable Cyprus to position itself as a dynamic, competitive, and resilient economy within the euro area and beyond.

    Once again, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our ESM colleagues for their collaboration and I wish you all a productive and insightful participation.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Frank Elderson: Resilience offers a competitive advantage, especially in uncertain times

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    We are living in unprecedented, turbulent times. Not a single week goes by without significant shifts in the global economy. We are seeing a surge in tariffs, an unravelling of global trade and a growing transatlantic divide leading to new geopolitical realities, all while wars continue right on our doorstep.

    Meanwhile, the debate on financial regulation is also intensifying. Some have raised the question as to whether regulation and supervision have become too conservative that they may be hindering competitiveness. Perhaps some of the investors and bankers here in this room are asking themselves the very same question.

    In my remarks today, I will highlight that, particularly in an era of heightened economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts, we need competitive banks that ensure the flow of finance into investment and innovation. I will argue, however, that a vital pre-condition for banks to play their fundamentally important role of financing the real economy is that they remain resilient. Because a banking system that cannot withstand shocks cannot reliably finance the economy, especially when it matters most. And while there are merits in removing undue complexity from the regulatory framework without compromising resilience, the debate on competitiveness should not be used as a pretext for watering down regulation. Rather than reducing complexity by lowering regulatory requirements, it would be more effective to achieve simplification through European harmonisation: don’t cut rules, harmonise them.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: José Luis Escrivá: Address at the presentation of the 20th King of Spain Prize in Economics

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good afternoon.

    Firstly, I would like to thank Your Majesty for being present at today’s King of Spain Prize in Economics award ceremony and for gracing this institution with your attendance once again.

    The King of Spain Prize in Economics was established in 1986 by the Fundación José Celma Prieto. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the foundation’s president, Javier Celma, for continuing the generous patronage his father began.

    For this twentieth edition of the award, it has been my honour to preside the prize jury, made up by Álvaro Rodríguez Bereijo as vice-president, José Ramón Álvarez Rendueles, José Luis Feito Higueruela, Julio Segura, Carmen Reinhart and Carmen Herrero Blanco.

    Following its deliberations on 29 October last year, the panel resolved to award the King of Spain Prize in Economics to Roberto Serrano for his brilliant academic and research trajectory, reflected in the quantity and quality of his publications. The prize winner is also an example of personal merit and dedication to the community as an economist.

    Roberto Serrano was born in Madrid in 1964 and holds a degree in Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid, where he started his teaching career as an assistant lecturer. He was subsequently awarded a Fundación Ramón Areces Fellowship and a Fulbright Fellowship, which enabled him to pursue his M.A. and PhD studies at Harvard University. He completed his PhD there in 1992 under the direction of professors Mas-Colell, Maskin (2007 Nobel Prize in Economics) and Green. Serrano became a professor of economics at Brown University in 1997, when he was only 33 years old, and is currently the Harrison S. Kravis Professor at Brown University.

    Professor Serrano defines himself as an economic theorist. Economic theory works with abstract and mathematical models to shed light on the functioning and behaviour of the economy. And within economic theory, Serrano has specialised in microeconomics, which focuses on the behaviour of individuals and firms as economic agents. Microeconomics is often overshadowed by macroeconomics, which deals with large aggregates and dominates economic news. This is why microeconomists often receive less attention and recognition. This prize rightfully acknowledges the centrality (which I believe is growing) of microeconomics in economic science. As the availability of microdata and the computational capacity for processing them has grown, not only has it become necessary to develop new empirical instruments to analyse them, but also new microeconomic conceptual models to understand the logic and fundamentals of the results obtained.

    In the realm of microeconomics, professor Serrano is recognised globally as a leading authority in game theory, which studies strategic decisions made by individuals or “players” in situations where each participant’s outcome depends on the decisions of others.

    Among his numerous research contributions are his studies on the non-cooperative aspects of cooperative game theory and his work on designing mechanisms that steer players’ behaviour towards achieving the best outcome for everyone involved, even without mutual cooperation. He also made a significant contribution to risk measurement by developing a risk index in 2008 in collaboration with Nobel laureate Robert Aumann.

    Roberto Serrano has published over 80 papers on economics, game theory, operational research and applied mathematics in high-impact academic journals. Ten of these articles have appeared in some of the most prestigious economics journals.

    Roberto’s primary concern is improving our understanding of economic reality, thereby fostering societal development. His aim is to better comprehend market mechanisms and economic agents’ incentives in order to help design policies that increase social well-being.

    Teaching and sharing knowledge are also integral to his work. He has authored two textbooks, on intermediate microeconomics and welfare economics, which are widely used in universities around the world. As a professor, he has won high praise from his students and has received several awards for his excellence in teaching.

    He was included in “The Best 300 Professors”, a guidebook published by The Princeton Review for “finding teachers with the power to change your life”. In it, the 300 highest-rated professors are selected from 60 different academic fields based on interviews with millions of undergraduate students in the United States.

    Roberto was elected a Fellow of the Econometric Society in 2013 and a Fellow of the Game Theory Society in 2017. Among his editorial work, his role as editor-in-chief of Economic Letters between 2011 and 2017 is noteworthy.

    Roberto Serrano has achieved all this after overcoming great challenges, as he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when he was a teenager, which made him progressively lose his sight until he became completely blind. Thanks to his determination and the support of his father, Carlos, he was able to finish his university studies with excellent grades. Indeed, the tribute paid to Carlos Serrano by the Complutense University in 2005, with the attendance of his son, was entirely fitting. Fourteen years later, Roberto himself was awarded the title of doctor honoris causa by his alma mater, as a testament to his exceptional merit and personal dedication to the good of the community.

    Your Majesty, thanking you once again for your presence at this ceremony, it only remains for me, with your permission, to ask the prize winner to step up to receive the 20th King of Spain Prize in Economics.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Dimitar Radev: Bulgaria currently fulfils unconditionally all nominal convergence criteria

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Dear colleagues and guests,

    Thank you for inviting me to open today’s conference. It is taking place at a particularly dynamic and challenging moment for both the global and the Bulgarian economy. Such forums are extremely useful for the exchange of analyses, opinions and ideas at a time when the need to adapt economic processes to new realities is becoming increasingly clear.

    Let’s start with the geopolitical context. In my opinion, at least for the last 35 years, it has not been as important for the economic and financial, but also for the political development of Bulgaria, as it is now.

    The key words for today’s geopolitical context are uncertainty and unpredictability about what lies ahead or, as the President of the ECB very well put it these days, quoting Paul Valéry: “The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be.”

    The obvious question is, what to do in such an environment? Politicians are facing it, but not only them. It is not my job to give advice on what should be done on the political front, at least not in my capacity. I shall therefore confine myself to one sentence: Active participation in strengthening and developing the European project in today’s geopolitical context is the surest guarantee for Bulgaria’s good prospects.

    I will focus more on the economic and financial aspects.

    Developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, the increasing trade conflicts between leading economies and the process of geopolitical fragmentation, as well as the boom in digital technology development are triggering significant structural transformations in global supply chains with uncertain duration, depth and consequences.

    These developments are already having a tangible impact on international trade, leading to increased volatility in commodity prices and forcing a number of countries to adapt their economic and, in particular, industrial policies to rising protectionism worldwide. In pursuit of economic security, many economies are reviewing their dependence on external suppliers and taking measures to localise critical industries, restructuring their production chains.

    These developments are likely to have an increasing impact on Europe, which remains one of the most vulnerable economies in the context of global geopolitical uncertainties, especially with regard to energy resources. For us, this vulnerability is an even more serious risk factor, given that our country remains one of the most energy-intensive economies in Europe. Breaking long-standing energy dependencies, soaring gas and electricity prices and the need for accelerated energy transformation pose serious challenges to European economies. Energy costs continue to be significantly higher than in the US and some Asian economies, creating serious structural challenges for the competitiveness of European industry.

    In this complex global environment, Bulgaria’s starting macroeconomic position is actually not at all bad. In 2024, the country’s real GDP grew by 2.8%, i.e. above expectations, and according to the latest BNB forecast, economic growth will remain stable on positive territory, standing at 2.5% this year and 3.0% in 2026. Growth will be supported primarily by domestic demand in a context of historically very low unemployment and the absence of macroeconomic imbalances.

    The performance of our banking sector remains robust, with capital buffers, liquidity coverage and profitability above the EU average.

    Despite the deterioration of fiscal indicators in recent years, our country still has manoeuvrability, both in terms of the fiscal space available and in terms of the opportunities to restore the fiscal buffers exhausted by the recent budgets.

    Last but not least, our country currently fulfils unconditionally all nominal convergence criteria, including the price stability criterion, with which we have had problems in recent years.

    For a small and open economy like ours, which is highly integrated into global supply chains, geopolitical developments also pose a number of risks, mostly related to:

    • a continued decline in foreign demand for Bulgarian goods and services, especially in view of the deepening structural challenges faced by some of our main euro area trading partners; and
    • increased fluctuations in the prices of key energy and non-energy raw materials, which affect business production costs and household disposable income.

    In an environment of such risks, it is essential that the economy is well prepared for unexpected shocks affecting the aggregate supply of goods and services. Macroeconomic preparations mainly consist of maintaining sufficient buffers in the banking and fiscal sectors. On the one hand, the existence of such buffers would contribute to cushioning the effect of materialisation of risks and, on the other hand, to adapting to and potentially benefiting from changes in the global economy, such as the restructuring of global production chains. A good example in this regard in recent years is the relatively smooth transition of the Bulgarian economy through the COVID crisis. The high levels of fiscal reserve and bank capitalisation maintained at that time allowed our country to recover relatively quickly from the crisis and without the need for external financial support.

    In such an environment, it is extremely important to break the momentum of quantitative and structural deterioration of our fiscal position and restore fiscal buffers. I will give the following example. By the end of 2024, the fiscal reserve reached its historical low, both as a percentage of GDP (4.7%) and as a percentage of total budgetary expenditure under the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (12.3%). For comparison, the average values of these indicators for the last two decades amounted to 8.8% and 24.4%, respectively. The consolidation of the fiscal stance will remain a serious medium-term challenge against the objective need for higher public investment and military expenditure.

    Let me also say a few words about the role of the BNB. In this uncertain environment, the BNB will continue to apply conservative supervisory and regulatory policies, introducing preventive measures to ensure the resilience of the banking system. The consistency and predictability of the policies we pursue are key to the confidence of the banking sector, businesses and investors.

    Our approach will continue to include:

    • maintaining high capital and liquidity buffers that ensure the resilience of the banking system;
    • strict supervision of lending to avoid the accumulation of excessive risks on banks’ balance sheets; and
    • policy flexibility so that we can respond adequately to new challenges, including in terms of anticipatory economic growth objectives.

    In other words, we not only want to ensure stability, but also to create a predictable environment in which economic actors can plan and invest with greater confidence.

    Finally, of course, I will also touch on the subject of the country’s accession to the euro area.

    This topic unites more strongly than before the current issues we are discussing from geopolitics to economics and finance.

    We have, indeed, one final step left. I am convinced that we are able to do it with dignity and self-confidence. It is not by chance that I emphasised that at the moment our country meets all the convergence criteria.

    As a central bank, we are focused both on the successful implementation of this final step and on our full readiness to work in the context of the shared monetary sovereignty of the euro area. This includes two main groups of tasks.

    The first relates to the operationalisation of the existing capacity to operate in the euro area, including the performance of functions that we cannot perform in a currency board environment. These functions relate both to the participation in defining the Eurosystem’s monetary policy, which required the building of strong analytical capacity, and to the implementation of the common monetary policy at national level through its main instruments, including the conduct of open market operations, the preparation of conditions for participation and the technical provision of access for Bulgarian banks to the ECB’s standing facilities. In addition to our participation in the process of creating and distributing the money supply, the BNB will also act as a lender of last resort, providing extraordinary liquidity support to Bulgarian banks in case of need.

    The second task is related to logistics and technical preparation of the process of exchange and functioning of the banking system in the context of the euro area. What has been done so far is truly unprecedented for the bank and the country in terms of scale and technical complexity. It includes construction and renting of areas; supply of machinery, equipment and materials; providing in practice a new fleet of armoured and security vehicles; creation of a qualitatively new payment and IT infrastructure; development and approval of transport schemes and security systems; full readiness to mint Bulgarian euro coins and deliver the necessary euro banknotes; obtaining the necessary licences and certificates; carrying out a large number of public procurements. I am making this incomplete enumeration to underline two things: first that we have been working hard on this topic and not since yesterday or today; and second, that the BNB and the banking sector are very ready to join and operate within a euro area context.

    Allow me to finish with a few conclusions:

    • First, geopolitical uncertainty is one of the main risks to the country’s economy and finances and requires the maintenance of buffers in the banking and fiscal spheres and readiness to implement adaptive policies;
    • Second, the banking sector is well prepared to face the risks stemming from the external macroeconomic environment and can play an important role in the materialisation of potential development opportunities for key sectors of the economy by channelling credit resources to them;
    • Third, unlike the banking sector, public finances need to restore fiscal buffers in the medium term while preserving the long-term sustainability of government debt; and
    • Fourth, joining the euro area has enormous potential to become a catalyst for the country to navigate successfully in the face of global uncertainty. And this potential needs to be exploited.

    Thank you for your attention and I wish you interesting and fruitful discussions!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Tiff Macklem: Navigating tariff uncertainty

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Introduction

    Good morning. It’s a pleasure to be here in Alberta. I want to thank Calgary Economic Development for the invitation. The last time I spoke in Calgary was about 18 months ago-September 2023. The post-pandemic crisis was easing, but uncertainty remained. Inflation was still above 3%, and the Bank of Canada’s policy interest rate was 5%. Canadians were being squeezed by still-elevated inflation and higher interest rates. Could we get inflation back to our 2% target without tipping the economy into recession?

    As 2024 closed out, this question was largely resolved. Inflation was on target, and economic growth had picked up. The Canadian economy was in good shape.

    Inflation came down through the first half of last year and had been close to 2% since last summer. As the Bank’s Governing Council became more confident that inflation was on track to return to target, we began reducing our policy interest rate, starting last spring. Substantial rate cuts through the rest of the year boosted household spending, and economic growth picked up to 2.2% in the third quarter and 2.6% in the fourth. Employment growth also strengthened in November through January, and the unemployment rate came down.

    The Canadian economy managed a soft landing. Unfortunately, we’re not going to stay on the tarmac for long.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fighting fake news: how media in Kenya and Senegal check facts

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Layiré Diop, Professseur de communication, Francis Marion University

    Misinformation has accelerated in recent years, in speed and volume. Studies show that Africans are exposed to misinformation and disinformation on a regular basis.

    Disinformation refers to false information deliberately created to cause harm. Misinformation consists of false information that wasn’t created with the intention of harming individuals or groups. Either way, it’s often difficult to know whether something is true and accurate.

    Media fact-checking and media literacy have become more important than ever.

    As specialists in media and mass communication, we conducted a study of strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation. We also examined the role and impact of fact-checking practices. This research is based on 42 interviews conducted in 2021 with media professionals in Kenya and Senegal.

    The participants fell into three main categories. Some were journalists, while others specialised in fact-checking. The rest were individuals who influenced media policies, including government officials, thinktank employees and academics.

    Findings indicate that media professionals in Senegal and Kenya employ reactive fact-checking strategies such as cross-checking information from sources and verifying images and videos. They also promote media literacy as a proactive strategy to help media consumers critically engage with media content.

    The combination of the two methods is described as a shield and an antidote against the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

    Fact-checking: practices and perception

    In Kenya and Senegal, though information verification was already a daily routine for news organisations, fact-checking is gaining ground. It is emerging as an important approach to counter disinformation.

    Fact-checkers and journalists are at the forefront of verifying and determining the accuracy of information shared in public (for example, posts made by social media users) or content created by the media company. The most popular fact-checking services used by participants are PesaCheck, Piga Firimbi and AfricaCheck.

    In both countries, verification methods involve cross-checking multiple sources and analysing visual content. Findings of this study reveal that misinformation is most commonly found in political and health-related topics.

    Once verified, the information is shared in different formats. It is disseminated through news reports, social media posts, and short videos that debunk fake news.

    Cross-checking information

    This process involves consulting primary sources and seeking input from experts to clarify information and put it in context. Participants defined experts as specialists in a specific field, and individuals who regularly contribute to the subject through the media.

    In addition to asking sources and experts, media companies are setting up fact-checking services to verify information before publication. Participants from both countries revealed that media organisations trained their employees to use verification tools.

    Verifying images and videos

    Images and videos on social media often mix truths and manipulations. To debunk them, professionals use verification techniques. One common method is reverse image search: an online search for the image. This technique is made possible by geolocation and the large number of online images. Fact-checkers compare these images to verify content. Google’s reverse image search tool is the most widely used.

    Geolocation through Google Maps helps pinpoint the exact location where an image was taken, for comparison with the location claimed in the content being verified. For videos, professionals use a tool called InVID. This tool generates images from a video, which are then geolocated using reverse image search techniques.

    Perceptions of the effectiveness of fact-checking

    Media professionals in both countries saw fact-checking as an effective strategy to combat misinformation and disinformation and an essential tool for verifying content.

    However, they emphasised the importance of respecting freedom of expression. For them, it was essential to prevent the government or private sector from becoming the sole authority on the accuracy of information shared on media platforms.

    The recent decision by Meta (the technology conglomerate that owns Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and other services) to end its fact-checking programme and replace it with community ratings could lead to a new spread of false information.

    Media literacy: practice and perceptions

    Study participants concur that training the public in how to verify content is a proactive measure to curb misinformation. By doing this, professionals share their fact-checking processes as a form of media literacy.

    In Kenya, the press produces videos and tutorials to teach the public how to verify information online. Africa Check also produces materials on methods of verifying information.

    Fact-checking organisations and media outlets play a crucial role in verifying content. They also educate content consumers on how to verify information before sharing it on social media or messaging apps. To make these educational videos more accessible, they are translated into local languages. This helps content creators and consumers who do not understand French or English to better engage with the information.

    In Senegal, Africa Check partnered with a community radio station to provide media literacy training in a local language. The initiative involves fact-checking, translating articles into the Wolof language, and then sharing the information on WhatsApp.

    Perception of the effectiveness of media literacy

    Respondents saw media literacy as a proactive strategy that empowers the public to think critically and verify facts independently. Journalists and fact-checkers in Kenya and Senegal emphasised the importance of media education in curbing the spread of false information.

    In addition, they emphasised that media literacy is not only important for the public. Media professionals also need training to stay updated on technological changes and the strategies and techniques used by misinformation propagandists.

    Challenges to overcome

    These approaches face several obstacles. One is the reluctance of government officials to respond to information requests, often out of fear of critical fact-checking of their own statements. Cultural and linguistic diversity in Africa also presents a challenge for media professionals. Translating verified content into local languages is not easy and requires time and financial resources.

    In Senegal and Kenya, as in many other African countries, media literacy is not yet included in the school curriculum. Investing in media literacy programmes in schools would require expertise, money and time.

    In addition to the creation of fact-checking desks in newsrooms and raising public awareness of the dangers of misinformation, promoting media literacy at all levels (media, mosques, churches, businesses, schools, universities) should be a priority. Organising media weeks at school, as France does, could be a step towards that goal.

    Layiré Diop 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. Fighting fake news: how media in Kenya and Senegal check facts – https://theconversation.com/fighting-fake-news-how-media-in-kenya-and-senegal-check-facts-251123

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University

    For nearly 15 years almost no information was available on the population status of Uganda’s large carnivores, including those in its largest national park, Murchison Falls. These species represent a critical part of Uganda’s growing tourism economy. The country is home to the famed tree-climbing lions, which are much sought after for this unique behaviour. Together, lions and leopards generate tens of thousands of dollars annually from safari viewing and allied activities.

    Keeping an eye on the proverbial prize could not be more critical for the country. When wildlife isn’t monitored rigorously, populations can disappear within just a few years, as tigers did in India’s Sariska tiger reserve.

    But many people working in conservation discourage monitoring. They argue that a “bean counter” approach to conservation overlooks the funds and actions that save animals. Others simply say that it is a hard thing to do at scale and particularly for animals that are naturally shy, have big home ranges (sometimes over multiple countries), and occur in very low numbers.

    Even in a comparatively small African country – Uganda ranks 32nd in size out of 54 countries – how does one cover enough ground to see how populations of carnivores are faring? This has been the challenge of our work in Uganda for nearly a decade now, monitoring African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas.

    Our two recent studies in Murchison Falls and six protected areas across the country sought to address the problem by drawing on a wide range of local and international experts who live and work in Uganda. Working with the Ugandan government’s Uganda Wildlife Authority research and monitoring team, we set out to identify and bring together independent scientists, government rangers, university students, lodge owners and conservation managers in the country’s major savanna parks.

    We hoped to cover more ground with people and organisations that wouldn’t traditionally work together. Doing so exposed many of these individuals for the first time to the science and field skills needed to build robust, long term monitoring programmes for threatened wildlife.

    The result is the largest, most comprehensive count of African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. We found spotted hyenas to be doing far better than we expected. But lions are in worrying decline, indicating where conservation efforts need to be focused. Beyond that, our count proved the value of collaborating when it comes to generating data that could help save animals.

    Our unique approach

    Inspired by Kenya’s first nationwide, science-based survey of lions and other carnivores in key reserves, the first important step of this study was to secure the collaboration of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s office of research and monitoring. Together, we identified the critical conservation stakeholders in and around six protected areas. These are Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Kidepo Valley, Toro Semliki, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Leopards and hyenas occur in some other parks (such as Mount Elgon and Rwenzori National Park) but resource constraints prevented us from surveying these sites.

    We had no predisposed notions of who could or would participate in our carnivore surveys, only that we wanted people living closest to these species in the room.

    We shortlisted lodge owners, government rangers, independent scientists, university students from Kampala, NGO staff and even trophy hunters. All came together for a few days to learn about how to find carnivores in each landscape, build detection histories and analyse data. We delivered five technical workshops showing participants how to search for African lions in the landscapes together with mapping exactly where they drove.

    We also taught participants:

    • how to identify lions by their whisker spots in high-definition photographs – these are the small spots where a cat’s whiskers originate on their cheeks

    • how to determine identity in camera trap images of leopard and spotted hyena body flanks

    • post data collection analysis techniques

    • a technique to estimate population densities and abundance.

    More than 100 Ugandan and international collaborators joined in the “all hands on deck” survey, driving over 26,000km and recording 7,516 camera trap nights from 232 locations spanning a year from January 2022 to January 2023.



    Read more:
    Counting Uganda’s lions: we found that wildlife rangers do a better job than machines

    Our scientific approach focused on how to achieve the best possible counts of carnivores. In the process we identified some of the biggest shortcomings of previous surveys. These included double counting individual animals and failing to incorporate detection probability. Even worse was simply adding all individual sighted animals and not generating any local-level estimates.

    What our results tell us

    As expected, our results painted a grim picture in some areas, but marked hope for others.

    • In the majestic Murchison Falls national park, through which the River Nile runs east-west, we estimated that approximately 240 lions still remained across some 3,200km² of sampled area. This is the highest number in Uganda and at least five to 10 times higher than in the Kidepo and Queen Elizabeth parks.

    • In Queen Elizabeth national park, home to the tree-climbing lions, we found a marked decline of over 40% (just 39 individuals left in 2,400km²) since our last survey in 2018.

    • In the country’s north, Kidepo Valley, the best estimate is just 12 individual lions across 1,430km², in stark contrast with the previous estimate of 132 lions implemented nearly 15 years ago.

    In contrast, leopards appeared to continue to occur at high densities in select areas, with Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls exhibiting strong populations. Pian Upe and Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha sector recorded the lowest densities.

    Spotted hyenas have proven far more resilient. They occur at densities ranging from 6.15 to 45.31 individuals/100km² across surveyed sites. In Queen Elizabeth, their numbers could be rising as lion populations decline, likely due to reduced competition and ongoing poaching pressure targeting lions.

    These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation interventions, particularly for lions in Uganda’s struggling populations.

    Value beyond numbers

    Our approach shared the load of data collection, and gave people an opportunity and skills to engage in wildlife science. For many emerging conservationists in the country, this was their first chance to be authors on a scientific paper (an increasingly important component of postgraduate degree applications). Even if many of the people we worked with disagree on how to save large carnivores in Uganda, they could at least agree on how many there are as they had a hand in collecting the data and scrutinising it. Since we have embraced a fully science-based approach, we recognise that our surveys too should improve over time.

    Aggrey Rwetsiba, senior manager, research and monitoring at Uganda Wildlife Authority, contributed to the research on which this article is based.

    Duan Biggs receives funding from Northern Arizona University and is a member of the IUCN (World Conservation Union).

    Alexander Richard Braczkowski and Arjun M. Gopalaswamy do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count – https://theconversation.com/ugandas-lions-in-decline-hyenas-thriving-new-findings-from-countrys-biggest-ever-carnivore-count-249724

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Women are south Asia’s ‘silent contributors’ – changing that could transform economies

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nirma Sadamali Jayawardena, Assistant Professor in Marketing, University of Bradford

    Whether it’s selling at a market or working in the home or in the field, south Asian women are contributing to their economies. Florian Augustin/Shutterstock

    As a child, I lived with my grandmother in a rural village in Sri Lanka where women often played an active economic role – working in sectors like farming, technology, sewing, household work or some other area. These days across South Asia, businesses led by women are on the rise, with online platforms making it easier for entrepreneurs to start with minimal investment.

    If more women could be encouraged into employment in the region, it would, of course, bring wider benefits. For instance, it’s estimated that if women’s participation in India’s workforce reached 50% from its current level of 31%, the country’s annual growth rate could increase by 1.5 percentage points.

    Female entrepreneurs in South Asia have been described as “silent contributors”, as their input to the economy and society is still not properly understood. And when their contributions go unrecognised, women can be denied access to education and career development.

    Not only that, but it can lead to women having fewer opportunities for leadership roles, financial security, and professional growth. It may discourage the participation of other women, or limit their progress in industries and societies that could benefit from greater female representation.

    Research often points to factors such as a lack of education, technical expertise, gender discrimination and low self-esteem as reasons female entrepreneurs may be demotivated.

    But after reviewing several studies, I realised there’s a deeper, more complex issue. I identified a three-pillar effect that discourages women from entrepreneurship.

    These are socio-cultural barriers, which include traditional gender roles and societal expectations; economic and financial constraints such as limited access to funding; and regulatory and institutional challenges like legal obstacles and a lack of support systems.

    These three pillars create significant hurdles for women who are trying to build their businesses.

    A study looking at Mumbai, India, found that limited affordable transport can significantly reduce women’s chances of entering the workforce or starting a business.

    For example, some Indian and Sri Lankan women are expected to stay close to home to take care of children or elderly relatives. This limits their ability to travel to markets or participate in other work. There is also the issue of poor access to education and technical skills that can hold women back in terms of development and building a business.

    These barriers are starting to receive more recognition and were depicted in the award-winning film The Great Indian Kitchen. This 2021 film in the Malayalam language tells the story of a young woman who is expected to follow traditional gender roles after her marriage. The film highlights the social norms that often deter women from working or seeking education.

    The Great Indian Kitchen trailer.

    Most women entrepreneurs in South Asia work in the informal sector. This includes street vending, agriculture, retail and home-based industries like sewing. But these sectors and enterprises often remain unregistered and are not captured in official economic data.

    For example, women in cities like Delhi in India and Colombo in Sri Lanka sell products like vegetables or handmade jewellery on the streets. Often, these women do not have legal businesses or commercial registration numbers. This limits their access to loans, social security and more formal markets. Across South Asia, only 25% of women have a bank account, compared with 41% of men – the biggest gender gap in the world.

    Nepal, however, has made strides in financial inclusion, particularly in closing the gender gap. According to Nepal’s financial inclusion report in 2023, women’s access to formal financial services the previous year was at 89% while men’s stood at 90% – showing that change is possible.

    The barriers for women

    The lack of education and technical training often restricts women’s ability to develop skills and entrepreneurial nous. But it can also expose them to exploitation by officials who can prey on their lack of legal knowledge, forcing them to face bureaucratic hurdles and corruption.

    Another thorny issue is that in some cultures it is unacceptable for women to hold seniority or authority over men. Often, government policies and programmes focus on male entrepreneurs, overlooking women’s issues. These include childcare needs or safety concerns.

    In Sri Lanka, female-owned businesses face significant challenges in accessing key government incentives simply because of limited awareness. A big issue is that women in rural areas often do not hear about funding programmes, grants and financial schemes.

    South Asian women’s economic contributions continue to be damaged by social, cultural and institutional limitations. It is vital to recognise these contributions and bring them into the formal economic system. This should ensure that female entrepreneurs get their rightful place in the broader economic arena.

    Nirma Sadamali Jayawardena 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. Women are south Asia’s ‘silent contributors’ – changing that could transform economies – https://theconversation.com/women-are-south-asias-silent-contributors-changing-that-could-transform-economies-251881

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Fighting fake news: how media in Kenya and Senegal check facts

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Layiré Diop, Professseur de communication, Francis Marion University

    Misinformation has accelerated in recent years, in speed and volume. Studies show that Africans are exposed to misinformation and disinformation on a regular basis.

    Disinformation refers to false information deliberately created to cause harm. Misinformation consists of false information that wasn’t created with the intention of harming individuals or groups. Either way, it’s often difficult to know whether something is true and accurate.

    Media fact-checking and media literacy have become more important than ever.

    As specialists in media and mass communication, we conducted a study of strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation. We also examined the role and impact of fact-checking practices. This research is based on 42 interviews conducted in 2021 with media professionals in Kenya and Senegal.

    The participants fell into three main categories. Some were journalists, while others specialised in fact-checking. The rest were individuals who influenced media policies, including government officials, thinktank employees and academics.

    Findings indicate that media professionals in Senegal and Kenya employ reactive fact-checking strategies such as cross-checking information from sources and verifying images and videos. They also promote media literacy as a proactive strategy to help media consumers critically engage with media content.

    The combination of the two methods is described as a shield and an antidote against the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

    Fact-checking: practices and perception

    In Kenya and Senegal, though information verification was already a daily routine for news organisations, fact-checking is gaining ground. It is emerging as an important approach to counter disinformation.

    Fact-checkers and journalists are at the forefront of verifying and determining the accuracy of information shared in public (for example, posts made by social media users) or content created by the media company. The most popular fact-checking services used by participants are PesaCheck, Piga Firimbi and AfricaCheck.

    In both countries, verification methods involve cross-checking multiple sources and analysing visual content. Findings of this study reveal that misinformation is most commonly found in political and health-related topics.

    Once verified, the information is shared in different formats. It is disseminated through news reports, social media posts, and short videos that debunk fake news.

    Cross-checking information

    This process involves consulting primary sources and seeking input from experts to clarify information and put it in context. Participants defined experts as specialists in a specific field, and individuals who regularly contribute to the subject through the media.

    In addition to asking sources and experts, media companies are setting up fact-checking services to verify information before publication. Participants from both countries revealed that media organisations trained their employees to use verification tools.

    Verifying images and videos

    Images and videos on social media often mix truths and manipulations. To debunk them, professionals use verification techniques. One common method is reverse image search: an online search for the image. This technique is made possible by geolocation and the large number of online images. Fact-checkers compare these images to verify content. Google’s reverse image search tool is the most widely used.

    Geolocation through Google Maps helps pinpoint the exact location where an image was taken, for comparison with the location claimed in the content being verified. For videos, professionals use a tool called InVID. This tool generates images from a video, which are then geolocated using reverse image search techniques.

    Perceptions of the effectiveness of fact-checking

    Media professionals in both countries saw fact-checking as an effective strategy to combat misinformation and disinformation and an essential tool for verifying content.

    However, they emphasised the importance of respecting freedom of expression. For them, it was essential to prevent the government or private sector from becoming the sole authority on the accuracy of information shared on media platforms.

    The recent decision by Meta (the technology conglomerate that owns Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and other services) to end its fact-checking programme and replace it with community ratings could lead to a new spread of false information.

    Media literacy: practice and perceptions

    Study participants concur that training the public in how to verify content is a proactive measure to curb misinformation. By doing this, professionals share their fact-checking processes as a form of media literacy.

    In Kenya, the press produces videos and tutorials to teach the public how to verify information online. Africa Check also produces materials on methods of verifying information.

    Fact-checking organisations and media outlets play a crucial role in verifying content. They also educate content consumers on how to verify information before sharing it on social media or messaging apps. To make these educational videos more accessible, they are translated into local languages. This helps content creators and consumers who do not understand French or English to better engage with the information.

    In Senegal, Africa Check partnered with a community radio station to provide media literacy training in a local language. The initiative involves fact-checking, translating articles into the Wolof language, and then sharing the information on WhatsApp.

    Perception of the effectiveness of media literacy

    Respondents saw media literacy as a proactive strategy that empowers the public to think critically and verify facts independently. Journalists and fact-checkers in Kenya and Senegal emphasised the importance of media education in curbing the spread of false information.

    In addition, they emphasised that media literacy is not only important for the public. Media professionals also need training to stay updated on technological changes and the strategies and techniques used by misinformation propagandists.

    Challenges to overcome

    These approaches face several obstacles. One is the reluctance of government officials to respond to information requests, often out of fear of critical fact-checking of their own statements. Cultural and linguistic diversity in Africa also presents a challenge for media professionals. Translating verified content into local languages is not easy and requires time and financial resources.

    In Senegal and Kenya, as in many other African countries, media literacy is not yet included in the school curriculum. Investing in media literacy programmes in schools would require expertise, money and time.

    In addition to the creation of fact-checking desks in newsrooms and raising public awareness of the dangers of misinformation, promoting media literacy at all levels (media, mosques, churches, businesses, schools, universities) should be a priority. Organising media weeks at school, as France does, could be a step towards that goal.

    – Fighting fake news: how media in Kenya and Senegal check facts
    – https://theconversation.com/fighting-fake-news-how-media-in-kenya-and-senegal-check-facts-251123

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University

    For nearly 15 years almost no information was available on the population status of Uganda’s large carnivores, including those in its largest national park, Murchison Falls. These species represent a critical part of Uganda’s growing tourism economy. The country is home to the famed tree-climbing lions, which are much sought after for this unique behaviour. Together, lions and leopards generate tens of thousands of dollars annually from safari viewing and allied activities.

    Keeping an eye on the proverbial prize could not be more critical for the country. When wildlife isn’t monitored rigorously, populations can disappear within just a few years, as tigers did in India’s Sariska tiger reserve.

    But many people working in conservation discourage monitoring. They argue that a “bean counter” approach to conservation overlooks the funds and actions that save animals. Others simply say that it is a hard thing to do at scale and particularly for animals that are naturally shy, have big home ranges (sometimes over multiple countries), and occur in very low numbers.

    Even in a comparatively small African country – Uganda ranks 32nd in size out of 54 countries – how does one cover enough ground to see how populations of carnivores are faring? This has been the challenge of our work in Uganda for nearly a decade now, monitoring African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas.

    Orin Cornille and Bosco Atukwatse, field coordinaotrs from the Volcanoes Kyambura Lion Project, set remote camera traps for leopards in Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda. Alex Braczkowski

    Our two recent studies in Murchison Falls and six protected areas across the country sought to address the problem by drawing on a wide range of local and international experts who live and work in Uganda. Working with the Ugandan government’s Uganda Wildlife Authority research and monitoring team, we set out to identify and bring together independent scientists, government rangers, university students, lodge owners and conservation managers in the country’s major savanna parks.

    We hoped to cover more ground with people and organisations that wouldn’t traditionally work together. Doing so exposed many of these individuals for the first time to the science and field skills needed to build robust, long term monitoring programmes for threatened wildlife.

    The result is the largest, most comprehensive count of African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. We found spotted hyenas to be doing far better than we expected. But lions are in worrying decline, indicating where conservation efforts need to be focused. Beyond that, our count proved the value of collaborating when it comes to generating data that could help save animals.

    Our unique approach

    Inspired by Kenya’s first nationwide, science-based survey of lions and other carnivores in key reserves, the first important step of this study was to secure the collaboration of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s office of research and monitoring. Together, we identified the critical conservation stakeholders in and around six protected areas. These are Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Kidepo Valley, Toro Semliki, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Leopards and hyenas occur in some other parks (such as Mount Elgon and Rwenzori National Park) but resource constraints prevented us from surveying these sites.

    We had no predisposed notions of who could or would participate in our carnivore surveys, only that we wanted people living closest to these species in the room.

    We shortlisted lodge owners, government rangers, independent scientists, university students from Kampala, NGO staff and even trophy hunters. All came together for a few days to learn about how to find carnivores in each landscape, build detection histories and analyse data. We delivered five technical workshops showing participants how to search for African lions in the landscapes together with mapping exactly where they drove.

    Makerere University students and Karamoja Overland Safari staff set solar powered trail cameras with the lead author in Lake Mburo (left) and Pian Upe (right) as part of the national carnivore survey.

    We also taught participants:

    • how to identify lions by their whisker spots in high-definition photographs – these are the small spots where a cat’s whiskers originate on their cheeks

    • how to determine identity in camera trap images of leopard and spotted hyena body flanks

    • post data collection analysis techniques

    • a technique to estimate population densities and abundance.

    More than 100 Ugandan and international collaborators joined in the “all hands on deck” survey, driving over 26,000km and recording 7,516 camera trap nights from 232 locations spanning a year from January 2022 to January 2023.

    Read more: Counting Uganda’s lions: we found that wildlife rangers do a better job than machines

    Our scientific approach focused on how to achieve the best possible counts of carnivores. In the process we identified some of the biggest shortcomings of previous surveys. These included double counting individual animals and failing to incorporate detection probability. Even worse was simply adding all individual sighted animals and not generating any local-level estimates.

    What our results tell us

    As expected, our results painted a grim picture in some areas, but marked hope for others.

    • In the majestic Murchison Falls national park, through which the River Nile runs east-west, we estimated that approximately 240 lions still remained across some 3,200km² of sampled area. This is the highest number in Uganda and at least five to 10 times higher than in the Kidepo and Queen Elizabeth parks.

    • In Queen Elizabeth national park, home to the tree-climbing lions, we found a marked decline of over 40% (just 39 individuals left in 2,400km²) since our last survey in 2018.

    • In the country’s north, Kidepo Valley, the best estimate is just 12 individual lions across 1,430km², in stark contrast with the previous estimate of 132 lions implemented nearly 15 years ago.

    In contrast, leopards appeared to continue to occur at high densities in select areas, with Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls exhibiting strong populations. Pian Upe and Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha sector recorded the lowest densities.

    Spotted hyenas have proven far more resilient. They occur at densities ranging from 6.15 to 45.31 individuals/100km² across surveyed sites. In Queen Elizabeth, their numbers could be rising as lion populations decline, likely due to reduced competition and ongoing poaching pressure targeting lions.

    These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation interventions, particularly for lions in Uganda’s struggling populations.

    Value beyond numbers

    Our approach shared the load of data collection, and gave people an opportunity and skills to engage in wildlife science. For many emerging conservationists in the country, this was their first chance to be authors on a scientific paper (an increasingly important component of postgraduate degree applications). Even if many of the people we worked with disagree on how to save large carnivores in Uganda, they could at least agree on how many there are as they had a hand in collecting the data and scrutinising it. Since we have embraced a fully science-based approach, we recognise that our surveys too should improve over time.

    Aggrey Rwetsiba, senior manager, research and monitoring at Uganda Wildlife Authority, contributed to the research on which this article is based.

    – Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count
    – https://theconversation.com/ugandas-lions-in-decline-hyenas-thriving-new-findings-from-countrys-biggest-ever-carnivore-count-249724

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Yemen: One in two children severely malnourished after 10 years of war

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    In Yemen, a decade of conflict has proved catastrophic for the country’s children living under the threat of airstrikes and staggeringly high malnutrition rates, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

    “We need to move fast,” said UNICEF representative in the country Peter Hawkins. “I was in Hudaydah over the past three days…I went through the western lowlands, where there are people on the streets, on the side of the roads, begging and looking for assistance. They have given up. We cannot give up.”

    Speaking from Yemen’s capital Sana’a, Mr. Hawkins told reporters that the “manmade” disaster has decimated Yemen’s economy, healthcare system and infrastructure.

    “Even during periods of reduced violence, the structural consequences of the conflict, especially for girls and boys, have remained severe,” he said, underscoring that more than half of the country’s population of close to 40 million people relies on humanitarian assistance.

    Aid lifeline under threat

    UNICEF supports life-saving health facilities and malnutrition treatment across the country, but its activities are only 25 per cent funded this year. The agency will not be able to sustain even minimal services without urgent action from donors, Mr. Hawkins warned.

    Houthi rebels – formally known as Ansar Allah – have been battling Government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition for more than a decade and overthrew the country’s President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi  in March 2015.

    While a resumption of large-scale ground military operations in Yemen has not occurred since the UN-mediated truce of April 2022, military activity continues. The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned on 6 March in a briefing to the Security Council that the cessation of hostilities is increasingly at risk. Earlier this month the United States launched multiple strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in the country, reportedly in retaliation for the Houthis’ targeting of merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

    Mr. Hawkins spoke of the damage he witnessed first-hand in the port city of Hudaydah and stressed that eight children died in the most recent airstrikes across northern Yemen.

    Food, medicines blocked

    “Critical ports and roads, lifelines for food and medicine, are damaged and blockaded,” Mr. Hawkins said. Food prices have soared over 300 per cent in the past decade, driving hunger and malnutrition.

    The UNICEF official said that one in two children under the age of five is malnourished in Yemen, “a statistic that is almost unparalleled across the world”.

    “Among them are over 540,000 girls and boys who are severely and acutely malnourished, a condition that is agonizing, life-threatening and entirely preventable,” he added.

    ‘Thousands will die’

    Mr. Hawkins highlighted the dangers facing children who cannot access treatment, as they are “away from service delivery in the most remote areas up on the mountains, and deep down in the in the valleys of northern Yemen…Malnutrition weakens immune systems, stunts growth and robs children of their potential.”

    Furthermore, some 1.4 million pregnant and lactating women are malnourished in Yemen – “a vicious circle of intergenerational suffering”, Mr. Hawkins said.

    In certain areas including the west of the country, severe and acute malnutrition rates of 33 per cent have been recorded.

    “It’s not a humanitarian crisis. It’s not an emergency. It is a catastrophe where thousands will die,” Mr. Hawkins insisted.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Hivello’s first Airdrop activates 32,000 Solana Wallets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blockmate Ventures Inc (TSX.V: MATE) (OTCQB: MATEF) (FSE: 8MH1) (“Blockmate” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its investee, Hivello Holdings, and the HVLO Token have activated 32,000 Solana Wallets with HVLO’s first Airdrop.

    Due to Hivello’s newly created “in-app wallet”, whether users have a wallet or not, they can receive Hivello’s airdrops. The 32,000 new users can now utilize the Hivello platform to earn passive income by integrating their idle computing resources to the Hivello ecosystem – a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). This first airdrop is part of Hivello’s growth strategy to drive participation in the network by demonstrating to users how simple the Hivello platform is to use and earn. Hivello will also gain valuable data insights into the most engaged networks and reward preferences.

    Justin Rosenberg, CEO of Blockmate Ventures, commented, “Hivello has done a revolutionary job to simplify the process of Download, Mine, Earn, Withdraw/Stake such that anyone with an internet connection can do it. One of the most effective ways to rapidly expand the Hivello user base is to reward early HVLO adopters. This airdrop is an excellent way to introduce blockchain enthusiasts to Hivello so they can see how simple it is to start earning passive income.”

    Below is the press release from Hivello:

    Hivello Onboards 32,000 Users with Solana Wallets in First HVLO Airdrop

    London & Amsterdam, March 20, 2025 – Hivello, a DePIN aggregator that enables users to earn by monetizing idle (computing) resources across multiple decentralized networks, has achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of in-app Solana wallets and the completion of its first HVLO token airdrop.

    Over 32,000 user wallets have now received HVLO tokens, kicking off a long-term incentive program aimed at rewarding early adopters and expanding the Hivello ecosystem. As part of a 4-year plan, Hivello has allocated 2.5 billion HVLO tokens to drive participation, strengthen community engagement, and accelerate the adoption of DePIN mining with Hivello.

    This airdrop reflects Hivello’s commitment to empowering its users while also gathering valuable insights into the most effective DePIN networks. By incentivizing participation and contributions, Hivello is fostering a collaborative, accessible, and user-driven decentralized ecosystem.

    The HVLO token, which powers Hivello’s ecosystem, enables rewards, staking, and active participation in DePIN networks. With the in-app wallet integration, users can now seamlessly manage their HVLO tokens and participate in the decentralized economy directly within the Hivello app.

    This milestone is part of a larger roadmap to expand Hivello’s ecosystem and simplify DePIN mining for users worldwide. Hivello remains focused on fostering a decentralized future where individuals can earn passive income by connecting idle computer resources to DePIN projects.

    “This is a pivotal moment for Hivello and our growing community,” said Domenic Carosa, Chairman & Co-founder of Hivello. “The launch of in-app Solana wallets and our 1st $HVLO airdrop are just the beginning of our efforts to incentivize early adopters and make decentralized technology more accessible. We’re excited to see our users actively engaging with DePIN networks and helping us refine our platform to optimize earnings for everyone.”

    (ENDS)

    About Hivello
    Hivello is an aggregator of DePIN projects that allows any user to participate in a variety of DePIN networks with just a few clicks. This eliminates the technical hurdles that many users face when trying to join these networks, and allows users to earn passive income by mobilizing their idle computers. We aim to create a simple app that allows users to contribute their computer resources and earn passive income, with no technical knowledge required. It’s as easy as downloading, installing, and running nodes, making complex technologies accessible and beneficial to all.

    For more information about Hivello and to stay updated on its developments, visit www.hivello.com

    Website | X | Discord | LinkedIn | Telegram

    About Blockmate Ventures Inc.
    Blockmate Ventures is a venture creator focussing on building fast-growing technology businesses relating to cutting-edge sectors such as blockchain, AI and renewable energy. Working with prospective founders, projects in incubation can benefit from the Blockmate ecosystem that offers tech, services, integrations and advice to accelerate the incubation of projects towards monetization. Recent projects include Hivello (download the free passive income app at www.hivello.com) and Sunified, digitising solar energy.

    The leadership team at Blockmate Ventures have successfully founded successful tech companies from the Dotcom era through to the social media era. Learn more about being a Blockmate at: www.blockmate.com.

    Blockmate welcomes investors to join the Company’s mailing list for the latest updates and industry research by subscribing at https://www.blockmate.com/subscribe.

    ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Justin Rosenberg, CEO
    Blockmate Ventures Inc
    justin@blockmate.com
    (+1-580-262-6130)

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Information
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on the assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Raindrop disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: After $250M Metaco exit, serial founders unveil Supervised to redefine the role of managers in the era of AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Zurich, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Modern organizations face a crippling design flaw: each new management layer adds weeks to decision cycles and millions in costs, while trapping critical knowledge in bureaucratic silos.The root cause is not technology or strategy, but a biological limitation. With a natural ‘span of control ceiling’ of typically 10 direct reports, growing organizations are forced to add layers that create friction, dilute strategic intent, and slow decision velocity.

    Today, Supervised is emerging from stealth to tackle this problem by reengineering how management functions. Founded by Adrien Treccani and Seamus Donoghue, the serial entrepreneurs behind the $250M Metaco acquisition, Supervised has already been quietly deployed by Fortune 500 companies across financial services, manufacturing, and technology.

    Supervised founders: Seamus Donoghue and Adrien Treccani,

    Supervised’s breakthrough platform uses advanced voice AI to automatically capture, structure, and route critical operational insights – eliminating the need for managers to act as information bottlenecks. Traditionally, managers spend 30% of their time in status meetings, manually gathering and relaying updates. With Supervised, that intelligence is surfaced in real time, freeing leaders to focus on high-value strategic decisions. Early adopters have achieved the previously impossible: expanding manager span of control from 10 to 30 direct reports while reducing decision cycles from weeks to days.

    Fresh from their $250M exit to Ripple, Treccani and Donoghue built Supervised from first hand experience. “After scaling Metaco from 10 people to post-acquisition integration with 1,000 employees, we discovered management structures become the biggest obstacle to success for growing organizations,” said Adrien Treccani, CEO of Supervised. “When a manager hits their biological limit of 7-10 direct reports, companies add layers that slow down everything. Our platform breaks this fundamental constraint, enabling radically flatter organizations that maintain startup speed at enterprise scale.”

    Rapid adoption by major enterprises – including leading companies across financial services, manufacturing, and technology sectors – signals strong market validation for the platform. Early customers have reported dramatic improvements in decision velocity, reduced overhead costs, and better operational clarity. Companies can now scale horizontally rather than vertically, recapturing the agility of a startup while maintaining enterprise-level operational discipline.

    Supervised’s impact extends beyond just efficiency gains. Its platform acts as a real-time intelligence layer, helping enterprises maintain business continuity during organizational changes, preserve critical institutional knowledge, and reduce the risk of key-person dependency. For regulated industries, Supervised also enhances governance and compliance by ensuring operational knowledge is properly documented and surfaced at the right moment.

    “We’re building the foundation for next-generation enterprise operations,” said Seamus Donoghue, CCO of Supervised. “By creating a unified intelligence layer that connects human insight with automation capabilities, we’re enabling organizations to scale their operations while maintaining proper governance and control. The strong early adoption we’re seeing validates our vision of transforming how enterprises capture and leverage their operational intelligence.”

    Supervised’s timing couldn’t be more critical. With forty million baby boomers retiring in the next decade and the rise of remote work disrupting real-time knowledge sharing, enterprises face an unprecedented risk of losing institutional intelligence. It’s estimated that Fortune 500 companies lose $31.5B* annually due to critical knowledge exiting their organizations. Meanwhile, companies are increasingly reliant on independent contractors and freelancers, creating additional knowledge retention challenges as contracts end and expertise walks out the door.

    The market opportunity here is substantial. Global AI Knowledge Management Market is projected to reach $60B by 2033**, growing at 25% annually. Supervised’s platform represents the convergence of AI, organizational science, and the growing recognition that legacy management structures are the biggest barrier to enterprise agility.

    “Every organization above 100 people faces this constraint – you either transform how management functions or watch nimbler competitors run circles around you,” added Adrien Treccani. “With our experienced team that has successfully built and scaled enterprise software, we’re giving organizations the power to finally break free from the management structures that are holding them back.”

    Looking ahead, with strong early customer traction and a proven founding team, Supervised is positioned to fundamentally redefine the management model. By transforming management from an evolutionary dead end into a strategic advantage, Supervised is helping enterprises break free from the bureaucratic structures that have constrained their ability to move fast, make better decisions, and operate at their full potential.

    Ends 

    * Knowledge loss is a $30 billion problem – Fast Company
    ** AI in Knowledge Management Market to hit USD 62 bn by 2033

    Media images can be found here 

    About Supervised
    Supervised is an AI-powered Enterprise Intelligence Platform transforms how organizations capture and leverage their operational intelligence. Through sophisticated voice AI agents, we eliminate the 30% of management time typically spent on status meetings while building the essential foundation for enterprise AI transformation. For more information about Supervised, visit https://www.supervised.com/ or follow via LinkedIn.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Historic Shift: Passkeys Set to Become Leading Authentication Method by 2027, New Survey Reveals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • 49% of firms breached last year, 87% due to identity vulnerabilities, leading to an average loss of $2.5M per incident
    • 40% experienced a GenAI related security incident in the last year, 95% encountered a deepfake attack
    • Phishing-resistant authentication to surpass passwords and standard MFA within two years. Passkeys set to overtake legacy methods
    • IDV tools are the most widely deployed IAM tool (63%) and a top choice for post-breach implementation (68%)

    NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HYPR, the Identity Assurance Company, today released the fifth edition of its State of Passwordless Identity Assurance Report, revealing an increasing misalignment between real-world security risks and outdated authentication methods. The report highlights the growing risks associated with outdated authentication methods and the rise of new generative AI-related attacks. However, it also signals a potential turning point in the fight against identity-based attacks, with phishing-resistant authentication methods like FIDO passkeys poised to become the dominant solution within the next two years – a first in the report’s five-year history.

    Leveraging insights from 750 IT security decision-makers across various industries and regions, the report, commissioned by HYPR, and conducted by S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research, revealed:

    Organizations Under Siege from Exploited Weaknesses: Nearly half (49%) of organizations suffered a breach in 2024, with 87% attributed to identity vulnerabilities. These were primarily driven by credential misuse (47%), privilege access abuse (41%), social engineering (36%), and MFA bypass (35%).

    Breaches are Taking a Toll Beyond the Bottom Line: These attacks caused substantial financial losses (an average of $2.5 million per incident) and legal ramifications (20%), forcing many organizations to reduce headcount, demote executives (34%) and downsize their frontline workforce (38%) [1].

    Deepfakes Emerge as a Modern Identity Threat: In 2024, IT decision-makers named GenAI a major concern (60%), with deepfake identity fraud taking the top spot. Today, nearly 40% of organizations have suffered a GenAI-related security incident in the past year, and a staggering 95% were hit by some form of deepfake attack – including altered static imagery (50%) and manipulated live (44%) and recorded (41%) audio/video.

    A New Era of Secure Authentication is Here: For the first time in the report’s history, passwordless and FIDO-based authentication methods are gaining significant traction, with 46% of respondents now utilizing these secure solutions. This adoption of phishing-resistant authentication marks a paradigm shift in cybersecurity, with FIDO passkeys and hardware keys poised to become the gold standard in authentication by 2027. This trend is further validated by the FIDO Alliance’s recent survey results, which revealed that 87% of organizations have successfully deployed or are deploying passkeys.

    “We are in the midst of The Identity Renaissance, a period of profound transformation,” says Bojan Simic, CEO of HYPR. “Our report serves as a clarion call, exposing the vulnerabilities of outdated authentication methods and the urgent need for change. But amidst this challenge, there’s a powerful wave of innovation. Phishing-resistant authentication, led by FIDO passkeys, is poised to redefine how we secure digital identities, not just by replacing passwords, but by fundamentally shifting our approach to managing and verifying identities.”

    The Reactive Approach to Identity Security is Insufficient: It is evident that organizations are acting post breach – whether it’s increasing their investment in cybersecurity tools (61%), changing their authentication methods (50%) or implementing new identity management tools (68%). Yet, despite a shift in mindset and action, organizations are still embracing outdated practices such as standard MFA (52%) and passwords (40%). While in terms of general identity verification (IDV), organizations continue to use “traditional” methods such as in-person office visits and document-based authentication during hiring processes (72%).

    “This report highlights a key moment in identity security,” says Garrett Bekker, Principal Research Analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research. “While the surge in GenAI-fueled attacks and the persistence of traditional vulnerabilities underscore the need for change, the anticipated dominance of phishing-resistant authentication by 2027 offers a clear, strategic path forward. Organizations must now prioritize the deployment of phishing-resistant authentication such as FIDO passkeys and other modern identity verification tools, not as a future aspiration, but as a core component of their immediate risk mitigation strategy. Failure to do so will leave them exposed to escalating threats and undermine their ability to compete in an increasingly digital-first economy.”

    WEBINAR: The Identity Renaissance: Key Insights from The State of Passwordless Identity Assurance 2025
    Join HYPR and S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research
    Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 1pm ET
    Join: Here
    Speakers: Bojan Simic, CEO & Co-founder, HYPR and Garrett Bekker, Principal Research Analyst at 451 Research                      

    About HYPR
    HYPR, the leader in passwordless identity assurance, delivers the industry’s most comprehensive end-to-end identity security for your workforce and customers. By unifying phishing-resistant passwordless authentication, adaptive risk mitigation, and automated identity verification, HYPR ensures secure and seamless user experiences for everyone.

    Trusted by organizations worldwide, including two of the four largest US banks, leading manufacturers, and critical infrastructure companies, HYPR secures some of the most complex and demanding environments globally.

    Media:
    Fabienne Dawson
    fabienne@hypr.com
    917.374.6860

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b792cf93-9d5e-4e2b-985d-44290b5429ca

    _____________________

    [1] In the United States

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC DEX+ Becomes the First to Integrate with PumpSwap, the New Native DEX from pump.fun

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced that MEXC DEX+ has become the first DEX aggregator to integrate with PumpSwap, the new native DEX from pump.fun. This integration marks an important step in the strategic partnership between MEXC and pump.fun, as well as the integration of centralized finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).

    MEXC has recently launched its innovative hybrid product, DEX+, which enables users to trade directly on DEXs through the MEXC App and website, giving users the ability to trade over 10,000 tokens available on Raydium and pump.fun. In addition, MEXC has kicked off a strategic partnership with pump.fun. With the integration of PumpSwap, DEX+ will support more assets in the Solana ecosystem, offering higher liquidity and earlier access to potential on-chain assets.

    pump.fun is the world’s leading crypto token launchpad where anyone can create their own token for free. Recently, pump.fun launched PumpSwap, its new native DEX, and MEXC DEX+ has become the first DEX aggregator to integrate with PumpSwap through this partnership. MEXC aims to provide a streamlined, accessible experience for the growing memecoin community, further solidifying its commitment to innovative solutions within the crypto space. Additionally, MEXC DEX+ will feature a trending assets leaderboard on pump.fun, showcasing top-performing assets from both its P2P market and external markets. Through DEX+, users will gain early access to a variety of trending assets.

    “With the launch of DEX+ and integration with PumpSwap, MEXC is not only meeting the growing demand for decentralized trading solutions but also paving the way for the future of trading by providing users with access to a broader array of assets and more opportunities in the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape. DEX+ is positioning itself as the go-to platform for users seeking both security and cutting-edge access to on-chain assets,” said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC.

    Looking ahead, MEXC DEX+ will expand to include additional DEXs and blockchain networks and is set to play a pivotal role in the continued expansion of the DeFi and DEX ecosystems. As more users embrace decentralized trading, the convergence of CeFi and DeFi models will become increasingly crucial. Through DEX+, MEXC is at the forefront of this shift, offering users a seamless bridge between centralized and decentralized finance while enhancing the overall trading experience.

    To bring this vision to life and strengthen our commitment to innovative ecosystems, MEXC proudly introduces the “Rising Star” program, a new initiative designed to spotlight outstanding projects emerging from the DEX+ platform. Centered on community feedback, the program offers high-performing projects the unique opportunity to list on MEXC’s centralized exchange at no cost—bridging the gap between decentralized and centralized trading environments. For more details, please visit: https://www.mexc.com/rising-star

    About MEXC

    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries and regions, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

    For more information, visit: MEXC Website｜X｜Telegram｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
    For media inquiries, please contact MEXC PR Manager Lucia Hu: lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Source

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    PR Manager
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. 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. 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. 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. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. 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.

    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 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/b860f61d-4182-47dd-9412-2f0880d3bfbd

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKHSA publishes first annual report summarising latest infectious disease trends

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UKHSA publishes first annual report summarising latest infectious disease trends

    The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) first annual report summarising the latest infectious disease trends, bringing together all the key data from 2023 to early 2025 and outlining steps the organisation is taking to tackle these threats.

    The Infectious diseases impacting England: 2025 report shows a rise in both endemic disease and vaccine-preventable infections. Infectious diseases were the primary reason for over 20% of hospital bed usage, at an annual cost of almost £6bn in 2023 to 2024. Developing scientific capability and effective interventions are having positive impacts, but more action is needed.

    The report shows the re-emergence, re-establishment and an unrelenting rise in a number of infectious diseases since 2022 to 2023, with particular increases in endemic diseases and vaccine-preventable infections. The agency acknowledges that the return of social mixing, international travel and migration following the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to these patterns.

    The report also shows some really positive impact in some areas due to the introduction of new public health interventions.

    An intense influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) season was seen in 2024 to 2025, for the second consecutive year after the pandemic, with activity and hospital admissions at similar levels seen post-pandemic in 2022 to 2023. The introduction of the new RSV vaccine programmes for the elderly, and pregnant women are already helping to reduce winter pressures. Interim findings published today confirm a 30% reduction in the rate of RSV hospital admissions in the winter of 2024 to 2025 in 75 to 79 year olds; this cohort are eligible for vaccination under the new programme.

    COVID-19 transmission has declined, with the virus circulating at baseline levels of activity for much of the current winter season. Incremental vaccine effectiveness was around 45% against hospitalisation, with vaccine uptake in older age groups at 60% to 70%. Vaccination of priority groups, in particular the elderly, remained an important intervention to protect against severe disease.

    Tuberculosis (TB) cases have increased by 11% in 2023 compared to 2022, with provisional data for 2024 showing a further increase of 13%, which amounted to more than 600 additional notifications of people being diagnosed in 2024 compared to 2023. This trajectory would see the UK lose its World Health Organization (WHO) low incidence status if not reversed. UKHSA continues to work with NHSE and other partners on the TB action plan, which sets out steps to improve the prevention and detection of TB.

    Continued progress in eliminating viral Hepatitis C (HCV) as a public health problem by 2030 has been made, with the number of people living with chronic HCV infection falling dramatically by 57% from 2015 to the end of 2023. England is also meeting and exceeding the WHO’s absolute targets on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) related mortality, incidence, mother-to-child transmission and vaccine coverage.

    There has been surge in cases of measles in children under the age of 10 and an outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) in 2024, with 433 cases in infants under 3 months of age, of whom 10 died. Both outbreaks highlight the critical importance of vaccination in eligible groups.

    UKHSA analysis found that over 20% of secondary care bed days in 2023 to 2024 in NHS hospitals (admitted care) were primarily attributable to infectious disease, at a cost of £5.9bn. These infections are also distributed unevenly; in England, from 2023 to 2024, hospital admission rates due to infectious

    Diseases and infections were nearly twice as high for people in the 20% most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. UKHSA is undertaking further work to better understand these disparities.

    UKHSA continues to be at the forefront of the work being done to tackle the spread of TB, working closely with the NHS and local systems to ensure optimal prevention and control measures are implemented, for example. Also crucial is developing the evidence base for new interventions to support further policy development to help reduce transmission of the disease.

    There are also novel interventions on the horizon for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), based on UKHSA evidence. A routine gonorrhoea programme using the 4CMenB vaccine for GBMSM (gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men) at high risk has been advised. UKHSA has also worked with the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV to develop their evidence-based clinical guideline for the use of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of syphilis, which is currently out for public consultation.

    Richard Pebody, Director of Epidemic and Emerging infections at UKHSA, said:

    It is clear that a number of factors altered the rates and impact of endemic and epidemic infectious diseases in England over recent years, and the reductions in transmission related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been followed by a rise in a range of infections since 2022 to 2023 due to the return of social mixing, international travel and migration.

    We have also seen vaccine uptake decrease for a number of infectious diseases, including measles, whooping cough and in certain groups eligible for the flu vaccine, such as under 65 at risk, pregnant women and health care workers.

    This winter has demonstrated that rises in rates of infectious diseases can cause significant strain, not only on the individuals directly affected, but also on the NHS. It is vital that we are not complacent about infections where we can reduce the burden of disease via interventions such as our world-class vaccination programmes.

    Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said:

    Our scientific capability and the introduction of new interventions are all helping to keep people safe and well, but our report also highlights that we have plenty of work and opportunities ahead.

    Along with our partners across the healthcare sector, we need to be bolder. Behind this data there are real people, people who are sick or at risk of becoming sick, and in some cases dying. This brings with it a cost to our economy too. Yet much of this harm and distress is preventable.

    Our rich data sources provide us with a huge amount of knowledge, and we will continue to use it, carefully and confidentially, to reduce the burden of infectious disease across the country, ensuring our interventions reach the people who need them most.’

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: An Interview with Eva Schnitzler, Foreign Law Intern

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    Today’s interview is with Eva Schnitzler, a foreign law intern working with Foreign Law Specialist Jenny Gesley in the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress. 

    Describe your background.

    I grew up in a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, close to the border of the Netherlands. During my school days, I had the opportunity to attend high school in North Vancouver in Canada, and gained my first experiences living abroad.

    What is your academic/professional history?

    After graduating from high school, I started studying law and economics at the University of Bonn. The bachelor’s program focused on the economic analysis of law, which examines the effect of legal regulations on human behavior. During my studies, I spent a semester abroad at the Université de Fribourg in Switzerland, and worked as a research assistant at the Center for Advanced Studies in Law and Economics at the University of Bonn. After completing my Bachelor of Laws, I studied law at the University of Bonn and specialized in corporate and capital markets law. I passed the first German state exam in 2023, and started my two-year legal traineeship program at the Higher Regional Court of Cologne to qualify as a lawyer in Germany. During the previous parts of my legal traineeship, I worked at the Regional Court of Cologne, at the Public Prosecutor’s Office, at the German Federal Ministry of Finance in Berlin, and at a U.S. law firm in Cologne.

    How would you describe your job to other people?

    As a foreign law intern at the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress, I assist my supervisor, Jenny Gesley, with providing legal expertise on German-speaking jurisdictions and the European Union in response to requests from Congress, executive agencies, or the courts. Additionally, I prepare articles for the Global Legal Monitor.

    Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?

    Working in the Law Library of Congress is an amazing opportunity to get an insight into the work of the U.S. government. My internship at the Law Library of Congress is also a great opportunity to work at the interface of politics and law, and meet experts of different legal systems from all over the world.

    What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Law Library of Congress?

    The underground tunnel system connecting the federal buildings including the Library of Congress is impressive. Formerly, the tunnel system in the Library of Congress was used to transfer books. Nowadays, the tunnels are used as pedestrian walks, and you can find a coffee shop or even a gym there.

    What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?

    I really enjoy skiing! At the age of three, I started skiing and have never missed a skiing season so far.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Asia remains key growth engine for global economy

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Despite increasing global economic uncertainty, Asia has remained a key growth engine for global economy, according to a report released at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) on Tuesday.

    The weighted real GDP growth rate of Asia is projected to reach 4.5 percent in 2025, an increase from 4.4 percent in 2024, according to the annual report titled “Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress.”

    Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun said that the region is nurturing new potential and opportunities and has become an important force and cornerstone stabilizing and underpinning the global economy.

    Asian economies, particularly China and the ASEAN, continue to demonstrate strong resilience despite numerous challenges, leading the world in areas including economic growth, trade in goods and services, and regional integration, Zhang said.

    Asia’s economic performance last year beat the projections made by institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations, said Zhang Yuyan, a professor on international politics and economics with the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

    Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

    Themed “Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future,” this year’s forum bears great practical and long-term significance as global development is clouded with increased uncertainties due to rising unilateralism, trade protectionism and geopolitical tensions, according to analysts.

    At purchasing power parity, the ratio of Asia’s GDP among the global total will rise to 48.6 percent in 2025, up from 48.1 percent in 2024, the report estimated.

    It noted that global foreign investments have increased their reliance on Asian economies amid fluctuations, and China and the ASEAN are the most appealing economies in Asia.

    As the world’s most economically dynamic region, Asia has become an increasingly vital player in global cross-border direct investment, with the inward and outward foreign direct investment dependence of Asian economies on the region itself reaching 49.15 percent in 2023, according to the report.

    It also noted that China continues to be the center of global manufacturing value chains.

    Since 2017, global trade in intermediate goods has been more reliant on China than on North America. Global dependence on China for intermediate goods stood at 16 percent in 2023, compared with 15 percent for North America.

    The trade frictions initiated by the United States in 2018 have not strengthened its position in the global manufacturing value chains, the report noted.

    China and Asia have become the center of free trade, said Temir Porras, managing director of Global Sovereign Advisory, stressing that it is always positive to see that China is committed to promoting free trade and sharing development opportunities with the world.

    As a major achievement of Asian economic integration, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has injected new vitality into the member economies, bringing certainty into the uncertain global economy and trade landscape, the report said.

    In 2024, the total trade value within the region rose about 3 percent from a year ago, with trade among most member economies achieving year-on-year growth, data showed.

    A report on Asia’s sustainable development was also unveiled on Tuesday, highlighting the region’s rapid progress in emerging green technologies, positioning it as a potential leader in advanced battery materials and biodegradable plastics, among others.

    China now sources 85 percent of its new energy capacity from renewables, while Indonesia and Singapore are leading efforts in carbon capture and storage, according to this report.

    MIL OSI China News –