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Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI: Topnotch Crypto Launches Innovative Cloud Mining App, Turning Smartphones into Bitcoin Mining Machines

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Topnotch Crypto is a leading provider of blockchain and digital asset solutions is excited to announce the launch of their new cloud mining mobile app. The cloud mining mobile app easily makes the average smartphone a bitcoin mining machine, making crypto mining simple and open to the masses.

    Details of the New Cloud Mining App

    The app recently launched by Topnotch Crypto is an exciting development for cryptocurrency mining! Their application utilizes secure cloud (SaaS) infrastructure and takes out the barriers of crypto mining; you no longer have to pay a premium for expensive hardware, juggle the complexities of hardware, and then pay for the electricity! 

    Users leverage Topnotch Crypto’s prolific servers; after downloading the app and quickly registering as a user, they can start mining Bitcoin instantly. You will find the experience very straightforward, and they’ll aid you through it even if you’re new to cryptocurrency.

    Click to download the APP to learn more highlights

    Advantages of Using a Mobile Mining App

    One of the key benefits of Topnotch Crypto’s solution is sheer convenience. Traditional mining configurations require thousands of dollars in hardware and a space with noisy, heat-generating rigs. Topnotch Crypto’s mobile app on the other hand, allows users to mine Bitcoin from almost anywhere — whether enjoying a coffee at a café, lounging while on vacation, or during a brief break at work.

    Because the heavy compute occurs in the cloud, the user’s smartphone remains cool, efficient, fully available for other mobile functions. Moreover, the app utilizes minimal battery so that mining does not interfere with other mobile matters.

    With this kind of accessibility, even total novices can quickly participate in the global Bitcoin network, adding to the ever-growing ledger, simply by tapping buttons on their smartphone.

    Key Features and Benefits

    Get started quickly: After downloading the app, you can complete the registration in just a few seconds, get $15, and start mining immediately without any technical barriers.

    24/7 Cloud Mining: The platform does not stop running, allowing users’ Bitcoin to grow at all times, even while they sleep. 

    Live Reporting & Analytics: The intelligent dashboards demonstrate live mining statistics, current Bitcoin prices, and more detailed earning reports than anyone would need. 

    Advanced Security Model: Each user has their information, wallets, and funds protected with state-of-the-art encryption standards and multiple levels of data protocols. 

    Instant Withdrawals: Users can withdraw mined Bitcoin to their wallets without delay whenever they want. 

    Referrals: The built-in referral system allows users to earn engagement bonuses every time they invite friends to join the platform, with additional bonuses for reaching referral goals.

    Statements from Topnotch Crypto

    A representative from Topnotch Crypto emphasized how the app fits nicely within their larger vision of bringing everyone along the ride of blockchain:

    “We’re incredibly excited to launch this mobile-first solution and make Bitcoin-mining accessible to anyone with a phone and an internet connection. This is a huge step forward to true decentralization and mass adoption of cryptocurrency.”

    The company believes this innovation will catalyze a flood of new players into the crypto ecosystem, building even more awareness and confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.

    Driving a New Era of Bitcoin Adoption

    Topnotch Crypto’s cloud mining app is intending to eliminate the costly and technical barriers to entry that have traditionally prevented more individuals worldwide from mining Bitcoin. More users in the ecosystem ultimately makes the network stronger and speeds up the global transition to decentralized finance. 

    For existing crypto fans, the app will allow them to diversify their portfolio in an efficient manner and let them grow their Bitcoin assets passively. For new entrants, it’s a great way for them to explore the crypto world without incurring large investment upfront. 

    How to Get Started with Topnotch Crypto

    It’s simple to get up and running. The Topnotch Crypto app is now available on both Android and iOS. Users can begin mining Bitcoin within minutes after installation and sign up, monitor their daily status, and take out their earnings whenever they wish. 

    User will also receive educational tips, market news, and customer support so all users may have a positive experience no matter their crypto experience level.

    About Topnotch Crypto

    Topnotch Crypto is a cutting edge blockchain company that is working to make cryptocurrency accessible, safe, and rewarding. Using advanced platforms and solutions that focus on the user, Topnotch Crypto is enabling individuals around the world to participate in the future of digital finance. 

    For press inquiries, partnership opportunities, or more information, please contact:

    Topnotch Crypto Media Relations
    info@topnotchcrypto.com
    https://www.topnotchcrypto.com/

    Experience the freedom to mine Bitcoin anytime, anywhere. Download the Topnotch Crypto app today and turn your smartphone into a powerful Bitcoin mining machine.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in the loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Topnotch Crypto Launches Innovative Cloud Mining App, Turning Smartphones into Bitcoin Mining Machines

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Topnotch Crypto is a leading provider of blockchain and digital asset solutions is excited to announce the launch of their new cloud mining mobile app. The cloud mining mobile app easily makes the average smartphone a bitcoin mining machine, making crypto mining simple and open to the masses.

    Details of the New Cloud Mining App

    The app recently launched by Topnotch Crypto is an exciting development for cryptocurrency mining! Their application utilizes secure cloud (SaaS) infrastructure and takes out the barriers of crypto mining; you no longer have to pay a premium for expensive hardware, juggle the complexities of hardware, and then pay for the electricity! 

    Users leverage Topnotch Crypto’s prolific servers; after downloading the app and quickly registering as a user, they can start mining Bitcoin instantly. You will find the experience very straightforward, and they’ll aid you through it even if you’re new to cryptocurrency.

    Click to download the APP to learn more highlights

    Advantages of Using a Mobile Mining App

    One of the key benefits of Topnotch Crypto’s solution is sheer convenience. Traditional mining configurations require thousands of dollars in hardware and a space with noisy, heat-generating rigs. Topnotch Crypto’s mobile app on the other hand, allows users to mine Bitcoin from almost anywhere — whether enjoying a coffee at a café, lounging while on vacation, or during a brief break at work.

    Because the heavy compute occurs in the cloud, the user’s smartphone remains cool, efficient, fully available for other mobile functions. Moreover, the app utilizes minimal battery so that mining does not interfere with other mobile matters.

    With this kind of accessibility, even total novices can quickly participate in the global Bitcoin network, adding to the ever-growing ledger, simply by tapping buttons on their smartphone.

    Key Features and Benefits

    Get started quickly: After downloading the app, you can complete the registration in just a few seconds, get $15, and start mining immediately without any technical barriers.

    24/7 Cloud Mining: The platform does not stop running, allowing users’ Bitcoin to grow at all times, even while they sleep. 

    Live Reporting & Analytics: The intelligent dashboards demonstrate live mining statistics, current Bitcoin prices, and more detailed earning reports than anyone would need. 

    Advanced Security Model: Each user has their information, wallets, and funds protected with state-of-the-art encryption standards and multiple levels of data protocols. 

    Instant Withdrawals: Users can withdraw mined Bitcoin to their wallets without delay whenever they want. 

    Referrals: The built-in referral system allows users to earn engagement bonuses every time they invite friends to join the platform, with additional bonuses for reaching referral goals.

    Statements from Topnotch Crypto

    A representative from Topnotch Crypto emphasized how the app fits nicely within their larger vision of bringing everyone along the ride of blockchain:

    “We’re incredibly excited to launch this mobile-first solution and make Bitcoin-mining accessible to anyone with a phone and an internet connection. This is a huge step forward to true decentralization and mass adoption of cryptocurrency.”

    The company believes this innovation will catalyze a flood of new players into the crypto ecosystem, building even more awareness and confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.

    Driving a New Era of Bitcoin Adoption

    Topnotch Crypto’s cloud mining app is intending to eliminate the costly and technical barriers to entry that have traditionally prevented more individuals worldwide from mining Bitcoin. More users in the ecosystem ultimately makes the network stronger and speeds up the global transition to decentralized finance. 

    For existing crypto fans, the app will allow them to diversify their portfolio in an efficient manner and let them grow their Bitcoin assets passively. For new entrants, it’s a great way for them to explore the crypto world without incurring large investment upfront. 

    How to Get Started with Topnotch Crypto

    It’s simple to get up and running. The Topnotch Crypto app is now available on both Android and iOS. Users can begin mining Bitcoin within minutes after installation and sign up, monitor their daily status, and take out their earnings whenever they wish. 

    User will also receive educational tips, market news, and customer support so all users may have a positive experience no matter their crypto experience level.

    About Topnotch Crypto

    Topnotch Crypto is a cutting edge blockchain company that is working to make cryptocurrency accessible, safe, and rewarding. Using advanced platforms and solutions that focus on the user, Topnotch Crypto is enabling individuals around the world to participate in the future of digital finance. 

    For press inquiries, partnership opportunities, or more information, please contact:

    Topnotch Crypto Media Relations
    info@topnotchcrypto.com
    https://www.topnotchcrypto.com/

    Experience the freedom to mine Bitcoin anytime, anywhere. Download the Topnotch Crypto app today and turn your smartphone into a powerful Bitcoin mining machine.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a trading recommendation. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and may result in the loss of funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark package to pursue domestic abuse perpetrators

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Landmark package to pursue domestic abuse perpetrators

    Victims of domestic abuse to be protected under a £53 million drive to target most dangerous offenders.

    Thousands more women and children will be better protected from domestic abuse through the direct targeting of perpetrators, the Home Secretary has announced today.

    Backed by a £53 million investment over the next 4 years, domestic abuse perpetrators who pose the highest risk will be forced to change their behaviour and stop their offending as more police and agencies roll out tactics shown to reduce abuse.

    It will form a central part of the government’s Plan for Change and pledge to tackle the epidemic of domestic abuse, which sees the police record a domestic abuse-related crime every 30 seconds.

    The Drive Project has been piloted since 2016 to address the root causes of abuse through intensive one-to-one case management for up to 12 months. This includes using protection orders to keep offenders away from victims, alongside work to address drug misuse and alcohol dependency. A dedicated independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) supports the victim in parallel, ensuring their safety and needs are prioritised at every stage. 

    The results have seen percentages of perpetrators using physical abuse cut by 82%, sexual abuse by 88%, stalking behaviours by 75% and jealous and controlling behaviours by 73%.

    The multi-million pound investment will see up to 15 new areas going live by March 2026, with full roll-out across England and Wales to follow.

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    The roll out of these new programmes means the relentless pursuit of perpetrators who pose a risk to women and girls whether they operate at home or on the streets – and intervening early to prevent further harm.

    Through our mission to make our streets safer, we will take every opportunity to challenge and change dangerous behaviours, intensively monitor and manage perpetrators who pose a risk, and give victims the support they need to take back their lives.

    The Drive Partnership, a consortium of 3 organisations – Respect, SafeLives, and Social Finance – is working to end domestic abuse and protect victim-survivors. The Drive Project is their flagship intervention working with those causing harm in their relationships to prevent abusive behaviour.

    Rolling out The Drive Project demonstrates that the government is committed to doing things differently, working closely with civil society and bringing experts into policy development to improve the lives of working people. Today’s announcement comes ahead of the Civil Society Summit being held on Thursday 17 July, where the Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips will join a violence against women and girls panel with Beyond Equality, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and Minister Davies-Jones.

    Alongside tackling domestic abuse, the government is also funding 3 police forces to step up efforts to prevent predatory behaviour in public spaces and night time economy venues through Project Vigilant.

    Currently being trialled by Thames Valley Police, alongside several other forces across the country, specially trained plain-clothed officers are patrolling nightlife hotspots to hunt down predatory behaviour, with uniformed officers then stepping in to keep the public safe.

    A further £230,000 will enable specialist deployments in 3 police forces, support the trial of new tools – including sniffer dogs trained to detect drugs commonly used in spiking – and help to gather evidence on how the approach works in different settings.

    Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips said:

    Through bold initiatives like the Drive Project and Project Vigilant, we’re going after perpetrators wherever they pose a threat. We are shifting the focus onto those who cause harm, challenging dangerous behaviours and making it clear that the responsibility for ending abuse lies with perpetrators, not those who suffer from it.

    Through our mission to make our streets safer, every penny we invest in holding perpetrators to account is a step towards a better and safer future for every victim.

    The Drive Project will be delivered in partnership with police and crime commissioners, police forces, domestic abuse services and the Drive Partnership, and supported by national training and resources.

    Case managers work closely with high-risk perpetrators for up to 12 months, building their capacity to manage emotions and relationships differently, removing opportunities for abuse through close monitoring and disruption tactics and ensuring dedicated support for victims.

    Interventions are tailored to each perpetrator’s risk level and pattern of abuse and can include:

    • disruption tactics such as police intervention and the use of protection orders
    • engagement with social services to safeguard families and children
    • alternative accommodation to prevent perpetrators from returning to victims’ homes
    • addressing drug and alcohol dependencies that can fuel abusive behaviour
    • behaviour change to address patterns of control and violence
    • monitoring and accountability to prevent reoffending
    • dedicated support for victims to help them rebuild their lives and move on

    Kyla Kirkpatrick, Director, The Drive Partnership, said 

    We welcome this investment from the Home Office into the expansion of the Drive Project across England and Wales because victim-survivors tell us that as well as more support for themselves, they want and need better responses to the people causing harm in their lives. They need them to be seen, held to account and stopped. The Drive Project does that and with 10 years of delivery, development and evaluation behind us know that it works.

    This work can only happen if the focus is absolutely on the safety and wellbeing of the victim-survivors. This investment will see the vast majority of funding flow directly to local domestic abuse perpetrator services and victim-survivor support services, and we will be working in partnership with local services to ensure that the Drive Project is tailored to meet the needs of local communities. We look forward to the forthcoming VAWG strategy to support victim-survivor services with much-needed investment and cross-departmental commitment.

    Detective Superintendent Jon Capps, Head of Rape and Sexual Offences and Project Vigilant at Thames Valley Police, said:

    We welcome funding which supports vital proactive initiatives to disrupt those who behave in a predatory manner and offend against women and girls.

    Our Project Vigilant officers are specially trained to spot predatory behaviour, intervening and preventing it escalating into an offence.

    This year we have conducted 50 Vigilant deployments across the Thames Valley, all of which highlight our commitment to keep people safe, specifically in the night time economy and increasingly with large public events.

    Our aim is to take a suspect-focused approach, creating safer public spaces and building trust and confidence in our policing response.

    Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association:

    We welcome today’s announcement and fully support the government’s £53 million package to target the most dangerous domestic abuse perpetrators. A perpetrator-focused approach is essential – accountability must lie with those who commit these crimes, not the women who endure them.

    We understand that predatory behaviour is a pervasive issue within society and must be addressed wherever it occurs – across communities, public spaces, and institutions. Over recent years, the industry has worked hard to drive awareness and put robust mitigations in place – through staff training, use of CCTV, awareness campaigns and strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders and policing.

    Today’s announcement – particularly the expansion of the Drive Project and Project Vigilant, as well as the introduction of specially-trained officers to address predatory behaviour – is a vital step toward tackling the root causes of abuse. It will provide greater protection for women and support operators in disrupting harmful behaviours early.

    The NTIA is committed to supporting the government’s Plan for Change and its goal to halve violence against women within a decade. We will continue working closely with government, policing, and local authorities to embed a perpetrator-focused culture of safety and accountability throughout the night time economy.

    This investment comes after the government announced a boost of nearly £20 million in support for victims of abuse, including £6 million for helplines which can offer life-saving support.

    A relentless pursuit of perpetrators will form a central part of the government’s upcoming strategy on violence against women and girls, shifting the burden of safety away from victims and onto the perpetrators responsible for these devastating crimes. The strategy will also set out action to transform the system’s response to VAWG, including on prevention, early intervention, enforcement and victim support.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Expand Energy Provides 2025 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call Information

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OKLAHOMA CITY, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: EXE) announced today that it will release its 2025 second quarter operational and financial results after market close on July 29, 2025. A conference call to discuss the results has been scheduled for July 30, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. Participants can view the live webcast here. Participants who would like to ask a question, can register here, and will receive the dial-in info and a unique PIN to join the call. Links to the conference call will be provided on Expand Energy’s website. A replay will be available on the website following the call.

    About Expand Energy
    Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: EXE) is the largest natural gas producer in the United States, powered by dedicated and innovative employees focused on disrupting the industry’s traditional cost and market delivery model to responsibly develop assets in the nation’s most prolific natural gas basins. Expand Energy’s returns-driven strategy strives to create sustainable value for its stakeholders by leveraging its scale, financial strength and operational execution. Expand Energy is committed to expanding America’s energy reach to fuel a more affordable, reliable, lower carbon future.

    INVESTOR CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT:
    Chris Ayres Brooke Coe
    (405) 935-8870 (405) 935-8878
    ir@expandenergy.com media@expandenergy.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Portman Ridge Finance Corporation Schedules Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: PTMN) (“Portman Ridge” or the “Company”) is to release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, after market close. The Company will host a conference call on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss these results.

    By Phone: To access the call, please dial (646) 307-1963 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call and use the conference ID 1430967.
                    
    A replay of this conference call will be available shortly after the live call through August 15, 2025.

    By Webcast: A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed via the Internet, on a listen-only basis at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/aty7k6qp. The online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website shortly after the call at www.portmanridge.com in the Investor Relations section under Events and Presentations.

    About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

    PTMN is a publicly traded, externally managed closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. PTMN’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. PTMN’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC, an affiliate of BC Partners Advisors L.P.

    PTMN’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on Portman Ridge’s website at www.portmanridge.com.

    Contacts:
    Portman Ridge Finance Corporation
    650 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor
    New York, NY 10022
    info@portmanridge.com

    Brandon Satoren
    Chief Financial Officer
    Brandon.Satoren@bcpartners.com
    (212) 891-2880

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    lcati@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9611

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Val Ferraro
    vferraro@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9633

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama: how electric guitarists challenge expectations of gender

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janelle K Johnstone, Associate Lecturer Crime, Justice and Legal Studies, PhD Candidate School of Social Inquiry, La Trobe University

    American gospel singer and guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe playing a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar on stage in 1957. Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

    I’ve been playing a 1963 Maton FyrByrd guitar since I was 14 years old. It’s Australian designed and made with the unique sharkbite body, and pickups named cool, midway and hi-fi.

    With only 1,160 of this model produced between 1962 and 1965, it’s a rarity. But so too is its provenance. In lieu of jewellery, cabinet crystal or other family heirlooms, I inherited my mother’s electric guitar.

    The electric guitar is synonymous with rock’n’roll genres emerging from the 1950s. It’s also become one of the most potent icons of masculine heroism in popular music culture. Stereotypical imagery circulates around riffs, shredding and posturing.

    The wailing guitar solo has become a signature feature of virtuosity, a spotlight of grandeur setting the male guitarist apart from the band with a distinctive textural line.

    These characteristics mean the electric guitar takes up space – something traditionally associated with masculine performance.

    But the paradox about the gendering of “the axe” is that a leading, stylistic founder was a woman – and many follow in her footsteps today.

    Sister Rosetta Tharpe

    The guitar has been an important instrument of music making for centuries, but the 1930s marked the invention of the electric guitar.

    Amplifying the guitar produced its distinctive feature: the capacity for sustain. This enabled sounds to siren out, dive and waver – often at high volume.

    Sister Rosetta Tharpe emerged alongside the electrification of the guitar.

    Sister Rosetta Tharpe photographed in November 1957.
    Henry How/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

    Her style developed over four decades from the 1930s to 1960s with fluid fretboard prowess and a percussive right hand, leaning into the hover of distortion. Tharpe influenced big names of contemporary music such as Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards.

    Audiences loved her.

    However, a woman (also queer, and a person of colour) “owning” the electric guitar challenged the patriarchal music industry who tended to frame her as a singer, rather than a prolific instrumentalist.

    DIY learning systems

    While stereotypes such as “masculine” taking up space might help to explain a lack of women and gender diverse electric guitarists (and indeed other instrumentalists in rock tropes), their absence also stems from the way that skills are developed and subsequently valued.

    In rock and punk music, learning to play often comes via friendship groups where knowledge is passed around and learnt using do-it-yourself (DIY) methods.

    These processes are often associated with rites of passage into adulthood.

    But these social networks are also gendered. Women and gender diverse people are often excluded from informal channels that create opportunities, or relegated to support roles, a reflection of mainstream ideas that set “women’s roles” to passive. This starts from a young age.

    My research (to be published) shows that, for those who do pick up a guitar, DIY (and punk sentiment) is an effective tool to circumvent social barriers to skill acquisition.

    Yet women and gender diverse guitarists are constantly compared to a male cannon of music history, scrutinised as an exception, but rarely exceptional.

    Gendered divisions of labour that see women carry a greater weight of unpaid labour further impact the time available to hone a craft. These are the double gates of sexism and ageism that make becoming a music legend a masculine, middle aged, luxury.

    Despite this, a treasure trove of musical elders have distorted the way that guitar playing is historically and sentimentally wedded to masculine expertise.

    The axe in different hands

    When Joan Jett burst onto the punk scene in the 1970s with her low-slung electric guitar, she had the look and attitude of her male counterparts. But she carved a style centred on solid, rhythmic blocks, saturating accents with power chords in lieu of complex, single note techniques.

    Joan Jett plays guitar for The Runaways, Chicago 1977.
    Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    Later, Kurt Cobain adopted a similar technique, perhaps explaining Jett’s appearance in Nirvana’s recent 30th album anniversary special.

    In subcultural spaces, artists like Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama from Japanese cult band the 5, 6, 7, 8s, now in her mid 70s, shape-shifts her way through a range of genre bending musical statements that challenge stereotypical guitar playing with signature guitar pedals, and joyous virtuosity.

    Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama performing during the The Carling Weekend: Reading Festival in 2004.
    Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images

    On her recent album tour, Kim Gordon, one of the most recognisable women in punk, now also in her 70s, ditched her bass for the electric guitar.

    She ended her shows standing on her amp holding her guitar overhead. She’s doing what she’s always done: querying the boundaries of culture tropes, cementing her iconic status.

    These artists and countless others challenge expectations of gender via the symbolism projected through the electric guitar.

    And they go a step further in rejecting pressures for older women to be sidelined.

    Kim Gordon as a member of the super-group Free Kitten performs in concert in Milan, 2024.
    Elena Di Vincenzo/Archivio Elena Di Vincenzo/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

    The Australian soundscape

    Australian music culture has a rich and diverse heritage. However, the same touchstones tend to be used to produce a particular narrative about musical connoisseurship that enables (mostly) men to be elevated through to legendary status.

    It’s annoying. Because in the context of rock guitar playing, the local talent pool is extensive. Current stars Courtney Barnett, Erica Dunn, and emerging musicians like Jaybird Bryne represent a legacy to the work of artists such as Suze DeMarchi, Orianthi, Adalita, Barb Waters and Sarah McLeod, all sharing commercial success as guitarists.

    They sit alongside well-established independent artists really stretching the sonic parameters of the electric guitar in DIY/punk traditions including Penny Ikinger, Lisa Mackinney, Sarah Hardiman, Claire Birchall, Bonnie Mercer and Sarah Blaby.

    Moving past the musical bias of the great, white, male not only expands our sonic palettes – it might also help us to rethink the limitations of binary gender roles more broadly. This means querying cultural inheritances like the axe, re-imagining who an elder might be, and embracing what they sound like.

    Janelle K Johnstone receives funding from Creative Victoria and the Australia Council.

    – ref. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama: how electric guitarists challenge expectations of gender – https://theconversation.com/from-sister-rosetta-tharpe-to-ronnie-yoshiko-fujiyama-how-electric-guitarists-challenge-expectations-of-gender-254704

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama: how electric guitarists challenge expectations of gender

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janelle K Johnstone, Associate Lecturer Crime, Justice and Legal Studies, PhD Candidate School of Social Inquiry, La Trobe University

    American gospel singer and guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe playing a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar on stage in 1957. Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

    I’ve been playing a 1963 Maton FyrByrd guitar since I was 14 years old. It’s Australian designed and made with the unique sharkbite body, and pickups named cool, midway and hi-fi.

    With only 1,160 of this model produced between 1962 and 1965, it’s a rarity. But so too is its provenance. In lieu of jewellery, cabinet crystal or other family heirlooms, I inherited my mother’s electric guitar.

    The electric guitar is synonymous with rock’n’roll genres emerging from the 1950s. It’s also become one of the most potent icons of masculine heroism in popular music culture. Stereotypical imagery circulates around riffs, shredding and posturing.

    The wailing guitar solo has become a signature feature of virtuosity, a spotlight of grandeur setting the male guitarist apart from the band with a distinctive textural line.

    These characteristics mean the electric guitar takes up space – something traditionally associated with masculine performance.

    But the paradox about the gendering of “the axe” is that a leading, stylistic founder was a woman – and many follow in her footsteps today.

    Sister Rosetta Tharpe

    The guitar has been an important instrument of music making for centuries, but the 1930s marked the invention of the electric guitar.

    Amplifying the guitar produced its distinctive feature: the capacity for sustain. This enabled sounds to siren out, dive and waver – often at high volume.

    Sister Rosetta Tharpe emerged alongside the electrification of the guitar.

    Sister Rosetta Tharpe photographed in November 1957.
    Henry How/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

    Her style developed over four decades from the 1930s to 1960s with fluid fretboard prowess and a percussive right hand, leaning into the hover of distortion. Tharpe influenced big names of contemporary music such as Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards.

    Audiences loved her.

    However, a woman (also queer, and a person of colour) “owning” the electric guitar challenged the patriarchal music industry who tended to frame her as a singer, rather than a prolific instrumentalist.

    DIY learning systems

    While stereotypes such as “masculine” taking up space might help to explain a lack of women and gender diverse electric guitarists (and indeed other instrumentalists in rock tropes), their absence also stems from the way that skills are developed and subsequently valued.

    In rock and punk music, learning to play often comes via friendship groups where knowledge is passed around and learnt using do-it-yourself (DIY) methods.

    These processes are often associated with rites of passage into adulthood.

    But these social networks are also gendered. Women and gender diverse people are often excluded from informal channels that create opportunities, or relegated to support roles, a reflection of mainstream ideas that set “women’s roles” to passive. This starts from a young age.

    My research (to be published) shows that, for those who do pick up a guitar, DIY (and punk sentiment) is an effective tool to circumvent social barriers to skill acquisition.

    Yet women and gender diverse guitarists are constantly compared to a male cannon of music history, scrutinised as an exception, but rarely exceptional.

    Gendered divisions of labour that see women carry a greater weight of unpaid labour further impact the time available to hone a craft. These are the double gates of sexism and ageism that make becoming a music legend a masculine, middle aged, luxury.

    Despite this, a treasure trove of musical elders have distorted the way that guitar playing is historically and sentimentally wedded to masculine expertise.

    The axe in different hands

    When Joan Jett burst onto the punk scene in the 1970s with her low-slung electric guitar, she had the look and attitude of her male counterparts. But she carved a style centred on solid, rhythmic blocks, saturating accents with power chords in lieu of complex, single note techniques.

    Joan Jett plays guitar for The Runaways, Chicago 1977.
    Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    Later, Kurt Cobain adopted a similar technique, perhaps explaining Jett’s appearance in Nirvana’s recent 30th album anniversary special.

    In subcultural spaces, artists like Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama from Japanese cult band the 5, 6, 7, 8s, now in her mid 70s, shape-shifts her way through a range of genre bending musical statements that challenge stereotypical guitar playing with signature guitar pedals, and joyous virtuosity.

    Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama performing during the The Carling Weekend: Reading Festival in 2004.
    Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images

    On her recent album tour, Kim Gordon, one of the most recognisable women in punk, now also in her 70s, ditched her bass for the electric guitar.

    She ended her shows standing on her amp holding her guitar overhead. She’s doing what she’s always done: querying the boundaries of culture tropes, cementing her iconic status.

    These artists and countless others challenge expectations of gender via the symbolism projected through the electric guitar.

    And they go a step further in rejecting pressures for older women to be sidelined.

    Kim Gordon as a member of the super-group Free Kitten performs in concert in Milan, 2024.
    Elena Di Vincenzo/Archivio Elena Di Vincenzo/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

    The Australian soundscape

    Australian music culture has a rich and diverse heritage. However, the same touchstones tend to be used to produce a particular narrative about musical connoisseurship that enables (mostly) men to be elevated through to legendary status.

    It’s annoying. Because in the context of rock guitar playing, the local talent pool is extensive. Current stars Courtney Barnett, Erica Dunn, and emerging musicians like Jaybird Bryne represent a legacy to the work of artists such as Suze DeMarchi, Orianthi, Adalita, Barb Waters and Sarah McLeod, all sharing commercial success as guitarists.

    They sit alongside well-established independent artists really stretching the sonic parameters of the electric guitar in DIY/punk traditions including Penny Ikinger, Lisa Mackinney, Sarah Hardiman, Claire Birchall, Bonnie Mercer and Sarah Blaby.

    Moving past the musical bias of the great, white, male not only expands our sonic palettes – it might also help us to rethink the limitations of binary gender roles more broadly. This means querying cultural inheritances like the axe, re-imagining who an elder might be, and embracing what they sound like.

    Janelle K Johnstone receives funding from Creative Victoria and the Australia Council.

    – ref. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Ronnie Yoshiko Fujiyama: how electric guitarists challenge expectations of gender – https://theconversation.com/from-sister-rosetta-tharpe-to-ronnie-yoshiko-fujiyama-how-electric-guitarists-challenge-expectations-of-gender-254704

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: The Elon Code Releases 2025 Transparency Update on Digital Cognitive Optimization

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Antonio, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    What You’ll Learn

    This release outlines The Elon Code’s updated 2025 structure as a digital-first cognitive enhancement platform. Readers will explore how the program integrates non-ingestible neuro-alignment techniques, behavioral science models, and performance training sequences rooted in theta/gamma brainwave logic. Discover why more users are turning to structured digital routines over traditional pills or supplement stacks — and what separates this MIT-modeled system from standard brain-training apps.

    Visit the Official The Elon Code Site to explore the latest digital training system transparency update.

    Disclaimer

    This content is for informational purposes only. The Elon Code is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. No medical claims are made or implied. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

    Inside the 2025 Shift in Cognitive Training Protocols

    The performance enhancement landscape in 2025 has shifted toward precision, agency, and non-pharmaceutical tools. The Elon Code has aligned its evolution with this shift, focusing on fully digital experiences rather than supplement-based approaches. Consumers are increasingly seeking structured behavioral systems that support clarity and consistency, without the variables associated with physical ingredients or proprietary compounds. As a result, the brand has eliminated any association with nutritional interventions and instead built its system entirely around cognitive scaffolding, identity-driven repetition, and modular behavior design.

    Explore the Full Elon Code Stack Lineup to understand how this approach contrasts with physical supplementation models.

    The Elon Code’s new model is a software-first framework. Users don’t ingest anything. Instead, they engage with digitally sequenced experiences designed to mirror core neurobehavioral functions. The 2025 update enhances flexibility, reduces friction, and increases clarity around what the product is—a structured system for building habits, not a treatment protocol.

    Understanding the Science Behind The Elon Code’s Digital Strategy

    Scientific inspiration behind The Elon Code stems from neural learning models, cognitive psychology, and performance rhythm research. This system embraces theta-gamma phase synchronization — a neural coupling pattern seen during learning and working memory tasks — as the conceptual engine for its structured delivery method.

    Rather than replicating research directly, The Elon Code applies metaphorical alignment: modules are time-gated and layered to simulate the rhythm of neuroplastic reinforcement. Tools include:

    • Guided focus sessions using language-based priming
    • Audio protocols designed for internal pacing and external structure
    • Workflow builders modeled after known cognitive sequencing patterns

    See Details for The Elon Code and how its architecture avoids chemical dependency by design.

    This approach doesn’t diagnose or treat. It simply maps routines to predictable patterns of engagement using behavior science as a guide. In this way, the program becomes a mirror, enabling users to self-regulate and shape their daily performance rituals.

    Who This Digital Optimization System Might Serve Best in 2025

    While many tools in the cognitive space target specific ailments or use claims to drive conversion, The Elon Code focuses solely on voluntary behavior alignment. Its ideal audience includes:

    • Founders, freelancers, and digital strategists optimizing workflow depth
    • Learners and knowledge workers building focus and routine autonomy
    • Professionals avoiding stimulant-based energy tools
    • Creators building identity-driven routines anchored in rhythm, not hype

    Users who value control, minimalism, and clarity often find this system a compelling alternative to overstimulated cognitive stacks or vague promise-based apps. Its structure favors those who want to earn their transformation through consistency, not dependency.

    Digital Module Highlights: A Closer Look at What’s Inside

    The Elon Code consists of interactive routines, reflection prompts, and digital tools for reinforcing cognitive anchoring. There are no physical ingredients. No downloads. Just access to:

    • Morning Alignment Modules (mental rehearsal, sequence priming)
    • Midday Momentum Tracks (focus retention, emotional reset)
    • Evening Integration Protocols (learning lock-in, rhythm review)

    These modules are arranged in a non-linear path users can revisit or repeat. Unlike generic productivity courses, these sequences use targeted language design and anchored repetition principles to train consistency over novelty. The goal is rhythm, not stimulation.

    Discover the Structure Behind Flow State Support Protocols that power this rhythm-first model.

    How The Elon Code Compares to Traditional Cognitive Products

    Most cognitive products in the performance category fall into one of two camps: pharmacological (nootropics, energy boosters) or content-based (books, lectures, apps). The Elon Code stands apart by functioning as neither. It is not a product in the traditional sense. It is a protocol.

    Whereas many competitors emphasize what goes into the brain, The Elon Code emphasizes what comes out through behavior. The structure is its benefit. There are no bioactive compounds or passive videos. Everything is interactive, time-released, and designed to close the intention-action gap.

    This transparency-first model rejects trends and builds trust through clarity: no testimonials, no exaggerated claims, no urgency. Just rhythm, repetition, and scaffolding. This resonates with a 2025 audience tired of empty promises and quick fixes.

    Realistic Experiences: What Users Might Notice with Regular Use

    While outcomes vary, users consistently report improved execution behavior. These experiences often begin as small shifts—waking with clearer purpose, initiating tasks with less internal resistance, or noticing fewer interruptions in daily concentration. Rather than positioning itself as a tool for instant gratification, The Elon Code builds a momentum loop. The more users engage with the modules, the more reliable their behavioral anchors become.

    Some users have noted greater resilience during high-pressure work cycles, fewer instances of digital drift, and smoother transitions between focus modes. These responses aren’t presented as universal truths but as common experiential trends linked to routine-based reinforcement. Importantly, users who journal or track mood alongside program usage may see amplified outcomes due to the reflection component baked into the platform.

    Because The Elon Code is not a supplement, there is no expectation of a “kick in.” Instead, the system relies on:

    • Repeat exposure to internal cues
    • Environmental rhythm pairing
    • Daily decision reduction

    Learn More About The Elon Code’s 2025 Formulations and how they emphasize neural rhythm training without artificial triggers.

    Key Considerations When Exploring Digital Neuro-Tools in 2025

    With growing interest in behavioral enhancement, the risk of pseudoscience has never been greater. Platforms that promise effortless transformation or make unsupported medical claims often dominate headlines, but savvy users in 2025 are digging deeper. They’re evaluating frameworks not by aesthetic or testimonials but by epistemological integrity—how clearly the system explains what it does and what it doesn’t.

    The Elon Code takes a position of radical transparency. Every module, prompt, and progression track is described in terms of rhythm, repetition, and behavioral alignment—not vague neuroscience. The language used avoids jargon unless it’s grounded in well-established cognitive science. That makes the system approachable without dumbing down the underlying principles.

    It’s also designed for users who value experimentation. The Elon Code supports layered habit stacking, time-of-day testing, and internal state journaling so users can personalize their optimization cycle without needing external validation. This level of self-direction is rare in commercial cognitive tools, and it’s something high-agency users specifically seek out.

    The Elon Code meets these criteria while staying within clear ethical and regulatory boundaries. Its commitment is to clarity and calibration, not hype or health claims.

    Inside The Elon Code’s Digital Platform for 2025

    Beyond individual modules, what distinguishes The Elon Code in 2025 is its ecosystem approach. Users aren’t just given content—they’re given infrastructure. From the moment a user signs in, the interface guides them toward self-calibration. The platform encourages morning planning rituals, midday rhythm rechecks, and evening wind-down analysis without requiring external tools.

    The platform is responsive to user data in non-invasive ways. It flags skipped modules, tracks focus windows, and offers nudges when energy dips are detected through pattern analysis. While it collects no biometric data, the behavioral model adapts based on engagement timing and duration.

    The full system includes access to:

    • Sequence Map Dashboard
    • Habit Stack Engine
    • Identity Prompt Archive

    The 2025 update adds:

    • Session tracking
    • Rhythm deviation feedback
    • Expanded user onboarding for flow state compatibility

    This infrastructure replaces supplements, stack plans, and guru systems with something simple: your own system, reflected back and restructured for scale.

    Where to Learn More

    Readers can Explore the Full Elon Code Stack Lineup to dive into every element of its 2025 system architecture.

    Or See Details for The Elon Code through a behavioral lens by visiting the transparency portal.

    Or Discover the Structure Behind Flow State Support Protocols to examine how each module fits into broader neural rhythm theory.

    Contact & Company Info

    The Elon Code
    Program Support: https://theeloncode.com/help/contact/?
    Order Support: https://www.clkbank.com/#!/
    Toll-Free (US): +1 800-390-6035
    International: +1 208-345-4245 (24/7)

    Disclaimer

    This content is for informational purposes only. The Elon Code is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: Congress Controls Purse Strings, Not Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), lead Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, today urged his colleagues to reject President Donald Trump’s efforts to enact a harmful $9 billion cut to foreign aid and public broadcasting. The Republican rescissions bill would devastate public TV and radio stations across the country, making it more difficult for people – especially those in Native communities and rural areas – to get news and critical emergency alerts. The bill would also gut lifesaving foreign aid programs that millions of people around the world rely on.
    “Being part of the Article One branch means something very specific, and it means that we’re the legislature, and we control the purse strings,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill reduces funding for Ukraine. It reduces funding for global health. It continues to reduce funding for public television and public radio. Republicans don’t actually have to do this.”
    The full text of Schatz’s remarks can be found below. Video is available here. 
    Republicans don’t actually have to do this. I understand as well as anybody wanting to go along with your party’s president, especially in the early months. But being part of an independent and co-equal branch has to mean something. Being part of the Article One branch means something very specific, and it means that we’re the legislature and we control the purse strings.
    Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that if the president wants something, you must do it. And what worries me the most about this rescissions package, if it passes it is one thing for the president’s signature accomplishment, signature policy priority to be supported by Republicans in the legislature. I understand that. I understand the inevitable political momentum behind that. But this isn’t that. And we have now gone six months. Without a single instance of Republicans and Democrats coming together and establishing that there are some limitations on this president’s power.
    And if you remember the first Trump term, there were a couple of moments when the legislature actually stood up to the president, overrode a veto of his rejected a rescissions package. They stood up for their prerogatives. And you know what happened next? Nothing. Why? Because that’s actually how the system is supposed to work. We are not a parliamentary system. We are not a monarchy where the president says by tweet, by tweet, if you don’t adopt this exactly how it’s written, you will not receive my political support. Thank you for your attention to this matter. And that set us on a course towards passing this legislation, which I know a dozen, at least a dozen Republicans hate.
    It reduces funding for Jordan. It reduces funding for Ukraine. It reduces funding for global health. It did reduce funding for PEPFAR. It continues to reduce funding for public television and public radio. By the way, public radio is not just National Public Radio. If you were on a reservation. If you were in a very rural part of your state, it’s often not just the only radio station, the only communications infrastructure that exists in a rural area. So it’s the only platform for news. That’s true. It’s also the only emergency communications infrastructure, because still many places across the United States lack internet. And so Mike Rounds got his deal so that his tribes will be taken care of and I’m glad for him. But there are 49 other states where your emergency communications infrastructure is about to be defunded. Nobody likes that. Some people are pissed off about NPR’s coverage or PBS’s coverage. But come on, you defund an agency because you disagree with their editorial choices? Which country is this? Which country is this?
    I want to tell you something a little technical, but I think it gives away the whole game. So I’m the top Democrat on the foreign ops subcommittee. What does that mean? We do funding for U.S. aid in the State Department and a few other things. When we do the appropriations process, we get letters from every other member. They’re private letters, and a lot of people sign them and they say, “could you please give more money to whatever it is, maternal and child health or malaria prevention or, the PEPFAR program, the initiative to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission.” So we get a bunch of letters saying “please plus up this, please, plus up that” bipartisan letters. And we are trying to write a bill that accommodates all these needs. A lot of people who are about to vote to cut all the stuff are on the side writing me a letter saying, “please increase these accounts.” And why does this matter? This matters because nobody’s voting – I shouldn’t say nobody – many, many people are not voting their conscience tonight. And that’s just a fact.
    There’s a there’s a characterization in poker when you know you’re beat and someone puts money in on the river and you call anyway, it’s called a crying call. You give away your money sort of crying. This is a crying call. This is a “I know I’m beat, I vote aye,” and here’s the thing: we don’t actually have to do this.
    President Trump’s attention is famously divided, and if something pops next week, he will be on that thing next week. He did not wake up every morning thinking, I want to defund UNICEF. I want to defund PEPFAR. His attention will be divided, and the moment the legislature stands up for himself, usually what he does is he understands power and he says, “okay, those guys are asserting themselves. They’re a co-equal branch of government, and I’m going to have to move on from this.” Because why do I know this? We literally did the same thing. There was a rescissions package, which nobody remembers. Why? Because we quietly with Dick Shelby and others appropriators, all said “no, we hold the purse strings here. We write the laws that determine appropriations.” We’re not going to do this thing on a bipartisan basis, enact a spending plan, and then come in on a partisan basis and say, you know, that wasn’t actually the spending plan. That was just the spending cap. And the administration is going to come in and do whatever it wants on a partisan basis. And so what happened is they rejected the rescissions package on the motion to discharge, which is happening in about an hour and five minutes. And then you know what happened? Nothing. Nothing politically. Nothing substantively, except that we kept the appropriations process alive. We kept the filibuster alive. We kept bipartisanship alive. And in this instance, it’s not just about this institution. It is literally about people being kept alive.
    For the last five months, because of the United States’ actions, tens of thousands, at least, maybe hundreds of thousands of babies have gotten HIV/AIDS from their moms because we pulled funding. Because Elon Musk had some bug in his ear about USAID. And one weekend he said, we’re going to feed this thing to the woodchipper. And because Democrats too and pundits decided, you know what, foreign aid isn’t so important to voters. I don’t care if it’s important to voters, if it ranks on the number one, number two, or number three. We’re the United States of America and one of the reasons that we have such a strong reputation is that we do things that are right because they’re right, not because our voters are going to reward us immediately, not because we get some geopolitical advantage, but because we’re the damn good guys.
    And right now, we are ratifying a bunch of decisions against our will. We don’t have to do this. Donald Trump will move on to the next thing tomorrow. And if it’s not on this thing which has low salience for the voters, is 18 months from the next election. If it’s not on this, at what point are my Republican colleagues going to stand up for this branch of government?
    I remain ready to work with anybody on anything. I have talked to Chairman Graham about the possibility of literally enacting these rescissions, or at least a portion of them in the state and foreign ops mark, and yet they choose this legislative violence. We don’t have to do this. We don’t have to operate under the assumption that this man is uniquely so powerful. He’s the most powerful president. He owns the legislature in a way that no president has ever owned the legislature. And we all act like we’re just sort of observers, like clicking on the TV and seeing how our fantasy football team is doing this Sunday.
    We have agency tonight to reestablish that. We are the Article One branch of government, and that means something.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New city bus service confirmed

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    A new bus service covering the Crown/Kingsmills area of Inverness as well as Wester Inshes is set to be launched on Monday 4 August.

    The new 100 bus service will be delivered by The Highland Council’s In-house bus team.

    Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: “Following recent route changes by Stagecoach, our in-house team have stepped in to create this new service so residents and visitors can still enjoy regular and reliable public transport in and around Inverness.”

    The 100 service will operate Monday to Friday, providing an off-peak connection between the city centre, Crown. Kingsmills, Raigmore Hospital, Inshes Retail Park, the Stevenson Road area, the UHI Campus and Inverness Retail & Business Park, with three journeys each way per day.

    Cllr Gowans added: “I’d like to thank our team for their work to set up this service so quickly in response to the needs of communities. Having the ability to be flexible and to react to customer demands is one of main benefits of investing in council bus services.”

    The timetable for the 100 service will be made available on the Council’s website. 

    16 Jul 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Slams Republicans’ Rescissions Package on Senate Floor

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    FACT SHEET: Trump’s Rescission Package Would Shutter Local Public Radio, TV Stations Across America

    FACT SHEET: Trump’s Rescission Package Would Gut Bipartisan Foreign Policy Investments

    ICYMI: Vought Refuses to Rule Out More Illegal End-Runs Around Congress & Refuses to Detail How Trump Will Execute Cuts If Rescissions Bill Passes

    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s floor remarks***

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor slamming Senate Republicans for moving forward with President Trump’s devastating rescissions package and continuing to urge a no vote on final passage:

    [LAUGHABLE CLAIMS OF “FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY”]

    “Two weeks ago, Republicans were jamming through the most expensive bill in the history of the country. And now, they say they are worried about the debt.

    “Two weeks ago, Republicans said four trillion bucks in tax cuts for the richest people in the world was nothing—literally. And now, they are saying a truly tiny fraction of that for rural radio is just too much.

    “So, I have to ask: Is this a joke? Are they really that bad at math?

    “First, Republicans were saying trillions in tax cuts were free. Get real.

    “And now, they are pretending to be fiscal hawks by shutting down local news, and letting epidemics go unchecked around the world.

    “Well, here’s another math lesson for my colleagues, Republicans could cut every dollar ever spent on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting since it was created—down to the last dime—and it still would not cover the cost of the bill Republicans just jammed through.

    “Republicans could actually cut every dollar we have spent on foreign aid since World War II—and that would still fall short compared to the cost of the Republican tax cuts.

    “Republicans could even cut the amount in this first rescissions bill—every single day for a year—and it still would not equal their tax cuts to help their rich donors.

    “So, make no mistake, if Republicans choose to do Trump’s bidding, if they push through this package to rip away funding for emergency alerts and global health programs, it is not because they take the debt seriously.

    [MORE REQUESTS COMING]

    “And that will be just as true for the next package, because let’s be clear, if Republicans go along with this package, despite the fact they clearly have issues with it, and despite the fact Russ Vought has refused to answer the most basic questions—even from the Republican Chair of the Appropriations Committee—about which programs he is going to cut.

    “If all of that is not enough to give Republicans just some pause, and they let Russ Vought steamroll them through this package, don’t be surprised when he sends more cuts down the pike.

    “It could be medical research, and after school programs, maybe heating assistance, workplace safety, road maintenance. Everything is going to be on the chopping block. And all of our time here in the Senate is going to be spent on those requests.

    [SPENDING PRIORITIES]

    “And here’s the kicker—no matter how many rescissions Russ Vought sends, no matter how many rescissions Republicans roll over and let pass, they will never offset the trillions in tax cuts they just passed without blinking an eye.

    “Because you could rescind the entire FY25 spending bill—twice over—and it still would not cover the four trillion in tax cuts Republicans just showered on the richest people in this country.

    “So, however this vote goes, expect to hear more from me on this every time Republicans try to pretend we don’t have money for child care, or medical research, or other programs that our families rely on.

    “Now, M. President. I’ve said a lot about how patently absurd it is for Republicans to pretend they are passing these cuts because they care about the debt. But I do not want to lose sight of the larger issues. It’s not just that Republicans’ play acting about the debt is absurd, the bigger problem here is that these cuts would be devastating for our communities and for American interests around the globe.

    [SHUTTING DOWN LOCAL STATIONS]

    “When it comes to local news, these cuts could force local stations that people know and trust—know and trust—off the air. This isn’t just about a program or two taking a haircut. Trump wants to slash every penny of federal funding that supports over 1,500 local TV and radio stations.

    “Those stations, and those funds, reach 98% of all Americans. And they are especially crucial for serving our rural areas and Tribal communities. Dozens of these stations rely on these investments for half of their funding, some rely on it for as much as 99 percent!

    “If these cuts go through, these stations go dark. Weather forecasters communities have turned to for years, news anchors that are trusted voices, local reporters who track down answers their communities need and hold their officials to account, will be sent packing. And those stations will go silent.

    “Do we want our farmers to have good local coverage of weather, and market conditions? Do we want our tribal communities to know what is going on at the state capitol? Do we want families to have updates about the local school board, or community events?

    “Because this package of cuts throws all of that in jeopardy.

    “To say nothing of emergency alerts. These stations can be a lifeline when disaster strikes. They are a trusted source of information, and sometimes the only source people have access to.

    “When the devastating wildfires hit southern California earlier this year, public radio broadcasts let millions of people know how to stay safe. When Hurricane Helene battered North Carolina, a local public radio station was the only source of information for many people.

    “And, in fact, many stations use their towers to actually deliver emergency alerts to people’s cell phones when cell towers go down. This funding supports stations who play an integral role in many states’ emergency planning.

    “Do you think our communities should have less warning in an emergency? Do you want to leave folks back home with less information when they are in harm’s way?

    Well, I guess you vote for this bill if that’s how you feel. Want you to know, I’m a hard no.

    [SIDE DEAL TO ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL]

    “And let’s not pretend a secret deal from Trump and Vought, to reallocate $10 million dollars, is somehow a serious fix to this. It is a tiny drop in the bucket compared to the massive cuts being pushed through here. In fact, it’s less than 1% of the overall funding that this package would rip away for public broadcasting and those alerts.

    [KIDS PROGRAMMING]

    “And don’t forget, these cuts are going to impact some of our kids’ and parents’ favorite educational shows. Sesame Street, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger, PBS Kids has a long track record of creating shows that are beloved.  

    “Not just because they keep kids entertained, but because they are thoughtfully crafted to help them learn and grow, to stoke their curiosity, to teach them caring and empathy. Any parent will tell you that is a worthwhile investment.

    “And any parent will also warn you, if you take away shows like this that gets kids engaged and gets them thinking, take that away, then there is an avalanche of brain-rot television that’s waiting to fill that void. Content that is crafted, not to get kids thinking, but to keep them watching at all costs.

    “We have to save Sesame Street. We have to tell Trump and Vought, Big Bird is not on the chopping block in this country. And we have to send this rescissions package to Oscar’s place—AKA the trash can.

    [AMERICAN INTERESTS ABROAD]

    “And M. President, I want to talk as well about the devastating cuts this package proposes to foreign assistance. I thought America’s leadership was important to Republicans?

    “But apparently, they want to penny pinch when it comes to keeping our commitments across the world, apparently, they want to save money by letting families starve, and kids die of preventable diseases. Because that is what this package will do.

    “And this isn’t some thought exercise—we have already seen how the first round of reckless DOGE cuts are working out.

    “There’s already a growing death toll and a huge leadership void that our competitors are racing to fill, people who needed health care—but Elon Musk shut down the only clinic for miles, kids contracting diseases like HIV and Malaria—because Trump totally upended our global health response, and let’s not forget, they’re going to destroy contraceptives we’ve already purchased rather than distribute them.

    “And people are starving to death while food supplies from American companies are sitting rotting in ports. That’s another part of why America’s farmers are coming out in opposition to this bill by the way.

    “This week, 500 tons of high energy biscuits expired. Food that we already paid for. Food that was meant to save lives. And because Trump and Elon Musk blasted USAID to smithereens and couldn’t be bothered to fix the mess that they caused, this food is now going to be incinerated—even as people we promised to help watch their kids starve.

    “That is outrageous, and it is infuriating.

    “Is that what Republicans think of as world leadership? Is it leadership to Republicans when Trump fires thousands of State Department workers who keep our nation safe, and make our voice heard in the world?

    “Is it leadership to Republicans when we pull investments out of international organizations, and create a void that our adversaries like China will be all too happy to fill?

    “We already know the DOGE cuts were devastating. We know that! What I don’t know is why on earth Republicans are getting ready today to double down and codify them by passing this bill. And no—‘because Trump said so’—is not a good answer.

    “Especially when it’s clear Russ Vought is the one steering this particular ship. I’m not even sure Trump knows what a rescission is! But I’m sure Republicans know better than to think these cuts will make our nation strong.

    “I know that because we passed these investments in a bipartisan way. And because I have heard them speak out about how much they hate these cuts. You can go back and watch our hearing on this, many of our colleagues across the aisle during that hearing voiced deep concern with these cuts, that they now intend to pass today.  

    “Because we all know these investments benefit American businesses who help feed the world.

    “They help stop outbreak, they stop diseases abroad before they spread and threaten us here at home. They help promote stability and avoid chaos and conflict that can put our interests—and our servicemembers—in harm’s way.

    “They help us advance America’s interests and keep our country safe and prosperous.

    “That’s the smart thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do. And of course, it is also the right thing to do.

    “So, it’s worth saying, cutting these investments is just down right wrong.

    “We should not be voting to let children starve or die from preventable diseases. We should not be voting to go back on our word to the world.

    Saving a couple pennies is not worth losing our credibility or causing millions of needless deaths across the globe.

    “It is not even close.

    [DOESN’T NEED TO BE THIS WAY]

    “And M. President. I want to impress upon one final point. And that’s this, it did not have to be this way, and it still does not have to be this way.

    “In fact, if Republicans come to their senses, and vote this thing down, we still can go a different route. We can do what we have always done and consider bipartisan rescissions as part of our annual appropriations process. That offer has always been on the table. And it still is.
    “I’ve heard Republicans say they don’t like this package, in fact they are trying to dial it back the tiniest bit. I’ve also heard that they don’t want to spend the next several months processing these requests out here on the floor, instead of focusing on our annual funding bills—or any number of other pressing priorities.

    “So: don’t vote for it!

    “Work with us to write bills that make targeted rescissions on a bipartisan basis. You don’t work for Donald Trump. You don’t work for Russ Vought. You actually work for your constituents. You can put them first. And you can vote this package down.

    “That has some real benefits compared to going down the path of this unprecedented—unprecedented— partisan rescissions.

    “I am serious—I want my Republican colleagues to think about that. And I mean really think about it.

    “For one thing, if we do things the normal, bipartisan way, you get to assert your say as a Senator about what is getting targeted, it’s not just ‘this is what Russ Vought says—take it or leave it.’ You can actually be a part of the discussion and speak out for what is important to you.

    “For another thing: If we go the bipartisan route, you don’t have to get jammed by this deadline. 

    “Instead of rushing through cuts this week without fully getting to consider and debate them, instead of being told ‘No, you can’t change this, we don’t have time.’ We can all sit down, make thoughtful decisions, and maybe even worthwhile changes as we go.

    “And here’s an important point, if we do rescissions together through our appropriations bills, instead of just letting Trump and Russ Vought jam through whatever they want, my colleagues would actually know what in the world they are voting for.

    [NO INFORMATION ON WHAT WILL BE CUT]

    “Because let’s get one thing straight, Republicans don’t actually know what programs are going to get cut if they pass this package.

    “We don’t know! It’s one of the great outrages of this package. Russ Vought is just outright refusing to tell us what programs he is going to cut if this package passes.

    “At our hearing with him, he refused to go into detail. He stonewalled us. We asked and we asked. The Chair, the Republican Chair, even asked him about this.

    “But OMB would not tell us! The question is: What will you cut? The answer has been: Pass it, we’ll see.

    “That is why the Republicans decided to protect just a handful of programs without actually reducing the funding associated with them, because they do not know the impact.

    “So, they preserve funding for Jordan, Egypt, and a few university partnerships. What about our allies in the Indo-Pacific? What about the implementers of these programs in our states?

    “None of us should accept not having those answers. And I’m sure my colleagues were told their priorities won’t be impacted, but Director Vought cannot keep that promise given the scale of these cuts. The math simply does not add up!

    “Even if you believe we should make cuts, you should be joining us to demand we actually know what is being cut. And, if we do this the right way, the bipartisan way, we would know. Because we would be writing the bill.

    “Now, doesn’t that sound a lot better, than just passing this pandora’s box, and finding out later what got cut?

    [IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SENATE]

    “Finally, I have said this before, several times, but I want to warn my colleagues once again, if you keep going down this path you are going to further undermine our bipartisan process. 

    “We have never, never before seen bipartisan investments, slashed through a partisan rescissions package. Do not start now. Not when we are working, at this very moment, in a bipartisan way to pass our spending bills.

    “As I said earlier, bipartisanship doesn’t end with any one line being crossed, it erodes, it breaks down bit by bit, until one day there is nothing left.

    Sure, a few members may be willing to stick it out and work as hard as they can to get a result.

    “But this Senate doesn’t work off a few members—it works off consensus building. And the more bridges you burn, the fewer paths you leave to get things done.

    “So, M. President, why go down this partisan path? Why vote to spend the next many weeks considering more of these packages? And why do it for a set of cuts that are so damaging? A set of cuts, many of you have serious concerns with?

    “We are at the table right now, the Appropriations Committee, writing bipartisan spending bills. And we can and absolutely discuss bipartisan rescissions.

    “Why don’t you join us and make that work easier, instead of making that work harder by passing this bill and setting a very painful new precedent.

    “I urge my colleagues to join me in voting NO.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Africville Seasides Marine Container Examination Facility

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 16, 2025                 Halifax, Nova Scotia     

    Construction on the new Marine Container Examination Facility (MCEF) began in summer 2022 and was completed in early April 2025. Operations started on April 7, 2025.

    The new facility offers many benefits including:

    • Improves the efficiency, safety, security and operations for Canada Border Services (CBSA) employees
    • Reduces port congestion through operational efficiencies
    • Allows continued growth for the Halifax Port Authority
    • Increases supply chain effectiveness
    • Enables Canadian businesses to compete and grow in international markets
    • Reduces container truck traffic and emissions as the new MCEF is located directly on Port of Halifax property

    Facility description

    The 2,700 square-metre building is owned and operated by the Halifax Port Authority, and is used by the Canada Border Services Agency.

    The facility has 10 examination bays used by CBSA officers to examine high-risk shipping containers near the terminal. Large quantities of drugs and stolen vehicles are regularly intercepted by border services officers.

    The facility includes a truck gate with electronic scanners to help keep track of containers and their cargo.

    The Marine Container Examination Facility is an Envision-Verified infrastructure project, scoring 26% above industry standards under the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure rating system. The building has many sustainable features including:

    • A solar photovoltaic system
    • A rainwater harvesting system
    • Development of a Construction Sustainability Checklist that all contractors were required to submit as part of their tender submission
    • Development of a Contractor Tracking Tool for earthworks, materials, energy use, and water use, motion-activated LED fixtures
    • In-floor radiant heating
    • Building generator for backup power
    • Security fence rear compound for holding all containers marked for examination
    • EV charging stations

    Funding

    The Halifax Port Authority and the Government of Canada have invested approximately $25 million in the new facility. Transport Canada invested $7 million under the National Trade Corridors Fund. The CBSA invested $879,000 for :

    • CCTV hardware and installation
    • Furniture
    • IT equipment
    • Signage
    • Detection equipment
    • Audio Visual equipment
    • Building WIFI and Network equipment and installation
    • Tooling and storage cabinets

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Minecraft summer updates include streaming home for movie, new features and rewards in-game

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Minecraft summer updates include streaming home for movie, new features and rewards in-game

    Minecraft’s latest game drop isn’t just focused on what’s under your feet, but what’s above your head. Chase the Skies introduces the happy ghast, a new rideable mob that lets you take to the air alone or with friends. While exploring the Nether, you can now come across a dried ghast – return it to the Overworld, then hydrate it with water, and you’ll net yourself a ghastling, who will then grow into your new flying mount after you’ve waited long enough, or fed it enough snowballs. Just make sure you also have a ghast harness to use your smiley new ride! 

    Chase the Skies also introduces a number of new features, from craftable saddles, to new Amos Roddy music tracks, to a player locator bar to help make playing with friends that little bit easier, and even the ability to leash multiple mobs together like you’re the Overworld’s strangest dog walker. Why not leash a boat to your new happy ghast and help carry even more players through the skies? 

    Vibrant Visuals – Out Now for Compatible Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Devices 

    One of the biggest shifts in Minecraft history is here – Vibrant Visuals transforms the look of the Bedrock Edition, retaining the game’s iconic style while adding improved graphical elements – directional lighting, volumetric fog, pixelated shadows and reflections, and much more. 

    It’s a truly stunning change, turning Minecraft into the game you’ve always imagined in your head (but, if you like the original look, you can always switch back!). You can read all about the upgrade on Xbox Wire, but trust me, you really should play it for yourself. 

    Vibrant Memories Camera Add-On – Out Now for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition 

    Want to make the most of those Vibrant Visuals vistas? The Vibrant Memories camera add-on (available in the Minecraft Marketplace) introduces multiple features to let you take the perfect shot – from saving camera angles, to changing the weather, or controlling time itself. Each shot will be saved to your personal album, and you can even add music to capture the perfect mood. 

    Realms Plus – New Content Available Now 

    Realms Plus subscribers can now add Chase the Skies and Vibrant Visuals content to their own personal servers – and there are also new Marketplace drops included in your subscription. 

    The One Slime Block Adventure world by Mush Co throws you into an adventure featuring 5 unique boss battles, 6 dimensions, and a lot of slime, from enemies to weaponry. Meanwhile the Aquaculture add-on by Team Metallurgy will turn you into the ultimate angler, adding 60 new underwater creatures, rare equipment, new cooking mechanics, and more. Both are included as part of Realms Plus. 

    A Minecraft Movie – Now Streaming on HBO Max  

    This year’s blockiest buster is available to stream now. After becoming a phenomenon in theaters, with an HBO Max subscription, you can now watch ‘A Minecraft Movie’ at home.  

    Join Garrett (Jason Momoa), Dawn (Danielle Brooks), Natalie (Emma Myers), and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) – four misfits who are pulled through a portal to Minecraft’s Overworld as you’ve never seen it before. After meeting Steve (Jack Black), they’ll need to harness the power of creativity to repel a Piglin invasion and return to the real world. 

    Whether it’s your first time venturing into the live-action Overworld, or you already know all the words to Steve’s Lava Chicken, it’s easier than ever to watch. 

    Steve’s Lava Chicken Remix Music Disc and Dennis Painting – Out Now 

    Speaking of Steve’s Lava Chicken, you’ve got two new ways of listening to the song inspired by the movie. It’s available to stream now, and in Minecraft. Get your blocky hands on a music disc that will let you play the song from your jukebox. 

    Plus, pay tribute to man’s (well, Steve’s) best friend by crafting a new painting of Dennis, the pale wolf hero of ‘A Minecraft Movie’. 

    Claim Your Community Challenge Rewards 

    In its latest Community Challenge, Mojang asked the Minecraft community to work together to spawn 50 million happy ghasts in Creative mode, and feed snowballs to 1 million ghastlings in Survival mode – and you delivered! As your reward, every Bedrock Edition player can now access the Ghast Rider Floatie and the Happy Ghast Pilot Gear in the Dressing Room, while every Java Edition player can download the Ghast Riding Swimmer and Happy Ghast Pilot skins here. 

    Minecraft

    Microsoft Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 2004

    ★★★★★

    $19.99 $15.99

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    Xbox Game Pass

    CREATE Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough. EXPLORE Discover biomes, resources and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game. SURVIVE Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions. PLAY TOGETHER Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile and PC. Connect with millions of players on community servers or subscribe to Realms Plus to play with up to 10 friends on your own private server. EXPERIENCE MORE Get creator-made add-ons, thrilling worlds, and stylish cosmetics on Minecraft Marketplace. Subscribe to Marketplace Pass (or Realms Plus) to access 150+ worlds, skin & textures packs, and more – refreshed monthly.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: EXL announces availability of EXL Code Harbor™ and EXL Smart Agent Assist™ in the new AWS Marketplace AI Agents and Tools category

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS), a global data and AI company, announced the availability of its Code Harbor™ (“Code Harbor”) and Smart Agent Assist™ (“Smart Agent Assist”) solutions in the new AI Agents and Tools category of AWS Marketplace. Customers can now use AWS Marketplace to easily discover, buy, and deploy AI agents solutions, including EXL’s AI-powered code migration and real-time conversational insights and agent assist solutions, using their AWS accounts, accelerating agentic AI integration initiatives.

    EXL’s Code Harbor helps organizations streamline the code migration process by orchestrating multiple AI agents including those for code comprehension, data cleaning, data lineage, code conversion and code validation, resulting in accelerated delivery, reduced costs, and higher accuracy. EXL’s Smart Agent Assist enhances customer service operations by orchestrating multiple intent recognition AI agents with real-time conversational insights, automated call summaries and smart audits that enable customer service centers to deliver personalized and efficient experiences in addition to improving first call resolution, boosting agent productivity and reducing average handling time.

    “By offering Code Harbor and Smart Agent Assist in AWS Marketplace, we’re providing customers with a highly scalable, efficient and compliant way to embed EXL’s agentic AI solutions into their workflows,” said Anand “Andy” Logani, executive vice president and chief data and AI officer at EXL. “Our customers in insurance, banking and finance, healthcare, retail and other industries are already using these capabilities to improve workflows, reduce costs and deliver better customer experiences, demonstrating the real-world value of our agentic AI solutions.”

    Based on internal studies, Code Harbor helps customers reduce code migration time on average by 35% over manual migrations, while reducing code compute time and memory usage generally by 25% and driving a 10% reduction in query plans. Additionally, analysis shows that Smart Agent Assist delivers typically a 12-15% reduction in contact center agent handling time, enhancing overall resource utilization and minimizing after-call work, ordinarily leading to a 20% decrease in service costs.

    With the availability of AI Agents and Tools in AWS Marketplace, customers can significantly accelerate their procurement process to drive AI innovation, reducing the time needed for vendor evaluations and complex negotiations. With centralized purchasing using AWS accounts, customers maintain visibility and control over licensing, payments, and access through AWS.

    To learn more about Code Harbor and Smart Agent Assist in AWS Marketplace, visit https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/seller-profile?id=4dcbd65f-ce73-4978-80e5-4953047fd369. To learn more about the new Agents and Tools category in AWS Marketplace, visit https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/solutions/ai-agents-and-tools/.

    About EXL

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

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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

    Contacts
    Keith Little
    media.relations@exlservice.com

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EXL announces availability of EXL Code Harbor™ and EXL Smart Agent Assist™ in the new AWS Marketplace AI Agents and Tools category

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS), a global data and AI company, announced the availability of its Code Harbor™ (“Code Harbor”) and Smart Agent Assist™ (“Smart Agent Assist”) solutions in the new AI Agents and Tools category of AWS Marketplace. Customers can now use AWS Marketplace to easily discover, buy, and deploy AI agents solutions, including EXL’s AI-powered code migration and real-time conversational insights and agent assist solutions, using their AWS accounts, accelerating agentic AI integration initiatives.

    EXL’s Code Harbor helps organizations streamline the code migration process by orchestrating multiple AI agents including those for code comprehension, data cleaning, data lineage, code conversion and code validation, resulting in accelerated delivery, reduced costs, and higher accuracy. EXL’s Smart Agent Assist enhances customer service operations by orchestrating multiple intent recognition AI agents with real-time conversational insights, automated call summaries and smart audits that enable customer service centers to deliver personalized and efficient experiences in addition to improving first call resolution, boosting agent productivity and reducing average handling time.

    “By offering Code Harbor and Smart Agent Assist in AWS Marketplace, we’re providing customers with a highly scalable, efficient and compliant way to embed EXL’s agentic AI solutions into their workflows,” said Anand “Andy” Logani, executive vice president and chief data and AI officer at EXL. “Our customers in insurance, banking and finance, healthcare, retail and other industries are already using these capabilities to improve workflows, reduce costs and deliver better customer experiences, demonstrating the real-world value of our agentic AI solutions.”

    Based on internal studies, Code Harbor helps customers reduce code migration time on average by 35% over manual migrations, while reducing code compute time and memory usage generally by 25% and driving a 10% reduction in query plans. Additionally, analysis shows that Smart Agent Assist delivers typically a 12-15% reduction in contact center agent handling time, enhancing overall resource utilization and minimizing after-call work, ordinarily leading to a 20% decrease in service costs.

    With the availability of AI Agents and Tools in AWS Marketplace, customers can significantly accelerate their procurement process to drive AI innovation, reducing the time needed for vendor evaluations and complex negotiations. With centralized purchasing using AWS accounts, customers maintain visibility and control over licensing, payments, and access through AWS.

    To learn more about Code Harbor and Smart Agent Assist in AWS Marketplace, visit https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/seller-profile?id=4dcbd65f-ce73-4978-80e5-4953047fd369. To learn more about the new Agents and Tools category in AWS Marketplace, visit https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/solutions/ai-agents-and-tools/.

    About EXL

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

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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

    Contacts
    Keith Little
    media.relations@exlservice.com

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Linqto Shareholder, Sapien Group, Files Explosive Motion to Transfer Linqto’s Bankruptcy Cases from Texas to Delaware

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Major Linqto shareholder, Sapien Group, has filed a motion to transfer the venue of Linqto, Inc.’s jointly-administered Chapter 11 cases from Texas to Delaware (Case No. 25-90186). The motion follows the bankruptcy filing by Linqto in Texas on July 7 and asserts multiple grounds for the change in venue, including that the action was taken without shareholder knowledge or consent.

    “Transfer is warranted because the Debtors lack any meaningful relationship whatsoever with this District, entrenched management having created the Texas Debtor as a new Texas limited liability company only three short months before filing for bankruptcy,” the filing states, adding, “The Texas Debtor was formed furtively, without the knowledge of, approval of, or even a scintilla of notice to the Parent Debtor’s shareholders.” 

    Evidence suggests Linqto Chief Executive Officer F. Daniel Siciliano filed preemptively — knowing that a decisive majority of shareholders were poised to replace the board — in a jurisdiction where Linqto was not legally eligible to file based on the surreptitious creation of the Texas entity.

    The motion contends that the true operating Debtors — the Parent Debtor and the related operating Debtors — are all formed, exist, and operate under the internal laws of the State of Delaware. The motion further asserts that the filing of the Cases in Texas appears to be a quintessential example of improper forum shopping, with the newly formed Texas Debtor being created for the apparent purpose of manufacturing and manipulating venue.

    The filing further challenges the legal legitimacy of Linqto’s current board, contending that Mr. Siciliano was never lawfully elected to the unsanctioned board and that key director seats were unlawfully “switched” to consolidate power — actions that run contrary to their fiduciary duties under Delaware law.

    The motion also claims the board repeatedly ignored and manipulated corporate governance rules, committing violations such as not holding proper Board meetings, making inconsistent representations to shareholders, and amending company bylaws for purposes of evading shareholder approval.

    These allegations are supported by a Declaration of Victor Jiang, Sapien Group’s founder and a former Linqto board member, which accuses Linqto’s alleged board and management of “numerous breaches of fiduciary duties, breaches of the duty of loyalty, and securities law violations,” contending that the current bankruptcy filings are “part of a well-orchestrated scheme” designed to steal or redirect the shareholder’s equity without consent.

    The motion suggests that the requisite number of shareholder votes exist to remove the unsanctioned Board and appoint a new Board, but the Chapter 11 case was filed to thwart that vote. Of particular concern are four motions set for hearing on August 5, 2025, one of which seeks a fairly rapid determination from the Court that the proceeds of the various securities are property of the Debtors, not the customers.

    With over 15,000 impacted customers across 130 countries, the motion underscores the global significance of these proceedings — and the need for fairness, transparency, and the rule of law in the proper venue: Delaware.

    Reference: Case No. 25-90186

    PDFs available:

    http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/decfbe58-96a3-422e-9c06-c06a8e06c62d

    http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/1f8f7cc4-389b-47a4-84ab-0823ae714c1e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Linqto Shareholder, Sapien Group, Files Explosive Motion to Transfer Linqto’s Bankruptcy Cases from Texas to Delaware

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Major Linqto shareholder, Sapien Group, has filed a motion to transfer the venue of Linqto, Inc.’s jointly-administered Chapter 11 cases from Texas to Delaware (Case No. 25-90186). The motion follows the bankruptcy filing by Linqto in Texas on July 7 and asserts multiple grounds for the change in venue, including that the action was taken without shareholder knowledge or consent.

    “Transfer is warranted because the Debtors lack any meaningful relationship whatsoever with this District, entrenched management having created the Texas Debtor as a new Texas limited liability company only three short months before filing for bankruptcy,” the filing states, adding, “The Texas Debtor was formed furtively, without the knowledge of, approval of, or even a scintilla of notice to the Parent Debtor’s shareholders.” 

    Evidence suggests Linqto Chief Executive Officer F. Daniel Siciliano filed preemptively — knowing that a decisive majority of shareholders were poised to replace the board — in a jurisdiction where Linqto was not legally eligible to file based on the surreptitious creation of the Texas entity.

    The motion contends that the true operating Debtors — the Parent Debtor and the related operating Debtors — are all formed, exist, and operate under the internal laws of the State of Delaware. The motion further asserts that the filing of the Cases in Texas appears to be a quintessential example of improper forum shopping, with the newly formed Texas Debtor being created for the apparent purpose of manufacturing and manipulating venue.

    The filing further challenges the legal legitimacy of Linqto’s current board, contending that Mr. Siciliano was never lawfully elected to the unsanctioned board and that key director seats were unlawfully “switched” to consolidate power — actions that run contrary to their fiduciary duties under Delaware law.

    The motion also claims the board repeatedly ignored and manipulated corporate governance rules, committing violations such as not holding proper Board meetings, making inconsistent representations to shareholders, and amending company bylaws for purposes of evading shareholder approval.

    These allegations are supported by a Declaration of Victor Jiang, Sapien Group’s founder and a former Linqto board member, which accuses Linqto’s alleged board and management of “numerous breaches of fiduciary duties, breaches of the duty of loyalty, and securities law violations,” contending that the current bankruptcy filings are “part of a well-orchestrated scheme” designed to steal or redirect the shareholder’s equity without consent.

    The motion suggests that the requisite number of shareholder votes exist to remove the unsanctioned Board and appoint a new Board, but the Chapter 11 case was filed to thwart that vote. Of particular concern are four motions set for hearing on August 5, 2025, one of which seeks a fairly rapid determination from the Court that the proceeds of the various securities are property of the Debtors, not the customers.

    With over 15,000 impacted customers across 130 countries, the motion underscores the global significance of these proceedings — and the need for fairness, transparency, and the rule of law in the proper venue: Delaware.

    Reference: Case No. 25-90186

    PDFs available:

    http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/decfbe58-96a3-422e-9c06-c06a8e06c62d

    http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/1f8f7cc4-389b-47a4-84ab-0823ae714c1e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Every fourth business in Russia considers itself to be part of the creative industries.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Only 30% of entrepreneurs in Russia are familiar with the concept of creative industries and associate it with creativity (38%), advertising (17%) and new technologies (13%). At the same time, every fourth respondent classifies their business as a creative industry. These are the findings of the study “Entrepreneurs of Russia: Research Monitoring” (PRIM), which is conducted by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Sberbank and the Public Opinion Foundation.

    “According to the results of the PRIM study, only a third of entrepreneurs have heard of creative industries, but every fourth already considers their business to be related to this area. Even with relatively low awareness, many entrepreneurs already associate their activities with creative industries, since their business is somehow related to the creation of original content, design, innovative solutions or cultural values. The study also shows a significant demand for creative specialists: 57% of the entrepreneurs surveyed have experience of cooperation with creative specialists, and 40% of this group intend to continue cooperation. Such dynamics are explained by obvious advantages: according to entrepreneurs, working with creative specialists allows them to attract new clients, strengthen the image and brand recognition, and improve the quality of goods and services,” said Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Tatyana Ilyushnikova.

    71% of entrepreneurs have solved creative tasks over the past year, such as creating visual content for promotion (42%). At the same time, 57% of survey participants have engaged external specialists to solve creative tasks. In outsourcing in this area, business owners see both advantages (a chance to attract new clients and improve reputation) and problems (low quality of work, lack of understanding of the specifics of the business). Another 20% of those who have never worked with freelancers would like to start.

    “Our study showed that 71% of entrepreneurs annually face the solution of creative tasks in their own business. Most often it is the creation of visual materials for promoting goods and services. At the same time, 42% of businessmen try to cope themselves and a third of them experience significant difficulties. The main problem is in personal qualifications (own and employees), a lack of funds and the lack of creative ideas. Understanding this, Sberba proposed a decision-a Giga assistant who is already available to several hundred thousand entrepreneurs in the Internet banking business. It is developed on the basis of Gigachat’s own neural network model and takes on one of the most important business tasks: it creates a variety of text content, including cards for marketplaces, correctly processes customer reviews, invents promotions. The assistant issues personalized tips and sales analysts based on a particular business data. In parallel, it reduces routine and other standard business tasks-from writing letters to creating an online store directly during a joint dialogue with the owner. We understand how valuable the time of entrepreneurs is, so in the near future we will make a GIGA assistant accessible to all Russian entrepreneurs. After all, now it is evident how generative AI seriously simplifies work with the creative and helps to increase business efficiency, ”said Anatoly Popov, deputy chairman of the board of Sberbank.

    In addition to data on creative industries, Sber’s research, which took place from May 27 to June 5, 2025, gave an idea of the mood of entrepreneurs in general. Thus, 54% of owners of individual entrepreneurs and LLCs assess their financial situation as satisfactory. 42% believe that it will remain stable in the coming year, and 27% expect improvements.

    69% of entrepreneurs do not plan to either expand or reduce their business. 20% of survey participants intend to expand – most often these are young people aged 18-39 (in this category, 30% of respondents answered this way) and those who assess their financial situation as good (35%).

    Government support remains important for entrepreneurs. The most popular are special tax regimes (52%), preferential lending (38%), tax breaks (27%) and grants (25%). Women entrepreneurs are more often interested in special tax regimes, training programs and business consulting.

    63% of entrepreneurs have employees. The main methods of retaining them are flexible hours (52%), compensation for transportation expenses (37%) and development opportunities (35%). Employees are motivated mainly by money (85%), gratitude (56%) and constructive criticism (43%).

    The study covered 614 owners of individual entrepreneurs and LLCs, for whom entrepreneurship is the main type of activity. The survey was conducted by telephone using the CATI method, the statistical error does not exceed 4.8%.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kaltura announces the availability of Kaltura Work Genie in the new AWS Marketplace AI Agents and Tools category

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

     Kaltura (Nasdaq: KLTR), the AI Video Experience Cloud, today announced the availability of the Kaltura Work Genie in the new AI Agents and Tools category of the AWS Marketplace. Customers can now use AWS Marketplace to easily discover, buy, and deploy AI agents solutions, including the Work Genie, one of a growing number of Kaltura’s AI-powered agents, using their AWS accounts, accelerating agent and agentic workflow development. 
     
    The Kaltura Work Genie helps organizations transform their enterprise knowledge into personalized, AI-driven learning and support paths, enabling customers to create engaging and impactful immersive digital experiences for enterprise customers and employees. 

    “By offering the Kaltura Work Genie in AWS Marketplace, we’re providing customers with a streamlined way to access to our personalized, AI-driven learning and marketing experiences, helping them buy and deploy agent solutions faster and more efficiently,” said Liad Eshkar, Chief Revenue Officer at Kaltura. “Our customers across every industry, from enterprise technology to education, financial services to healthcare, media and telecoms, are already using these capabilities to improve the impact of their content, make it more accessible and easily findable, and ultimately drive better, quantifiable results, demonstrating the real-world value of Work Genie.” 
     
    Kaltura Work Genie delivers essential capabilities, including tools that help redefine customer and employee journeys, boost adoption of new technologies, and improve retention. Unlike generic AI tools, Work Genie draws exclusively from an organization’s trusted content, eliminating the risk of hallucinations and improving the reliability and impact of the response. The Work Genie turns complex inqueiries into dynamic learning experiences, including micro learning modules with formats such as flashcards, video snippets, quizzes and more, reducing search time and maximizing the impact for employees, customers, and partners. Kaltura’s suite of AI agents, including the Work Genie, has propelled it to market leadership, as noted in the recent IDC MarketScape: Worldwide AI-Enabled Enterprise Video Platform 2025 Vendor Assessment. 

    With the availability of AI Agents and Tools in AWS Marketplace, customers can significantly accelerate their procurement process to drive AI innovation, reducing the time needed for vendor evaluations and complex negotiations. With centralized purchasing using AWS accounts, customers maintain visibility and control over licensing, payments, and access through AWS. 
     
     
    To learn more about the Kaltura Work Genie in AWS Marketplace, visit here. To learn more about the new Agents and Tools category in AWS Marketplace, visit here.
     
    About Kaltura  

    Kaltura’s mission is to create and power AI-infused hyper-personalized video experiences that boost customer and employee engagement and success. Kaltura’s Video Experience Cloud includes a platform for enterprise and TV content management and a wide array of Gen AI-infused video-first products, including Video Portals, LMS and CMS Video Extensions, Virtual Events and Webinars, Virtual Classrooms, and TV Streaming Applications. Kaltura engages millions of end-users at home, at work, and at school, boosting both customer and employee experiences, including marketing, sales, and customer success; teaching, learning, training and certification; communication and collaboration; and entertainment and monetization. For more information, visit https://corp.kaltura.com    

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: From tea towels to TV remotes: eight everyday bacterial hotspots – and how to clean them

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Manal Mohammed, Senior Lecturer, Medical Microbiology, University of Westminster

    Parkin Srihawong/Shutterstock

    From your phone to your sponge, your toothbrush to your trolley handle, invisible armies of bacteria are lurking on the everyday objects you touch the most. Most of these microbes are harmless – some even helpful – but under the right conditions, a few can make you seriously ill.

    But here’s the catch: some of the dirtiest items in your life are the ones you might least expect.

    Here are some of the hidden bacteria magnets in your daily routine, and how simple hygiene tweaks can protect you from infection.

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

    Shopping trolley handles

    Shopping trolleys are handled by dozens of people each day, yet they’re rarely sanitised. That makes the handles a prime spot for germs, particularly the kind that spread illness.

    One study in the US found that over 70% of shopping carts were contaminated with coliform bacteria, a group that includes strains like E. coli, often linked to faecal contamination. Another study found Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas species on trolleys.

    Protect yourself: Always sanitise trolley handles before use, especially since you’ll probably be handling food, your phone or touching your face.

    Kitchen sponges

    That sponge by your sink? It could be one of the dirtiest items in your home. Sponges are porous, damp and often come into contact with food: ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive.

    After just two weeks, a sponge can harbour millions of bacteria, including coliforms linked to faecal contamination, according to the NSF Household Germ Study and research on faecal coliforms.

    Protect yourself: Disinfect your sponge weekly by microwaving it, soaking it in vinegar, or running it through the dishwasher. Replace it if it smells – even after cleaning. Use different sponges for different tasks (for example, one for dishes, another for cleaning up after raw meat).

    Chopping boards

    Chopping boards can trap bacteria in grooves left by knife cuts. Salmonella and E. coli can survive for hours on dry surfaces and pose a risk if boards aren’t cleaned properly.

    Protect yourself: Use separate boards for raw meat and vegetables. Wash thoroughly with hot, soapy water, rinse well and dry completely. Replace boards that develop deep grooves.

    Tea towels

    Reusable kitchen towels quickly become germ magnets. You use them to dry hands, wipe surfaces and clean up spills – often without washing them often enough.

    Research shows that E. coli and salmonella can live on cloth towels for hours.

    Protect yourself: Use paper towels when possible, or separate cloth towels for different jobs. Wash towels regularly in hot water with bleach or disinfectant.

    Mobile phones

    Phones go everywhere with us – including bathrooms – and we touch them constantly. Their warmth and frequent handling make them ideal for bacterial contamination.

    Research shows phones can carry harmful bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus.

    Protect yourself: Avoid using your phone in bathrooms and wash your hands often. Clean it with a slightly damp microfibre cloth and mild soap. Avoid harsh chemicals or direct sprays.

    Toothbrushes near toilets

    Flushing a toilet releases a plume of microscopic droplets, which can land on nearby toothbrushes. A study found that toothbrushes stored in bathrooms can harbour E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and other microbes.



    Read more:
    Toothbrushes and showerheads covered in viruses ‘unlike anything we’ve seen before’ – new study

    Protect yourself: Store your toothbrush as far from the toilet as possible. Rinse it after each use, let it air-dry upright and replace it every three months – or sooner if worn.

    Bathmats

    Cloth bathmats absorb water after every shower, creating a warm, damp environment where bacteria and fungi can thrive.

    Protect yourself: Hang your bathmat to dry after each use and wash it weekly in hot water. For a more hygienic option, consider switching to a wooden mat or a bath stone: a mat made from diatomaceous earth, which dries quickly and reduces microbial growth by eliminating lingering moisture.

    Pet towels and toys

    Pet towels and toys stay damp and come into contact with saliva, fur, urine and outdoor bacteria. According to the US national public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pet toys can harbour E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

    Protect your pet (and yourself): Wash pet towels weekly with hot water and pet-safe detergent. Let toys air dry or use a dryer. Replace worn or damaged toys regularly.

    Shared nail and beauty tools

    Nail clippers, cuticle pushers and other grooming tools can spread harmful bacteria if they’re not properly cleaned. Contaminants may include Staphylococcus aureus – including MRSA, a strain resistant to antibiotics – Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bacteria behind green nail syndrome, and Mycobacterium fortuitum, linked to skin infections from pedicures and footbaths.

    Protect yourself: Bring your own tools to salons or ask how theirs are sterilised. Reputable salons will gladly explain their hygiene practices.

    Airport security trays

    Airport trays are handled by hundreds of people daily – and rarely cleaned. Research has found high levels of bacteria, including E. coli.

    Protect yourself: After security, wash your hands or use sanitiser, especially before eating or touching your face.

    Hotel TV remotes

    Studies show hotel remote controls can be dirtier than toilet seats. They’re touched by many hands and rarely sanitised.

    Common bacteria include E. coli, enterococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, according to research.

    Protect yourself: Wipe the remote with antibacterial wipes when you arrive. Some travellers even put it in a plastic bag. Always wash your hands after using shared items.

    Bacteria are everywhere, including on the items you use every day. You can’t avoid all germs, and most won’t make you sick. But with a few good habits, such as regular hand washing, cleaning and smart storage, you can help protect yourself and others.

    It’s all in your hands.

    Manal Mohammed 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. From tea towels to TV remotes: eight everyday bacterial hotspots – and how to clean them – https://theconversation.com/from-tea-towels-to-tv-remotes-eight-everyday-bacterial-hotspots-and-how-to-clean-them-260784

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: TODAY: Governor Newsom to provide update after visiting Los Angeles communities affected by immigration raids

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 16, 2025

    LOS ANGELES COUNTY — Governor Gavin Newsom will hold a media availability to speak on the federal government’s demobilization of 2,000 National Guard members, as well as the effect of immigration raids on immigrant communities across California.

    WHEN: Wednesday, July 16 at approximately 2:15 p.m.

    LIVESTREAM:  Governor’s Twitter page, Governor’s Facebook page, and the Governor’s YouTube page. This event will also be available to TV stations on the LiveU Matrix under “California Governor.”

    NOTE: This in-person press event will be open to credentialed media only. Media interested in attending must RSVP by clicking here no later than 1 p.m., July 16. Location information will be provided upon confirmation.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: Productions filmed in California are raking in the nominations in this year’s Emmy bids.  SACRAMENTO –  Today, the nominees for the 77th Emmy Awards were announced, with California-based television productions securing at least 104…

    Jul 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: The LA Rises public outreach campaign will connect and support Angelenos impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires with resources for long-term recovery and rebuilding. LOS ANGELES – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of a…

    Jul 15, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Despite a concerted misinformation campaign driven by Republicans – from the President to state lawmakers – to create confusion around gas prices in California, prices actually remain lower now than they were one week ago, one month ago and one year…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: EIB submits SEC Form 18-K/A Amendment No. 2 EIB Update on Excluded Activities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    For immediate release

    16 July 2025

    EIB submits SEC Form 18-K/A Amendment No. 2

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has submitted its SEC Form 18-K/A Amendment No. 2.

    To view the document, please go to EDGAR Filing Documents for 0000950157-25-000575

    The 18-K/A has also been posted on the EIB website:

    Amendment to the Annual Report 2024 (Form 18-K/A Amendment No 2)

    ENDS

    The MIL Network –

  • Israel steps up Syria strikes with Damascus attack as Druze clashes continue

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel’s military said it struck the entrance to the Syrian defence ministry in Damascus on Wednesday, stepping up attacks on the Islamist-led authorities with the declared aim of protecting the Druze minority from harm by government forces.

    It marked the third day in a row that Israel has struck Syria where government security forces have clashed with local Druze fighters in the southern city of Sweida.

    Security sources from within the defence ministry told Reuters that at least two drone strikes had hit the building and that officers were taking cover in the basement. State-owned Elekhbariya TV said the Israeli strike wounded two civilians.

    The Israeli military said it had “struck the entrance gate of the Syrian regime’s military headquarters complex” in Damascus and that it continued “to monitor developments and the actions being taken against Druze civilians in southern Syria”.

    Syria’s state media and witnesses said Israeli strikes throughout Wednesday also struck the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, where a fourth day of fighting swiftly collapsed a ceasefire announced the previous evening.

    Syrian government troops were dispatched to the Sweida region on Monday to quell fighting between Druze fighters and Bedouin armed men but ended up clashing with the Druze militias themselves.

    Local news outlet Sweida24 said the city of Sweida and nearby villages were coming under heavy artillery and mortar fire early on Wednesday. Syria’s defence ministry, in a statement carried by state news agency SANA, blamed outlaw groups in Sweida for breaching the truce.

    The defence ministry called on residents of the city to stay indoors. Some residents that Reuters was able to reach by phone said they were holed up at home in fear with no electricity.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency grants incinerator permit

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Environment Agency grants incinerator permit

    The Environment Agency has granted an environmental permit for Viridor Tees Valley Ltd to operate an energy from waste facility in Teesside.

    This follows a public consultation on the Agency’s ‘minded to’ decision, which took place during May.

    The decision is based on Viridor demonstrating that it has met and will continue to meet expected mandatory conditions as outlined in the permit.

    The operator wants to run the proposed Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility (TVERF) at Grangetown, Redcar.

    The Environment Agency only issues permits if it’s satisfied the operator can comply with the permit conditions and has appropriate systems in place to operate the incinerator without causing harm to the environment, human health or wildlife.  

    The proposed site also has planning permission.

    Permit will ensure ‘environmental protections are met’

    Ian Preston, Installations Team Leader at the Environment Agency, said:

    I want to reassure people that the permit will ensure that robust levels of environmental protection are met.

    Environmental law sets out these conditions, and as a regulator we are obliged to issue the permit if we can find no reason that the operator would not be able to comply.

    There is a decision document which explains in more detail how the Environment Agency reached this decision.

    It also outlines the concerns raised during the consultation and how the Environment Agency has addressed these.

    View the decision document and permit.

    For more information on the facility visit Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility.

    Background:

    Environmental Permits

    • Environmental permits set out strict legal conditions by which an operator must comply in order to protect people and the environment. Should an environmental permit be issued, the Environment Agency has responsibility for enforcing its conditions.  
    • Our powers include enforcement notices, suspension and revocation of permits, fines and ultimately criminal sanctions, including prosecution.  
    • We may only refuse a permit if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have a significant impact on the environment or harm human health. If all the requirements are met, we are legally required to issue a permit.  

    Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility (TVERF)

    • Viridor must comply with the environmental permit if it begins operating and Environment Agency staff will regulate the site to ensure it does.
    • The site also has planning permission.
    • The project partners for the proposed site have been engaged in a tender process to find an experienced operator to design, build, finance and operate the Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility (TVERF).
    • The outcome of this procurement process is due to conclude this year.
    • This will be followed by construction, testing and commissioning, which is anticipated to take approximately four years. The facility is therefore expected to commence commercial operations in late 2029.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Sidetrade: 2025 H1 revenue, up 19% at constant exchange rates

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Booking resilience amid economic headwinds

    • Annual Contract Value (ACV) of new deals: €5.88 million
    • Down 21% vs. record H1 2024
    • Stable vs. H1 2023 (€5.84 million)

    Commercial launch of the first autonomous AI Cash Collection Agent

    Partnership signed with a global Order-to-Cash services leader

    Strong revenue growth: +19% at constant exchange rates, with SaaS subscriptions up 25% (+18% and +24% respectively in reported data)

    • Robust half-year performance driven by SaaS subscriptions
    • Acceleration in the enterprise segment

    Sidetrade, the global leader in AI-powered Order-to-Cash applications, today announced strong first-half 2025 revenue growth of 19% at constant exchange rates, driven by a 25% increase in SaaS subscription revenue.

    Commenting on the results, Sidetrade CEO Olivier Novasque stated:

    “Given the current macroeconomic environment, we were unable to replicate our record-breaking booking from the first half of 2024, which had seen a 25% year-over-year increase. As anticipated, H1 2025 reflects a 21% decline from that record high, impacted by companies’ cautious stance toward launching new investment projects. Nonetheless, our well-balanced footprint across Europe and North America, where early signs of recovery are emerging, combined with a diversified mix of new deals and upsells to our existing client base, helped maintain bookings at levels comparable to H1 2023, before the 2024 peak.

    While full-year 2025 booking is expected to follow a similar trend, early market feedback on the launch of our autonomous AI Cash Collection Agent is highly encouraging and supports the prospect of a significant reacceleration starting in 2026. Furthermore, the global alliance signed in June with a leading Order-to-Cash services firm is a new growth catalyst, expected to deliver material impact from 2026 onward. Additional agreements of this nature are in advanced stages and will enhance commercial momentum over the coming years.

    On the revenue front, we posted strong growth of +19% at constant exchange rates, including +25% for our SaaS subscriptions. This performance was driven by 1/ the consolidation of SHS Viveon in H1, 2/ strong growth in our subscriptions in the US (+26%), and 3/ a sharp increase in subscriptions from enterprise clients generating over $2.5 billion in revenue (+42%). With nearly 90% recurring revenue and two new growth engines set to kick in from 2026, Sidetrade is well-positioned to sustain a robust and highly predictable business model. We are now entering a new phase in our growth journey, one that will once again redefine the scale and scope of our company over the next three years.”

    Resilient booking performance against a record 2024 and challenging macro backdrop

    In H1 2025, Sidetrade recorded €5.88 million in new Annual Contract Value (ACV), down 21% from the €7.42 million reported in H1 2024, which marked an all-time high (+25% vs. H1 2023). While the economic context and an exceptionally high comparison base weighed on performance, H1 2025 ACV remained in line with the pre-peak level of H1 2023 (€5.84 million), demonstrating the strength of Sidetrade’s commercial model.
    New Annual Recurring Revenue (New ARR) came in at €2.44 million, down 38% from the record €3.95 million in H1 2024. Q1 2025 was exceptionally soft in North America, which accounted for only 8% of New ARR. However, a strong Q2 2025 rebound lifted the US contribution to 34% of total new contract value for the first half of the year.

    Service booking, which are generally billed within twelve months of being signed, remained stable at €3.44 million in H1 2025 (vs. €3.47 million in H1 2024), with reduced large-scale investment activity, particularly in the US, offset by strong expansion projects within the existing client base, including €1.44 million from SHS Viveon customers in Germany.

    The average initial contract period for new clients (excluding renewals) remained high at 44.5 months (vs. 44.8 in H1 2024), significantly above the SaaS industry average (24–36 months), reflecting strong client confidence and contributing to revenue visibility and resilience.

    In a notable shift in trend, only 30% of H1 2025 bookings came from New Business, compared to the historical range of 50–60%. This was due to greater caution among enterprises, especially in North America. Conversely, Cross-sell deals (new entities within a group and/or additional modules, such as CashApp, Credit Risk Expert, or e-Invoicing) accounted for 45% of total bookings (up from 20% previously), while upsells to existing clients contributed 25%. Together, Cross-Sell and UpSell accounted for 70% of signatures, clear evidence of strong customer satisfaction and revenue retention. This also reflects Sidetrade’s ability to capture incremental growth from existing enterprise clients through a multi-product platform strategy, even in a challenging environment.

    AI Agent and strategic alliances open up new structural growth opportunities for order intake

    H1 2025 marked a strategic inflection point, with two new growth levers expected to reshape Sidetrade’s medium-term commercial trajectory: the industrialization of agent-based AI and the expansion of distribution channels through global partnerships.

    In May 2025, Sidetrade unveiled the first autonomous AI agent for cash collection. Designed to operate without human supervision, this next-generation intelligent agent, embodied by Aimie, is a game-changer in the Order-to-Cash space. With strong interest from enterprise clients seeking immediate cash generation improvements, large-scale commercialization is scheduled for early 2026, with some early-stage pre-orders possible in Q4 2025. Initial feedback indicates that AI agents could significantly boost commercial momentum starting next year.

    In parallel, Sidetrade signed a global partnership in June with a major international consulting firm specializing in finance transformation. The agreement provides privileged access to Global 2000 strategic accounts across services, manufacturing, and healthcare, and is expected to generate incremental pipeline growth across North America, EMEA, and APAC.

    Backed by a substantial installed base, breakthrough innovation, and expanded go-to-market capabilities, Sidetrade is well-equipped to accelerate its commercial growth in the coming years.

    Strong revenue growth: +18%, including +24% SaaS subscription growth

    Sidetrade
    (€m)    		 H1 2025 H1 2024 Change
    SaaS Subscription Revenue 25.4 20.5 +24%
    Total Revenue 29.3 24.8 +18%

    All the 2025 information of this financial release is from consolidated, unaudited data.

    Sidetrade posted consolidated revenue of €29.3 million in H1 2025, up 19% at constant exchange rates and 18% on a reported basis.

    SaaS subscription revenue rose to €25.4 million, representing a 25% increase at constant exchange rates (+24% reported). On a like-for-like basis (excluding SHS Viveon), growth stood at +12% constant. This solid performance confirms the strength of Sidetrade’s SaaS business model, with recurring revenue driving robust results amid economic uncertainty.
    Growth was robust among enterprise accounts. SaaS subscriptions from companies generating over €2.5 billion in annual revenue surged 42%, now representing 54% of total subscription revenue, underscoring Sidetrade’s growing penetration of large international enterprises. This high-end market segment is expected to remain a significant growth driver in the coming quarters.

    Service revenue totaled €3.9 million, down 8% compared to H1 2024 and 32% on a like-for-like basis. This was due to fewer large-scale projects and more limited service engagements tied to upsell deals.

    The consolidation of SHS Viveon (effective July 1, 2024) contributed €3.9 million, or 13% of total H1 2025 revenue.

    It is worth noting that all Sidetrade multi-year contracts are indexed to inflation (Syntec index for Southern Europe, UK CPI for Northern Europe, and US CPI for the United States), ensuring that annual pricing updates are automatically reflected in subscription revenue, without waiting for contract renewals.

    Next financial announcement
    First Half Year Results for 2025: September 17, 2025 (after the stock market closes)

    Investor & Media relations @Sidetrade
    Christelle Dhrif                +33 6 10 46 72 00          cdhrif@sidetrade.com

    About Sidetrade (www.sidetrade.com)
    Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) provides a SaaS platform designed to revolutionize how cash flow is secured and accelerated. Leveraging its new-generation agentic AI, nicknamed Aimie, Sidetrade analyzes $7.2 trillion worth of B2B payment transactions daily in its Cloud, thereby anticipating customer payment behavior and the attrition risk of 40 million buyers worldwide. Sidetrade has a global reach, with 400+ talented employees based in Europe, the United States, and Canada, serving global businesses in more than 85 countries. Among them: AGFA, BMW Financial Services, Bunzl, DXC, Engie, Inmarsat, KPMG, Lafarge, Manpower, Morningstar, Page, Randstad, Safran, Saint-Gobain, Securitas, Siemens, UGI, Veolia.
    For further information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow @Sidetrade on LinkedIn.
     In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, only the English version is to be taken into account.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: COFACE SA: Coface launches its syndicate at Lloyd’s offering AA solutions to its clients

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Coface launches its syndicate at Lloyd’s offering AA solutions to its clients

    Paris, 16 July 2025 – 17.45

    Coface announces today that it has received an “in principle approval” from Lloyd’s to establish a new short term trade credit syndicate, that will be managed by Apollo Syndicate Management (‘Apollo’).

    The syndicate (Coface Lloyd’s Syndicate, 2546), is expected to commence underwriting in 2025. Coface believes that the syndicate will be a valuable addition to the Group’s offering. It will enable Coface to provide AA- rated solutions to better serve the needs of selected segments of the market. Coface also believes that there is significant profitable growth potential for credit insurance solutions at Lloyd’s.

    Coface values the support and advice received from Gallagher Re throughout the entire process.

    Xavier Durand, Coface’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:
    “The creation of syndicate 2546 represents an important step for Coface. This project reflects our determination to improve the support to our customers by offering them a broader range of solutions. We see growth potential for credit insurance at Lloyd’s. This new structure is perfectly in line with the objectives of our Power The Core strategic plan, which aims to strengthen and extend our core expertise in credit insurance. It also supports our ambition to develop a global ecosystem of reference for credit risk management.”

    David Ibeson, Apollo Group CEO, said:
    “We are delighted to welcome Coface as a new Apollo Platform Partner, supporting and maximising the delivery of their Lloyd’s aspirations. The combination of Coface’s market leading trade credit expertise and Apollo’s track record of building innovative new syndicates is exceptionally exciting for the Lloyd’s market.”

    About Apollo:
    Apollo is an innovation inspired insurance platform offering data-driven and creative solutions to a wide variety of risks.

    We provide high quality products and services to clients, brokers, and capital partners at Lloyd’s, enabling a resilient and sustainable world.

    We offer insurance products across Property, Casualty, Marine, Energy & Transportation, Specialty, Reinsurance, as well as Smart Follow and digital & embedded risk programmes. Our expertise and unique Apollo ecosystem give our Platform Partners the best chance of success through the Lloyd’s new entrant process to the delivery of their long-term strategy.

    We invest in true partnership and innovation driven experiences unlike anyone else.

    About Gallagher Re:
    Gallagher Re is a full-service global reinsurance broking and advisory firm operating across the risk and capital spectrum.  

    By combining analytics capabilities with reinsurance expertise, strategic advisory services and transactional excellence, we help clients drive greater value from their businesses, negotiate optimum terms and achieve their risk transfer objectives. Our global client base includes all the world’s top insurance and reinsurance carriers, as well as national catastrophe schemes in many countries around the world. 

    Backed by Gallagher, one of the world’s largest insurance brokerage, risk management and benefits consulting companies, we’re more connected to the places you do business. Whether your operations are global, national or local, we have the talent, market position and trusted relationships to build the best solutions possible.

    CONTACTS

    ANALYSTS / INVESTORS
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    FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2025
    (subject to change)
    H1-2025 results: 31 July 2025 (after market close)
    9M-2025 results: 3 November 2025 (after market close)

    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    This press release, as well as COFACE SA’s integral regulatory information, can be found on the Group’s website: http://www.coface.com/Investors

    For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2024 and our 2024 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 “Key financial performance indicators”).

      Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust.
    You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.
     

    COFACE: FOR TRADE
    As a global leading player in trade credit risk management for more than 75 years, Coface helps companies grow and navigate in an uncertain and volatile environment.
    Whatever their size, location or sector, Coface provides 100,000 clients across some 200 markets with a full range of solutions: Trade Credit Insurance, Business Information, Debt Collection, Single Risk insurance, Surety Bonds, Factoring.
    Every day, Coface leverages its unique expertise and cutting-edge technology to make trade happen, in both domestic and export markets.
    In 2024, Coface employed ~5,236 people and registered a turnover of €1.84 billion.

    www.coface.com

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    DISCLAIMER – Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 “Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group’s 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 3 April 2025 under the number D.25-0227 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group’s businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

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  • MIL-OSI: Online IQ Test 2025 | Quick, Real, & Accurate IQ Test Now Offered by QuickIQTest.org

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  QuickIQTest.org, one of the most widely recognized platforms for cognitive testing, has officially unveiled its new and enhanced IQ testing platform: the Official IQ Test 2025. This certified and reliable IQ test offers a seamless, science-backed online testing experience with instant scoring, accurate insights, and full mobile compatibility.

    ⇒ Legit, Fast, and Accurate – Try the IQ Test at QuickIQTest.org

    As interest in cognitive performance measurement continues to rise globally, the need for a legitimate IQ test that provides actionable feedback has become more critical. QuickIQTest.org now stands at the forefront of this movement, delivering a platform that combines speed, precision, and reliability—all without the need for registration or personal data.

    ⇒ Test Your IQ with Confidence at QuickIQTest.org

    “People want more than just entertainment—they want real insights,” said Sean C. Bailey, spokesperson for Quick IQ Test. “This year’s version delivers just that: a real IQ test online that adapts to your responses, evaluates how you think, and gives you instant results backed by psychometrics.”

    ⇒ Find Out If You’re a Genius – Take the Test Today

    What Is an IQ Test and Why It Matters in 2025

    An IQ test—short for Intelligence Quotient test—measures a person’s cognitive abilities compared to the general population. A real IQ test is designed to assess core mental skills such as logical reasoning, memory retention, abstract thinking, and pattern recognition.

    In today’s fast-paced digital world, people are increasingly searching for ways to test your IQ or take an IQ test that delivers legitimate results without gimmicks. Whether you’re a student preparing for university, a professional looking to improve performance, or simply curious about your intellectual profile, the ability to test my IQ in a quick, convenient, and credible way is essential.

    ⇒ Take the Official IQ Test Online Now at QuickIQTest.org

    Why the QuickIQTest.org Platform Stands Out

    Unlike traditional assessments that require long appointments or confusing paperwork, QuickIQTest.org has created a quick IQ test online designed for all users, regardless of age, background, or tech familiarity.

    Key Features of the Official IQ Test 2025:

    • Fast Testing Format: A complete short IQ test in under 15 minutes
    • Accurate Scoring: Based on validated psychometric research
    • Instant Results: Immediate scoring, no need to wait for reports
    • Mobile & Desktop Friendly: Built for all modern devices
    • No Registration Required: Full privacy protection

    This new format allows users to take IQ test sessions quickly, from anywhere, with minimal friction.

    ⇒ Try the Most Accurate IQ Test Trusted by Thousands

    What Makes This the Best IQ Test Online?

    The best IQ test online is one that not only gives you fast results but ensures those results are rooted in measurable data. Unlike generic “quiz” sites or novelty tests, the Official IQ Test 2025 includes:

    • Questions modeled after standardized IQ formats used by psychologists
    • Balanced testing across multiple dimensions of intelligence
    • A certified IQ test structure with age-adjusted scoring for fairness
    • Instant digital feedback that explains more than just a number

    It’s this approach that makes it one of the most accurate IQ test experiences available in 2025.

    ⇒ Start the Official 2025 IQ Test at QuickIQTest.org

    How to Take an IQ Test Online: The Easy Way

    Wondering how to take an IQ test that actually reflects your true potential? At QuickIQTest.org, users can simply click “Start Test,” proceed through a series of timed cognitive challenges, and receive their scores instantly.

    The process answers key questions like:

    • How to test your IQ without wasting time on gimmicks?
    • Where to take an IQ test that doesn’t require you to sign up?
    • What is an IQ test that can actually be trusted?

    It’s more than just testing memory or math—it’s about understanding how you think and reason under pressure.

    ⇒ Take the Best Online IQ Test with Instant Scoring

    Legitimate IQ Test, Legitimate Results

    Thousands of users have already identified QuickIQTest.org as the go-to platform for a legit IQ test. In 2025, the platform upgraded its scoring system to offer even more refined breakdowns of key cognitive strengths, including:

    • Analytical reasoning
    • Visual-spatial processing
    • Numerical logic
    • Short-term memory
    • Pattern recognition speed

    Whether you’re looking for a real IQ test online or curious about your IQ test score compared to others, this platform gives you reliable feedback that reflects actual ability.

    ⇒ Test Your Intelligence Now at QuickIQTest.org

    Trusted by Students, Job Seekers, and Self-Development Enthusiasts

    QuickIQTest.org is ideal for:

    • Students applying to gifted programs or academic institutions
    • Professionals exploring career potential or decision-making styles
    • Lifelong learners wanting to benchmark cognitive performance

    As a reliable IQ test tool with no fluff and no distractions, it’s quickly becoming the industry standard in the online cognitive testing space.

    Where Can I Take an IQ Test That’s Legit and Quick?

    If you’ve asked:

    • “Where can I take an IQ test that doesn’t waste my time?”
    • “Where to take a real IQ test without giving out my email?”
    • “Is there a legitimate IQ test that works on my phone?”

    The answer is QuickIQTest.org. With its quick IQ test, smart analytics, and legitimate structure, this platform solves the gap between novelty tests and overly formal assessments.

    ⇒ Discover Your IQ with This Certified Online Test

    The Rise of Certified and Accurate IQ Testing in 2025

    Certified IQ Test with Instant Results: Built for Accuracy

    One of the most frequent questions from users today is: “What is the most accurate IQ test I can take online?”

    The answer lies in structure and methodology. The Official IQ Test 2025 at QuickIQTest.org was developed using principles of fluid intelligence testing—the gold standard for measuring reasoning ability, adaptability, and problem-solving skills in real time.

    Unlike many free, unregulated assessments circulating online, QuickIQTest.org employs:

    • Time-calibrated questions to measure real cognitive speed
    • Balanced domains, from spatial awareness to logic puzzles
    • Statistical modeling to eliminate guess-based anomalies
    • Instant delivery of results backed by scientific rigor

    It’s not just fast—it’s also trustworthy. That’s what makes it the best online IQ test for those seeking genuine understanding.

    ⇒ Find Out Your IQ Fast – Trusted Online Platform

    From “Test My IQ” Curiosity to Personal Discovery

    Whether you’re typing “test my IQ” into a search engine or asking how to find a legit IQ test, your goal is likely clarity. The challenge in 2025 is sorting through the noise.

    QuickIQTest.org cuts through the clutter with a simple IQ test format that brings legitimate data directly to the user. You’ll finish the test with:

    • A complete IQ test score
    • Performance benchmarks across key domains
    • Scoring comparisons to age-based norms
    • Optional insights into personality traits and learning styles

    It’s more than a number. It’s the beginning of self-knowledge.

    ⇒ Get Your Real IQ Score in Minutes

    How to Test Your IQ in a Fast and Secure Way

    Thanks to the platform’s latest upgrade, users now enjoy a completely secure IQ test process—no accounts, no marketing traps, no unnecessary permissions.

    Here’s how the quick IQ test online experience works:

    1. Click “Start Test” from the homepage.
    2. Complete 25–30 timed questions covering abstract logic, patterns, math, and reasoning.
    3. Submit your answers to receive your official IQ test results instantly.

    The simplicity is intentional. It allows for consistency across devices and age groups and ensures a fair, standardized experience for everyone.

    If you’re asking how to test my IQ with confidence, QuickIQTest.org offers the most user-friendly and reliable solution available in 2025.

    ⇒ Start the Real IQ Test at QuickIQTest.org Today

    Where to Take an IQ Test That Delivers Real Results

    For users searching “where can I take an IQ test” or “where to take IQ test that’s real,” QuickIQTest.org is the answer. It doesn’t simply measure performance—it provides insight.

    Many users take the test in preparation for:

    • Academic placements
    • Career transitions
    • Personal benchmarking
    • Self-awareness exercises

    This flexible use case is why it has become a go-to platform across multiple industries.

    ⇒ See Where You Rank with This Official IQ Test

    A Legitimate IQ Test That Feels Like a Modern App

    QuickIQTest.org’s 2025 platform was fully redesigned to offer a modern feel with lightning-fast responsiveness. It works on:

    • iPhone and Android smartphones
    • Tablets and iPads
    • Windows and Mac desktops

    The layout minimizes distractions, encourages focus, and optimizes test flow. From simple IQ test to actual IQ test mode, every stage is optimized for smooth interaction.

    The platform’s simplicity is part of what sets it apart as a legitimate IQ test online option in a market flooded with outdated, clunky interfaces.

    ⇒ Take the Quick & Accurate IQ Test at QuickIQTest.org

    The Science Behind the Official IQ Test 2025

    QuickIQTest.org collaborated with cognitive researchers to build a refined real IQ test online rooted in modern psychological research. The test architecture uses:

    • Adaptive question sequencing to adjust difficulty based on performance
    • Fluid intelligence principles over crystallized knowledge
    • Real-time feedback scoring using standardized population data

    This approach ensures that each test taker receives a score that reflects their performance accurately—not based on rote memory or trivia, but actual thinking skill.

    ⇒ Test Your Brainpower Now – Fast, Real Results

    IQ Test Questions You Can Expect

    Curious about what kind of IQ test questions appear in the Official IQ Test 2025? Here’s what users face during the test:

    • Pattern recognition in visual sequences
    • Number series and logic puzzles
    • Abstract shape identification
    • Symmetry and mirroring challenges
    • Deductive reasoning tasks

    Each category helps measure different facets of intelligence. It’s a real IQ test, not a quiz, built to gauge brainpower across multiple dimensions.

    ⇒ Take a Trusted IQ Test at QuickIQTest.org Today

    Beyond a Score: Insights That Drive Growth

    Every score delivered from QuickIQTest.org includes more than a raw number. The report gives:

    • Insights on how your brain processes visual and numerical data
    • Speed metrics and time-use efficiency
    • Strengths in abstract, spatial, or sequential logic

    This feedback isn’t meant to label—it’s meant to guide. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or simply want to test your IQ in a meaningful way, the insights are actionable

    ⇒ Measure Your IQ with an Official Online Test

    The Real-World Applications of Online IQ Testing

    In an age of information overload and AI-assisted workflows, understanding human cognition is more important than ever. A real IQ test online gives individuals the chance to identify how they think—not just what they know.

    Thousands of users turn to QuickIQTest.org to:

    • Measure cognitive strengths before applying for graduate programs
    • Test their IQ as part of job readiness assessments
    • Validate gifted learning for children and teens
    • Track personal growth in mental speed and abstract reasoning
    • Compare scores across age groups using scientifically adjusted benchmarks

    As a legit IQ test provider, QuickIQTest.org serves both casual users and those with professional or academic goals. This growing trust has made it a preferred destination for anyone asking “where to take a real IQ test that actually works.”

    ⇒ Take the IQ Test Everyone Is Talking About

    Who Is the Quick IQ Test For?

    One of the reasons the Quick IQ Test has seen such popularity is its universal design. It’s tailored to all types of users, including:

    • Students preparing for academic advancement
    • Parents testing cognitive potential in children
    • Job seekers validating soft skills and analytical thinking
    • Educators evaluating aptitude and supporting learning paths
    • Curious minds exploring personal cognitive style

    From teenagers preparing for exams to retirees wanting to keep their minds sharp, the Official IQ Test 2025 is inclusive and accessible.

    ⇒ Fast & Certified IQ Testing – Try It Now

    Best Practices: How to Prepare for an Accurate IQ Test Online

    Although an IQ test measures innate reasoning rather than acquired knowledge, a little preparation goes a long way. For best results when you take an IQ test online, QuickIQTest.org recommends:

    1. Use a quiet, distraction-free environment – mental clarity helps.
    2. Eliminate digital interruptions – silence notifications and close other apps.
    3. Avoid rushing – while the test is timed, a steady pace yields better accuracy.
    4. Familiarize yourself with question types – pattern and shape recognition, logic problems, numerical sequences.

    To test your IQ accurately, focus is key. The platform is built to deliver your IQ test score without distractions, so your effort reflects your real potential.

    ⇒ Check Your Intelligence with QuickIQTest.org

    Reliability and Scientific Integrity Set QuickIQTest.org Apart in 2025

    In a rapidly expanding field of digital assessments, establishing reliability remains one of the most important benchmarks for any online IQ testing platform. 

    QuickIQTest.org has distinguished itself in this landscape by implementing a rigorous approach to test development and scoring. The platform’s question set has been curated and validated by specialists in psychometrics and cognitive science, ensuring that each item measures a distinct and relevant aspect of intelligence.

    The scoring methodology is grounded in a Gaussian distribution model—commonly used in academic and psychological evaluations—to align test results with standardized population metrics. This statistical foundation allows for meaningful interpretation of scores across a diverse range of users.

    ⇒ Take a Real IQ Test That Delivers Real Scores

    In addition to its scientific underpinnings, QuickIQTest.org has prioritized accessibility and efficiency. The platform features a real-time scoring engine, enabling participants to receive their IQ test results immediately upon completion. Cross-device compatibility ensures seamless functionality on desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices alike.

    Furthermore, the inclusion of age-adjusted scoring algorithms provides users with benchmarks tailored to their demographic, enhancing both fairness and precision in score reporting.

    Together, these core features position QuickIQTest.org as a leader in online cognitive assessment. Its commitment to consistency, transparency, and methodological soundness reinforces its standing as one of the most accurate IQ test platforms currently available.

    ⇒ Test Your Mind with This Legit Online IQ Quiz

    Breaking Down the Full User Journey: From Curiosity to Confidence

    Step 1: “I want to test my IQ”

    Many users arrive at QuickIQTest.org after searching “how to test my IQ” or “how to take an IQ test that’s real.” They’re immediately greeted with a distraction-free interface that begins the process.

    Step 2: The Test Experience

    During the test, users encounter 25–30 questions that challenge their reasoning, pattern recognition, visual-spatial logic, and abstract thinking. It’s a fast IQ test but not oversimplified. The time limit keeps responses natural and spontaneous.

    Step 3: Instant Results and Insights

    Once complete, the platform calculates your IQ test score using an adaptive algorithm. You’ll see where you rank and receive a basic interpretation immediately—no email required.

    ⇒ Take a Certified IQ Quiz in Minutes at QuickIQTest.org

    Popular User Searches Answered by QuickIQTest.org

    Many arrive at the site after Googling:

    • “What is an IQ test that actually gives real scores?”
    • “Where can I take an IQ test for adults or kids?”
    • “Legit IQ test with instant results?”
    • “How to test your IQ online without signing up?”
    • “Best IQ test online in 2025?”

    QuickIQTest.org answers them all by being the simple IQ test platform with professional-grade intelligence scoring.

    ⇒ See How You Score with the QuickIQTest.org IQ Quiz

    Trusted Globally: Reputation Built on Performance

    QuickIQTest.org has now served millions of users worldwide and consistently ranks among the most visited online IQ test platforms.

    User feedback has highlighted:

    • Speed: Most users complete their test in 10–12 minutes.
    • Accuracy: High repeatability of results, even across separate sessions.
    • Trust: No account creation or data harvesting.
    • Clarity: Results are easy to understand and compare.

    This reputation ensures QuickIQTest.org remains the answer to “where can I take a real IQ test online without gimmicks?”

    ⇒ Fast, Real, and Legit – Start Your IQ Test Now

    Final Thoughts

    In a world that increasingly values clarity of thought, strategic reasoning, and analytical precision, understanding your mental framework is a powerful step toward personal and professional development.

    The Official IQ Test 2025 by QuickIQTest.org is not a gimmick or a game—it’s a streamlined, science-based evaluation tool for curious thinkers, professionals, students, and lifelong learners. It’s a place where you can test your IQ, receive meaningful feedback, and explore how your brain navigates challenges—all from the comfort of your device.

    FAQs

    1. Is QuickIQTest.org a real IQ test?

    Yes. QuickIQTest.org offers a certified and scientifically structured real IQ test online that measures cognitive performance in areas like logic, reasoning, pattern recognition, and memory. It uses validated question types found in formal intelligence assessments.

    2. Where can I take an IQ test that gives instant results?

    You can take the quick IQ test online directly at QuickIQTest.org. Your score is calculated and presented immediately after completion of the payment process. No waiting, no emails, and no hidden steps.

    3. How accurate is the IQ test on QuickIQTest.org?

    The test is based on psychometric models used in professional assessments. It includes adaptive difficulty, time benchmarks, and scoring that aligns with standard IQ distributions, making it one of the most accurate IQ test experiences available online.

    4. Can I take a short IQ test that’s still legit?

    Absolutely. The short IQ test at QuickIQTest.org is designed to give you measurable insights in 10–12 minutes, while maintaining structure and scoring accuracy.

    5. Is it safe and private?

    Yes. The test is conducted without requiring registration or collecting personal data. No cookies are used for advertising, and results are stored locally.

    6. Is this the best IQ test online?

    QuickIQTest.org consistently ranks among the top providers due to its simplicity, accuracy, and scientific foundation. It is widely recognized as one of the best online IQ test platforms for real results.

    7. What kind of IQ test questions will I get?

    Questions include number sequences, shape patterns, visual logic problems, and spatial reasoning tasks, representing a balanced, certified IQ test approach.

    8. Is there an age limit?

    No. While the test adjusts scores based on age group, it is suitable for adults, teenagers, and children above 10 years old, making it a legitimate IQ test option for nearly all users.

    9. What does my IQ test score mean?

    A score of 100 is the average for your age group. Above 115 is considered above average, while 130+ is considered gifted. Your results include percentile ranking and performance benchmarks.

    10. Where to take IQ test that’s simple, legit, and accurate?

    QuickIQTest.org, the platform has become a global leader in real IQ test online solutions, offering a fast and reliable experience with real-time scoring.

    Media Contact

    Company: Quick IQ Test

    Contact Person: Sean C. Bailey

    Email: support@quickiqtest.org

    Address: 3445 Canterbury Drive, New York, NY 10016, USA

    URL: https://quickiqtest.org/

    Phone: +1 646-598-0584

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Roker gets ready for a free day of music, art and community activities

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Residents are being invited to Roker on Saturday 19 July for a Back to the Bandstand event and the first of three Sunderland Art Festivals.

    From 11am to 4pm at Roker Park, visitors can immerse themselves in Tide and Terrain, an art exhibition curated by Amy South, featuring works inspired by nature’s textures and tides. Throughout the day, live art performances will bring fresh perspectives to familiar landscapes. This includes Stephanie Smith and Victoria Armstrong’s rhythmic Turn-Re-Turn, Phil Wardle’s thought-provoking poetry, and Sarah Dobbs’ evocative Body of Water on the beach.

    Art lovers can also browse art stalls, join mindful workshops like Park Patterns: Nature Mandalas, craft with sea glass, and transform old photo frames through creative upcycling. Families can hop aboard the Little Locomotive Loop, try their hand at bowls, or sail miniature boats thanks to the Friends of Roker Park. Free portraits, storytelling sessions, live DJ sets, and creative challenges like the Rapid Draw Rally ensure there’s something for everyone.

    As the day continues, the festival extends to Roker Beach from 12noon to 9pm, offering tote bag printing, jellyfish mobile-making, sand art, and chalk walks. Visitors can explore augmented reality artworks, join beach cleans with Durham Wildlife Trust, and discover coastal wildlife with Coast Sunderland. The evening brings collaborative community sand art and a seaside sculpture. This can be enjoyed to the soundtrack of a laid-back DJ set from Déja Brew who will keep the summer atmosphere going.

    Councillor Beth Jones, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, said: “This collaborative event is a celebration of Sunderland’s creativity, resilience and incredible sense of community. By bringing art, music and performance into the heart of Roker, we’re not only showcasing our local talent—we’re strengthening the social fabric of our city and making culture more accessible to everyone. From toddlers to grandparents, there’s truly something for all to enjoy. I’d like to encourage all residents to get down and be part of this fantastic day.”

    Roberta Redecke, Marketing and Events Manager for Sunderland BID said: “Roker Park and Beach is the perfect setting to launch the first Sunderland Art Festival. It will bring creativity to the coast with a day full of colour, community, and imagination. From immersive art experiences to live music and mindful moments, this is about celebrating local talent and offering something genuinely unique for visitors of all ages at Sunderland’s Seafront. We hope this will become a regular event in the calendar to support the fantastic businesses we have within the Seafront BID.”

    Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a family looking for a fun day out, this promises a day of creativity, community, and coastal charm.

    For full event details and opportunities to get involved, visit Back to the Bandstand – MySunderland.

    Back to the Bandstand is a Sunderland City Council programme to invite local community groups to help bring Sunderland’s parks and outdoor spaces to life. This is part of a citywide celebration of arts and culture.

    Whether it’s performances, creative workshops, wellbeing sessions, or sports activities, the Sunderland Festivals & Events Fund offers grants to support your ideas. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage the community and transform local spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity and connection.

    To apply and find out more, visit https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/eventsfunding or get in touch at events@sunderland.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: When big sports events expand, like FIFA’s 2026 World Cup matches across North America, their climate footprint expands too

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

    Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

    When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

    The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

    A sustainability conundrum

    Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

    There is a divide over how sports should respond.

    Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

    Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
    AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

    Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

    This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

    A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

    Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

    In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

    When climate promises become greenwashing

    The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

    Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

    However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

    For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

    Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
    Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

    Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

    Finding practical solutions

    Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

    These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

    Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

    Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

    There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

    How fans can cut their environmental footprint

    Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:

    • Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.

    • While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.

    • Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.

    • Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.

    • You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.

    Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

    In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

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

    – ref. When big sports events expand, like FIFA’s 2026 World Cup matches across North America, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-expand-like-fifas-2026-world-cup-matches-across-north-america-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call for bids: Building peaceful interethnic relations in Mostar

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Call for bids: Building peaceful interethnic relations in Mostar

    British Embassy Sarajevo is inviting bids by 6 August 2025 for a project to strengthen peaceful interethnic relations in Mostar and surrounding areas.

    Old Bridge, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Introduction

    A stable and less divided Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a top priority of the UK government. Recent scoping and engagement across the country has identified that ethnic tensions remain high, often localised and in some instances, communities are severely divided.

    Mostar, the largest city in the Herzegovina region, is a stark example of this division with communities living in de facto segregation. For this reason, the UK has invested in peace and reconciliation efforts in Mostar – including a flagship project to support the rejuvenation of public spaces between 2022 and 2024.

    The project achieved significant engagement from the public, and ‘increased interpersonal connections through establishing a participatory process to identify which and how public spaces should be rejuvenated. (This was the most cited reason for why citizens believed that relations between citizens was better than they were a year ago in the end of line survey).

    Building on this success, we are now commissioning for a short-term follow-on project (until 31 March 2026) that uses public spaces to bring individuals together, across ethnic divisions through activities that directly support peaceful interethnic relation, community cohesion and societal resilience.

    Activities should deliver for Mostar but can additionally work with neighbouring areas (for example Stolac) if it supports the project objective. Proposals must focus on one or several of the following goals and clearly identify which ones they are seeking to address:

    • using sport as a method to bring people, including women and girls, together from all backgrounds, particularly those more resistant to inter-ethnic engagement, and promote common values and undermine divisive narratives
    • using music as a method to bring people together from all backgrounds, particularly those more resistant to inter-ethnic engagement, and promote common values and undermine divisive narratives
    • addressing and countering inter-ethnic tensions in Mostar related to football hooliganism
    • enabling inter-religious cooperation in promoting interfaith and interethnic cooperation and collaboration to reduce tensions and divided living

    Detailed information

    Only not-for-profit organisations are invited to bid. This includes international organisations (IOs), international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and local civil society organisations (CSOs), who can also apply in a consortium of CSOs.

    Successful projects should have sustainable outcomes and should clearly identify their intended impact. They may also build on projects by other organisations, complementing their efforts. All bids should make clear how they complement existing activities in Mostar supported by other donors and international partners.

    The minimum indicative funding for projects is £120,000 and maximum £250,000. This may be in addition to co-funding and self-funding contributions. Co-funded projects will be regarded favourably.

    Projects must be completed by the 31 March 2026. Where appropriate, bidders are encouraged to describe how their project could be further scaled up if additional funding became available.

    All project management, project administration, and overhead costs should be detailed and not to exceed 12% of total budget. Budgeting overheads as a flat percentage is not supported, and any such costs should be fully detailed in the budget.

    We are unable to fund academic courses or English language courses. The purchase of IT and other equipment over £500 per item will require prior approval of the embassy, but such procurement should not constitute a significant part of the overall project budget.

    The British Embassy Sarajevo will carry out due diligence of potential grantees, including seeking references, as part of the selection process.

    Bidding is competitive and only selected project/s will receive funding. The embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection. Due to the volume of bids expected we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.

    Bidding process

    Bidders should fill in a standard project proposal form (Annex A) and include a breakdown of project costs in the activity-based budget (ABB) (Annex B).

    Annex A: Project Proposal Form

    ODT, 29.2 KB

    This file is in an OpenDocument format

    Annex B: Activity-Based Budget (ABB)

    ODS, 12.5 KB

    This file is in an OpenDocument format

    Budgets must be Activity Based Budgets (ABB), all costs should be indicative, in GBP. Successful implementers should be able to receive project funding in either BAM or GBP.

    Successful bids must have a clear Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) objective explicit in the project documentation and an explanation of a positive impact of the project on advancing gender equality and social inclusion.

    All projects or activities must align with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and assess climate and environmental impact and risks, taking steps to ensure that no environmental harm is done and, where relevant, support adaptation.

    An information session will be held at at 10am (BiH time) on 23 July 2025. Email meliha.muherina@fcdo.gov.uk to receive the meeting invitation.

    Proposals should be emailed to emma.fowler@fcdo.gov.uk by 5pm (BiH time) on 6 August 2025. Include the name of the bidder in the email subject line.

    Successful bids are expected to start on 1 September 2025 and conclude on 31 March 2026. Successful shortlisted bidders will be informed by mid-August.

    Evaluation criteria

    • the proposal should clearly state which of the listed goals it is seeking to address and how it will measure whether the activity is contributing to the goal
    • quality of project: how well defined and relevant the outcome is and how outputs will deliver this change; ability to leverage bigger funding would be an advantage
    • value for money: the value of the expected project outcomes, the level of funding requested and institutional contribution
    • local knowledge and previous experience: evidence of the project team’s understanding the context, socio-political challenges, previous experience of implementing similar activities/related fields with evidenced results, ability to manage and deliver a successful project. Evidence of how the project will learn from tested experiences, respond to opportunities and changing political circumstances
    • fluent understanding of the local language
    • gender-sensitive approach
    • alignment with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change
    • demonstrated experience of working with conflict affected communities
    • ability for the project to engage and leverage relationships with all societal tracks (including but not limited to local authorities, civil society actors, academia, law enforcement agencies, the private sector and media)

    Background information

    The UK’s commitment

    The successful project will be funded via British Embassy Sarajevo, from the Western Balkans Freedom and Resilience Programme (FRP). The FRP has 2 outcomes.

    • improved reconciliation and peacebuilding outcomes for conflict-affected communities, with a focus on building connections across conflict divides and strengthening access to transitional justice processes
    • empowerment of women and girls through tackling CRSV, GBV and promoting women’s meaningful participation in decision-making processes

    The embassy in BiH commits to delivering for these outcomes by supporting initiatives which put BiH on a positive pathway to achieve long term and inclusive peace for all citizens. It acknowledges this can only be achieved by locally owned activities that ultimately contribute to conflict prevention, reconciliation and peacebuilding.

    Thematic background

    The demographic of BiH was fundamentally changed by the war in the 1990s, with many communities now ethnically homogenous. Mostar remains one of the few genuinely multi-ethnic cities.

    Yet true peace and reconciliation has not been achieved, memories and traumas of the conflict endure, with deeply held engrained views of accepting a divided reality. Assessment shows the divided school system is fostering further societal division, together with external influences stoking tensions within the city.

    To reverse the trend of division, group activities like football or music have an opportunity to facilitate interethnic engagement. Moreover, whilst there are activities for young people, groups engaged with are not including the hardest to reach factions. Participants in cross community activities are predominantly those who have public will for a multi-ethnic way of life, failing to reach the truly divided and problematic elements within the community.

    Activities of hooligan groups can be major trigger points for destabilisation in general, but in BiH this is exacerbated by an unresolved conflict. In Mostar, the two football clubs have long had distinct ethnic links, playing into tribalism and identity politics. There is a live risk of individuals being manipulated to extend behaviour to violence and political extremism. This is then multiplied with social media through the spreading of hate speech and extremist behaviours and ideologies.

    Religion is woven within ethnic divides in BiH. Despite this, religious leaders in Mostar have pioneered their own initiatives and demonstrate positive engagement both as a group and as a unifying voice with key decision makers. This has supported progress in supporting minority voices and facilitating increased dialogue across ethnicities.

    Building on success

    The project should build on the success of ‘Project Mostar’ which worked with local communities to rebuild public spaces and which addressed shared civic, social, and economic needs. Project sites include various open public spaces, such as Bunica and Trimuša park, as well as numerous indoor spaces, such as museums, cultural centres, puppet theatres etc.

    The project contributed to integration of marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities and women and girls, into mainstream cultural and social life, breaking down barriers and normalising their participation. While evidence of cross-community engagement in cultural spaces is still emerging, the project did demonstrate other impacts such as job creation through women’s empowerment, improved work conditions in cultural institutions and care centres, and potential boosts to tourism.

    The initial ‘project Mostar’ focused on providing spaces and using a participatory process to ensure increased community ownership of public spaces. This call for bids seeks to reinforce the success of the previous project by supporting activity in public spaces which facilitates interethnic interaction and understanding of shared principles.

    Successful projects will have time bound and realistic outputs that focus on engaging communities across the divide through activity whilst being underpinned by a clear understanding of how activity is contributing to the relevant outcome. Implementers are required to apply conflict sensitivity to all elements of project design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –