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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland application to cease as a recognised professional body for insolvency practitioners

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland application to cease as a recognised professional body for insolvency practitioners

    Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland has applied to the Secretary of State for Business to give up its status as a recognised professional body for insolvency practitioners.

    Section 391N of the Insolvency Act 1986

    Revocation of recognition at the request of a body

    Notice in accordance with section 391N(3) of the Insolvency Act 1986

    The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland

    On 13 November 2024, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (otherwise known as Chartered Accountants Ireland ‘CAI’) asked the Secretary of State to consider a request made under section 391N of the Insolvency Act 1986 (‘the Act’), that it should cease to be a Recognised Professional Body (‘RPB’) for the purposes of section 391 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

    CAI is listed within the Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) Order 1986 as a body recognised under Section 391 of the Act, for the purpose of authorising insolvency practitioners.

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has considered this request and is satisfied that it is appropriate in all the circumstances to revoke this recognition in accordance with the procedure set out in section 391N of the Insolvency Act 1986.

    Accordingly, the Secretary of State is making the Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition) Order 2025.  This Order takes effect from 1 June 2025.

    The reasons for making the Order in relation to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (CAI) are:

    • CAI notified the Secretary of State that the low number of insolvency practitioners it authorised made it commercially unsustainable to continue as an RPB.
    • On 21 March 2024, the Council of the CAI approved the formal proposal to cease authorising insolvency practitioners from 1 January 2025.
    • CAI insolvency licence holders were informed of the intention to withdraw as an RPB on 2 June 2024.
    • CAI has completed all internal procedures to approve and implement the decision to withdraw as an RPB.
    • All insolvency practitioners licensed by CAI as at 31 December 2024 who wished to continue to practice are now authorised by another RPB.
    • Arrangements have been put in place for the investigation of complaints in the period between 31 December 2024 and the making of the Order formally revoking its recognition as an RPB, and in respect of any complaints made relating to conduct prior to 31 December 2024.
    • CAI has requested for its recognition as an RPB to be revoked.

    A print version of the notice is available from the Insolvency Service, 16th Floor, 1 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ.

    Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Business and Trade

    Date: 8 April 2025

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Despatch of CRM12 forms for duty rotas starting 1 October begins

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Despatch of CRM12 forms for duty rotas starting 1 October begins

    The sending out CRM12s to providers who have verified their tenders in stage 1 of the crime procurement process has begun.

    Completed CRM12 forms must be returned to the LAA no later than Friday 23 May. However, if submitted by 9 May 2025, the form will be reviewed and there will be an opportunity to make corrections prior to the final deadline.

    Completed CRM12s must be returned to crm12@justice.gov.uk.

    Only the form sent should be completed as it is specific to the 2025 Contract.

    The LAA will continue to work with those providers who did not complete verification in time to join the October rota. They will be eligible to join the rota that commences in January 2026 if they complete their verification process by 31 July 2025. Their contracts will commence on 1 October 2025.

    Further information

    For full details of the procurement process please read the Application Guide which is available at Crime Contract 2025 Tender – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: WSO2 Launches Ambassador Program to Empower Tech Advocates

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WSO2, the leader in enterprise digital infrastructure technology, today announced the launch of the WSO2 Ambassador Program, a global initiative that celebrates and supports the most passionate voices in its tech community, including developers and architects. This program is designed to recognize individuals who actively share knowledge, inspire innovation, and contribute to the growth of the open-source ecosystem powered by WSO2 technologies.

    At the heart of the digital era are developers and architects—the problem-solvers and builders of the digital experiences we use every day. WSO2 recognizes that its success is deeply tied to the passion and ingenuity of its developer community. Developers are not only consumers of WSO2’s open-source platforms for API management, integration, identity and access management and WSO2’s internal developer platform, Choreo; they are also co-creators, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, improving the products through feedback, and building impactful solutions that serve millions. Architects, on the other hand, play a critical role in shaping the bigger picture—designing scalable, secure, and future-ready digital architectures that bring developer innovations to life.

    “Developers are the driving force behind innovation,” said Isabelle Mauny, Chief Developer Advocate at WSO2. “They are not merely users of our products—they are instrumental in shaping them. Architects help ensure that solutions built on WSO2’s platforms are robust, cohesive, and aligned with long-term business goals. The WSO2 Ambassador Program is our way of acknowledging their contributions and supporting their continued growth. Whether through leading community meetups, publishing technical tutorials, or contributing to our codebase, our ambassadors play a vital role in empowering others to succeed with WSO2.”

    WSO2’s commitment to open source goes beyond code—it’s about people. The Ambassador Program is a natural extension of that commitment. By offering mentorship, visibility, and support, WSO2 aims to empower developers to become leaders in their communities and advance their personal and professional growth.

    What Ambassadors can expect:

    • Skill-building opportunities in community leadership, developer advocacy, and public speaking
    • Sponsorship for local events, meetups, and conferences to grow regional communities
    • Visibility and recognition through WSO2’s digital channels and media
    • Access to exclusive WSO2 events, tools, and swag
    • Direct collaboration with WSO2 teams, providing feedback and influence on product direction

    The program is open to developers, architects, and technical leaders with experience using WSO2 technology and a passion for empowering others through content, events, and code. Ambassadors can contribute at their own pace, with flexible engagement levels.

    “Being a WSO2 Ambassador is not about holding a title—it is about making a meaningful impact,” Mauny explained. “It recognizes those developers who dedicate their time to writing tutorials, answering questions in forums, and mentoring the next generation of technologists. Our goal is to support their efforts, elevate their contributions, and connect them with a global community of peers and innovators.”

    Visit the WSO2 Ambassadors Page to learn more about the program, meet our 2025 ambassadors, and find out how you can get involved.

    About WSO2
    Founded in 2005, WSO2 is the largest independent software vendor providing open-source API management, integration, and identity and access management (IAM) to thousands of enterprises in over 90 countries. WSO2’s products and platforms—including our next-gen internal developer platform, Choreo—empower organizations to leverage the full potential of artificial intelligence and APIs for securely delivering the next generation of AI-enabled digital services and applications. Our open-source, AI-driven, API-first approach frees developers and architects from vendor lock-in and enables rapid digital product creation. Recognized as leaders by industry analysts, WSO2 has more than 800 employees worldwide with offices in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, and the US, with over USD100M in annual recurring revenue. Visit https://wso2.com to learn more. Follow WSO2 on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

    Trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Orion180 Teams Up with Jewelers Mutual® to Offer Homeowners Comprehensive Jewelry Insurance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MELBOURNE, Fla., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orion180, a leading provider of innovative homeowners and flood insurance solutions, has announced a collaboration with Jewelers Mutual, the only insurer dedicated to jewelry and jewelry businesses with over a century of expertise, to provide homeowners with specialized jewelry insurance coverage beyond the typical limits of a standard homeowners policy.

    Through a seamless integration with Orion180’s homeowner’s quoting process, customers can obtain comprehensive protection against risks specific to high-value items, including theft, loss, and accidental damage.

    “By working with Jewelers Mutual, Orion180 is addressing an underserved need among clients who require comprehensive jewelry coverage that goes beyond standard offerings,” said Ken Gregg, CEO and founder of Orion180. “We believe this collaboration adds a valuable layer to our insureds’ insurance experience because they can protect both their home and adequately protect their high-value items all in one place.”

    Jewelers Mutual provides customers with specialized expertise and options such as flexible deductibles and the ability to choose their own preferred jeweler for repairs or replacements, offering policyholders a level of coverage not typically included in standard homeowners insurance policies.

    “This new relationship with Orion180 allows us to leverage technology in new ways to make insurance more accessible to more jewelry consumers,” said Mike Alexander, Chief Operating Officer. “We’re able to meet customers where they want to be met and give them the freedom to wear their jewelry confidently knowing each piece has the expert protection it deserves.”

    This collaboration represents a milestone in Orion180’s mission to provide value-added, technology-driven insurance solutions that cater to specific client needs. Independent insurance agents and homeowners can learn more about this jewelry insurance option by visiting Orion180.com or contacting Orion180 directly.

    About Orion180
    Orion180 is a technology-driven and customer-centric insurance brand that combines proprietary technology, real-time data, and straightforward underwriting practices to provide a seamless and premier insurance experience. Orion180 operates through Orion180 Insurance Co., a surplus lines insurance company serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Colorado (Flood only), Tennessee (Flood only), Illinois (Flood only) and Arizona, and Orion180 Select Insurance Co., an admitted insurance company offering coverage in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Ohio. With its proprietary MY180 platform and third-party integrations, Orion180 offers unmatched efficiency and innovation, fulfilling its vision of becoming the global leader in insurance solutions while maintaining its mission to deliver superior customer experiences and a comprehensive suite of products. Connect with Orion180 on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TruthSocial, and YouTube. For more information, visit www.Orion180.com.

    Media Contacts
    Ross Blume
    Fusion Public Relations
    orion180@fusionpr.com

    Yiguang Qiu
    Orion180
    +1 321 222 6242
    yqiu@orion180.com

    About Jewelers Mutual

    Jewelers Mutual was founded in 1913 by a group of Wisconsin jewelers to meet their unique insurance needs. Later, consumers began putting their trust in Jewelers Mutual to protect their jewelry and the special memories each piece holds. Today, Jewelers Mutual continues to support and move the industry forward by listening to jewelers and consumers and offering products and services to meet their evolving needs. Beyond insurance, Jewelers Mutual’s powerful suite of innovative solutions and digital technology offerings help jewelers strengthen and grow their businesses, mitigate risk, and bring them closer to their customers. The Group insurers’ strong financial position is reflected in their 38 consecutive “A+ Superior” ratings from AM Best Company, as of November 2024. Policyholders of the Group insurers are members of Jewelers Mutual Holding Company. Jewelers Mutual is headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, with other Group offices in Dallas, Texas and Miami, Florida. To learn more, visit JewelersMutual.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Correction: Dividend Payment Procedure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Corrected:  Dividends of legal entities residents of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries shall be subject to the Corporate Profit Tax rate.

     

    The Ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on 31 March 2025 approved allocation of the profit of Šiaulių Bankas AB which included a pay-out of dividends – 0.061 euro shall be paid for each ordinary registered share with a nominal value of 0.29 euro. Dividends shall be paid out to persons who were the shareholders of Šiaulių Bankas AB at the end of the record day – 14 April 2025.

     

    The Bank shall pay out dividends on 25 April 2025 in compliance with the following procedure:

    – those shareholders whose shares are being accounted in the securities accounts with banks and financial brokerage companies rendering investment services will receive an amount of dividends after deduction of Personal Income Tax or Corporate Profit Tax in compliance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania which shall be transferred to the accounts with the respective banks or financial brokerage companies;

     

    – for shareholders whose shares are accounted for in Šiaulių Bankas AB in the issuer’s accounting, the amount of dividends, after deducting personal income tax or income tax in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, will be transferred to the account specified by the shareholder. If the shareholder has not specified an account for the transfer of dividends, he/she must submit an application for the transfer of dividends. Applications are accepted from     18 April 2025 in all customer service points of Šiaulių Bankas AB. Before going to the customer service department, it is necessary to register for a visit on-line at https://sb.lt/en or by phone +370 610 44447. Applications for dividend transfer can also be submitted via the Internet Bank.

     

    Taxation of dividends:

    – Dividends of natural persons residents of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries shall be subject to 15 per cent of the Personal Income Tax rate;

     

    – Dividends of legal entities residents of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries shall be subject to 16 per cent of the Corporate Profit Tax rate, unless otherwise provided for in the laws.

     

    Additional information:

    Director of Securities Operations Department Jolanta Dobiliauskienė

    jolanta.dobiliauskiene@sb.lt , +370 610 28767

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Parallels’ Survey Reveals Midsize Companies Lead EUC Market Shift: 63% Seek New VDI or DaaS Solutions, 94% Plan Implementation Within a Year

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parallels, a global leader in virtualization and end-user computing (EUC) solutions, today released findings from its 2025 State of Cloud Computing Survey, revealing a major shift in the EUC market driven by *midsize organizations. Faced with rising costs and the complexities of legacy virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), 63% of midsize companies are actively exploring new VDI or Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) providers, and 94% plan to implement a new solution within the next 12 months.

    “Mid-market companies are facing growing IT demands without enterprise-level budgets,” said Prashant Ketkar, Chief Technology & Product Officer at Parallels. “They’re under pressure to streamline operations, from application delivery and cloud management to VDI support—while also strengthening cybersecurity and enabling remote work. This is forcing organizations to reevaluate their application delivery infrastructure strategies in favor of more cost-effective, secure, and flexible solution.”

    Top Challenges with Current VDI Solutions

    The survey asked mid-market IT leaders to rank the most pressing challenges they face with their current VDI solutions. The results point to a clear trend: complexity, cost, and manageability remain major pain points. Respondents ranked the following issues as their top concerns, with 1 being the most critical:

    1. Requires too many IT resources
    2. Lack of centralized control
    3. Too expensive
    4. Too complex
    5. Unreliable/performance issues

    As organizations seek to address these challenges, several key factors are influencing their decisions to change their IT strategies.

    Key Drivers Behind Shifting IT Strategies

    As the VDI market continues to experience disruption, mid-market organizations are reevaluating their IT strategies to better align with their current and future needs. When asked about the leading factors influencing potential change, survey respondents cited the following:

    • Rising costs – 43%
    • Concern over future support – 26%
    • Lack of integration – 18%
    • Uncertain product roadmaps – 13%
    • Other – 1%

    These insights point to a growing demand for solutions that reduce operational overhead while offering long-term stability and seamless integration. IT leaders are not only looking for ways to cut costs, but they’re also seeking trusted partners with clear product direction and the ability to support evolving infrastructure strategies.

    According to Gartner®, “Vendors push for organizations to embrace 100% cloud deployment, but most MSEs continue to find benefits in a hybrid approach that balances both on-premises and cloud advantages. MSE CIOs or the most senior IT leaders report that, on average, 40% of their applications and infrastructure remain on-premises.” This underscores the importance of flexible solutions that can support both cloud and on-premises deployments, allowing businesses to modernize at their own pace, without sacrificing performance, control, or budget.

    Cybersecurity Budgets on the Rise

    With cybersecurity threats continuing to evolve, mid-market organizations are prioritizing stronger defenses in their IT strategies. According to the survey, an overwhelming majority – nine out of 10 – plan to boost their cybersecurity investments in 2025:

    • 41% reported their cybersecurity budget is increasing significantly
    • 48% said it’s increasing moderately
    • Only 9% plan to maintain current spending levels, and just 1% anticipate a decrease

    These results underscore how critical cybersecurity has become, not just as a protective measure, but as a foundational element of digital transformation and business resilience.

    “What we’re hearing from IT leaders is a desire for choice, security & simplicity without compromise—solutions that are easy to deploy, run & manage,” said Ketkar. “At Parallels, we’re focused on delivering powerful, streamlined application delivery & infrastructure solutions that help midsize businesses stay agile, reduce costs, and modernize at their own pace.”

    Survey Methodology

    Parallels’ 2025 State of Cloud Computing Survey was conducted in December 2024 with data from 600 IT professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and the European Union about their cloud journeys to discover what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s next. To see the full results of the study, click here.

    *Note: Mid-size companies are defined as those with 300 to 1,000 employees.

    Gartner Attribution

    Gartner, Midsize Enterprises Optimize Cloud and On-Premises Strategies, By Mike Cisek, Megha Bawa, 30 October 2024.

    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    About Parallels

    Parallels is a global leading brand in cross-platform solutions that make it simple for businesses and individuals to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps customers leverage the best technology out there, whether it’s Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, iOS, Android, or the cloud. Parallels solves complex engineering and user-experience problems by making it simple and cost-effective for businesses and individual customers to use applications anywhere, anytime. Parallels is part of the Alludo™ portfolio. For more information, please visit www.parallels.com.

    © 2025 Parallels International GmbH. All rights reserved. Parallels is a trademark or registered trademark of Parallels International GmbH. in Canada, the United States and/or elsewhere. Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc. Android and ChromeOS are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company, product and service names, logos, brands and any registered or unregistered trademarks mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. For all notices and legal information please visit www.parallels.com/about/legal/.

    Ashley Ruess
    ashley.ruess@alludo.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35459dc5-1e10-4e50-9abc-ed2b7f7095c6

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2349b4ed-a6f7-4a0c-b396-738053f19f6c

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94d70f23-d073-4575-ae86-0d01cb1af7b2

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/47116ec4-5d36-49c0-8f76-c2f03f90f41e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9776da51-f483-45e1-ad4a-f077bebd426c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Perfect brownies baked at high altitude are possible thanks to Colorado’s home economics pioneer Inga Allison

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Tobi Jacobi, Professor of English, Colorado State University

    Students work in the high-altitude baking laboratory. Archives and Special Collections, Colorado State University

    Many bakers working at high altitudes have carefully followed a standard recipe only to reach into the oven to find a sunken cake, flat cookies or dry muffins.

    Experienced mountain bakers know they need a few tricks to achieve the same results as their fellow artisans working at sea level.

    These tricks are more than family lore, however. They originated in the early 20th century thanks to research on high-altitude baking done by Inga Allison, then a professor at Colorado State University. It was Allison’s scientific prowess and experimentation that brought us the possibility of perfect high-altitude brownies and other baked goods.

    Inga Allison’s high-altitude brownie recipe.
    Archives and Special Collections, Colorado State University

    We are two current academics at CSU whose work has been touched by Allison’s legacy.

    One of us – Caitlin Clark – still relies on Allison’s lessons a century later in her work as a food scientist in Colorado. The other – Tobi Jacobi – is a scholar of women’s rhetoric and community writing, and an enthusiastic home baker in the Rocky Mountains, who learned about Allison while conducting archival research on women’s work and leadership at CSU.

    That research developed into “Knowing Her,” an exhibition Jacobi developed with Suzanne Faris, a CSU sculpture professor. The exhibit highlights dozens of women across 100 years of women’s work and leadership at CSU and will be on display through mid-August 2025 in the CSU Fort Collins campus Morgan Library.

    A pioneer in home economics

    Inga Allison is one of the fascinating and accomplished women who is part of the exhibit.

    Allison was born in 1876 in Illinois and attended the University of Chicago, where she completed the prestigious “science course” work that heavily influenced her career trajectory. Her studies and research also set the stage for her belief that women’s education was more than preparation for domestic life.

    In 1908, Allison was hired as a faculty member in home economics at Colorado Agricultural College, which is now CSU. She joined a group of faculty who were beginning to study the effects of altitude on baking and crop growth. The department was located inside Guggenheim Hall, a building that was constructed for home economics education but lacked lab equipment or serious research materials.

    Inga Allison was a professor of home economics at Colorado Agricultural College, where she developed recipes that worked in high altitudes.
    Archives and Special Collections, Colorado State University

    Allison took both the land grant mission of the university with its focus on teaching, research and extension and her particular charge to prepare women for the future seriously. She urged her students to move beyond simple conceptions of home economics as mere preparation for domestic life. She wanted them to engage with the physical, biological and social sciences to understand the larger context for home economics work.

    Such thinking, according to CSU historian James E. Hansen, pushed women college students in the early 20th century to expand the reach of home economics to include “extension and welfare work, dietetics, institutional management, laboratory research work, child development and teaching.”

    News articles from the early 1900s track Allison giving lectures like “The Economic Side of Natural Living” to the Colorado Health Club and talks on domestic science to ladies clubs and at schools across Colorado. One of her talks in 1910 focused on the art of dishwashing.

    Allison became the home economics department chair in 1910 and eventually dean. In this leadership role, she urged then-CSU President Charles Lory to fund lab materials for the home economics department. It took 19 years for this dream to come to fruition.

    In the meantime, Allison collaborated with Lory, who gave her access to lab equipment in the physics department. She pieced together equipment to conduct research on the relationship between cooking foods in water and atmospheric pressure, but systematic control of heat, temperature and pressure was difficult to achieve.

    She sought other ways to conduct high-altitude experiments and traveled across Colorado where she worked with students to test baking recipes in varied conditions, including at 11,797 feet in a shelter house on Fall River Road near Estes Park.

    Inga Allison tested her high-altitude baking recipes at 11,797 feet at the shelter house on Fall River Road, near Estes Park, Colorado.
    Archives and Special Collections, Colorado State University

    But Allison realized that recipes baked at 5,000 feet in Fort Collins and Denver simply didn’t work in higher altitudes. Little advancement in baking methods occurred until 1927, when the first altitude baking lab in the nation was constructed at CSU thanks to Allison’s research. The results were tangible — and tasty — as public dissemination of altitude-specific baking practices began.

    A 1932 bulletin on baking at altitude offers hundreds of formulas for success at heights ranging from 4,000 feet to over 11,000 feet. Its author, Marjorie Peterson, a home economics staff person at the Colorado Experiment Station, credits Allison for her constructive suggestions and support in the development of the booklet.

    Science of high-altitude baking

    As a senior food scientist in a mountain state, one of us – Caitlin Clark – advises bakers on how to adjust their recipes to compensate for altitude. Thanks to Allison’s research, bakers at high altitude today can anticipate how the lower air pressure will affect their recipes and compensate by making small adjustments.

    The first thing you have to understand before heading into the kitchen is that the higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure. This lower pressure has chemical and physical effects on baking.

    Air pressure is a force that pushes back on all of the molecules in a system and prevents them from venturing off into the environment. Heat plays the opposite role – it adds energy and pushes molecules to escape.

    When water is boiled, molecules escape by turning into steam. The less air pressure is pushing back, the less energy is required to make this happen. That’s why water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes – around 200 degrees Fahrenheit in Denver compared with 212 F at sea level.

    So, when baking is done at high altitude, steam is produced at a lower temperature and earlier in the baking time. Carbon dioxide produced by leavening agents also expands more rapidly in the thinner air. This causes high-altitude baked goods to rise too early, before their structure has fully set, leading to collapsed cakes and flat muffins. Finally, the rapid evaporation of water leads to over-concentration of sugars and fats in the recipe, which can cause pastries to have a gummy, undesirable texture.

    Allison learned that high-altitude bakers could adjust to their environment by reducing the amount of sugar or increasing liquids to prevent over-concentration, and using less of leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder to prevent dough from rising too quickly.

    Allison was one of many groundbreaking women in the early 20th century who actively supported higher education for women and advanced research in science, politics, humanities and education in Colorado.

    Others included Grace Espy-Patton, a professor of English and sociology at CSU from 1885 to 1896 who founded an early feminist journal and was the first woman to register to vote in Fort Collins. Miriam Palmer was an aphid specialist and master illustrator whose work crafting hyper-realistic wax apples in the early 1900s allowed farmers to confirm rediscovery of the lost Colorado Orange apple, a fruit that has been successfully propagated in recent years.

    In 1945, Allison retired as both an emerita professor and emerita dean at CSU. She immediately stepped into the role of student and took classes in Russian and biochemistry.

    In the fall of 1958, CSU opened a new dormitory for women that was named Allison Hall in her honor.

    “I had supposed that such a thing happened only to the very rich or the very dead,” Allison told reporters at the dedication ceremony.

    Read more of our stories about Colorado.

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

    – ref. Perfect brownies baked at high altitude are possible thanks to Colorado’s home economics pioneer Inga Allison – https://theconversation.com/perfect-brownies-baked-at-high-altitude-are-possible-thanks-to-colorados-home-economics-pioneer-inga-allison-251778

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DBS launches new manual ID guidance for DBS checks

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    DBS launches new manual ID guidance for DBS checks

    DBS has launched refreshed manual ID guidance for Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks.

    The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions by processing and issuing DBS checks – and ID verification forms a key component of that process.

    As of 22nd April 2025, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has implemented refreshed manual ID guidance for its DBS check service. This new guidance will be easier to understand and use for applicants and organisations conducting DBS checks.

    Please note, the old guidance will continue to be useable until 1st November 2025, to take into account technical changes that Registered Bodies may need to make in line with the updated guidelines.

    What’s changing?

    The key changes in the guidance are:

    • there is no longer a different route for non-UK nationals to use. All applicants can have their ID verified using the 3-route process
    • we no longer require one of the documents to have the applicants current address on it
    • we have provided more guidance around how to view documents, making it easier for ID checks to comply with requirements
    • we have added the e-Visa, BRP and ARC to the list of group 1 documents to enable all applicants to validate ID
    • we have added 2 documents to the list of group 2b documents, broadening the range of supporting documents applicants can use. The documents are an HMRC self-assessment or tax demand letters and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
    • we have included example scenarios to illustrate how the process can be used

    By streamlining application routes, adding more documents for applicants to choose from, and providing example scenarios, we hope to have improved the DBS check process for our customers and partners.

    Where to find more information

    If you would like to read the refreshed ID guidance in full, these can be found on the DBS website.

    For Basic checks, please see the Basic check guidance and policies GOV.UK page, and for Standard and Enhanced checks, please see the DBS ID checking guidelines GOV.UK page.

    Getting help

    If you need any assistance with the new ID guidance, our Customer Services team will be happy to help you, as usual. You can reach them by calling 03000 200 190.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Primech AI Showcases HYTRON Cleaning Technology at Global Innovation Summit 2025 in Germany

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Primech AI Pte. Ltd. (“Primech AI” or the “Company”), a subsidiary of Primech Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: PMEC), recently participated in the prestigious Global Innovation Summit (GIS) 2025 held at HANNOVER MESSE in Hannover, Germany on April 1-2, 2025. The Company was invited by Enterprise Singapore to join a select group of innovative Singaporean companies representing the nation’s technological capabilities on the global stage.

    Picture 1: Charles Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Primech Ai presenting at the Global Innovation Summit

    The Global Innovation Summit, one of the world’s premier platforms for industrial technology innovation, provided Primech AI with the opportunity to showcase its groundbreaking HYTRON, AI-powered autonomous bathroom cleaning robots to an international audience of industry leaders, potential partners, and investors.

    “Our participation at the Global Innovation Summit represents a significant milestone in our international expansion strategy,” said Mr. Charles Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Primech AI. “Being invited by Enterprise Singapore to represent Singapore’s innovation ecosystem at such a prestigious global event validates our technological achievements and opens doors to potential collaborations across European markets.”

    During the two-day summit, the Primech AI team presented its innovation pitch focused on the HYTRON, AI-powered autonomous bathroom cleaning robot technology, highlighting its advanced AI capabilities, 3D-cleaning functionality, and the use of electrolyzed water for enhanced sanitation. The presentation demonstrated how Primech AI’s solutions address critical challenges in the facility services industry, including labor shortages, increasing hygiene standards, and sustainability requirements.

    A key enabler behind HYTRON’s performance is the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super, a cutting-edge System-on-Module (SoM) designed for robust edge AI and robotics applications. By integrating NVIDIA’s advanced hardware and software technologies—including CUDA, TensorRT, cuDNN, and the NVIDIA Driver—Primech AI has significantly boosted HYTRON’s real-time data processing capabilities, enabling greater autonomy, precision, and responsiveness in demanding cleaning environments.

    The Company engaged with numerous potential partners and customers from various sectors, including commercial property management, healthcare, hospitality, and public transportation, exploring opportunities to implement its autonomous cleaning solutions across European markets.

    The Global Innovation Summit served as a platform for Primech AI to connect with international technology partners, distributors, and end-users interested in next-generation cleaning solutions. These engagements have already resulted in several promising partnership discussions that could accelerate the Company’s European market entry strategy.

    “The response to our technology at HANNOVER MESSE exceeded our expectations,” said Mr. Kin Wai Ho, Chief Executive Officer of Primech Holdings. “We identified significant interest from European facility management companies seeking to integrate autonomous cleaning solutions into their operations. The connections made at this event will be instrumental in our international growth plans.”

    About the Global Innovation Summit 2025
    The Global Innovation Summit is Eureka’s flagship event organised as part of HANNOVER MESSE, the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology. The summit brings innovators, industry leaders, policymakers, and investors together to explore emerging technologies and foster international collaborations. The 2025 edition focused on sustainable industrial solutions, AI applications, and automation technologies transforming traditional industries.

    About Primech AI
    Primech AI is a leading robotics company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology. With a team of passionate individuals and a commitment to collaboration, Primech AI is poised to revolutionize the robotics industry with groundbreaking solutions that make a meaningful impact on society. For more information, visit www.primech.ai.

    About Primech Holdings Limited
    Headquartered in Singapore, Primech Holdings Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive technology-driven facilities services, predominantly serving both public and private sectors throughout Singapore. Primech Holdings offers an extensive range of services tailored to meet the complex demands of its diverse clientele. Services include advanced general facility maintenance services, specialized cleaning solutions such as marble polishing and facade cleaning, meticulous stewarding services, and targeted cleaning services for offices and homes. Known for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, Primech Holdings integrates eco-friendly practices and smart technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This strategic approach positions Primech Holdings as a leader in the industry and a proactive contributor to advancing industry standards and practices in Singapore and beyond. For more information, visit www.primechholdings.com.     

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about completing the acquisition, anticipated revenues, growth, and expansion. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will be correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    Company Contact:
    Email: ir@primech.com.sg

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Matthew Abenante, IRC
    President
    Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
    Tel: 347-947-2093
    Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Prosafe SE: Operational update – March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    22 April – Fleet utilisation for March 2025 was 52 per cent.   

    Safe Zephyrus operated at full capacity during March, achieving 100 per commercial uptime.  

    Safe Notos and Safe Eurus, both had 99 per cent commercial uptime in March.  

    Safe Concordia operated at full capacity on the days she was in operation. The vessel was transferred to the new owner on March 13, 2025. 

    Safe Caledonia has commenced reactivation activities in Scapa Flow, UK, and will mobilise to the Captain Field, UK, by 01 June 2025. 

    Safe Boreas is in Norway preparing for relocation in Q2 2025 for a contract in Australia commencing between mid-November 2025 and mid-February 2026.  

    Prosafe has entered into an agreement to sell Safe Scandinavia for recycling. A condition of the recycling is full compliance with all relevant conventions and regulations, with the vessel expected to be delivered within Q2 2025. 

    Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of semi-submersible accommodation vessels. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS. For more information, please refer to https://www.prosafe.com  

    For further information, please contact:  

    Terje Askvig, CEO 

    Phone: +4795203886 

    Reese McNeel, CFO 

    Phone: +4741508186 
     

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Make Russia Medieval Again! How Putin is seeking to remold society, with a little help from Ivan the Terrible

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Dina Khapaeva, Professor of Cultural Studies, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has draped himself in old-fashioned, medieval conceptions of Russian history to add symbolic weight to his authoritarian government. AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

    Beginning in September 2025, Russian middle and high school students will be handed a new textbook titled “My Family.”

    Published in March 2025, the textbook’s co-author Nina Ostanina, chair of the State Duma Committee for the Protection of the Family, claims that it will teach students “traditional moral values” that will improve “the demographic situation in the country” as part of a “Family Studies” course that was rolled out in the 2024-2025 school year.

    But some of those lessons for modern living come from a less-than-modern source. Among the materials borrowed from in “My Family” is the 16th century “Domostroi” – a collection of rules for maintaining patriarchal domestic order. It was written, supposedly, by Sylvester, a monk-tutor of czar Ivan the Terrible.

    Unsurprisingly, some teachings from “Domostroi” seem out-of-keeping with today’s sensibilities. For example, it states that it is the right of a father to coerce, if needed by force, his household – at the time, this would refer to both relatives and slaves – in accordance with Orthodox dogmas.

    “Husbands should teach their wives with love and exemplary instruction,” reads one of the Domostroi quotations repeated in the textbook.

    “Wives ask their husbands about strict order, how to save their souls, please God and their husbands, arrange their home well, and submit to their husbands in all matters; and what the husband orders, they should agree with love and carry out according to his commands,” reads another extract

    Czar Ivan the Terrible and the priest Sylvester.
    Wikimedia Commons

    The use of “Domostroi” in the textbook both references the past while evoking the current government’s politics of decriminalizing family violence. A 2017 law, for example, removed nonaggravated “battery of close persons” from the list of criminal offenses.

    It also fits a wider pattern. As a scholar of historical memory, I have observed that references to the Russian Middle Ages are part of the Kremlin’s broader politics of using the medieval past to justify current agendas, something I have termed “political neomedievalism.”

    Indeed, President Vladimir Putin’s government is actively prioritizing initiatives that use medieval Russia as a model for the country’s future. In doing so, the Kremlin unites a long-nurtured dream of the Russian far right with a broader quest for the fulfillment of Russian imperial ambitions.

    Whitewashing Ivan the Terrible

    In February 2025, just a month before “My Family” was published, the government of Russia’s Vologda region – home to over 1 million people – established nongovernmental organization called “The Oprichnina.”

    The organization is tasked with “fostering Russian identity” and “developing the moral education of youth.”

    But the group’s name evokes the first reign of brutal state terror in Russian history. The Oprichnina was a state policy unleashed by Ivan the Terrible from 1565 to 1572 to establish his unrestrained power over the country. The oprichniks were Ivan’s personal guard, who attached a dog’s head and a broom to their saddles to show that they were the czar’s “dogs” who swept treason away.

    Chroniclers and foreign travelers left accounts of the sadistic tortures and mass executions that were conducted with Ivan’s participation. The oprichniks raped and dismembered women, flayed or boiled men alive and burned children. In this frenzy of violence, they slaughtered many thousands of innocent people.

    Ivan’s reign led to a period known as the “Time of Troubles,” marked by famine and military defeat. Some scholars estimate that by its end, Russia lost nearly two-thirds of its population.

    Ivan IV, czar of Russia from 1547 to 1584, known as Ivan the Terrible.
    Rischgitz/Getty Images

    Throughout Russian history, Ivan the Terrible – who among his other crimes murdered his eldest son and had the head of Russian Orthodox Church strangled for dissent – was remembered as a repulsive tyrant.

    However, since the mid-2000s, when the Russian government under Putin took an increasingly authoritarian turn, Ivan and his terror have undergone a state-driven process of reevalution.

    The Kremlin and its far-right proxies now paint Ivan as a great statesman and devout Russian Orthodox Christian who laid the foundations of the Russian Empire.

    Prior to that alteration of Russian historical memory, only one other Russian head of state had held Ivan in such high esteem: Josef Stalin.

    Even so, no public monuments to Ivan existed until 2016, when Putin’s officials unveiled the first of three bronze statues dedicated to the terrible czar. Yet, the cinematic propaganda outmatched the commemorations of Ivan in stone. By my count, from 2009 to 2022, 12 state-sponsored films and TV series paying tribute to Ivan the Terrible and his rule aired in prime time on Russian TV channels.

    Russian revisionism

    The post-Soviet rehabilitation of Ivan the Terrible goes back to the writings of Ivan Snychov, the metropolitan, or high ranking bishop, of Saint Petersburg and Ladoga. His book, “The Autocracy of the Spirit,” published in 1994, gave rise to a fundamentalist sect known as “Tsarebozhie,” or neo-Oprichnina. Tsarebozhie calls for a return to an autocratic monarchy, a society of orders and the canonization of all Russian czars. The belief that Russian state power is “sacred” – a central dogma of the sect – was reaffirmed on April 18, 2025, by Alexander Kharichev, an official in Putin’s Presidential Administration, in an article that has been likened to an instruction manual for the “builder of Putinism.”

    The canonization of Ivan the Terrible specifically is a top priority for members of this sect. And while the Russian Orthodox Church has yet to canonize Ivan, Tsarebozhie have garnered significant support from Russian priests, politicians and laypersons alike. Their efforts sit alongside Putin’s yearslong push to give public support for Ivan. Not by chance, Putin’s minister of foreign affairs, Sergei Lavrov, reportedly named Ivan the Terrible among one of Putin’s three “most trusted advisers.”

    In Snychov’s worldview, Russians are a messianic people, part of an imperial nation that is uniquely responsible for preventing Satan’s domination of the world. In his explicitly antisemitic pseudo-history of Russia, the Oprichnina is described as a “saintly monastic order” led by a “pious tsar.”

    Since the 1930s, when Stalin used Ivan to justify his own repressions, Ivan and Stalin – the Oprichnina and Stalinism – became historical doubles. The whitewashing of Ivan by the Kremlin goes hand in hand with Putin’s rehabilitation of Stalin as commander in chief of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.

    Promoting the cult of the “Great Patriotic War” – as the Second World War has officially been called since the Soviet period – has been central to Putin’s militarization of Russian society and part of the propaganda effort to foster support for the invasion of Ukraine. The remorse for the loss of empire and desire to restore it underlies Moscow’s discourse over the past two decades.

    Medieval threat to democracy

    The rhetoric of absolving Stalinism goes hand in hand with popularizing the state’s version of the Russian Middle Ages through public media channels.

    Putin’s neomedieval politics have adopted the Russian far-right belief that the country should return to the traditions of medieval Rus, as it existed before the Westernization reforms undertaken by Peter the Great in the early 18th century.

    Over the past 15 years, Russian TV viewers have received an average of two state-funded movies per month, advertising the benefits of Russian medieval society and praising Russian medieval warlords.

    This use of Russian historical memory has allowed Putin to normalize his use of state violence abroad and at home and mobilize support for his suppression of the opposition. The major goal of political neomedievalism is to legitimize huge social and economic inequalities in post-Soviet society as a part of Russia’s national heritage.

    To serve the purpose of undermining the rule of law and democratic freedoms, as my research demonstrates, the Kremlin and its proxies have promoted the Russian Middle Ages – with its theocratic monarchy, society of estates, slavery, serfdom and repression – as a state-sponsored alternative to democracy.

    Dina Khapaeva 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. Make Russia Medieval Again! How Putin is seeking to remold society, with a little help from Ivan the Terrible – https://theconversation.com/make-russia-medieval-again-how-putin-is-seeking-to-remold-society-with-a-little-help-from-ivan-the-terrible-253812

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine war: path to peace looks increasingly narrow as Kyiv’s western backers scramble to focus on their own interests

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    After more than three years of war, the prospects of peace for Ukraine remain slim. There is no obvious credible pathway even to a ceasefire, given Russia’s refusal to extend a brief and shaky truce over Easter. This, despite the US, UK and Ukraine all signalling their support for this idea.

    And even if the considerable hurdles impeding a ceasefire deal could be overcome, a more fundamental problem would remain. None of the key players in the conflict appear to have a plan for an agreement that is likely to be acceptable to Kyiv and Moscow.

    Previous plans, such as a joint proposal by China and Brazil in May last year which was supported by a Chinese-led “Friends of Peace” group were primarily focused on a ceasefire as a stepping stone to negotiations about an actual peace agreement.

    This and other plans were all light on detail of what a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine would entail but were nonetheless roundly rejected by Ukraine and its western allies as favouring Russia. Given that a ceasefire would simply freeze the front lines and very likely make them permanent with or without a subsequent peace agreement, this was not an unreasonable position.

    What Ukraine proposed instead, however – and what its western allies backed, at least rhetorically – was hardly more viable. The peace plan proposed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in December 2022 was already on life support at the time of the first “Summit on Peace in Ukraine” in Switzerland in June 2024.

    Only 84 of the 100 delegations attending the summit (out of 160 invited) supported a watered-down version of Zelensky’s plan in their final communique – and there was no agreement on a follow-up meeting. Ukraine’s peace plan was clearly dead in the water.

    Ukraine then proposed an “internal resilience plan”. With its its focus on ensuring that the country can survive a long war of attrition with Russia, this is anything but a peace plan.

    But it serves Kyiv’s needs to avoid an unconditional surrender to Moscow. This is also high on the agenda for Ukraine’s European allies who remain committed to supporting Kyiv.

    For the emerging European coalition of the willing, it is important to keep Ukraine in the fight while they build up their own defences. They face the possibility of a new international order in which the world might well be carved up into US, Russian and Chinese spheres of influence.

    Where the White House stands

    Such a carve-up is at the heart of efforts by the US president, Donald Trump. Trump is trying to secure a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine as well as a deal that would give the US privileged access to Ukrainian resources.

    Having initially fallen apart during an extraordinarily acrimonious press conference in the White House on February 28, this deal now appears to be relatively close to conclusion.

    The ceasefire deal Trump appears to envisage would divide Ukraine itself into spheres of influence according to a plan recently suggested by Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. Yet even such a pro-Moscow arrangement that would offer Putin control of 20% of Ukraine continues to elude negotiators.

    At present, the Russian president has few incentives to settle for less than his maximum demands and stop a war that he thinks he is still able to win on the battlefield – particularly given Trump’s unwillingness to exert any meaningful pressure on Russia.

    At times, it now appears more likely that Trump will simply abandon his efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine. From a Russian perspective, this would be preferable to a ceasefire that freezes the conflict but doesn’t lead to a peace deal reflecting Moscow’s demands.

    The likely calculation in the Kremlin is that even if the 2026 mid-term elections in the US water down Trump’s power, that still leaves two more years to conquer more Ukrainian territory. Should Washington then make another push for a ceasefire, Moscow could claim any additional conquests as a price for Ukraine to pay for a settlement.

    Even if Trump does not walk away from the negotiations now, and even if his special envoy Steve Witkoff ultimately manages to cobble together a deal, this will more likely look like a ceasefire than like a peace agreement.

    Gulf remains between Russia and Ukraine

    The simple reason for this is that Russia’s and Ukraine’s positions on an acceptable outcome have not shifted. Putin remains committed to the full annexation of four complete Ukrainian regions as well as retaining Crimea. Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out territorial concessions and is broadly supported by Ukrainians in this stance.

    For the west, the reality that a peace agreement is close to impossible on terms satisfying all sides has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. To the extent that there are any joint efforts by Ukraine, the US and the European coalition of the willing, they are completely centred on a workable ceasefire.

    At a meeting of foreign ministers and high-level officials in Paris on April 17, discussions were focused on making such a ceasefire sustainable.

    While details of how this can be achieved remain unclear, the fact that there now appears to be a more inclusive negotiations track signals progress, at least on the process of negotiations. Whether this will lead to an actual breakthrough towards a sustainable ceasefire, however, will depend on their substance and whether Ukraine and Russia can ultimately agree on terms about disengagement of forces, monitoring, and guarantees and enforcement mechanisms.

    This is an already incredibly high bar, and the bar for a subsequent peace agreement is higher yet. In the current stage of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a ceasefire is clearly a precondition for a peace agreement. But the sole focus on the former will not make the latter any more likely.

    What’s more, given Russia’s track record of reneging on the Minsk ceasefire agreements of September 2014 and February 2015, investing everything in a ceasefire deal might turn out not just a self-fulfilling but a self-defeating prophecy for Ukraine and its supporters.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    Tetyana Malyarenko 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. Ukraine war: path to peace looks increasingly narrow as Kyiv’s western backers scramble to focus on their own interests – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-path-to-peace-looks-increasingly-narrow-as-kyivs-western-backers-scramble-to-focus-on-their-own-interests-254864

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Toxic chemical pollution continues on Isle of Man as government defends Unesco conservation status

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anna Turns, Senior Environment Editor, The Conversation

    Peel Bay on the Isle of Man. MrsBain/Shutterstock

    The Isle of Man government has said it is “fully committed to environmental protection and transparency” regarding its Unesco biosphere status – despite admitting that legacy landfill sites are discharging hazardous chemical contaminants into the sea.

    The Isle of Man is a self-governing island in the Irish Sea between the UK and and Ireland. It is not part of the UK or the European Union, but has the status of “crown dependency” with an independent administration. Its population of about 84,000 people are British citizens.

    It is known as the home of TT motorbike racing, traditional smoked kippers a low tax economy, and the world’s only “whole-nation” Unesco biosphere reserve. It boasts crystal clear waters, top-class dive sites and a thriving marine life.

    The Isle of Man achieved this highly regarded status in 2016 on the basis of its marine habitats and sustainability strategies.



    Read more:
    PCBs: these toxic pollutants were banned decades ago but still pose a huge threat

    But polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs) – synthetic industrial chemicals once used to make electricals and other materials – continue to be released into the waterways and the sea.

    Although the production of PCBs was banned globally in the 1980s, they still exist in many products, like electrical equipment, much of which lingers in landfills and so they continue to pose a risk to ocean health. Research has shown how legacy contaminants such as PCBs can be released from hundreds of thousands of coastal landfills across Europe – and the Isle of Man is no different.

    Evidence has been accumulating for years about PCB discharges on the Isle of Man and much of it is on the government’s own website.

    For example, 4,000 tonnes of toxic silt from harbour dredging – which included PCBs and heavy metals was dumped in the Irish sea in 2014. This “trial dump” was despite environmental and legal advice from its marine monitoring officer that this would be ignoring international agreements and would be damaging to the environment.

    The Insights section is committed to high-quality longform journalism. Our editors work with academics from many different backgrounds who are tackling a wide range of societal and scientific challenges.

    Then in 2015 – a time when it would have been putting together its Unesco application – the island government compiled a document, titled “the Peel Marina silt questions and answers” in which it discussed further toxic waste dumping options. It states:

    Disposing of 18,000 tonnes of contaminated sediments from the marina directly to the sea bed would have had a negative impact on the species involved. Testing carried out by Defa [Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture] officers had already identified the likelihood that earlier disposal of 4,000 tonnes into the sea had contributed to rises in contaminants within commercial fisheries species to levels approaching EU food safety standards.

    That batch of 18,000 tonnes of contaminated silt, collected after harbour dredging in Peel harbour, was eventually moved to a sealed pit.

    But it is the ongoing situation with legacy landfills which is seeing PCBs continuing to leach into the sea – a situation that the island government admits will not be entirely solved until the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (building is due to start on the plant in April 2025).

    ‘A hidden gem’

    The Isle of Man government leans heavily on its biosphere status across its tourism marketing and brands itself as “extraordinary”, a “hidden gem, an unexplored land, a biosphere nation”.

    But despite its pledges of being a destination with a “fantastic seascape…and coastline”, contaminated leachate from decommissioned landfill continues to drain into the marine environment.

    The Isle of Man applied for the biosphere reserve status in 2013, which was awarded in 2016 based on the submission of a comprehensive 250-page nomination document. But there was no mention of toxic landfill leachate or the dumping of thousands of tonnes of contaminated harbour silt which later came to light.

    The Isle of Man government told The Conversation that Unesco was aware of the discharges and that “biosphere status is not a hallmark of perfection”. It said its PCB discharges are in line with those of the UK.

    But it raises the question of whether such pollution can be in line with the spirit of the biosphere status.

    It is important to be clear that the Isle of Man is not unique in the British Islands in having managed disposal or unintentional discharges of legacy industrial wastes to the sea.

    My team’s research (Patrick Byrne’s) documents thousands of coastal landfills in England and Wales, many of which discharge hazardous materials to the sea through leachates or erosion.

    A Unesco biosphere reserve is not supposed to be perfect – almost nowhere is. But it should be a model for how we protect and sustainably manage our environment, including how we address legacy pollution. Why not highlight the issue of legacy industrial wastes as a challenge to be met?

    The Isle of Man government rejects the idea that it misrepresented any of the facts around its environmental credentials.

    But when The Conversation put the details to Unesco, it said it had not been made aware of previous dumping of toxic silt containing PCBs in 2014 and added that the first time the issue was raised with them was “in late 2023”.

    A spokesperson said: “At the time of the nomination, the International Committee of the Unesco Biosphere Programme was not aware of this issue.”

    The government told The Conversation it included “all information relevant for consideration by Unesco” when it made its application, but said certain discharges were not in the “zonation area” and that “nowhere is perfect”.

    The major concern is about being open and honest with the public and Unesco about the environmental challenges and potential human health concerns associated with legacy pollutants like PCBs. It is entirely possible that the Isle of Man’s Unesco status would still have been granted if Unesco had been fully aware about the dumping at sea.

    Landfills

    The Conversation spoke to Calum MacNeil, a freshwater scientist who worked for the Isle of Man government for 13 years. He now works for a research institute in New Zealand but has been flagging concerns about contamination from toxic silt. Together with his help, we spent months gathering all of the evidence, checking the facts and joining the dots between silt dredged from a harbour, landfills and sealed pits aimed at temporarily dealing with this legacy pollution.

    On the Isle of Man, historic landfills dating back to the 1940s are unlined so they are not sealed. After heavy rain, pollutants can wash away and leach out into the surrounding environment.

    One, called Raggatt landfill, is located 3.7 miles (6km) from the coast. It’s the size of several football pitches and when it rains, leachate (the landfill’s liquid discharge) that has been found to contain PCBs can “run off” the facility onto the nearby main road and the adjacent River Neb, eventually draining into the sea at Peel Bay.



    Read more:
    Pollution scientist talks to freshwater ecologist who warned of Isle of Man toxic silt dumps

    According to a 2017 news report, the government stated that the leachate “does not pose a risk to people swimming in Peel Bay” because it’s diluted by seawater. MacNeil insists that this is “a crucial admission” because he believes that the government cannot scientifically prove that any public exposure to PCB contamination is ever safe.

    MacNeil said: “I feel there needs to be international scientific and legal scrutiny of all of this. I believe both Unesco and the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have a responsibility here as well given the international agreements involved and the biosphere designation. Given the biosphere status, surely the Isle of Man government should be acting not just to the letter of the law but in the spirit of the law.”

    Regulations

    While various international regulations govern levels of chemical contamination in leachate in and immediately around old landfills, the same rules do not apply to anything that is deliberately dumped or discharged directly into rivers or the sea.

    Isle of Man legislation called the Water Pollution Act 1993 outlines that any discharge or dumping must abide by any and all relevant international agreements that apply to the Isle of Man.

    MacNeil argues that the onus should be on the Isle of Man government to prove that any discharge of PCBs is legal under international agreements.

    These include an agreement called Ospar (the Oslo-Paris convention for the protection of the marine environment for the north-east Atlantic) and the Basel convention which governs how nations, including the Isle of Man, should treat and dispose of hazardous waste in environmentally sound ways.

    Tourism

    Tourists and local residents swim all year round in bathing waters such as Peel Bay, and praise for this nation’s marine conservation achievements is vast. Last summer, the Isle of Man was even nominated for the “most desirable island in Europe” travel award hosted by magazine Wanderlust.

    With goals to grow annual visitor numbers to 500,000, a thriving ecotourism industry could contribute an estimated £520 million by 2032. According to the island’s tourism agency, Visit Isle of Man, it aims to be “a leading British ecotourism destination that provides a range of opportunities for visitors to connect with our unique nature and wildlife”.

    Contaminated silt was allegedly dredged from Peel harbour and dumped out at sea.
    Daniel Sztork/Shutterstock

    But Peel is one of three beaches (technically designated as a non-bathing area) on the island to recently fail minimum standards for bathing waters “due to insufficient infrastructure”, according to the 2024 bathing water report from the Isle of Man’s Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa).

    A desirable designation

    A board is currently being formed to lead the ten-year periodic review (reaccreditation) of the island’s Unesco status.

    As one 2022 study explains, biosphere reserves are “learning sites for sustainable development”. Researchers point out that a coherent and holistic approach on the Isle of Man is not necessarily easy to achieve, in part because the biosphere is managed by one government department (Defa) with a remit for environment, food and agriculture, resulting in “age-old tensions between farming and conservation”.



    Read more:
    Coastal landfills risk leaking long-banned toxic chemicals into the ocean

    The Isle of Man government’s website states: “Our biosphere status encourages us to learn about and cherish what we have in the Isle of Man and safeguard it for the future by making good decisions, as individuals, as organisations and as an island. It tells potential new residents and visitors that we are a special place for people and nature and have a conscience.”

    But without openly acknowledging the legacy pollution challenges, they are literally being buried for future generations. This ultimately undermines local, national, and international efforts to learn and move forward in a sustainable way, which is at the heart of the Unesco biosphere philosophy.

    A spokesperson for the Isle of Man government said:

    “The Isle of Man government remains fully committed to environmental protection and transparency regarding its Unesco Biosphere status. We reject any assertion that the government has acted to misrepresent environmental matters in its Unesco application.

    “All relevant data and policies have been developed in line with scientific evidence and regulatory frameworks. The Isle of Man government conducts rigorous environmental monitoring, including assessments of water quality and potential contaminants, to ensure compliance with established safety standards.

    “The Isle of Man has legacy landfill sites similar to those found in the UK, Europe and around the world which leach contaminants, including PCBs, into the marine environment. Details of PCB discharges from UK landfills can be found on the UK Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) data sets where the pollutant threshold below which data is not required to be submitted for PCBs in water is stated as 0.1kg.

    “The level of PCBs entering the marine environment in the Isle of Man is slightly lower than the average throughout the Irish Sea as determined by sediment and biota samples.

    “The leachate discharge from the historic Raggatt landfill, which closed in 1990, is planned to be discharged to Peel Wastewater Treatment Plant which has recently received planning permission and construction expected to commence by April 2025.

    “As stated on the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s pollution control monitoring webpage: ‘Independent advice from Phoenix Engineering is that this would represent the best available technology to manage and control emissions of PCBs present in Raggatt landfill leachate to the marine environment in Peel.’

    “Due to historic mining, heavy metals such as lead are known to flow down the river and accumulate in silt at Peel Marina, which has previously exceeded Cefas action level 2 where sediments are considered unacceptable for uncontrolled disposal at sea without special handling and containment. No further deposits to sea of Peel dredging silt have been made since 2014, and a catchment management plan is currently being developed to reduce this contamination at Peel Marina.

    “The aim for all Unesco Biospheres is to improve our environment; something which the Isle of Man has consistently strived to achieve since accreditation in 2016.”

    A spokesperson for Unesco said:

    “Unesco first received information on this issue in late 2023, which was then relayed to the relevant government authorities for comments. Unesco was informed that the situation appeared to stem from the presence of a UK historic landfill which is being followed through a comprehensive monitoring programme.

    “Following Unesco’s request, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs confirmed that ‘it is in line with the UK government’s responsibilities under the Ospar convention, and are satisfied the Isle of Man government is taking all possible steps to prevent and eliminate pollution of PCBs from land-based sources entering the marine environment in line with Article 3 of the Ospar convention’.

    “In the original application dossier, the Isle of Man committed to ‘take responsibility for overseeing salvage and pollution counter-measures in order to comply with international conventions’. It also committed to observing a range of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

    “As the Isle of Man Biosphere Reserve was designated in 2016, its periodic review is scheduled for 2026. Unesco will make all information available to the Intergovernmental Committee in charge of examining the renewal of the status.”

    For you: more from our Insights series:

    To hear about new Insights articles, join the hundreds of thousands of people who value The Conversation’s evidence-based news. Subscribe to our newsletter.

    Patrick Byrne receives funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council.

    Anna Turns 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. Toxic chemical pollution continues on Isle of Man as government defends Unesco conservation status – https://theconversation.com/toxic-chemical-pollution-continues-on-isle-of-man-as-government-defends-unesco-conservation-status-236547

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Digging into an environmental scandal on the Isle of Man

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anna Turns, Senior Environment Editor

    SimoneN/Shutterstock

    I first spoke to freshwater scientist Calum MacNeil in February 2022. He explained to me that The Isle of Man – a self-governing island in the Irish Sea between the UK and and Ireland – was being cast as world’s only “all-nation” Unesco biosphere reserve.

    He explained how, in 2014, before its Unesco designation, contaminated silt was deliberately dumped in the Irish Sea. While designated as a biosphere, contaminated silt dredged from a marine harbour has been contained in a sealed pit but leachate from that has discharged into Peel Bay, where people regularly swim from the sandy beaches.

    As an environmental journalist, the story stood out to me and the more we spoke, the more the plot thickened.



    Read more:
    Toxic chemical pollution continues on Isle of Man as government defends Unesco conservation status

    I spent hours of my spare time digesting the evidence he sent me – all of it in the public domain. Government reports, online pollution policies, local news coverage, the biosphere nomination documents.

    MacNeil, who worked for the Isle of Man government between 2004 and 2017, knew what he was talking about.

    But the more I looked into this, the more I felt up against smoke and mirrors. Beautiful beaches, clean seas and a thriving ecotourism destination (according to the government’s tourism marketing). Contrast that with contaminated waste ending up in the ocean.

    Three years on, and The Conversation’s Insights team and I have been working closely with Professor of Water Science at Liverpool John Moores University, Patrick Byrne. He has analysed and interpreted the consequences of this pollution.

    While pollution is rife around the world to a certain extent, this instance is particularly shocking, he explains.

    Now, The Conversation is proud to present our exclusive Insights investigation, Leaked, in two key parts. An introductory news article written Byrne explains the backstory and highlights the prominence of Isle of Man’s Unesco biosphere status.

    Further analysis unfolds in an in-depth Q&A between Byrne and MacNeil. Byrne explains the gravity of legacy contamination from synthetic toxic chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and why transparency is so key.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    – ref. Digging into an environmental scandal on the Isle of Man – https://theconversation.com/digging-into-an-environmental-scandal-on-the-isle-of-man-247738

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Russian organizations targeted by backdoor masquerading as secure networking software updates

    Source: Securelist – Kaspersky

    Headline: Russian organizations targeted by backdoor masquerading as secure networking software updates

    As we were looking into a cyberincident in April 2025, we uncovered a rather sophisticated backdoor. It targeted various large organizations in Russia, spanning the government, finance, and industrial sectors. While our investigation into the attack associated with the backdoor is still ongoing, we believe it is crucial to share our preliminary findings with the community. This will enable organizations that may be at risk of infection from the backdoor to take swift action to protect themselves from this threat.

    Impersonating a ViPNet update

    Our investigation revealed that the backdoor targets computers connected to ViPNet networks. ViPNet is a software suite for creating secure networks. We determined that the backdoor was distributed inside LZH archives with a structure typical of updates for the software product in question. These archives contained the following files:

    • action.inf: a text file
    • lumpdiag.exe: a legitimate executable
    • msinfo32.exe: a small malicious executable
    • an encrypted file containing the payload (the name varies between archives)

    The ViPNet developer confirmed targeted attacks against some of their users and issued security updates and recommendations for customers (page in Russian).

    Malware execution

    After analyzing the contents of the archive, we found that the action.inf text file contained an action to be executed by the ViPNet update service component (itcsrvup64.exe) when processing the archive:

    As evident from the file content above, when processing extra_command, the update service launches lumpdiag.exe with an –msconfig argument. We mentioned earlier that this is a legitimate file. However, it is susceptible to the path substitution technique. This allows attackers to execute the malicious file msinfo32.exe while lumpdiag.exe is running.

    Downloadable payload

    The msinfo32.exe file is a loader that reads the encrypted payload file. The loader processes the contents of the file to load the backdoor into memory. This backdoor is versatile: it can connect to a C2 server via TCP, allowing the attacker to steal files from infected computers and launch additional malicious components, among other things. Kaspersky solutions detect this threat as HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Loader.gen.

    Multi-layered security is key to preventing sophisticated cyberattacks

    The complexity of cyberattacks carried out by APT groups has significantly increased over the years. Attackers can target organizations in highly unusual and unexpected ways. To prevent sophisticated targeted attacks, it is essential to employ multi-layered, defense-in-depth security against cyberthreats. This is the type of security architecture implemented in our Kaspersky NEXT product line, capable of protecting businesses from attacks similar to the one described in this article.

    Indicators of compromise

    The full list of indicators of compromise is available to subscribers of our Kaspersky Threat Intelligence service.

    Hashes of msinfo32.exe

    018AD336474B9E54E1BD0E9528CA4DB5
    28AC759E6662A4B4BE3E5BA7CFB62204
    77DA0829858178CCFC2C0A5313E327C1
    A5B31B22E41100EB9D0B9A27B9B2D8EF
    E6DB606FA2B7E9D58340DF14F65664B8

    Paths to malicious files

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two new Board Members appointed to the Charity Commission for England and Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Two new Board Members appointed to the Charity Commission for England and Wales

    The Secretary of State has appointed Tasnim Khalid and Alan Mather as Board Members to the Charity Commission for England and Wales for a 3 year term commencing 23 April 2025 to 22 April 2028.

    Tasnim Khalid

    Tasnim Khalid, Solicitor, is the founder and Managing Partner of “Private Client Solicitors” which is a boutique law firm that specialises in private wealth planning, charity law and practice. Tasnim is ranked in leading legal directories such as “Chambers HNW Guide” and “Legal 500”. Tasnim was listed in the “100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch” in the Telegraph list and won the Northern Power Woman Award 2024 and the Legal 500 “Private Client Partner of the Year” for the Northern Powerhouse award 2025.

    Alan Mather

    Alan Mather is an experienced digital transformation leader with a strong track record in leading complicated technology programmes across the public and private sectors. He is a recognised pioneer of UK digital government launching the first transactional services such as Self Assessment, UK online, the Government Gateway and Direct.gov.uk; more recently he has delivered and/or designed digital services for organisations including Defra, Livestock Information Ltd, National Physical Laboratory and the Home Office. He has held CEO, CIO and COO positions in large organisations and led the turnaround of major programmes. He has previously been a Non-Executive Director in the hospitality and energy sector.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Trustees of the Charity Commission are remunerated £350 a day. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Tasnim Khalid and Alan Mather have not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Helping businesses start, scale and flourish

    Source: Scottish Government

    Ana Stewart appointed as Chief Entrepreneur as Ecosystem Fund reopens.

    Businesswoman and investor Ana Stewart has been appointed the Scottish Government’s new Chief Entrepreneur.

    Ms Stewart, who also co-authored a landmark “Pathways” report on supporting women in entrepreneurship in 2023, will take up the role until July 2026. 

    The Chief Entrepreneur’s remit includes:

    • acting as the chief advisor to Government on growing the start-up and scale-up economy. This includes key priorities such as implementing the Pathways report, optimising existing programmes and initiatives, growing Scotland’s risk capital market and working with universities to increase the number of spinout companies who reach scale.
    • engaging closely with investors and entrepreneurs, ensuring that Government policy and delivery is shaped by business.
    • making sure entrepreneurship is instilled in the education and skills systems, with clear routes established to setting up a business

    Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Ms Stewart visited the offices of Inspirent, a social enterprise based in Hamilton, to mark the appointment and launch a new round of the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund.

    Inspirent will be the delivery partner of this year’s £700,000 fund, which is focused on developing the strength and impact of Scotland’s start-up community by funding organisations and programmes that support new companies to start and grow.

    The application process is being fully digitised from this year through a dedicated online portal, enabling faster funding decisions and expanding opportunities for grassroots initiatives and community-led projects across Scotland.

    £2.6 million has been awarded to 75 innovative projects through the Ecosystem Fund since it launched in 2021-22.

    Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

    “It is vital to Scotland’s economic resilience that we support our business community – particularly those taking their first steps. Ana Stewart is an exceptional talent with deep experience of starting, scaling and investing in some of Scotland’s best companies, and will ensure we are well-placed to deliver this support.

    “Scotland is home to some of the world’s brightest business minds, ideas and innovators. The Scottish Government is committed to helping deliver an end-to-end support network that nurtures this talent and helps this and future generations of business founders to thrive.

    “To deliver truly meaningful, strategic support, it is vital we continue to listen to and learn from entrepreneurs and the wider business community. Ana Stewart brings the insight, lived experience and connections needed to shape and accelerate our policies and deliver for Scotland’s start-up talent.” 

    The Scottish Government’s Chief Entrepreneur Ana Stewart said:

    “Leveraging my own lived experience as an entrepreneur and investor, I am looking forward to contributing to the development and optimisation of the Scottish Government’s entrepreneurship strategy. 

    “Entrepreneurship is the engine room for economic growth and it’s essential that we provide more pathways, increased access and accelerated funding to current and future founders, whilst ensuring private and public sector are aligned in making that happen.”

    Founder of Ecosystem Builders Network, a previous Ecosystem Fund recipient, Bruce Walker said:

    “The Ecosystem Fund has been a vital catalyst for Scotland’s entrepreneurial community, enabling grassroots organisations to provide meaningful support to founders. It has allowed us to deliver targeted programmes to help entrepreneurs build resilient businesses, scale their impact and connect with global networks, as well as strengthen ecosystem builders across Scotland.

    “For many early-stage founders, this support comes at a critical time, bridging the gap between ambition and action. Beyond individual ventures, the fund has helped strengthen the connective tissue of the wider ecosystem, empowering local leaders to foster inclusive, sustainable growth across sectors. Its impact continues to ripple through the community, creating a more collaborative, vibrant entrepreneurial landscape in Scotland.”

    Background

    Applications for the 2025-26 Ecosystem Fund are open until Monday 20 May. The application portal and further information can be found on a new dedicated Ecosystem Fund website: www.ecosystemfund.co.uk

    The Chief Entrepreneur role was established in 2022 as a commitment to delivering the National Strategy for Economic Transformation. Ms Stewart has elected not to be paid for the role. She has agreed with Ministers that funds earmarked for her remuneration will be reinvested in the Scottish start-up economy. 

    The Scottish Government’s full response to Pathways: A New Approach for Women in Entrepreneurship is available on the Scottish Government website.

     The Scottish Government will invest £34.7 million across entrepreneurship, innovation and social enterprise in 2025-26 – a 50% increase on 2024-25.

    The Scottish Government’s Economic Development Directorate has awarded a £50,000 grant to Pathways Forward, a non-profit organisation established by Ana Stewart to drive the private sector’s contribution to the implementation of Pathways. The grant will enable the organisation to continue its work in Ana’s day-to-day absence.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pension Age Disability Payment opens for applications nationwide

    Source: Scottish Government

    National rollout of new Scottish benefit for pensioners

    Pension Age Disability Payment is now open for applications across Scotland. The national rollout follows successful pilots in 18 local authority areas, which began in October.  

    It is the fifteenth benefit to be delivered by the Scottish Government and it is replacing the UK Government’s Attendance Allowance, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

    Pension Age Disability Payment is for disabled people or those with a long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe. It is available to people of State Pension age and is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill.  

    People currently getting Attendance Allowance do not need to take any action; the transfer will happen automatically in phases throughout 2025. Everyone will continue to receive their payments on time and in the right amount.    

    Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 

    “The national launch of Pension Age Disability Payment is an important milestone in the development of our social security system, that will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.

    “The pilot phases have allowed us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before rolling the benefit out across Scotland. 

    “It is vital older people who are disabled, terminally ill or those who have care needs get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and live with dignity. 

    “The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone gets the financial support they’re entitled to and this has not changed following the UK Government’s announcement on benefit reforms.” 

    Chief Executive at Age Scotland, Katherine Crawford said:

    “Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital means of support for older people who have a disability or long-term health condition.

    “With rising bills and cost of living stretching many beyond their means, it’s vital that older people are not missing out on any financial support.

    “If you are unsure of your eligibility or looking for support with an application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222, use our online benefits calculator at www.age.scot/benefitscalculator, or book a place on one of our new workshops which are designed to support and give guidance to anyone who is considering an application for themselves or someone else www.age.scot/benefitsworkshops.”

    Lynda O’Neill, Project Manager at The Daffodil Club in Easterhouse, said “I know from working with older people with disabilities how costly it can be. I’ve helped people to apply for support and would encourage anyone who thinks they could be eligible or knows someone who could be eligible to apply.”

    More information about Pension Age Disability Payment including who is eligible and how to apply can be found at: www.mygov.scot/pensiondisability   

    Background   

    • On 22 April 2025 the benefit extended to 14 more areas – Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian. 
    • Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. People in Scotland who are getting Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions do not need to do anything as their award transfer will happen automatically. Social Security Scotland will write to people to let them know when this is happening and when this is complete. Social Security Scotland aims to complete case transfer for everyone by the end of 2025. Until people receive the letter from Social Security Scotland to tell them their transfer is complete, they should continue to report any change in circumstances, including a terminal illness diagnosis, to the Department for Work and Pensions. 
    • Pension Age Disability Payment launched on 21 October 2024 in five pilot areas – Aberdeen City, Argyll and Bute, Highland, Orkney and Shetland. It rolled out to 13 more areas on 24 March – Aberdeenshire, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, Falkirk, Fife, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), North Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, South Ayrshire and Stirling. The payment is available throughout Scotland from 22 April 2025.    
    • It is not means-tested and is worth between £295 and £441 a month depending on the needs of the person who gets it.
    • Social Security Scotland has started transferring the awards of 169,000 people in Scotland who currently receive Attendance Allowance to the new benefit.     
    • Eligible people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness are automatically entitled to the higher rate of care and can apply under special rules for terminal illness. This means that Social Security Scotland will prioritise their application. People who are already getting Pension Age Disability Payment and later receive a terminal illness diagnosis can also report this diagnosis to Social Security Scotland under the special rules for terminal illness to ensure they get the support they are entitled to.    
    • Social Security Scotland’s accelerated application process for people who are terminally ill is open to any eligible person who has a terminal illness diagnosis, no matter how long they’re expected to live. This is different to the Department for Work and Pensions, who only class someone as terminally ill if they are expected to live for 12 months or less. 
    • Pension Age Disability Payment was designed with the people who will be eligible for the benefit and those who support them. Improvements include a streamlined process for people to nominate a third-party representative who can support them in their interactions with Social Security Scotland – something that older disabled people told us was important to them. 
    • Social Security Scotland can help people to apply, with face-to-face support available from advisers based in communities across the country.   
    • Help is also available from independent advocacy service Voiceability who are funded by the Scottish Government to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford City Council policy approved to deliver a ‘consistent and equitable’ approach for the allocation of housing

    Source: City of Salford

    • Housing Allocation Policy for 2025 to 2028 approved by Salford City Council.
    • The policy underpins the council’s wider strategic priorities of its Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028 and commitment to ‘a good home for all’.
    • Housing options available will be dependent upon the level and type of housing need, in addition to the size, type and location of available properties. Each application is assessed on its own merits.

    Salford City Council’s cabinet has approved its Housing Allocation Policy for 2025 – 2028, which sets out how social rented housing is allocated within the area and how residents on the housing register are prioritised taking into account local considerations and needs.

    The need and strong demand for social housing currently outweighs the availability of social housing, with around 4,500 people on the council’s housing register, at any one time. This includes many of the 787 households currently housed in temporary accommodation. However, fewer than 900 properties are advertised or let every year, through the register.

    Furthermore, the city faces a number of challenges in the form of increasing homelessness, temporary accommodation use and costs. This policy, therefore underpins the council’s wider strategic priorities which are: homelessness prevention, making the best use of housing assets, supporting the councils corporate parenting role/responsibilities, reducing the impact of domestic abuse including the cycle of abuse and an anti-poverty approach.

    The policy is based on:

    • A fair system for the allocation of housing accommodation, which is transparent and easy to understand.
    • Making best use of increasingly scarce social housing stock (Homes available for rent below market rate to households whose needs cannot be met by the commercial housing market – Housing and Regeneration Act 2008).
    • Preventing homelessness and reduce the usage and length of stay in temporary accommodation.
    • Giving priority to applicants with the greatest housing need.
    • Managing customer expectations by supporting people to make realistic and informed choices about where they live.
    • Creating sustainable tenancies in the light of welfare reform.
    • Creating balanced and stable communities.

    A first stage public consultation took place in March 2024, to review the existing policy criteria, which included members of the public, local organisations, key stakeholders and partners. A second stage public consultation was held in December 2024, to further explore the suggested and proposed policy changes – including engagement with vulnerable people who shared their real-life experiences.

    The outcome of this review and public consultation recommended 16 changes to be implemented within the new Allocation Policy (Adobe PDF format). A further review will take place in 2027/28 or earlier if required by new legislation or government guidance.

    The housing options available to a household will be dependent upon the level and type of housing need. Each application will be assessed on its own merits and exceptional circumstances will also be taken into consideration. Housing options and advice aim to achieve:

    • Help and support to remain in current accommodation.
    • Advice on securing alternative private rented accommodation.
    • Advice on mobility schemes that may help a household move out of the area.
    • Advice to current social housing tenants on mutual exchange.
    • Advice on low-cost home ownership options.
    • Access to the housing register to obtain social housing.

    Councillor Tracy Kelly, Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty at Salford City Council said: “The policy enables the council to deliver a consistent and equitable approach to the allocation of social housing in Salford, to help us meet the housing needs of residents in our communities.

    “We recognise that social housing is in high demand, both in Salford and across the country, which is why we are continuing to deliver on our pledge to build good quality homes as well as truly affordable homes for social rent alongside support for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. 

    “The need for affordable housing options in Salford means that it’s vital we continue to work to create long-term solutions to turn the situation around and provide truly affordable housing in our city which local people need and deserve.”

    People wanting to apply to the housing register can do so on the housing register. Anyone who needs housing advice, is homeless or feel they are at risk of losing their home can request an appointment on the Salford City Council website. A number of Registered Housing Providers (landlords of social rented homes) also advertise properties on the Salford Home Search website.

    Share this

    Date published
    Tuesday 22 April 2025

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council launches consultation on extending city’s Smoke Control Area

    Source: City of York

    Residents and businesses are being invited to share their views on a proposal to expand York’s existing Smoke Control Area to cover all areas within council boundaries.

    In a Smoke Control Area, it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building. Correctly seasoned wood, timber or logs should only be burnt in a Defra approved appliance and authorised ‘smokeless’ fuels must be used in any other appliances that are not Defra approved.

    Most residential areas within York’s outer ring road and Haxby and Wigginton, are already included within York’s Smoke Control Area. 

    The new proposal to expand the area across York will not ban people from burning solid fuel. Instead, it will require all residents and businesses to take responsibility for the fuel they burn – to minimise smoke and air pollution and improve health and wellbeing.

    Houseboats are not covered by the existing Smoke Control Areas and are not proposed to be covered by the expanded area. Garden bonfires, outdoor barbecues, chimineas and firepits are also not covered by Smoke Control Area rules.

    The Council has previously consulted on measures to improve local air quality and reduce the impact of burning solid fuels such as wood (AQAP4). Burning of wood contributes to a type of pollution called fine particulate matter (PM2.5) both inside and outside the home. Around a third of PM2.5 emissions in York are caused by burning wood for heating. 

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, said:

    “Everyone can be affected by air pollution, but children, older people and those with heart and lung conditions are especially at risk.

    “We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the local community and improving local air quality is one way in which we are working to achieve this.

    Cllr Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Public Health, said:

    “Emissions of fine particulate matter present in smoke are particularly harmful to health as their size means they can get deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream to be transported around the body.

    “Expanding the Smoke Control Area will provide cleaner air for all and provide a level playing field across the city.”

    Any complaints of chimney smoke will be investigated in line with the Council’s current enforcement policy, which initially requires the Council to provide advice on the use of suitable appliances and fuels. Residents struggling with the cost of heating will be signposted to advice on accessing financial and practical help on heating their homes.

    Following advice, Council officers can issue penalties of up to £300 where they witness the emission of smoke from a chimney in a Smoke Control Area. Those found to be selling or buying unauthorised fuel for use in an appliance that’s not approved by Defra can also face fines of up to £1,000.

    Stakeholders have until 3 June to submit their views on the proposals 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Brothers in Spirit. The 24th Anniversary of the Formation of VSKS was Celebrated at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 22, 2025, a ceremonial event dedicated to the 24th anniversary of the formation of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps was held at the State University of Management.

    The ranks of VSKS include over 8,000 volunteers from 88 subjects of the Russian Federation. 240 student rescue teams operate on the basis of educational institutions. The headquarters of the Moscow city branch of VSKS is located at the State University of Management.

    Before the event, the head of the Moscow city branch of VSKS, Maxim Dzhetygenov, showed the head of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps, Evgeny Kozeev, and the vice-rector of the State University of Management, Vitaly Lapshenkov, new classrooms in the Information Technology Center, intended for classes of VSKS volunteers.

    At the ceremonial parade in honor of the holiday, Vitaly Lapshenkov also gave a congratulatory speech: “I am glad to welcome the best volunteer rescuers to the territory of the State University of Management. On behalf of the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, I congratulate you on the birthday of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps. You have chosen an interesting and complex area of activity, I wish you to develop your skills that save human lives. And I thank you for this noble cause. Next year, VSKS will turn 25 years old, there will be many festive events in honor of this beautiful date. But first of all, I hope that the anniversary year will pass calmly for you.”

    The head of the Moscow city branch of the VSKS, Maxim Dzhetygenov, presented Vitaly Lapshenkov with a letter of gratitude from the command and personnel of the 1st rifle battalion of the 1st separate motorized rifle brigade for the humanitarian aid provided as part of the joint campaign with the VSKS, “GUU-SVOim”.

    The head of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps, Evgeny Kozeev, addressed the staff of the organization: “Today is a special day for us. Over the past 24 years, we have become a large and close-knit team. We are constantly growing in number, we work a lot with schoolchildren and students, and we regularly participate in many humanitarian missions. Thank you for your concern, fortitude, and diligence. Your contribution helps the country become stronger. We still have many accomplishments ahead of us, and together we are strong!”

    Evgeny Kozeev presented distinguished volunteers with letters of gratitude from Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as medals and certificates of honor.

    The head of the Moscow city branch of VSKS Maxim Dzhetygenov addressed the student rescuers with an inspiring speech: “Dear friends, colleagues and, dare I say it, brothers in spirit, I congratulate you on the holiday! Our staff is constantly changing, students graduate from their universities and leave our ranks, but new ones always take their place. I am sure that many years from now, each of you will be proud of your deeds and tell children how you helped people, saved lives, eliminated the consequences of terrorist attacks and natural disasters. I am proud to work with you. I congratulate everyone on the holiday. Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!”

    Maxim Dzhetygenov, as a deputy of the Moscow City Duma, presented the student rescuers with letters of gratitude from the Moscow City Duma.

    After the ceremonial formation, competitions were held between the teams of the Moscow City Branch of the VSKS.

    In just 24 years of activity, VSKS volunteers have taken part in the elimination of 50 major emergency situations and their consequences.

    Since February 2022, VSKS volunteers have been providing assistance to residents of the LPR, DPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. At the same time, more than 2 thousand VSKS volunteers in the regions of Russia helped visiting residents of Donbass: they met, handed over humanitarian aid, and escorted displaced persons to temporary accommodation points. In the territory of historical regions, student rescuers accompany humanitarian convoys, deliver humanitarian aid, carry out emergency recovery work, and provide targeted assistance. The State University of Management, together with the VSKS, regularly holds events of the “GUU – SVOim” campaign.

    In March 2024, volunteer squad members helped eliminate the consequences of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.

    Since April 2024, an operational headquarters has been deployed in the Belgorod region. The tasks of the volunteers are to deliver food and other humanitarian aid to temporary accommodation points, and to clear away the rubble of buildings and structures that have been destroyed.

    Since August 2024, a joint humanitarian aid headquarters has been open in Kursk. Volunteers receive, sort, deliver humanitarian aid, and eliminate the consequences of shelling.

    The headquarters will be open from December 2024

    One of the key areas of VSKS is working with the younger generation – from kindergarten to graduation from a secondary or higher educational institution. At present, 187 school rescue teams have been opened in 50 regions, in which more than 3,000 schoolchildren actively participate. Let us recall that last year, the State University of Management hosted the semi-final of the Central Federal District of the All-Russian competition among school rescue teams.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/22/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The capital is updating road markings after winter

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Specialists from the city services complex have begun updating road markings after the winter. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Events to update road markings began in the capital with the establishment of constant positive air temperatures. The markings are made with durable plastic materials – cold two-component plastic and thermoplastic. They are planned to be applied to more than four thousand road objects,” said Pyotr Biryukov.

    Cold plastic is used to apply road marking elements of complex configuration, to designate parking areas, and thermoplastic is used to create longitudinal lines dividing traffic flows.

    City services will update road markings on key highways and streets, primarily near preschools and educational institutions, medical and preventive institutions, large transport hubs, metro stations, parks, theaters and cinemas. The work is carried out mainly at night with partial traffic restrictions so as not to create obstacles on the roads.

    This year, heating systems will be updated in more than 600 residential buildings in the capital

    In total, over 80 thousand direction arrows, over 26 thousand ground pedestrian crossings, over 11 thousand public transport stop signs, over 10 thousand “Caution, Children” signs will be marked, and over 300 waffle markings will be created.

    In addition, specialists will update the lines separating oncoming and incoming traffic, stop lines and duplicate road signs.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152987073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Children’s military sports camps to open in the capital for the 80th anniversary of Victory — Sobyanin

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, children’s military-sports tent camps will open in the capital. Sergei Sobyanin announced this in his telegram channel.

    “A project unique to the capital’s education system will start on June 1. The camps will be named after outstanding marshals of the Soviet Union: “Zhukov” will be located on the territory of the “Alabino” training ground, “Rokossovsky” – in the “Patriot” park, “Vasilevsky” – in the Noginsk rescue center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin 

    Over 4.5 thousand students of grades 7–10 will attend specialized shifts during the summer — winners of city, all-Russian and international competitions and contests in sports, tourism and military-patriotic areas. A total of six two-week shifts will be organized during the summer.

    The guys will undergo tactical, engineering and fire training, learn the basics of topography, fire and rescue operations and field medicine, learn to operate unmanned aerial vehicles and navigate the terrain.

    The programs were developed by the capital Department of Education and Science together with the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM of Russia). Participation is free. You can submit an application in the web version of the electronic diary of the Moscow Electronic School project in in the “School” section, indicating your achievements in competitions and contests.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12648050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: BCB Bancorp, Inc. Reports Net Loss of $8.3 Million in First Quarter 2025; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.16 Per Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BAYONNE, N.J., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BCB Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), (NASDAQ: BCBP), the holding company for BCB Community Bank (the “Bank”), today reported a net loss of $8.3 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to net income of $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, and net income of $5.9 million for the first quarter of 2024. Its loss per diluted share for the first quarter of 2025 was ($0.51), compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.16 in the preceding quarter and $0.32 in the first quarter of 2024.

    The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share. The dividend will be payable on May 21, 2025 to common shareholders of record on May 7, 2025.

    “Our first-quarter loss was primarily driven by a $13.7 million specific reserve tied to a $34.2 million loan in the cannabis sector,” Michael Shriner, President and Chief Executive Officer of BCB Bank, explained. “Although the borrower remains current, the significant deterioration in their financial condition warranted a downgrade to non-accrual status and the establishment of the reserve. We also increased reserves for our discontinued Business Express Loan portfolio by $3.1 million, in response to the portfolio’s continued elevated deterioration and broader macroeconomic headwinds.”

    “While these credit actions have impacted short-term results, they reflect our disciplined and proactive approach to risk management,” added Mr. Shriner. “Thanks to the positive capital actions taken throughout 2024, we remain well-capitalized, giving us the flexibility to address credit challenges head-on.”

    “BCB Bank has bolstered its credit risk team with new hires who we believe bring deep expertise and a rigorous approach to underwriting,” said Mr. Shriner. “These efforts are part of a broader initiative to strengthen our credit quality oversight. Following a comprehensive portfolio review using a conservative risk framework, we’ve adjusted the risk ratings on a number of loans to better reflect current market realities. Importantly, the majority of our customers remain current on their payments, and our team is actively engaging with borrowers to secure updated financials and support improved risk profiles.”

    Executive Summary

    • Total deposits were $2.687 billion at March 31, 2025 compared to $2.751 billion at December 31, 2024.
    • Net interest margin was 2.59 percent for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.53 percent for the fourth quarter of 2024, and 2.50 percent for the first quarter of 2024.
      • Total yield on interest-earning assets was 5.20 percent for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 5.33 percent for both the fourth quarter of 2024, and the first quarter of 2024.
      • Total cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 24 basis points to 3.33 percent for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 3.57 percent for the fourth quarter of 2024, and decreased 21 basis points to 3.54 percent for the first quarter of 2024.
    • The efficiency ratio for the first quarter was 61.6 percent compared to 62.1 percent in the prior quarter, and 58.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024.
    • The annualized return on average assets ratio for the first quarter was (0.95) percent, compared to 0.36 percent in the prior quarter, and 0.61 percent in the first quarter of 2024.
    • The annualized return on average equity ratio for the first quarter was (10.4) percent, compared to 4.0 percent in the prior quarter, and 7.5 percent in the first quarter of 2024.
    • The provision for credit losses was $20.8 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $4.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. In the first quarter of 2024, the Bank recorded a provision of $2.1 million.
    • The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) as a percentage of non-accrual loans was 51.6 percent at March 31, 2025 compared to 77.8 percent for the prior quarter-end and 155.4 percent at March 31, 2024. Total non-accrual loans were $99.8 million at March 31, 2025, $44.7 million at December 31, 2024 and $22.2 million at March 31, 2024.
    • Total loans receivable, net of the allowance for credit losses, of $2.918 billion at March 31, 2025, decreased 2.6 percent from $2.996 billion at December 31, 2024, and decreased 9.6 percent, from $3.227 billion at March 31, 2024.

    Balance Sheet Review

    Total assets decreased by $125.3 million, or 3.5 percent, to $3.474 billion at March 31, 2025, from $3.599 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in total assets was mainly related to a decrease in net loans and in cash and cash equivalents.

    Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by $64.5 million, or 20.3 percent, to $252.8 million at March 31, 2025, from $317.3 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in cash was primarily due to the reduction of the Bank’s exposure to wholesale funding by paying down high cost brokered deposits.

    Loans receivable, net, decreased by $78.6 million, or 2.6 percent, to $2.918 billion at March 31, 2025, from $2.996 billion at December 31, 2024. Total loan decreases during the period included decreases totaling $62.3 million in commercial real estate and multi-family loans, construction loans, 1-4 family residential loans and home equity loans. The allowance for credit losses increased $16.7 million to $51.5 million, or 51.6 percent of non-accruing loans and 1.73 percent of gross loans, at March 31, 2025, as compared to an allowance for credit losses of $34.8 million, or 77.8 percent of non-accruing loans and 1.15 percent of gross loans, at December 31, 2024.

    Total investment securities increased by $14.7 million, or 13.2 percent, to $125.9 million at March 31, 2025, from $111.2 million at December 31, 2024, representing current year purchases.

    Deposits decreased by $64.4 million, or 2.3 percent, to $2.687 billion at March 31, 2025, from $2.751 billion at December 31, 2024. Brokered deposits decreased $112.5 million, and were offset by increases in certificates of deposit, money market accounts, transaction accounts and savings accounts which totaled $48.4 million.

    Debt obligations decreased by $49.8 million to $448.5 million at March 31, 2025 from $498.3 million at December 31, 2024, due to maturities and paydowns of our FHLB advances. The weighted average interest rate of FHLB advances was 4.33 percent at March 31, 2025 and 4.35 percent at December 31, 2024. The weighted average maturity of FHLB advances as of March 31, 2025 was 0.83 years. The interest rate of our subordinated debt balances was 9.25 percent at March 31, 2025 and at December 31, 2024.

    Stockholders’ equity decreased by $9.2 million, or 2.8 percent, to $314.7 million at March 31, 2025, from $323.9 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease was attributable to the decrease in retained earnings of $11.6 million, or 8.2 percent, to $130.3 million at March 31, 2025 from $141.9 million at December 31, 2024. Offsetting this were increases in accumulated other comprehensive income, and additional paid in capital on stock, which totaled $2.4 million.

    First Quarter 2025 Income Statement Review

    The Company reported a net loss of $8.3 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 as compared to net income of $5.9 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The decline was primarily driven by an increase to the Provision for loan losses of $18.8 million. offset by $5.8 million decrease in income tax provisioning. Also, net interest income decreased by $1.1 million, or 4.9 percent, to $22.0 million for the first quarter of 2025, from $23.1 million for the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in net interest income resulted from lower interest income which was partially offset by lower interest expense.

    Interest income decreased by $5.1 million, or 10.3 percent, to $44.2 million for the first quarter of 2025 from $49.3 million for the first quarter of 2024. The average balance of interest-earning assets decreased $255.9 million, or 6.9 percent, to $3.444 billion for the first quarter of 2025 from $3.699 billion for the first quarter of 2024, while the average yield decreased 13 basis points to 5.20 percent for the first quarter of 2025 from 5.33 percent for the first quarter of 2024.

    Interest expense decreased by $4.0 million to $22.2 million for the first quarter of 2025 from $26.1 million for the first quarter of 2024. The decrease resulted from a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities of 21 basis points to 3.33 percent for the first quarter of 2025 from 3.54 percent for the first quarter of 2024, while the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by $256.2 million to $2.701 billion for the first quarter of 2025 from $2.957 billion for the first quarter of 2024.

    The net interest margin was 2.59 percent for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2.50 percent for the first quarter of 2024. The increase in the net interest margin compared to the first quarter of 2024 was the result of a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities partially offset by the decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company recognized $4.2 million in net charge-offs compared to $1.1 million in net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2024. The Bank had non-accrual loans totaling $99.8 million, or 3.36 percent of gross loans, at March 31, 2025 as compared to $44.7 million, or 1.48 percent of gross loans, at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses on loans was $51.5 million, or 1.73 percent of gross loans, at March 31, 2025, and $34.8 million, or 1.15 percent of gross loans, at December 31, 2024. The provision for credit losses was $20.8 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to $4.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses on loans was adequate at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

    Non-interest income decreased by $318 thousand to $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2025 from $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in total non-interest income was mainly related to decreases in gains on equity securities and BOLI income of $245 thousand and $67 thousand, respectively.

    Non-interest expense decreased by $178 thousand, or 1.2 percent, to $14.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 when compared to non-interest expense of $14.8 million for the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in these expenses for the first quarter of 2025 was primarily driven by lower regulatory assessment charges, offset by higher salaries and employee benefits.

    The income tax provision decreased by $5.8 million, to an income tax credit of $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2025 when compared to a $2.5 million provision for the first quarter of 2024.

    Asset Quality

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company recognized $4.2 million in net charge offs, compared to $1.1 million in net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2024.

    The Bank had non-accrual loans totaling $99.8 million, or 3.36 percent of gross loans, at March 31, 2025, as compared to $22.2 million, or 0.68 percent of gross loans, at March 31, 2024. More than 60% of the non-accrual loans are current with all payments of principal, interest, taxes and insurance, including the previously mentioned loan that has been allocated a specific reserve.  However, given that the normal standard for non-accrual is a 90 day delinquency, logic and transparency dictates that this population of loans possess certain weaknesses that are beyond payment status and therefore, even though they are current, they should be placed on non-accrual.  Although our borrowers have made payment of their loan obligations to BCB a priority, our evaluation of their financial condition causes some concern about their continued ability to do so. The allowance for credit losses was $51.5 million, or 1.73 percent of gross loans, at March 31, 2025, and $34.6 million, or 1.06 percent of gross loans, at March 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses was 51.6 percent of non-accrual loans at March 31, 2025, and 155.4 percent of non-accrual loans at March 31, 2024.

    About BCB Bancorp, Inc.

    Established in 2000 and headquartered in Bayonne, N.J., BCB Community Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of BCB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCBP). The Bank has twenty-three branch offices in Bayonne, Edison, Hoboken, Fairfield, Holmdel, Jersey City, Lyndhurst, Maplewood, Monroe Township, Newark, Parsippany, Plainsboro, River Edge, Rutherford, South Orange, Union, and Woodbridge, New Jersey, and four branches in Hicksville and Staten Island, New York. The Bank provides businesses and individuals a wide range of loans, deposit products, and retail and commercial banking services. For more information, please go to www.bcb.bank.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release, like many written and oral communications presented by BCB Bancorp, Inc., and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “strive,” “try,” or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

    The most significant factor that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements include the ongoing impact of global tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, higher inflation levels, and general economic and recessionary concerns, all of which could impact economic growth and could cause increased loan delinquencies, a reduction in financial transactions and business activities, including decreased deposits and reduced loan originations, our ability to manage liquidity and capital in a rapidly changing and unpredictable market, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages. Other factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations as reflected in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the global impact of the military conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East; unfavorable economic conditions in the United States generally and particularly in our primary market area; the Company’s ability to effectively attract and deploy deposits; changes in the Company’s corporate strategies, the composition of its assets, or the way in which it funds those assets; shifts in investor sentiment or behavior in the securities, capital, or other financial markets, including changes in market liquidity or volatility; the effects of declines in real estate values that may adversely impact the collateral underlying our loans; increase in unemployment levels and slowdowns in economic growth; our level of non-performing assets and the costs associated with resolving any problem loans including litigation and other costs; the impact of changes in interest rates and the credit quality and strength of underlying collateral and the effect of such changes on the market value of our loan and investment securities portfolios; the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio; changes in the quality and composition of the Bank’s loan and investment portfolios; changes in our ability to access cost-effective funding; deposit flows; legislative and regulatory changes, including increases in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insurance rates; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal and state governments; changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities; demands for our loan products; demand for financial services; competition; changes in the securities or secondary mortgage markets; changes in management’s business strategies; changes in consumer spending; our ability to hire and retain key employees; the effects of any reputational, credit, interest rate, market, operational, legal, liquidity, or regulatory risk; expanding regulatory requirements which could adversely affect operating results; civil unrest in the communities that we serve; and other factors discussed elsewhere in this report, and in other reports we filed with the SEC, including under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our other periodic reports that we file with the SEC.

    Annualized, pro forma, projected and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purpose only, are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results.

    Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Reported amounts are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). This press release also contains certain supplemental Non-GAAP information that the Company’s management uses in its analysis of the Company’s financial results. The Company’s management believes that providing this information to analysts and investors allows them to better understand and evaluate the Company’s financial results for the periods in question.

    The Company provides measurements and ratios based on tangible stockholders’ equity and efficiency ratios. These measures are utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and, therefore, the Company’s management believes that such information is useful to investors. For a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release, see “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

             
      Statements of Operations – Three Months Ended,      
      March 31,2025 December 31, 2024 March 31, 2024 Mar 31, 2025 vs.
    Dec 31, 2024    		   Mar 31, 2025 vs.
    Mar 31, 2024
    Interest and dividend income: (In thousands, except per share amounts, Unaudited)      
    Loans, including fees $ 38,927   $ 41,431   $ 43,722     -6.0 %     -11.0 %
    Mortgage-backed securities   561     473     305     18.6 %     83.9 %
    Other investment securities   968     978     975     -1.0 %     -0.7 %
    FHLB stock and other interest-earning assets   3,736     3,771     4,283     -0.9 %     -12.8 %
    Total interest and dividend income   44,192     46,653     49,285     -5.3 %     -10.3 %
                 
    Interest expense:            
    Deposits:            
    Demand   5,418     5,866     5,257     -7.6 %     3.1 %
    Savings and club   151     156     166     -3.2 %     -9.0 %
    Certificates of deposit   10,762     12,218     14,983     -11.9 %     -28.2 %
        16,331     18,240     20,406     -10.5 %     -20.0 %
    Borrowings   5,856     6,219     5,736     -5.8 %     2.1 %
    Total interest expense   22,187     24,459     26,142     -9.3 %     -15.1 %
                 
    Net interest income   22,005     22,194     23,143     -0.9 %     -4.9 %
    Provision for credit losses   20,845     4,154     2,088     401.8 %     898.3 %
                 
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   1,160     18,040     21,055     -93.6 %     -94.5 %
                 
    Non-interest income income :            
    Fees and service charges   1,173     1,187     1,215     -1.2 %     -3.5 %
    (Loss) gain on sales of loans   –     (554 )   45     -100.0 %     -100.0 %
    Realized and unrealized (loss) gain on equity investments   (115 )   (661 )   130     -82.6 %     -188.5 %
    Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income   608     636     675     -4.4 %     -9.9 %
    Other   125     330     44     -62.1 %     184.1 %
    Total non-interest income   1,791     938     2,109     90.9 %     -15.1 %
                 
    Non-interest expense:            
    Salaries and employee benefits   7,403     7,117     6,981     4.0 %     6.0 %
    Occupancy and equipment   2,723     2,483     2,644     9.7 %     3.0 %
    Data processing and communications   1,844     1,754     1,853     5.1 %     -0.5 %
    Professional fees   692     599     595     15.5 %     16.3 %
    Director fees   418     269     277     55.4 %     50.9 %
    Regulatory assessment fees   709     769     1,142     -7.8 %     -37.9 %
    Advertising and promotions   179     212     216     -15.6 %     -17.1 %
    Other   692     1,164     1,130     -40.5 %     -38.8 %
    Total non-interest expense   14,660     14,367     14,838     2.0 %     -1.2 %
                 
    (Loss) Income before income tax provision   (11,709 )   4,611     8,326     -353.9 %     -240.6 %
    Income tax (benefit) provision   (3,385 )   1,339     2,460     -352.8 %     -237.6 %
                 
    Net (Loss) Income   (8,324 )   3,272     5,866     -354.4 %     -241.9 %
    Preferred stock dividends   482     475     434     1.6 %     11.0 %
    Net (Loss) Income available to common stockholders $ (8,806 ) $ 2,797   $ 5,432     -414.8 %     -262.1 %
                 
    Net (Loss) Income per common share-basic and diluted            
    Basic $ (0.51 ) $ 0.16   $ 0.32     -413.8 %     -260.4 %
    Diluted $ (0.51 ) $ 0.16   $ 0.32     -414.7 %     -260.5 %
                 
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding            
    Basic   17,113     17,056     16,930     0.3 %     1.1 %
    Diluted   17,113     17,108     16,939     0.0 %     1.0 %
                 
    Statements of Financial Condition March 31,2025 December 31,2024 March 31, 2024 March 31, 2025 vs.
    December 31, 2024    		 March 31, 2025 vs.
    March 31, 2024
    ASSETS (In Thousands, Unaudited)    
    Cash and amounts due from depository institutions $ 11,977   $ 14,075   $ 11,795     -14.9 %   1.5 %
    Interest-earning deposits   240,773     303,207     340,653     -20.6 %   -29.3 %
    Total cash and cash equivalents   252,750     317,282     352,448     -20.3 %   -28.3 %
               
    Interest-earning time deposits   735     735     735     –     –  
    Debt securities available for sale   116,496     101,717     86,966     14.5 %   34.0 %
    Equity investments   9,357     9,472     9,223     -1.2 %   1.5 %
    Loans held for sale   –     –     –     –     –  
    Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses on loans          
    of $51,484, $34,789 and $34,563 , respectively   2,917,610     2,996,259     3,226,877     -2.6 %   -9.6 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) stock, at cost   22,066     24,272     24,917     -9.1 %   -11.4 %
    Premises and equipment, net   12,474     12,569     12,744     -0.8 %   -2.1 %
    Accrued interest receivable   16,354     15,176     17,442     7.8 %   -6.2 %
    Deferred income taxes   22,814     17,181     17,555     32.8 %   30.0 %
    Goodwill and other intangibles   5,253     5,253     5,253     0.0 %   0.0 %
    Operating lease right-of-use asset   12,622     12,686     12,186     -0.5 %   3.6 %
    Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”)   76,648     76,040     74,081     0.8 %   3.5 %
    Other assets   8,643     10,476     8,768     -17.5 %   -1.4 %
    Total Assets $ 3,473,822   $ 3,599,118   $ 3,849,195     -3.5 %   -9.8 %
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
               
    LIABILITIES          
    Non-interest bearing deposits $ 542,621   $ 520,387   $ 531,112     4.3 %   2.2 %
    Interest bearing deposits   2,143,887     2,230,471     2,460,547     -3.9 %   -12.9 %
    Total deposits   2,686,508     2,750,858     2,991,659     -2.3 %   -10.2 %
    FHLB advances   405,499     455,361     472,949     -10.9 %   -14.3 %
    Subordinated debentures   43,024     42,961     37,624     0.1 %   14.4 %
    Operating lease liability   13,087     13,139     12,579     -0.4 %   4.0 %
    Other liabilities   10,982     12,874     14,253     -14.7 %   -22.9 %
    Total Liabilities   3,159,100     3,275,193     3,529,064     -3.5 %   -10.5 %
               
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
    Preferred stock: $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized   –     –     –     –     –  
    Additional paid-in capital preferred stock   25,243     24,723     27,733     2.1 %   -9.0 %
    Common stock: no par value, 40,000 shares authorized   –     –     –     0.0 %   0.0 %
    Additional paid-in capital common stock   201,804     200,935     199,726     0.4 %   1.0 %
    Retained earnings   130,291     141,853     138,643     -8.2 %   -6.0 %
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (4,269 )   (5,239 )   (7,624 )   –     –  
    Treasury stock, at cost   (38,347 )   (38,347 )   (38,347 )   0.0 %   0.0 %
    Total Stockholders’ Equity   314,722     323,925     320,131     -2.8 %   -1.7 %
               
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 3,473,822   $ 3,599,118   $ 3,849,195     -3.5 %   -9.8 %
               
    Outstanding common shares   17,163     17,063     16,957      
               
      Three Months Ended March 31,
      2025   2024
      Average Balance Interest Earned/Paid Average Yield/Rate (3)   Average Balance Interest Earned/Paid Average Yield/Rate (3)
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Interest-earning assets:              
    Loans Receivable (4)(5) $ 2,994,529   $ 38,927     5.27 %   $ 3,299,938   $ 43,722     5.30 %
    Investment Securities   117,205     1,529     5.22 %     96,226     1,280     5.32 %
    Other Interest-earning assets (6)   331,808     3,736     4.57 %     303,291     4,283     5.65 %
    Total Interest-earning assets   3,443,542     44,192     5.20 %     3,699,455     49,285     5.33 %
    Non-interest-earning assets   125,974           125,480      
    Total assets $ 3,569,516         $ 3,824,935      
    Interest-bearing liabilities:              
    Interest-bearing demand accounts $ 560,565   $ 2,369     1.71 %   $ 560,190   $ 2,230     1.59 %
    Money market accounts   394,282     3,049     3.14 %     369,096     3,027     3.28 %
    Savings accounts   252,227     151     0.24 %     277,731     166     0.24 %
    Certificates of Deposit   1,005,669     10,762     4.34 %     1,239,807     14,983     4.83 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   2,212,743     16,331     2.99 %     2,446,824     20,406     3.34 %
    Borrowed funds   488,418     5,856     4.86 %     510,503     5,736     4.49 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,701,161     22,187     3.33 %     2,957,327     26,142     3.54 %
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities   543,660           552,959      
    Total liabilities   3,244,821           3,510,286      
    Stockholders’ equity   324,695           314,649      
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,569,516         $ 3,824,935      
    Net interest income   $ 22,005         $ 23,143    
    Net interest rate spread(1)       1.87 %         1.79 %
    Net interest margin(2)       2.59 %         2.50 %
                   
    (1) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield on average interest-earning assets and the average cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
    (2) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
    (3) Annualized.
    (4) Excludes allowance for credit losses.
    (5) Includes non-accrual loans.
    (6) Includes Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Stock.
                   
      Financial Condition data by quarter
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
               
      (In thousands, except book values)
    Total assets $ 3,473,822   $ 3,599,118   $ 3,613,770   $ 3,793,941   $ 3,849,195  
    Cash and cash equivalents   252,750     317,282     243,123     326,870     352,448  
    Securities   125,853     111,189     108,302     94,965     96,189  
    Loans receivable, net   2,917,610     2,996,259     3,087,914     3,161,925     3,226,877  
    Deposits   2,686,508     2,750,858     2,724,580     2,935,239     2,991,659  
    Borrowings   448,523     498,322     533,466     510,710     510,573  
    Stockholders’ equity   314,722     323,925     328,113     320,732     320,131  
    Book value per common share1 $ 16.87   $ 17.54   $ 17.50   $ 17.17   $ 17.24  
    Tangible book value per common share2 $ 16.56   $ 17.23   $ 17.19   $ 16.86   $ 16.93  
               
      Operating data by quarter
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
      (In thousands, except for per share amounts)
    Net interest income $ 22,005   $ 22,194   $ 23,045   $ 23,639   $ 23,143  
    Provision for credit losses   20,845     4,154     2,890     2,438     2,088  
    Non-interest income (loss)   1,791     938     3,127     (3,234 )   2,109  
    Non-interest expense   14,660     14,367     13,929     13,987     14,838  
    Income tax (benefit) expense   (3,385 )   1,339     2,685     1,163     2,460  
    Net (loss) income $ (8,324 ) $ 3,272   $ 6,668   $ 2,817   $ 5,866  
    Net (loss) income per diluted share $ (0.51 ) $ 0.16   $ 0.36   $ 0.14   $ 0.32  
    Common Dividends declared per share $ 0.16   $ 0.16   $ 0.16   $ 0.16   $ 0.16  
               
      Financial Ratios(3)
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
    Return on average assets   (0.95 %)   0.36 %   0.72 %   0.30 %   0.61 %
    Return on average stockholders’ equity   (10.40 %)   4.04 %   8.29 %   3.52 %   7.46 %
    Net interest margin   2.59 %   2.53 %   2.58 %   2.60 %   2.50 %
    Stockholders’ equity to total assets   9.06 %   9.00 %   9.08 %   8.45 %   8.32 %
    Efficiency Ratio4   61.61 %   62.11 %   53.22 %   68.55 %   58.76 %
               
      Asset Quality Ratios
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
      (In thousands, except for ratio %)
    Non-Accrual Loans $ 99,833   $ 44,708   $ 35,330   $ 32,448   $ 22,241  
    Non-Accrual Loans as a % of Total Loans   3.36 %   1.48 %   1.13 %   1.01 %   0.68 %
    ACL as % of Non-Accrual Loans   51.6 %   77.8 %   98.2 %   108.6 %   155.4 %
    Individually Analyzed Loans   122,517     83,399     66,048     60,798     65,731  
    Classified Loans   251,989     152,714     98,316     87,033     97,739  
               
    (1) Calculated by dividing stockholders’ equity, less preferred equity, to shares outstanding.
    (2) Calculated by dividing tangible stockholders’ common equity, a non-GAAP measure, by shares outstanding. Tangible stockholders’ common equity is stockholders’ equity less goodwill and preferred stock. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures by quarter.”  
    (3) Ratios are presented on an annualized basis, where appropriate.
    (4) The Efficiency Ratio, a non-GAAP measure, was calculated by dividing non-interest expense by the total of net interest income and non-interest income. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures by quarter.”
               
      Recorded Investment in Loans Receivable by quarter
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
      (In thousands)
    Residential one-to-four family $ 232,456   $ 239,870   $ 241,050   $ 242,706   $ 244,762  
    Commercial and multi-family   2,221,218     2,246,677     2,296,886     2,340,385     2,392,970  
    Construction   118,779     135,434     146,471     173,207     180,975  
    Commercial business   330,358     342,799     371,365     375,355     378,073  
    Home equity   66,479     66,769     67,566     66,843     65,518  
    Consumer   2,271     2,235     2,309     2,053     2,847  
      $ 2,971,561   $ 3,033,784   $ 3,125,647   $ 3,200,549   $ 3,265,145  
    Less:          
    Deferred loan fees, net   (2,467 )   (2,736 )   (3,040 )   (3,381 )   (3,705 )
    Allowance for credit losses   (51,484 )   (34,789 )   (34,693 )   (35,243 )   (34,563 )
               
    Total loans, net $ 2,917,610   $ 2,996,259   $ 3,087,914   $ 3,161,925   $ 3,226,877  
               
      Non-Accruing Loans in Portfolio by quarter
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
      (In thousands)
    Residential one-to-four family $ 1,138   $ 1,387   $ 410   $ 350   $ 429  
    Commercial and multi-family   89,296     32,974     27,693     27,796     12,627  
    Construction   586     586     586     586     3,225  
    Commercial business   8,374     9,530     6,498     3,673     5,916  
    Home equity   439     231     123     43     44  
    Consumer   –     –     20     –     –  
    Total: $ 99,833   $ 44,708   $ 35,330   $ 32,448   $ 22,241  
               
      Distribution of Deposits by quarter
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
      (In thousands)
    Demand:          
    Non-Interest Bearing $ 542,620   $ 520,387   $ 528,089   $ 523,816   $ 531,112  
    Interest Bearing   537,468     553,731     527,862     549,239     552,295  
    Money Market   405,793     395,004     366,655     371,689     361,791  
    Sub-total: $ 1,485,881   $ 1,469,122   $ 1,422,606   $ 1,444,744   $ 1,445,198  
    Savings and Club   254,732     252,491     255,115     258,680     272,051  
    Certificates of Deposit   945,895     1,029,245     1,046,859     1,231,815     1,274,410  
    Total Deposits: $ 2,686,508   $ 2,750,858   $ 2,724,580   $ 2,935,239   $ 2,991,659  
               
      Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures by quarter
               
      Tangible Book Value per Share
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
      (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    Total Stockholders’ Equity $ 314,722   $ 323,925   $ 328,113   $ 320,732   $ 320,131  
    Less: goodwill   5,253     5,253     5,253     5,253     5,253  
    Less: preferred stock   25,243     24,723     29,763     28,403     27,733  
    Total tangible common stockholders’ equity   284,226     293,949     293,097     287,076     287,145  
    Shares common shares outstanding   17,163     17,063     17,048     17,029     16,957  
    Book value per common share $ 16.87   $ 17.54   $ 17.50   $ 17.17   $ 17.24  
    Tangible book value per common share $ 16.56   $ 17.23   $ 17.19   $ 16.86   $ 16.93  
               
      Efficiency Ratios
      Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
      (In thousands, except for ratio %)
    Net interest income $ 22,005   $ 22,194   $ 23,045   $ 23,639   $ 23,143  
    Non-interest income (loss)   1,791     938     3,127     (3,234 )   2,109  
    Total income   23,796     23,132     26,172     20,405     25,252  
    Non-interest expense   14,660     14,367     13,929     13,987     14,838  
    Efficiency Ratio   61.61 %   62.11 %   53.22 %   68.55 %   58.76 %
               
    Contact: Michael Shriner,
    President & CEO
    Jawad Chaudhry,
    EVP & CFO
    (201) 823-0700
       

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is backing Welsh independence the same as being a nationalist? Not necessarily

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Robin Mann, Reader in Sociology, Bangor University

    Over the past few years, support for Welsh independence has grown in ways not seen before. A recent poll commissioned by YesCymru, a pro-independence campaign group, found that 41% of people who’ve made up their minds on the issue would now vote in favour of independence.

    The striking finding is that the number jumps to 72% among 25-to-34 year olds. Meanwhile older generations, particularly those aged 65 and up, remain firmly in the “no” camp, with 80% opposed.

    This does seem a big shift in public mood. But does it mean Wales is becoming more nationalist? Not exactly.

    The relationship between constitutional attitudes and nationalism is complicated, as research by myself and colleagues shows. Many people back independence for reasons that have less to do with feeling strongly Welsh or waving flags, and more to do with wanting better decision-making closer to home.

    During 2021, as part of a broader research project on Welsh people’s views on the COVID pandemic and vaccination, we spoke to people from different ages, backgrounds and locations. Some were vaccinated, others weren’t. Some had voted in elections while others hadn’t voted in years, if ever.

    Many people we talked to felt the Welsh government had done a better job than Westminster at handling the pandemic. They saw the decisions made in Wales – like keeping stricter rules in place when England relaxed theirs – as more sensible, more caring, and more in line with what they personally wanted from a government. And with that came a confidence that Wales could handle even more control over its own affairs.

    Historically, Welsh nationalism was tightly linked to the Welsh language and culture. Self-government was always a part of the conversation, but not necessarily the main driver. That started changing in the late 20th century.

    In 1979, Wales voted against devolution. In 1997, it narrowly voted in favour. After that, things slowly began to shift. And now, more than 25 years into devolution, support for some form of self-government is the mainstream view. Independence is no longer such a fringe idea.

    Interestingly, younger generations are far more open to it – and many of them aren’t what you’d typically think of as nationalists. They may not speak Welsh or see themselves as “political” in the traditional sense. Their support often comes from practical concerns about the economy, democracy and how decisions are made.

    External events like Brexit have clearly played a role. In fact, the YesCymru campaign was formed just before the EU referendum in 2016. Independence support surged afterwards, especially among Remain voters.

    Many saw the Brexit fallout, as well as austerity, as proof that Westminster didn’t reflect their values or priorities. This showed how disruptive events can reshape the way people see their place within the UK.

    Independence without nationalism?

    One of the more surprising findings in our research – echoed in the 2025 polling – is that support for independence doesn’t always come from people who are politically engaged or pro-devolution. In fact, some support came from people who hadn’t voted in years, or felt completely disillusioned with the political system.

    They expressed their support for independence through statements like: “They [the Welsh government] all need to go, but if I pay tax in Wales I want it to stay in Wales and be spent here.”

    We also found a lot of people sitting on the fence. They weren’t against independence, but they had big questions about it. Would it mean isolation? Would it lead to more division?

    One person told us: “I’m a little bit nationalistic, but I didn’t want the UK to leave the EU. So why would I want Wales to leave the UK?” Another said: “I don’t believe in borders, but I do think the Welsh government should run things.”

    These aren’t black-and-white views. People’s feelings about independence – and nationalism – are often full of contradictions. And this reflects the wider truth that ordinary political views are often messy. Most of us don’t live in the extremes, and this is a good thing.

    What’s also worth noting is that nationalism takes many forms. Some people who strongly oppose Welsh independence do so from a very rightwing populist-nationalist perspective, where calls to abolish the Senedd (Welsh parliament) sit alongside demands for hard borders and less immigration. So, the assumption that “independence equals nationalism” isn’t always true – and nor is the reverse.

    Could independence really happen?

    Wales isn’t alone in debating big questions about its future. In places such as Scotland, Catalonia and Flanders, political and economic crises can fuel movements for independence. In all these cases, trust in central government and a desire for more local fiscal control have played a major role.

    For Wales, the question often comes back to the economy. While faith in Wales’s ability to govern is growing, many still worry whether an independent Wales could stand on its own financially. And for a lot of undecided voters, that remains the sticking point. For this reason, granting Wales more powers through devolution might do more to stave off demands for independence than anything else.



    Read more:
    Devolving justice and policing to Wales would put it on par with Scotland and Northern Ireland – so what’s holding it back?

    But the conversation is shifting. Support for independence is no longer just about nationalist grievances. It’s about how people want to be governed, and about trust and responsiveness.

    So, does supporting Welsh independence make you a nationalist? Not necessarily. For many, it’s not about nationalism at all.

    Robin Mann receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council and the British Academy. He is a Reader in Sociology at Bangor University and also Co-director of the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD).

    – ref. Is backing Welsh independence the same as being a nationalist? Not necessarily – https://theconversation.com/is-backing-welsh-independence-the-same-as-being-a-nationalist-not-necessarily-254354

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Powering the Future: Energy Leaders to Tackle Africa’s Grid Challenges at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025

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

    PARIS, France, April 22, 2025/APO Group/ —

    As Africa faces a sharp rise in electricity demand driven by population growth, industrialization and rapid urban expansion, the continent’s power sector is at a critical juncture. At Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025, taking place next month in Paris, a high-level panel on Revolutionizing Power Generation in Africa will bring together industry leaders to examine how a multi-pronged energy strategy can transform the continent’s electrification landscape.

    Moderated by Paul Hickin, Chief Economist & Editor in Chief at Petroleum Economist, the panel will feature Jerome Bertheau, Executive Vice President of Global Projects at BW Energy; Christoffer Ek, Director of Decarbonization Services at Wärtsilä Energy; and Silvia Macri, Director at S&P Global Commodity Insights. The conversation will explore a blended approach to power generation – integrating renewable and conventional energy sources, grid and off-grid solutions, and cutting-edge storage technologies – to chart a realistic pathway toward sustainable energy access in Africa, while addressing the urgent need for scalable, resilient and inclusive energy solutions.

    IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/3Rqu3RJ) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    Africa’s current power generation capacity falls short of its development needs, with more than 600 million people lacking access to electricity. While renewables like solar and wind are gaining traction, the transition to sustainable energy requires a balanced and diversified energy mix, with gas-to-power playing an increasingly important role.

    In Namibia, BW Energy is advancing its flagship Kudu gas-to-power project, which will supply up to 885 MW of electricity using gas from the offshore Kudu field, helping to strengthen both national energy security and regional grid stability. Meanwhile, with projects including the Sandiara gas-to-power plant in Senegal and the Soyo II combined-cycle plant in Angola, among others, African nations are advancing large-scale integrated gas projects to tap into underutilized reserves and support their electrification agendas.

    As such, the Revolutionizing Power Generation in Africa session will explore how flexible power solutions can be integrated with renewable energy technologies to enhance grid stability and support the transition to cleaner, more reliable energy systems. As a key developer in the drive towards grid stability, Wärtsilä Energy is powering Africa’s mining and industrial sectors with projects including a 17 MW plant in Senegal, a 50 MW captive power plant in Nigeria, O&M contracts in Zambia and Madagascar and maintenance of power plants in Morocco. These efforts highlight the growing importance of hybrid and modular energy systems in meeting Africa’s evolving electricity needs, which will be discussed at the upcoming forum.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Engineers of the Future: GUU Introduces High School Students to Scientific Projects

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Representatives of the State University of Management held a series of meetings with 10th-11th grade students as part of the RosGeoTech Advanced Engineering Schools project.

    The children were told about the digitalization of the fuel and energy business and modern management technologies in industry management (FEC), and were also introduced to the PISh “PRO PROJECT” competition and given advice on preparing an individual project.

    Before the start of the master class, the Head of the Scientific Research Coordination Department of the State University of Management Maxim Pletnev introduced the guests to the activities of the RosGeoTech Scientific and Technical School, which covers alternative energy, power engineering, oil and gas, autonomous unmanned and robotic innovative systems.

    The head of the Advanced Engineering School, Andrey Luzhetsky, also addressed the event participants with a welcoming speech.

    As part of the additional general development program, students became familiar with the development trends of the energy industry (3D technologies), studied management technologies related to the use of drones for geological exploration and detection of damage in electrical networks, as well as the concept of digital twins (digital fields and substations) and elements of risk-oriented management in the risk management system.

    The students also began to master the basics of machine learning in the fuel and energy sector, using a simple algorithm as an example, became familiar with the formulation of tasks, identifying problems and creating a competitor matrix. They were explained what machine learning is, who is behind its development, and also looked at the learning tasks and their solution, after which they “hacked” the algorithms.

    In addition, a presentation was given on the All-Russian Project Competition for High School Students “PRO PROJECT”. The deadlines and key stages of the competition were discussed, as well as the specifics of team and individual participation and the topics of the areas. Both unsuccessful projects (for example, essays and papers) and successful ones (startups and product developments) were analyzed using examples. In conclusion, the schoolchildren asked questions about the preliminary assessment of their project ideas and were invited to join the competition group on VKontakte, where all relevant information is published.

    The event was aimed at introducing schoolchildren to the RosGeoTech PISh project, which helps train future specialists in the field of engineering sciences.

    Let us recall that the Advanced Engineering School “RosGeoTech” was created on the basis of GGNTU named after academician M.D. Millionshchikov together with the State University of Management. In March 2025, based on the results of the work carried out in 2024 and the defense of the project before the Council of the Advanced Engineering School, “RosGeoTech” received a large grant for further development.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/22/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Human trafficking-fueled fraud ring dismantled in joint Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana operation

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    22 April 2025

    LYON, France – Two suspected traffickers have been arrested and 33 people rescued from a criminal network that sequestered victims and forced them into exploitative pyramid schemes.

    The successful operation was carried out by police in Côte d’Ivoire, following a joint investigation with Ghanaian authorities and support from INTERPOL.

    The case was brought to the attention of police in Ghana by the father of two victims who had been lured through fake job ads online. His daughters had paid nearly USD 9,000 to travel to Canada for work via a recruiter that used a Canadian phone number, giving the employment offer a sense of legitimacy.

    In reality, the victims had been trafficked to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire for the purpose of exploitation where they were held against their will. Under physical and psychological coercion, including threats and abuse, they were forced to perpetuate the scam by enrolling new victims using popular multi-level marketing platforms.

    To conceal the exploitation from friends and family, the organizers provided victims with Canadian contact details and prevented them from speaking openly about the situation. Victims were taken to upmarket shops or luxury hotels in Abidjan and made to pose for photos to falsely suggest a life of comfort abroad.

    An investigation was launched in Ghana after one victim escaped the captors and returned home, alerting families and giving crucial information to police.

    Thanks to a police cooperation agreement between Western African countries that enables free cross-border movement for criminal investigations, the escaped victim returned to Côte d’Ivoire to give vital evidence. As a key witness, the individual was able to provide intelligence for the rescue operation. The relatives of victims still held captive were also assisted with travel to Abidjan to give additional information to local forces.

    Côte d’Ivoire – Victims were kept in harsh conditions

    Throughout the investigation INTERPOL acted as a coordinator between the two countries, facilitating the organization of raids on two key locations in February 2025. The successful mission, carried out by specialized agencies in Côte d’Ivoire, resulted in two arrests and the release of 33 victims.

    The rescued victims, who came from four different countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo—were referred to a local NGO for assistance and care. The main suspect was arrested and handed over to Ghanaian authorities for legal proceedings.

    Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General said:

    “This success involving Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana is an excellent example of how important police cooperation is when it comes to fighting human trafficking scams. Because of their joint efforts, victims have been saved and those responsible are now facing justice. INTERPOL will continue supporting our member countries’ work to bring down these criminal networks and put an end to human trafficking in all its forms.”

    Youssouf Kouyate, Director General of the Côte d’Ivoire National Police said:

    “Our close cooperation with INTERPOL and Ghanaian police was pivotal to the achievements of this operation and is a testament to the strength of our regional partnerships. I would like to commend the bravery of the victims who came forward to assist in this investigation and to reaffirm our commitment to pursuing and dismantling the networks that perpetrate these crimes.”

    Scams on the rise: What to look out for

    Exploitative pyramid schemes are a growing threat in West and Central Africa, often following similar patterns to the case outlined above. Victims are typically promised employment or educational opportunities abroad and persuaded to pay upfront fees for travel or administration costs.

    Once ensnared by human traffickers, their personal documents are confiscated and they are often subjected to a horrific range of abuses, including forced labour, extortion, physical violence or sexual exploitation. To bring in new victims they are regularly forced to target their own friends, family or personal acquaintances, preying on trust to expand the scheme.

    INTERPOL urges the public to be extremely cautious when approached about work or study opportunities, even when introduced by a personal contact. Some of the red flags to look out for include:

    • Requests for personal information or money – One of the clearest signs of a scam is a request for payment or investment during the application, interview or onboarding process. You should never have to part with your money to receive a legitimate offer.
    • Pressure tactics – Scammers may create urgency by setting short deadlines or claiming the offer will go to someone else if you don’t respond quickly. Genuine recruiters will allow you time to consider the opportunity.
    • Too-good-to-be-true offers – Is the offer vague or poorly explained? Did you receive it without a thorough interview? Are the salary or conditions unusually generous? Compare it with similar offers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
    • Online presence – In the past, a simple online search could often expose a scam through its amateur website or unprofessional communication. Today, many criminal groups set up convincing companies or imitate well-known brands, often with a polished digital presence.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Teads Celebrates Major Milestone as CTV HomeScreen Powers 1,500 Campaigns

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The new Teads (NASDAQ: OB), the omnichannel outcomes platform for the open internet, today announced a significant milestone for CTV HomeScreen (formerly CTV Native), an immersive way for advertisers to reach audiences on exclusive experiences at incremental moments of high attention. Since its launch in 2023, 1,500 CTV HomeScreen campaigns have been run by premium brands globally, including Cartier, Nestlé, and Air France.

    As brands prioritize omnichannel strategies, CTV HomeScreen enables advertisers to place content directly on the first screen consumers see when turning on their connected televisions. By integrating within the operating systems of major television manufacturers such as LG and Hisense, Teads’ CTV HomeScreen ads provide brands with access to audiences that may not otherwise be reachable through ad-supported tiers on streaming platforms. CTV HomeScreen ads deliver high levels of attention through impactful, unique creative experiences. Teads’ programmatic advertiser platform, Teads Ad Manager (TAM) enables brands to connect the moments of the consumer journey across all screens — creating a continuity of advertising experiences from CTV to web and app.

    “By placing high-impact native ads directly on smart TV home screens, we provide brands with premium, brand-safe placements that capture superior attention at the moment of content discovery,” said Jeremy Arditi, Co-President, Chief Business Officer of the Americas. “This approach ensures brands own the first moment on TV screens, maximizing both visibility and engagement in an uncluttered environment.”

    Over the past year, Teads has strengthened its CTV offering through expanded access to premium HomeScreen inventory, including exclusive partnerships with VIDAA US and LG Ad Solutions covering 330 million TV screens worldwide, in over 50 countries. In addition to Homescreen, TAM enables advertisers to reach audiences across more than 7,000 CTV apps globally, optimizing performance through CTV instream video campaigns.

    “The partnership between LG and Teads unlocks a powerful value proposition for advertisers,” said Serge Matta, President of Global Ad Sales at LG Ad Solutions. “From the moment a viewer powers on their TV, they’re met with stunning creatives, brought to life by Teads. It’s a seamless blend of innovation and scale.”

    Capturing Audience Attention at Scale

    CTV HomeScreen placements are displayed on the first screen viewers see when they turn on their smart TVs. This enhances ad effectiveness and extends audience reach beyond traditional commercial breaks. According to TVision (2024), viewers often spend time browsing for content—up to 10 minutes—before encountering ad clutter, making this window a high-attention moment. In fact, 74% of attention goes to the first ad seen on the home screen.

    In 1,500 CTV HomeScreen campaigns, Teads has helped brands like Cartier, Nestlé, Air France, Bvlgari, and Nissan deliver impactful moments that drive measurable engagement. Cartier’s first-ever 3D CTV HomeScreen campaign generated over 12 million impressions, while Air France saw a 22% increase in recommendation intent by securing premium placements on Smart TV home screens. In addition, Nestlé achieved a 9% lift in ad recall, leveraging Teads’ high-attention CTV HomeScreen formats to enhance brand impact.

    “This initiative showcases how advertising innovation and precise data can strengthen brand image and consumer engagement. Teads’support in this campaign allowed us to combine exclusive formats with rigorous measurement, demonstrating real value for the brand,” said Catherine Masson, Director of Brand Media Strategy and Media Buying at Air France.

    Now Available in Teads Ad Manager

    Brands can now seamlessly combine CTV HomeScreen with mobile and desktop formats within a single buying platform, making it easier to plan, execute, and optimize omnichannel campaigns and ensuring a more cohesive, data-driven approach to audience engagement.

    With real-time attention measurement, contextual targeting, and planning and insight tools, Teads Ad Manager offers advertisers an all-in-one solution to maximize impact across every screen. This latest integration reflects Teads’ commitment to future-proofing CTV advertising by delivering premium placements, innovative ad formats, and advanced measurement tools.

    Teads was recently announced as a finalist in the Best CTV Ad Tech Platform category by the Digiday Streaming and Video Awards. For more information on Teads’ CTV HomeScreen solutions, visit https://thenewteads.com/.

    About The New Teads
    Outbrain Inc. (Nasdaq: OB) and Teads S.A. combined on February 3, 2025 and are operating under the new Teads brand. The new Teads is the omnichannel outcomes platform for the open internet, driving full-funnel results for marketers across premium media. With a focus on meaningful business outcomes, the combined company ensures value is driven with every media dollar by leveraging predictive AI technology to connect quality media, beautiful brand creative, and context-driven addressability and measurement. One of the most scaled advertising platforms on the open internet, the new Teads is directly partnered with more than 10,000 publishers and 20,000 advertisers globally. The company is headquartered in New York, with a global team of nearly 1,800 people in 36 countries.

    For more information, visit https://thenewteads.com/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements generally relating to possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives, and statements relating to our recently completed acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of TEADS, a private limited liability company (société anonyme) incorporated and existing under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (“Teads”). You can generally identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “foresee,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions or are not statements of historical fact. We have based these forward- looking statements largely on our expectations and projections regarding future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to: the ability of Outbrain to successfully integrate Teads or manage the combined business effectively; our ability to realize anticipated benefits and synergies of the Acquisition, including, among other things, operating efficiencies, revenue synergies and other cost savings; our due diligence investigation of Teads may be inadequate or risks related to Teads’ business may materialize; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Acquisition; the outcome of any securities litigation, stockholder derivative or other litigation related to the Acquisition; our ability to raise additional financing in the future to fund our operations, which may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all; the volatility of the market price of our common stock and any drop in the market price of our common stock following the Acquisition; our ability to attract and retain customers, management and other key personnel; overall advertising demand and traffic generated by our media partners; factors that affect advertising demand and spending, such as the continuation or worsening of unfavorable economic or business conditions or downturns, instability or volatility in financial markets, and other events or factors outside of our control, such as tariffs and trade wars, U.S. and global recession concerns, geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing war between Ukraine-Russia and conditions in Israel and the Middle East, supply chain issues, inflationary pressures, labor market volatility, bank closures or disruptions, the impact of challenging economic conditions, political and policy changes or uncertainties in connection with the new U.S. presidential administration, and other factors that have impacted and may further impact advertisers’ ability to pay; our ability to continue to innovate, and adoption by our advertisers and media partners of our expanding solutions; the potential impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) on our industry and our need to invest in AI-based solutions; the success of our sales and marketing investments, which may require significant investments and may involve long sales cycles; our ability to grow our business and manage growth effectively; our ability to compete effectively against current and future competitors; the loss or decline of one or more of our large media partners, and our ability to expand our advertiser and media partner relationships; conditions in Israel, including the sustainability of the recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and any conflicts with other terrorist organizations or countries; our ability to maintain our revenues or profitability despite quarterly fluctuations in our results, whether due to seasonality, large cyclical events, or other causes; the risk that our research and development efforts may not meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technology market; any failure of our recommendation engine to accurately predict attention or engagement, any deterioration in the quality of our recommendations or failure to present interesting content to users or other factors which may cause us to experience a decline in user engagement or loss of media partners; limits on our ability to collect, use and disclose data to deliver advertisements; our ability to extend our reach into evolving digital media platforms; our ability to maintain and scale our technology platform; our ability to meet demands on our infrastructure and resources due to future growth or otherwise; our failure or the failure of third parties to protect our sites, networks and systems against security breaches, or otherwise to protect the confidential information of us or our partners; outages or disruptions that impact us or our service providers, resulting from cyber incidents, or failures or loss of our infrastructure; significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates; political and regulatory risks in the various markets in which we operate; the challenges of compliance with differing and changing regulatory requirements, including with respect to privacy; the timing and execution of any cost-saving measures and the impact on our business or strategy; and the risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2024and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as an indication of future performance. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur, and actual results, events, or circumstances could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation and do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Media Contact

    press@outbrain.com

    Investor Relations Contact

    IR@outbrain.com

    (332) 205-8999

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canada’s new immigration policy favours construction workers but leaves the rest behind

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Shiva S. Mohan, Research Fellow, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration & Integration program, Toronto Metropolitan University

    Migrant workers have long been recognized as essential to Canada’s economy. But that recognition rarely translates into meaningful inclusion. As Canada embarks on new immigration reforms, persistent inequalities continue to define who truly belongs, and who remains excluded.

    In March, the federal government announced a new national pathway to permanent residence for up to 6,000 out-of-status construction workers.

    Although framed as a recognition of essential labour, the new program highlights a deeper reality: Canada’s immigration reforms continue to prioritize business and industry needs. In this instance, those needs are in housing and construction.

    This selective approach reveals deeper patterns in Canada’s immigration system, often described as a hierarchy of deservingness. This framework assigns greater value to certain types of labour, while sidelining others. This sidelining is often based on race, gender and class and limits access to recognition and rights for all essential workers.

    Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller estimated that between 300,000 and 600,000 out-of-status people were living in Canada as of 2024. The new construction worker pathway, while important for some, will address only a tiny fraction of this population.



    Read more:
    A national caregiving strategy is coming — what could it mean for Canadians?

    Political and industry priorities

    With a federal election on the horizon, the construction worker pathway is as much a political move as a policy reform.

    The program expands on a pilot that granted permanent residence to approximately 1,365 people and their families in the Greater Toronto Area before closing in December 2024.

    The current national rollout of the program reflects public and industry pressure to address Canada’s housing crisis. Housing has become a top priority for governments across the country.

    Developers and industry groups, such as the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, have long lobbied for faster housing construction and more skilled trades workers. Their advocacy, combined with widespread concern over affordability, made it politically attractive to prioritize construction labour rather than implement broader regularization efforts.

    But this approach exposes who is left out. Sectors like caregiving, domestic work and agriculture, largely dominated by racialized and feminized labour continue to be excluded from clear and inclusive pathways to status.

    Canada’s low-wage economy has historically depended on the labour of racialized and immigrant women. Migrants in these sectors, often work in private or hidden spaces, making their labour less visible and politically legible.

    Caregiving and domestic work in Canada have historically been undervalued. It is often framed as natural extensions of women’s roles and systematically marginalized in immigration policy through programs like the Live-in Caregiver Program.

    Fragmented, insufficient system

    Research confirms that Canada’s approach remains fragmented and insufficient. As part of my work with MIrreM, an international project studying irregular migration and regularization policies, we found that Canadian programs are often small, sector-specific and constrained by narrow eligibility criteria.

    New federal government Home Care Worker Immigration pilots offer another highly competitive pathway to residency.

    But these programs remain narrowly targeted, restricted and quickly capped, with application limits often reached on the same day they open. They also provide little relief for the many out-of-status caregivers already living and working in Canada.

    Other countries have demonstrated that large-scale, inclusive reforms are possible, offering Canada a model to follow.

    Spain’s 2005 regularization program successfully granted legal status to 700,000 people. The Spanish assessment recognized employment records, community ties and long-term residence. This model shows that broad, fair regularization strategies can balance administrative efficiency with political feasibility.

    Meanwhile, Canada’s fragmented reforms exclude most out-of-status critical workers. And it leaves them without any sustainable pathway to status, prolonging their vulnerability and insecurity.



    Read more:
    Personal support workers are the backbone of health care but the bottom of the power structure

    A comprehensive immigration strategy needed

    Canada urgently needs a transparent, fair and scaleable immigration strategy. It must be one that values people’s contributions, not just the immediate needs of businesses.

    Cleaners, caregivers, farm labourers, food service workers and others deserve the same recognition and opportunity as those in construction.

    A comprehensive regularization strategy would not only uphold dignity and fairness. It would also strengthen Canada’s economy, improve labour protections and promote social inclusion.

    As Canadians prepare to head to the polls, the incoming government faces a critical choice.

    It can continue with piecemeal, politically convenient reforms that leave most out-of-status workers behind. Or it can commit to a broad, rights-based regularization strategy that recognizes the full social fabric of those who sustain this country.

    Shiva S. Mohan 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. Canada’s new immigration policy favours construction workers but leaves the rest behind – https://theconversation.com/canadas-new-immigration-policy-favours-construction-workers-but-leaves-the-rest-behind-253792

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –