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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Modern schools and kindergartens: three educational facilities are being built in the north-east of the capital under participation agreements

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the north-east of Moscow, construction of three educational facilities continues. The buildings are being erected within the framework of contracts for the participation of developers in the development of social, transport, and engineering infrastructure in the capital’s developing area. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “Thanks to participation agreements with investors, 1,475 school places and 200 preschool places will appear in the north-east of the capital. Thus, in Maryina Roshcha, an educational facility for 650 places is being built. In the Ostankino district, a kindergarten for 200 places is being built, as well as a school designed for 825 students. This will reduce the load on existing institutions and provide comfortable conditions for residents of these areas. The new educational facilities are planned to be completed in 2025,” Vladimir Efimov noted.

    Attracting private investors allows developing educational infrastructure. After completion of construction, the institutions will be transferred to the city’s ownership.

    All facilities are built within walking distance of residential buildings. This will allow children to quickly get to school. The institutions are becoming an important part of the social infrastructure in areas where new residential development is actively developing, including within the framework of the renovation program.

    “Modern schools and kindergartens are built with an emphasis on multifunctionality. In addition to universal and specialized classrooms, they include sports halls and spaces for children’s creative development. For example, the school in Ostankino will be equipped with engineering and medical laboratory research complexes and a workshop for watercolor painting and drawing. Conditions will also be created for the education of children with disabilities,” added the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy

    Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    Educational facilities built under the participation agreement are designed according to the Moscow School standard. It represents uniform requirements for zoning, exterior and interior decoration of schools in the capital.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin told on the development of social infrastructure in the north-east of the capital.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145271073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The pond on Veshnikh Vody Street will be put in order

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Specialists from the city economy complex have begun rehabilitating the Yaroslavl pond in the north-east of the capital. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Currently, the reservoir, located inside the existing residential development on Veshnikh Vod Street, is in an unsatisfactory condition: a layer of silt deposits has accumulated at the bottom, the water area is abundantly overgrown with aquatic vegetation, and the destruction of the coastal strip is observed. In connection with this, a decision was made to carry out a comprehensive rehabilitation of the pond, we plan to complete the work by the end of this year,” said Petr Biryukov.

    The specialists will extract more than 900 cubic meters of silt deposits, which will allow achieving an optimal temperature balance and preventing the reservoir from overgrowing in the warm season. In addition, the structure of the coastal strip with a total length of more than 180 meters will be repaired; it will remain the same type (slope) and will be reinforced with stone.

    At the final stage, two bioplateau zones with a total area of over 432 square meters will be organized, in which aquatic plants of different species will be planted.

    Specialists regularly conduct surveys of the capital’s water bodies, and if problems are identified, a decision is made on rehabilitation. The list of water bodies is compiled annually taking into account the wishes of Muscovites. In total, over 20 ponds are planned to be renovated in Moscow this year.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145299073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BLOG | “Our markets stand as a testament to the power of community”

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Liverpool has been a home to numerous markets since the Middle Ages and 2024 has shown us they are more popular than ever. Here Michael Bracken, Liverpool City Council’s Head of Markets, reflects on why markets are special places for scousers…

    In Liverpool, markets are more than just places to shop. They have always been at the heart of our communities, bringing people together and helping to forge bonds between shoppers and traders.

    And this year has proved this again and again. The successes of the new Stanley Park Market – where the bakers have been selling out almost before they can put their stock on their stall! – and the seasonal St George’s Hall markets show that there is a real appetite for this experience in Liverpool and that if you get the offer right, they work.

    But why are markets so special? Why do they still flourish in so many different guises?

    For us, it’s quite simple: connection. There is a social aspect to visiting a market that you don’t always get in the same way from some big high-street stores. Shoppers get to know the traders, the traders get to know the shoppers. It builds trust and strengthens the fabric of our communities, enriching our neighbourhoods.

    To say markets have a long history in Liverpool is a understatement. It is believed that there have been meat and fish markets in what is now the city centre since the 13th century. Since 1773, the local authority has been the sole market authority in the city and we do not take this responsibility lightly, understanding that if we are to help traders to succeed then our approach cannot be one-size-fits-all.

    From the well-established weekly bustle of Greatie to the farmers’ markets in Lark Lane, Woolton Village and Allerton Road via the annual Christmas Market, whose contract is managed by Culture Liverpool, we’ve worked hard to make sure that our communities have the markets that they want and deserve. They reflect the diversity of our neighbourhoods, from the people that shop there to the goods that are sold. They provide local connection for older people and plenty of eye-widening fun for youngsters.

    Not only that, markets are increasingly becoming a vital foundational part of the local economy, making sure that money stays in Liverpool and that small businesses grow and become more secure, offering traders a low-cost, low-risk way to trial products and concepts. Spend money in a Liverpool market and you’re effectively investing in your community.

    And they’re sustainable – goods do not have to be transported as far and shoppers can walk to the market rather than getting in their car.

    In a world that often feels fragmented, our markets stand as a testament to the power of community. They are not just places for commerce but spaces where relationships develop, cultures are shared and local pride grows. Sitting alongside all the other fantastic shopping opportunities that Liverpool has to offer.

    So the next time you visit a market, as well as possibly opening your purse or wallet remember that you are also opening your heart to a tradition that stretches back centuries.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Vienna Insurance Group Subscribes to Intermap’s Real Estate Solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Enhancing data transparency in the Czech real estate market

    Providing insurers with reliable and accurate property valuation for underwriting

    DENVER, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) (“Intermap” or the “Company”), a global leader in 3D geospatial products and intelligence solutions, today announced that Česká podnikatelská pojišťovna (ČPP), a subsidiary of the Vienna Insurance Group, has subscribed to Intermap’s innovative solution for determining the market price of real estate properties.

    Intermap and its partner Dataligence recently launched a solution that combines Intermap’s data and analytics for underwriting, reinsurance and claims with Dataligence’s world-class pricing and real estate databases. ČPP, a long-term user of Intermap’s Aquarius RMA, is the newest major EU insurance group customer to adopt this innovative solution.

    This advanced property valuation process meets the growing demand for digitized property services in the Czech market, improving transparency in real estate data.

    By utilizing Intermap’s up-to-date flood and natural hazard maps within its Aquarius RMA software, alongside Dataligence’s extensive real estate data, this solution enables accurate online property valuation. It processes comprehensive databases of flood, natural hazard, and real estate information to streamline transactions, providing insurers with reliable and precise property valuations for underwriting purposes.

    “We chose this innovative solution because it will make it easier and more convenient for our clients to arrange insurance. At the same time, we see our partners as technology leaders whose data is accurate, robust and reliable,” said Michal Šimon, manager of non-life insurance at Česká podnikatelská pojišťovna.

    “We are always excited when we find new ways to use our world-class pricing and real estate datasets,” said Milan Roček, founder and CEO of Dataligence. “Last year, we made our innovative tools available to the general public through the http://www.hypox.cz app, and the continued integration of online pricing into insurance companies’ systems embodies our vision for modern insurance and real estate services, where clients don’t have to worry about anything, yet their assets are reliably protected.”

    “Intermap’s solutions for the insurance market use proprietary datasets that are integrated into insurance processes to provide insurers with comprehensive tools that can be used throughout a portfolio lifecycle,” said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. “Our state-of-the-art software, analytics and data enable insurers to understand and underwrite natural hazard risks, then leverage data intelligence to actively manage and reinsure risk with attractive margins.”

    Intermap’s services are more important than ever. According to Resources for the Future, “the private residential flood insurance market in the United States is currently small relative to the NFIP. We estimate that private flood insurance accounts for roughly 3.5 to 4.5 percent of all primary residential flood policies currently purchased.” With historic flooding recently, this demonstrates the need for dramatic increase in coverage. CoreLogic “estimates Hurricane Helene industry insured loss at $10.5B – $17.5B. Uninsured losses are estimated at $20B – $30B.” Moody’s RMS Event Response estimates total U.S. private market insured losses from the recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton will likely range between US$35 billion and US$55 billion. This estimate is for insured losses associated with wind, storm surge, and precipitation-induced flooding from these events.”

    In Europe, the flood protection gap is 25%. Recent European Commission studies “show that insurance premiums written should at least be doubled to reach a harmonized level of penetration equal to 50%.” Intermap is uniquely positioned to meet this demand and address this need.

    To learn more about Intermap’s European solutions, visit intermap.com/european-solutions.

    Intermap Reader Advisory
    Certain information provided in this news release, including reference to revenue growth and run-rate, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate”, “expect”, “project”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “will be”, “will consider”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap’s forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap’s Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

    About ČPP
    Česká podnikatelská pojišťovna (ČPP), a subsidiary of the Vienna Insurance Group, is a universal insurance company that offers its clients modern products and comprehensive insurance solutions in life and non-life insurance. The company operates through 6 regional headquarters, 100 branches and 220 offices throughout the Czech Republic. It has been operating on the Czech insurance market since 1995. Currently, ČPP manages 2.4 million contracts and its services are used by more than 1.3 million clients. ČPP is one of the Czech top five largest insurance companies.

    About Dataligence
    The investment group Trigema bought a majority stake in CenovaMapa.org in 2022, largest real estate data platform on the Czech market. The cooperation has already resulted in a new application for end customers, http://www.hypox.cz, as well as the development of existing Dataligence platforms. Over the past few years, Dataligence, with the help of consulting company Deloitte, has become the most important provider of online real estate valuation data in the Czech Republic. For more information, please visit http://www.dataligence.cz.

    About Intermap Technologies
    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation.

    For more information, please visit http://www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 260-9266

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tom Stannard named new Chief Executive designate

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester City Council has named Tom Stannard as its new permanent Chief Executive to lead the delivery of the city’s strategy for the decade ahead. 

    He will become only the third Chief Executive to take the reins in more than a quarter of a century in a city which prides itself on stability. Tom was selected following a rigorous recruitment process.  

    He has been Chief Executive of neighbouring Salford City Council for the past four years, overseeing achievements including the transformative regeneration of Salford, an ambitious council housebuilding programme and high-performing children’s services. He has more than 27 years of experience in local government including senior posts in Oldham, Wakefield, Blackburn with Darwen and London boroughs.  

    Tom is nationally recognised as a leading voice in local government, public service reform and delivering inclusive growth and currently holds the lead CEO brief for Greater Manchester in the economy, business and international portfolio.  

    He is a Chartered Surveyor, Chair of the UK Institute of Economic Development, Commissioner for the UK Living Wage Foundation and National Spokesman for Health and Social Care for SOLACE (The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers.)  

    Tom joins one of the best performing councils in the country at a crucial time as Manchester presses ahead with its ambition to be world-class city with top class services. It is also a pivotal moment for the Council as it gears up to bring forward and oversee the delivery of the 2025-2035 Our Manchester Strategy, which will guide the city for the next 10 years. The new vision will go further on the achievements of the current strategy to ensure economic growth that benefits everyone, including through the city’s ambitious Making Manchester Fairer, housebuilding and zero carbon programmes.  

    Tom is expected to join the Council early in the New Year. Eamonn Boylan OBE will remain in post as Interim Chief Executive until then. 

    Leader of Manchester City Council Councillor Bev Craig said:

    “This is a big job and we know the Chief Executive of Manchester is one of the most coveted positions in local government. That’s why I’m delighted that we’re appointing Tom Stannard – someone who shares our pride in the city and ambition to deliver for our residents.  

    “Tom was our unanimous choice in a highly competitive selection process. He is a nationally respected voice in local government with an impressive CV and a track record of delivery across regeneration, inclusive growth and improving council services. We were impressed by his energy and passion, his clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Manchester and his ideas for the future. He is already a well-known figure in Greater Manchester and beyond and we are confident that he will help us improve the city over the next decade. 

    “I’m looking forward to working alongside him and we can’t wait to welcome him as our new chief executive.”  

    Tom Stannard said:

    “This is an exceptional role in an incredible city. I’ve spent a significant part of my career living and working in Greater Manchester and have a deep commitment to the city and its people. I’m eager to start work on the next chapter alongside Cllr Craig and all elected members. 

    “Manchester is a city which is competing on a global stage and successfully attracting investment, jobs and visitors and it’s important that we continue to maximise those strengths. Just as crucial is that the growth generated benefits the whole city, and I know that’s something the Council is already working on and determined to achieve.  

    “While being unapologetically ambitious for the city’s global future, I won’t lose focus on the need to deliver excellent day-to-day services for Manchester people in the here and now.”  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Naval Hospital Bremerton sticklers for annual Flu Vaccine

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Get stuck to not get sick.

    The influenza vaccination – required for all active duty military personnel, selected Reservists and healthcare workers – shot exercise for tenant commands will be held October 21-22, 2024, at NHB’s Health and Education Center (BHEC), 2850 Thresher Ave, Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    The annual influenza vaccination for all eligible family members of active duty and retirees will take place October 23-27, 2024, also at NHB’s BHEC, Wednesday-Friday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from noon until 5 p.m.

    There has already been an increase of positive influenza cases of late.

    Dr. Dan Frederick, NHB Population Health Officer, emphasizes that immunization remains the primary method of reducing seasonal influenza illness and any potential associated complications. Being vaccinated against the viral threat not only helps protect vaccinated individuals but can assist in protecting family and co-workers by helping reduce the spread of the disease.

    “Getting the flu shot helps protect someone once the flu season starts in their community. The vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to the illness,” Frederick said.

    Frederick also emphasizes that just as it is important for military personnel who live and work in close quarters to receive the vaccine, it is also highly recommended for school-aged children.

    “Influenza is not the common cold. It can be a life-threatening disease that especially can put specific groups in jeopardy,” explained Frederick. “While certainly people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are at increased risk, those over 65, young children, and pregnant women would be at the top of my list.”

    For those who opt to receive their influenza vaccination elsewhere, there are a number of outlets in the surrounding community that accept TRICARE. NHB requests for those who do get their flu shot out in town – especially active duty, selected reserve, and healthcare workers – to provide documentation of receipt to their medical staff, provider, or directly to NHB Immunizations Clinic to update their medical record.

    As a contagious respiratory illness, the flu has varying degrees of symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms which can develop from one to four days after infection and include such signs as:

    • Fever or feeling feverish/chills.
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue (tiredness)
    • Sore throat
    • Runny or stuffy nose
    • Muscle pain or body aches
    • Headache
    • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though more common in children.

    There are [also] a number of daily measures which anyone can implement to help protect themselves during cold and flu season.

    According to the CDC, along with getting vaccinated, there are a few healthy habits to protect against flu,” said Lt. Anurag Sharma, NHB Preventive Medicine department head and environmental health officer. “Personal hygiene by routinely washing hands thoroughly and appropriately. Avoid close contact. Stay home when sick. Cover your mouth and nose if ill and when coughing or sneezing and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Active Citizens” have chosen the best city open-air swimming pools

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Active Citizen project has summed up voting results, in which Muscovites chose the best open-air swimming pools in the capital. Over 250 thousand people shared their opinions.

    All summer long, city residents could sunbathe and swim in the pools opened this year at 10 city and 12 festival sites of the Moscow Seasons. Voters chose up to five of their favorite recreation areas.

    According to the survey results, the best city venue was the open-air swimming pool in Sokolniki Park, where up to 130 guests could relax at a time, and lifeguards and doctors monitored safety. 18 percent of users voted for it. The second place was taken by the pool in Izmailovsky Park, which received 13 percent of the votes. It was rated by 63,498 city residents. In third place, with a minimal gap of 1,084 votes, was Beach No. 2 in the Serebryany Bor recreation area. 13 percent of “active citizens” (62,414 people) voted for it.

    The swimming pool in the Teply Stan district was recognized as the best at the Moscow Seasons venues. 49,743 people (11 percent) voted for it. A slightly smaller number of votes — 48,088 (11 percent) — were for the pool on Michurinsky Prospekt. Third place goes to the swimming pool in the Veshnyaki district, for which 41,246 users (nine percent) voted.

    All the areas were equipped with comfortable sun loungers and umbrellas, spacious changing rooms, showers and toilets. The water temperature was constantly maintained at around 30 degrees, and the pools were cleaned after each session. The areas were equipped with medical posts and rescue towers. Some were equipped with children’s pools and jacuzzis. The pools were open to visitors from morning until evening, and worked according to a schedule – in four shifts.

    The vote was prepared by the capital’s Department of Culture, Department of Trade and Services, Department of territorial executive authoritiesand the Active Citizen project.

    Its results can be found here on the website or in the Active Citizen mobile app.

    Project “Active Citizen” has been operating since 2014. During this time, over seven million people have joined it, taking part in more than 6.6 thousand votes. Every month, 30-40 decisions made by Muscovites are implemented in the city. The project is being developed by the capital Department of Information Technology and the State Institution “New Management Technologies”. The use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve the quality of life of city residents corresponds to the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” and the regional project of the capital “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found on a special page.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145278073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin made a decision on the integrated development of two sites in Shchukino

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Two non-residential development sites with an area of 1.15 hectares in northwest Moscow will be reorganized under the integrated territorial development program (ITD). In their place, public and business facilities will appear, including offices, shops, bank branches, cafes and restaurants. The corresponding decree was signed by Sergei Sobyanin.

    “Under the program for the integrated development of territories in the Shchukino district, we will build over 63 thousand square meters of real estate for public and business purposes, including offices, shops, bank branches, cafes and restaurants. The project will provide the city with about 1.8 thousand new jobs. We will also carry out work on landscaping the territory and developing the street and road network,” he wrote in

    on your telegram channel Mayor of Moscow.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin 

    The land plots are located in the Shchukino district at the following addresses: Volokolamskoe Shosse, Building 32, and Aviatsionnaya Street, Buildings 17–22.

    In Moscow, 96 projects for the integrated development of territories with a total area of over 1.1 thousand hectares have been approved and are being implemented. Over 23.6 million square meters of real estate will be built on the sites and about 247 thousand jobs will be created.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11901050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Daily Press Briefing – October 16, 2024 – 1:15 PM

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

    Spokesperson Matthew Miller leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on October 16, 2024

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

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

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at http://www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0khF_4eLisU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: Phunware Issues Letter to Stockholders and Announces Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Phunware Announces Next Generation AI-Driven SaaS Platform

    Targets expansion into the Global Mobile App Market expected to exceed $420 Billion by 2028

    AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN) (“Phunware” or the “Company“), a leader in cloud enterprise solutions for mobile applications and related technologies, today issued a letter to stockholders from Mike Snavely, the Chief Executive Officer of Phunware, providing an update on Phunware’s existing and new business units and performance and achievements during 2024. The letter provides insight into Phunware’s transition to a new generative AI-based software development platform and several other new business initiatives, and its avenues for continued growth and success in 2025.

    Dear Fellow Stockholders:

    A letter to Stockholders is often written after the end of the year to reflect on successes and challenges and to share insights for the road ahead. However, the past few years have been anything but a normal path for Phunware and as I reflect on my first year as CEO, I felt the time was right to update you on 2024 and to share our vision for 2025 and beyond.

    Our primary focus is to create value for our stockholders. One key measure of that is our market capitalization which has varied from $12M late last year to a high of about $120M in the first quarter, settling at about $55M as of the writing of this letter. It’s certain that some of our stockholders’ positions have benefited from this price volatility and some have not. We acknowledge this by saying that we have always acted, and will continue to act, in what we see as the best long-term interests of our stockholders.

    Often, volatility drives opportunity, and over the months we have used the trading volume and price volatility to raise capital to stabilize the balance sheet and to provide the capital required to think bigger.

    This letter explains what we intend to do with that capital. We couldn’t be more optimistic about our future, and I want to briefly share what we have been doing to strengthen our core business, enhance our operations and right-size our cost structure in service of our strategic vision. More importantly, I am excited to highlight new initiatives we are launching. I believe these steps will help the market at large see why we believe we are a great investment and that our best days are ahead of us.

    I’ll remind you of our recent performance: so far this year, we have lowered our cash burn by more than half and have increased sales by two orders of magnitude in the first half of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

      Six Months Ended  
        2024     2023   Change
    Bookings (contracts executed) $ 1,746   $ 168   939 %
    Revenue   1,932     2,640   -27 %
    Gross profit   994     610   63 %
    Net loss from:      
    Continuing operations   (4,923 )   (8,126 ) 39 %
    Discontinued operations     (2,667 ) 100 %
    Loss per share from:      
    Continuing operations   (0.65 )   (3.90 ) 83 %
    Discontinued operations     (1.28 ) 100 %
                 

    We believe our sales engine is just getting underway

    As we move toward the end of the year and into 2025, we continue to do the blocking and tackling to continue to sell and grow revenue. We have been able to recruit seasoned sales and marketing talent to help us get our message out to more customers and to win more deals. We are also announcing various initiatives to unlock additional markets and to position ourselves as the most advanced and highest potential company in mobile globally.

    Our Software Business continues to evolve to pick up new efficiencies and to unlock new markets

    Phunware is a market leader in providing enterprise cloud solutions for mobile applications. Our location-based services and patented wayfinding technology sets us apart from our competitors, providing real-time indoor navigation with unmatched precision and customization. Our technology for seamless transition from indoor wayfinding to outdoor location sharing and geofencing is best in class. Phunware is widely known for creating first rate custom mobile applications for large enterprise customers with complex needs to engage with their end users and to facilitate profitable engagements and experiences.

    Our software development platform for mobile applications is currently designed to create fully customizable apps and provide related services for larger enterprises. In the first half of 2024, we have seen dramatic growth (939% over the comparable period in 2023) in bookings. Our customers like what we do for them and notably we are getting terrific word of mouth references, accelerating our growth in major customers. Finally, we have added new features and functionalities to our existing products, including artificial intelligence features like an AI Personal Concierge for property guests and Intelligent Reporting for property owners.

    Leveraging the Power of Generative AI, our Platform Will Enable Rapid Development and Monetization of Custom Mobile App Solutions

    Today, we are announcing the development of a new generative AI-based platform designed to democratize access to world-class design, user experience and content creation so that businesses of any size can design, create, build, and deploy high-quality custom mobile applications in days or even hours. By leveraging generative AI, we believe that the new platform will simplify mobile app design and content creation and drastically reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming design and development investments.   

    This platform marks the next chapter in Phunware’s evolution, building on a decade and a half of providing custom mobile app solutions to several thousand U.S. and global customers, including some of the most recognized Fortune 100 & 500 brands.  

    The platform is designed to harness and integrate the power of generative AI to enable all businesses to quickly develop and monetize custom mobile app solutions, making them accessible to small and medium-sized businesses. We also expect to add new AI-related features and functionalities to all of Phunware’s mobile app offerings, reinforcing our position as a leader and innovator in the continually-growing mobile app market.  

    Phunware’s Competitive Advantages in a Multi-Billion Dollar Global Mobile App Market1
    Our planned incorporation of AI into our SaaS platform is driven by our view that consumer engagement with mobile-first solutions and artificial intelligence technology will continue to play a critical role across industries. Key competitive advantages of this platform will include:

    • AI-Driven Customization: Generative AI frameworks provide customizable templates for rapid mobile app creation, reducing development costs and accelerating time-to-market, and include important features and functionalities such as AI-powered personal concierge and contextual engagement.
    • End-to-End Modular Design: Our independent software modules, such as location-based services, digital advertising tools such as programmatic advertising and real-time data analytics support flexible audience building and engagement strategies. 
    • Advanced Location-Based Services (LBS): Our market leading indoor navigation and outdoor geofencing systems continue to offer even more precise geopositioning and collection of user data using a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, BLE, and sensor data for customized on-venue user engagement in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, retail, residential, sports and convention centers, gaming facilities and other verticals involving large real properties or portfolios of properties. 
    • Data Analytics: Our enhanced review and analysis of data of mobile app usage and user behaviors support assessment of intent and other metrics to drive user engagement, conversion and retention. 
    • Multi-Industry Capability: Our platform is designed to provide low- or no-code custom mobile apps across a range of sectors, from hospitality and healthcare to other verticals such as advocacy, retail and ecommerce in the U.S. and other leading economies including China, Brazil and India. 

    The adoption of our generative AI-powered SaaS platform is expected to benefit our existing customers and all industry verticals and create meaningful opportunities for accessing new markets. Our platform is designed to automate the development intake process, reduce development costs and time-to-market, and enable innovation and user engagement through AI. We are leading the way to make AI-powered mobile applications accessible to enterprise and small and medium business customers alike. 

    We expect our new AI-powered SaaS platform will launch mid-2025. We also expect to further integrate AI and machine learning capabilities into our new platform in 2025. We intend to integrate AI-driven predictive analytics into the platform by Q3 2025, providing businesses with advanced tools for analyzing customer data to predict future behaviors. We also expect the new platform to offer seamless integrations of its mobile apps with additional cloud service providers, ensuring modern scalability, flexibility, efficiency and security for businesses of all sizes.  

    Digital Advertising Business

    We also have a growing business in providing digital advertising campaigns for a range of customers.  We work with agencies and directly with our own customers, from public companies to non-profit organizations to governmental entities. We place general awareness, performance-based and retargeting advertising campaigns for our customers, enabling them to successfully reach their audiences and achieve their marketing objectives. We have provided digital advertising and related placements to hundreds of customer campaigns in 2024 to date and continue to see strong demand for these services.

    We plan to expand our digital advertising platform in several additional ways. We intend to relaunch our programmatic advertising capabilities into our core mobile platform. This will enable us to help our customers conduct more efficient, scalable digital advertising campaigns through our platform and through partnerships or alliances with one or more third-party programmatic advertising platforms. The integrated solution will be designed to utilize generative AI to help our customers personalize their digital advertising campaigns to individual users based on behavior, preferences and demographics to enhance user engagement and increase conversions. Finally, we intend to serve a global audience with these capabilities, tied to our mobile application portfolio growth.

    Voter / Advocacy Engagement Business

    We are also planning to invest in the application of our AI-powered platform to advocacy and voter engagement. You will recall that we developed and implemented the Donald J. Trump 2020 Presidential Campaign app, a highly regarded and well received voter / advocacy engagement app.

    We think this was just the tip of the iceberg. Every election cycle, candidates set new records in spending and we believe that our AI-powered platform can help make that spend more impactful. Further, we believe that it is more important than ever for Phunware to help political candidates and voters connect, engage and participate in the voting process, and for individuals and organizations to become knowledgeable about, educate others about, and advocate for events, causes and issues that are important to them. Our platform can help them do just that.

    We plan to continue to use our AI-powered platform to develop custom mobile apps for election campaigns, political action committees, and other organizations to identify, engage and turn out voters. Our mobile advertising solutions will be a part of driving voter engagement as well.   We may invest in and partner with other technology providers and organizations that use mobile technologies to drive voter and advocacy engagement. We will likely pursue these opportunities both in the U.S. and with strategic partners and alliances globally.

    Financial Strength

    Our spend has been adjusted to fit the size of our business today and to focus investment on the future. We believe that sober execution against our business plan is the right way to deliver long-term stockholder value and we are focused on the careful stewardship of the company to bring our vision to life.

    1. We have zero debt and believe we have adequate access to the necessary resources to support our investments and sustain our business as we invest in the evolution and growth of our company
    2. We have seen dramatic improvement to our year-to-date software and advertising business bookings which we believe demonstrates a growing demand for our software and advertising offerings
    3. We are judiciously investing in sales, engineering, AI, marketing and business development to fulfill our vision for the company’s future

    We have not said much in the markets recently. In retrospect, we’ve probably said too little. Moving ahead, we intend to continue to provide our stockholders with additional updates on our businesses and products from time to time. Our focus will remain on platform launch, product roadmaps and timelines; innovation; operational efficiency; building thought leadership; and inorganic growth, including tactical and strategic acquisitions, investments, partnerships and alliances. And we will endeavor to keep stockholders advised of significant occurrences every step of the way.

    I’ll end where I started…I believe Phunware’s best days are ahead. We look forward to continuing to create and enhance value for our stockholders, customers, employees and the consumers who use our products.

    Thank you for your ongoing support.

    Mike Snavely

    Chief Executive Officer

    About Phunware  

    Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN) is an enterprise software company specializing in mobile app solutions. We provide businesses with the tools to create, implement and manage custom mobile applications and analytics, digital advertising and location-based services. Phunware is transforming mobile engagement by delivering scalable and personalized mobile app experiences.  

    Phunware’s mission is to achieve unparalleled connectivity and monetization through widespread adoption of Phunware mobile technologies, by leveraging brands, consumers, partners and digital asset holders and market participants. Phunware is poised to expand its software products and services audience and industry verticals through its new platform, utilize and monetize its patents and other intellectual property rights and interests, and update and reintroduce its digital asset ecosystem for existing holders and new market participants.  

    For more information, please visit https://www.ai.phunware.com or contact:   

    MZ Group, North America 
    Joe McGurk, Managing Director
    917-259-6895 
    PHUN@mzgroup.us 

    Phunware Investor Relations:  

    CORE IR 
    516-222-2560 
    investorrelations@phunware.com 

    Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements  

    This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “expose,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. For example, Phunware is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the proposed offering and the timing and terms of such offering and its intended use of proceeds from such offering should it occur.  

    The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC, including our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. These risks and others described under “Risk Factors” in our SEC filings may not be exhaustive.  

    By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if our results or operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. 

    ___________________________

    1 Grand View Research, Inc. Mobile Application Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis, July 2024: market size is projected to reach approximately $322 billion in 2026, $367 billion in 2027, and $421 billion in 2028.   

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Elevating Fulfillment Efficiency Across Your Entire Operation with the Berkshire Grey V3 Put Wall

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEDFORD, Mass., Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Berkshire Grey Inc., a leader in AI-powered robotic solutions for automating supply chain operations, announces the release of the V3 Put Wall, the latest iteration of its globally deployed solution. Designed to automate eCommerce order consolidation and returns processing, the V3 Put Wall provides a modern, integrated alternative to manual put walls and traditional linear sorters.

    More than just a point solution for sortation, the V3 Put Wall is a critical enabler of amplified efficiency in automated fulfillment systems. By seamlessly integrating with key technologies such as ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems), the V3 Put Wall enhances overall warehouse operations, empowering businesses to manage complex orders, scale rapidly, and process a broader range of SKUs. Its compact footprint maximizes throughput while complementing existing automation infrastructures, offering the flexibility to fit into any environment.

    “The V3 Put Wall is a breakthrough in warehouse automation,” said Paul Ambruso, VP Product, at Berkshire Grey. “When paired with ASRS and other complementary systems, it acts as a force multiplier, boosting the value of existing automation investments.”

    Key Features of the V3 Put Wall Include:

    • Complete SKU and Order Handling: Optimized to handle a wide range of SKUs—including small, oversized, irregular, and hard-to-handle items—minimizing the need for manual exception handling and processing even the most complex orders efficiently.
    • Compact and Customizable Design: Requiring just 540 sq ft, the V3 Put Wall easily fits into existing facilities, whether installed on the floor or mezzanines. It offers end or middle induction options, along with modular shelves or totes that can be reconfigured as business needs evolve.
    • Faster Return on Investment (ROI): V3 offers the best performance-to-cost ratio, with typical customer paybacks under 1 year.
    • Orchestration and Integration: Advanced software amplifies order processing by dynamically adjusting sort locations and integrating seamlessly with upstream automation systems like ASRS. This reduces manual labor, improves fulfillment efficiency, and ensures high throughput, even during peak times.
    • High Throughput and Scalable Destination Capacity: Expandable to over 10,000 units per hour (UPH) and thousands of destinations, the V3 Put Wall significantly enhances order processing speed and accuracy.

    “The V3 Put Wall is the complete solution for businesses seeking to transform their fulfillment operations,” said Paul. “By acting as a critical link in the automation chain, it amplifies the value of ASRS and other systems, enabling businesses to service more orders simultaneously and with greater accuracy. This means quicker order fulfillment, lower labor costs, and seamless integration into existing operations—delivering unmatched value.”

    Ideal for industries such as retail, eCommerce, 3PL, and omnichannel distribution, the V3 Put Wall offers scalable, efficient solutions for managing high order volumes. Set for deployment in 2025, the V3 Put Wall provides customizable sortation capabilities, delivering industry-leading efficiency and maximizing the performance of a fully automated fulfillment ecosystem.

    For more information about the V3 Put Wall and Berkshire Grey’s full portfolio of robotic automation solutions, visit http://www.berkshiregrey.com.

    About Berkshire Grey

    Berkshire Grey Inc. helps customers radically change the essential way they do business by delivering game-changing technology that combines AI and robotics to automate fulfillment, supply chain, and logistics operations. Berkshire Grey solutions are a fundamental engine of change that transforms pick, pack, place, and sort operations to deliver competitive advantage for enterprises serving today’s connected consumers. Berkshire Grey customers include Global 100 retailers and logistics service providers. More information is available at http://www.berkshiregrey.com.

    Media Contact:

    Cailin Radcliffe
    Berkshire Grey Inc.
    press@berkshiregrey.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Enphase Energy Launches IQ8X Microinverters in the Netherlands and Austria, and IQ8 Series in Malta and New Caledonia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company and the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, today announced that it has started shipping IQ8™ Microinverters to support newer, high-powered solar panels in select countries and territories, including the Netherlands, Austria, Malta, and New Caledonia. Enphase is entering the solar markets for Malta and New Caledonia for the first time with this launch.

    In Malta, Enphase introduced three microinverters – IQ8MC™, IQ8AC™, and IQ8HC™ – featuring a peak output power of 330 W, 366 W, and 384 W, respectively. In New Caledonia, Enphase introduced the IQ8AC and IQ8HC Microinverters. The new microinverters seamlessly pair with a full range of solar modules up to 560 W DC. IQ8 Microinverters activated in Malta and New Caledonia come with a 25-year warranty from Enphase.

    “New Caledonia’s climate and unique geography makes system reliability and production crucial,” said Damien Keyser, director at Green Energy NC, an installer of Enphase products in New Caledonia. “IQ8 Microinverters have exceeded our expectations in this regard. Their robust performance, coupled with Enphase’s industry-leading warranty, gives our clients confidence their investment is protected for the long haul.”

    “Enphase IQ8 Microinverters maximize quality, reliability, and performance,” said Ing. Mario Cachia, CEO and director of business at Alternative Technologies Ltd., an installer of Enphase products in Malta. “Their seamless integration and module-level monitoring allow our clients to manage self-consumption and navigate peak pricing. In our dynamic energy market, this smart technology is a game-changer.”

    IQ8X™ Microinverters are also available now for customers in the Netherlands and Austria and feature a peak output AC power of 384 W, designed to support higher powered solar modules up to 560 W DC. The microinverters are compatible with modules with higher cell counts, such as 96-cells and 88 or 80 half-cut cells.

    “Enphase IQ8 Microinverters have transformed our approach to solar installations,” said Tim Montfrooij, project manager at Koller Hattem BV, an installer of Enphase products in the Netherlands. “The ease of installation coupled with the ability to support a wide range of module wattages gives us the flexibility to design efficient, optimized systems tailored to our clients’ needs.”

    “Enphase is setting a new industry standard with its ongoing innovation and commitment to quality,” said Florian Morche, technical manager at Energieversorgung Kleinwalsertal GesmbH, an installer of Enphase products in Austria. “The superior performance and reliability of IQ8 Microinverters mean that our customers can enjoy peace of mind knowing their solar systems will perform optimally for years to come.”

    “IQ8 Microinverters are transforming residential solar with a reputation for top-tier adaptability and performance,” said Sabbas Daniel, senior vice president of sales at Enphase Energy. “We are empowering installers with technology to help simplify installations and maximize energy production for homeowners. This expansion reinforces our commitment to driving innovation in diverse markets worldwide.”

    For more information about IQ8 Microinverters, please visit the Enphase websites for Malta and New Caledonia. Learn more about the IQ8X Microinverters on the websites for the Netherlands and Austria. 

    About Enphase Energy, Inc.

    Enphase Energy, a global energy technology company based in Fremont, CA, is the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems that enable people to harness the sun to make, use, save, and sell their own power—and control it all with a smart mobile app. The company revolutionized the solar industry with its microinverter-based technology and builds all-in-one solar, battery, and software solutions. Enphase has shipped approximately 76.3 million microinverters, and over 4.3 million Enphase-based systems have been deployed in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit https://enphase.com/.

    ©2024 Enphase Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. Enphase Energy, Enphase, the “e” logo, IQ, and certain other marks listed at https://enphase.com/trademark-usage-guidelines are trademarks or service marks of Enphase Energy, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Other names are for informational purposes and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements related to the expected capabilities and performance of Enphase Energy’s technology and products, including safety, quality, and reliability; the ability to seamlessly pair with a full range of solar modules up to 560 W DC; the availability and market adoption of Enphase’s products in select markets; and plans on entering new markets. These forward-looking statements are based on Enphase Energy’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties including those risks described in more detail in Enphase Energy’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other documents filed by Enphase Energy from time to time with the SEC. Enphase Energy undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.

    Contact:

    Enphase Energy

    press@enphaseenergy.com

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: As Occupational Safety Concerns Grow, Ironwall by Incogni Offers Free Privacy Risk Assessment to Anyone in Public-facing, At-risk Professions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ORANGE, Calif., Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As privacy and safety become more pervasive issues—particularly for those in public-facing, at-risk professions—Ironwall by Incogni is stepping up to help combat the potential dangers brought about by easy access to online data. Through a complimentary risk assessment offer, the company aims to inform individuals such as judges, police officers, social workers, and election workers about the potential exposure of their personally identifiable information (PII) and the risks it poses to their safety.

    “There are more than 4,000 data brokers collecting, sharing, and selling personally identifiable information about all of us all the time,” said Ron Zayas, CEO of Ironwall by Incogni. “Most people have a sense there is information available about them on the internet. But until they see how vast that volume of information is and how many ways it can be exploited, they will not fully understand the risk to themselves, their families, and their workplaces.”

    To address these concerns, Ironwall has created a personalized risk assessment to help professionals gain specific insight into not just which websites are sharing and selling their PII, but also how this content can be used to uncover more sensitive information—such as an individual’s habits, relationships, politics, and affiliations—and how that knowledge can potentially be weaponized.

    “For those in high-risk professions, just one malicious individual finding your home address online can lead to harassment, threats, or worse,” added Zayas. “With one easy-to-read risk assessment, it is our hope that anyone who sees their vulnerability will take action to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”

    Ironwall by Incogni’s Suite of Services
    Ironwall by Incogni’s comprehensive privacy services go beyond data broker removal. The company performs a thorough search for PII across search engines, social media platforms, and people-finder sites. It also offers emergency protection for active threats, and preventive solutions that mask online activity by replacing authentic PII with content that cannot be traced back to its source.

    For a complimentary risk assessment and to learn more about how to protect your privacy, visit Ironwall Risk Assessment.

    Images to accompany this release can be found here.

    About Ironwall by Incogni
    Ironwall by Incogni strongly supports the idea of a safe and private internet. As a legally contracted agent, Ironwall works with superior courts, social work departments, and law enforcement agencies to search and remove personal information from websites in violation of state and federal privacy restrictions. Ironwall is a member of the Surfshark and NordSec family of companies. For more information, visit https://ironwall360.com/.

    Editorial Contact:
    David Hofstede
    844-476-6360 x600
    david.hofstede@360civic.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCS briefs civil servants on Policy Address initiatives (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SCS briefs civil servants on Policy Address initiatives (with photo)
    SCS briefs civil servants on Policy Address initiatives (with photo)
    ********************************************************************

         After the announcement of “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, wrote to civil service colleagues this afternoon (October 16) and met with representatives from the four civil service central consultative councils and the four major service-wide staff unions to brief them on policy initiatives relating to civil service matters in the Policy Address.      Mrs Yeung’s letter to civil service colleagues, entitled “Enhance Governance Capabilities and Continue to Strengthen Management”, outlined the policy initiatives including the strengthening of civil service management and promotion of digitalisation.      She said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is making all-out, concerted efforts to build a vibrant economy, seek development opportunities and improve people’s livelihood. Civil servants must continue to serve the public proactively and render full support to the Chief Executive in his administration of Hong Kong, and do so with loyalty, dedication and a spirit of embracing challenges, reforms and innovation. This will elevate Hong Kong to new heights and build a better home for people.”      Mrs Yeung added, “To move forward, we need a high-quality and efficient government team. For this reason, I had a meeting with civil service unions after the delivery of the Policy Address, so that the unions and civil servants would have a clear understanding and appreciation of the Government’s governing tenets and measures. This would enable them to render better support to the Chief Executive in his administration of Hong Kong and  become a solid supporting force for Hong Kong’s advancement.”

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024Issued at HKT 19:50

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres and detects one case involving illicit cigarette distribution vehicle (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres and detects one case involving illicit cigarette distribution vehicle (with photos)
    Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres and detects one case involving illicit cigarette distribution vehicle (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         Hong Kong Customs today (October 16) conducted anti-illicit cigarette operations in Hung Hom, Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin, shutting down two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres and detecting a case involving an illicit cigarette distribution vehicle. A total of about 183 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of about $820,000 and a duty potential of about $600,000, were seized. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.     In the first case, Customs officers raided a residential unit on Wu Kwong Street, Hung Hom, this afternoon and seized about 120 000 suspected illicit cigarettes therein. A 50-year-old woman who claimed to be unemployed was arrested.     In the second case, Customs seized about 54 000 suspected illicit cigarettes from a residential unit on Hong Ning Road, Kwun Tong, this afternoon. A 47-year-old woman who claimed to be a construction worker was arrested.     In the third case, Customs officers intercepted a private car on the roadside in Choi Wan Estate, Wong Tai Sin, this evening. Upon inspection, about 9 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized inside the vehicle and a man, aged 30 and claiming to be a worker, was arrested.      Investigations of the three cases are ongoing.     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.     Customs reminds members of the public that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 1820 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024Issued at HKT 19:50

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: 2024 US Open generates estimated $118.23 million in sponsorship revenue, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    2024 US Open generates estimated $118.23 million in sponsorship revenue, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Sport

    With a sponsorship deal worth $22 million, JP Morgan’s Chase Bank marked the 43rd anniversary of its partnership the US Open Tennis Championships for the 2024 edition and eight years as presenting sponsor of the Men’s Singles Championships. The partnership is also the largest sponsorship deal in terms of annual value for this year’s tournament.   Emirates Airline’s deal was the second largest, with the partnership dating back to 2012. Overall, the 2204 US Open edition generated an estimated $118.23 million in sponsorship revenue, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’ s latest report, “Post Event Analysis – US Open Tennis Championships 2024,” reveals that there were 30 broadcasters which agreed media rights deals for the 2024 edition of the tournament. In terms of media revenue, the 2024 US Open Championships was reported to generate $75 million annually from the tournaments domestic broadcast deal with ESPN.  

    Olivia Snooks, Sport Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The US Open Tennis Championships has accumulated long-term and high-value partnerships with some of their sponsors, two of these being JP Morgan’s Chase Bank and Emirates Airline. Particularly, Chase Bank’s long association with the tournament shows a great commitment between the two, while also showing the expected commercial value the US Open can generate for sponsors.”

    The winners of the 2024 US Open took home large paychecks, which were distributed from a record purse of $75 million for the final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the season. Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula in the US Open women’s final on 7 September, taking home $3.6 million in prize money. The men’s singles winner Jannik Sinner took home the same amount.

    Snooks continues: “The total prize money for the 2024 US Open was 15% bigger than it was in 2023. More notably, the US Open Singles winners earned $200,000 more than the Wimbledon Championships this year, who each took home just over $3.4 million.”

    During the three weeks of the tournament that started with one week of qualifying, 1,048,669 fans came through the gates of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. The attendance for the two weeks of the main draw saw a record high attendance of 832,640, according to the United States Tennis Association. The cheapest ticket for the final day of the US Open was around $315 for a ground pass, and stadium passes for the men’s final were starting at around $450.

    Snooks concludes: “The 2024 edition of the tournament was the first to feature a seven-day US Open fan week, which was attended by over 219,000 fans. Understandably, ticket prices fluctuated and became more expensive closer to the date. For example, as the semi-finals approached, the prices for the all-American semi-final were soaring, with prices as high as $56,000 for a seat courtside.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI: DocNetwork Releases Behavioral Health Module for CampDoc and SchoolDoc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DocNetwork announced the expansion of the Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH) features within its CampDoc and SchoolDoc platforms. This strategic enhancement addresses the growing need to support campers and students experiencing behavioral health issues while away from home.

    As mental health concerns among youth continue to rise, camps and schools need effective tools to manage and support the well-being of their participants. Traditional camp management software and student information systems do not currently support the behavioral health needs of camps and schools.

    Recognizing this critical need, DocNetwork has amplified its commitment to mental health by integrating comprehensive MESH features that enable youth-serving organizations to better monitor, document, and respond to behavioral health challenges.

    “With the release of our Behavioral Health module, we are empowering camps and schools to provide holistic care that addresses the mental, emotional, and social needs of their campers and students,” said Dr. Michael Ambrose, Founder and CEO of DocNetwork. “By equipping camps and schools with the tools to document and assess these critical aspects of mental health, we are empowering organizations to provide the care that families expect and kids deserve.”

    Key enhancements to the CampDoc and SchoolDoc platforms include:

    • Expanded Reporting: Organizations can now record mood, affect, and cognitive functioning for campers, students, and staff, providing valuable insights into a participant’s mental, emotional and social health.
    • Comprehensive Risk Assessments: CampDoc and SchoolDoc now include dedicated tools for conducting critical risk assessments, enabling timely identification of potential risks and allowing for prompt intervention and support.
      • Suicidal Risk
      • Homicidal Risk
      • Self-Injurious Behavior
      • Abuse/Neglect
      • Bullying
    • Enhanced Privacy: With a strong commitment to privacy, DocNetwork employs role-based permissions to ensure that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized personnel who need to know, safeguarding confidentiality while facilitating effective care.

    The expansion of behavioral health functionality is a direct response to feedback from camps and schools seeking robust solutions to manage the complexities of the mental health care they provide. Organizations utilizing CampDoc and SchoolDoc will have immediate access to this new feature at no additional cost. Interested camps and schools should visit http://www.campdoc.com or http://www.schooldoc.com for more information.

    About DocNetwork
    CampDoc and SchoolDoc offer the most comprehensive Electronic Health Record (EHR) solution to help ensure the health and safety of children while they are away from home. DocNetwork is trusted by over 1,250 programs across all 50 states and internationally, including traditional day and residential camps, YMCAs, JCCs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, parks and recreation facilities, colleges and universities, and K-12 public, private, and charter schools. For more information about DocNetwork and web-based health management, please visit http://www.campdoc.com, http://www.schooldoc.com, or call 734-619-8300.

    Contact:
    Michael Ambrose, M.D.
    DocNetwork
    734-619-8300
    michael@docnetwork.org

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Black Myth: Wukong – how China’s gaming revolution is fueling its tech power

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Shaoyu Yuan, Dean’s Fellow at the Division of Global Affairs, Rutgers University – Newark

    Black Myth: Wukong has enthralled gamers around the world with its rich visuals and vigorous fight sequences. Courtesy Game Science

    It may sound far-fetched, but the future of global technology supremacy could hinge on a video game.

    Black Myth: Wukong, China’s latest blockbuster, isn’t just breaking gaming records – it could be driving a critical shift in the global balance of technological power. What seems like just another action-packed video game is, in reality, a vital component in Beijing’s larger strategy to challenge Western dominance in the tech industry.

    The game, released by Chinese company Game Science on Aug. 19, 2024, is based on the legendary 16th century Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” The novel tells the story of a monk, Xuanzang, who journeys to India in search of Buddhist scrolls. The monkey Sun Wukong protects the monk by confronting and battling various demons and spirits.

    Black Myth: Wukong has captivated millions with its stunning visuals and storytelling. It quickly became a cultural sensation in China and abroad, attracting widespread attention and praise for its graphic fidelity and technological sophistication.

    As global affairs scholars, we see that the game’s success goes beyond the number of downloads or accolades. It’s what this success is driving within China’s technology sector that has far-reaching consequences.

    Video games and global power

    For years, China has been playing catch-up in the tech race, particularly in the production of semiconductors – the tiny microchips that power everything from smartphones to advanced artificial intelligence systems. The United States has maintained its dominance in this field by limiting China’s access to the most advanced chip-making technology.

    As of 2024, China has shifted away from its aggressive “wolf warrior” diplomacy to a more cooperative approach in order to rebuild international ties. The government has also issued mandates for companies like Huawei to develop domestic chips. However, China’s success in boosting semiconductor development and production using these approaches has been limited.

    Historically, video games have played a significant role in driving technological innovation in the semiconductor industry. From the early days of the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System to the modern PlayStation 5, gaming has always pushed chipmakers to develop faster, more efficient processors and graphics processing units, or GPUs. The intense graphical requirements of modern games – high resolutions, faster frame rates and real-time rendering – demand the most advanced semiconductor technology. The development of advanced GPUs by companies like NVIDIA was directly influenced by the gaming industry’s needs.

    Gamers require advanced processors to enjoy Black Myth: Wukong’s high-end visual and gameplay experience. Built using the state-of-the-art Unreal Engine 5 video game development tool, the game is a visual spectacle featuring lifelike graphics, seamless open-world environments and complex combat systems. The game is available for PlayStation 5 and PCs, and Game Science plans to release an Xbox version.

    Black Myth: Wukong features rich visuals and intricate gameplay.
    Courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC

    As Black Myth: Wukong sweeps across gaming platforms, it not only puts pressure on China’s semiconductor makers to build more and better chips, but it also reveals the vast market potential for high-performance hardware, especially for gaming PCs equipped with powerful GPUs. The game’s success showcases just how big the demand is.

    Market analysts expect the Chinese video game industry to reach revenues of US$66.13 billion in 2024, compared with $78.01 billion in the U.S. Analysts predict the game will have annual sales of 30 million to 40 million copies in 2024.

    China’s gaming industry has surged into a global powerhouse, yet it remains dependent on foreign-made chips. Coupled with the West’s restrictions on chip exports, Wukong has become a key catalyst for China’s semiconductor development, and domestic companies now face growing pressure to innovate.

    This pressure aligns with Beijing’s broader technological ambitions. The government’s “Made in China 2025” plan calls for technological self-reliance, particularly in sectors like semiconductors, where China lags behind. And advanced GPUs haven’t been confined to the entertainment industry. They have become integral to advances in AI, including deep learning and autonomous systems.

    Flexing China’s cultural muscle

    While it might seem strange to link video games with geopolitics, Black Myth: Wukong is more than just entertainment. It’s a tool in China’s soft power arsenal. Soft power is nations influencing each other through cultural exports. For decades, the West, particularly the U.S., dominated global culture through Hollywood, music and video games.

    Now, China is flexing its cultural muscle. The success of Black Myth: Wukong abroad, where it has been hailed as a game-changing title, is part of Beijing’s strategy to export its culture and technological prowess. Millions of gamers around the world are now being exposed to Chinese mythology, art and storytelling through a highly sophisticated digital medium.

    ‘China Stay Winning’ American YouTubers react enthusiastically to Black Myth: Wukong. (Audio NSFW)

    But Black Myth: Wukong isn’t just a cultural triumph for China; it’s a warning shot. The country is taking advantage of its booming gaming industry to drive advances in a field that will define the future of technology. This game not only exports Chinese culture but also strengthens its tech base by accelerating the demand for domestic semiconductors.

    While Black Myth: Wukong entertains millions, it also shows China’s growing influence in the digital realm. In the future, we might not look back at Black Myth: Wukong as just a successful video game, but as a catalyst that helped China close the technological gap with the West. Beijing is playing a long game, and video games like Black Myth: Wukong are turning out to be effective weapons.

    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. Black Myth: Wukong – how China’s gaming revolution is fueling its tech power – https://theconversation.com/black-myth-wukong-how-chinas-gaming-revolution-is-fueling-its-tech-power-239998

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Bouncing between war-torn countries: Displacement in Lebanon and Syria highlights cyclical nature of cross-border refuge

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jasmin Lilian Diab, Assistant Professor of Migration Studies; Director of the Institute for Migration Studies, Lebanese American University

    Displaced people crossing a hole on the road caused by an Israeli airstrike near the Masnaa crossing. Bilal Jawich/Xinhua via Getty Images

    The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah since September 2024, and Israel’s bombing of civilian areas across Lebanon, have unleashed a profound humanitarian disaster.

    The mass displacement of over 1 million people, including Lebanese citizens, migrant workers and Syrian and Palestinian refugees, has created a crisis within Lebanon. Yet an equally significant phenomenon is occurring away from Lebanon’s southern border with Israel: the movement of people who have been displaced within Lebanon into Syria.

    An estimated 400,000 Lebanese and Syrians have reportedly fled into Syria through overcrowded border crossings.

    Not to be confused with return, this movement represents a reversal of the refugee flow that followed the descent of Syria into civil war in 2011. It is also emblematic of a broader pattern of cyclical displacement crises in the region.

    The complex and intertwined histories of Lebanon and Syria – where each has at various points been a refuge for citizens of the other – challenge the simple binaries often associated with the refugee experience.

    The exchange of roles between Lebanon and Syria highlights not only the fragility of regional stability but the fluidity of displacement – and the deeper implications that cross-border movement has on the sociopolitical dynamics of both countries.

    A history of reciprocal refuge

    The relationship between Lebanon and Syria has long been complex, oscillating between cooperation and tension. Despite Syria’s official withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005 after decades as an occupying force, the two countries remain connected due to shared borders, economic ties and security concerns. Cooperation exists in areas such as trade, but there is significant tension, especially over the presence of over 1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

    Yet, throughout their modern histories, one of the most enduring bonds has been the shared experiences of displacement and refuge, dating back to Lebanon’s civil war. From 1975 to 1990, thousands of Lebanese fled to Syria to escape the sectarian-driven conflict that engulfed their homeland.

    The post-war period, however, was marked by a shift in the dynamics between the two countries. The 2005 withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon marked a new chapter in their relations.

    Tensions rose as Lebanon sought to rebuild and assert its sovereignty after nearly 30 years of Syrian occupation. Yet, the region’s tendency for upheaval soon saw the roles reversed again decades later, when an estimated 180,000 Lebanese took refuge in Syria during the 2006 July war.

    With the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, it was Lebanon’s turn to serve as a refuge. By 2015, 1 million Syrians fleeing violence made the journey into Lebanon.

    Despite being one of the 44 countries never to have signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, Lebanon is the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita globally.

    Because Lebanon didn’t sign the convention, it doesn’t formally recognize refugee status, which gives the country what it views as more control over its refugee policies. While Lebanon receives humanitarian support from the United Nations’ refugee agency, refugees remain in a precarious legal status, with limited rights.

    For many Lebanese, this most recent influx of fleeing Syrian refugees has rekindled memories of their own displacement, while for others, it has fueled anti-refugee sentiments.

    Bouncing between 2 war-torn countries

    With the latest escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, history is again repeating itself. Lebanese citizens, primarily from Hezbollah strongholds in South Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, are seeking refuge in Syria, a country still grappling with its own economic collapse, violence and internal strife.

    While the conflict on Lebanese territory has gone on for more than a year, movements into Syria only picked up in late September 2024 as people have become more desperate to flee.

    As one displaced person forced to flee from Beirut explained to me: “Syria was certainly not a ‘better’ option than Lebanon six months ago, but in the last week, since the attacks on Beirut and political assassinations, Syria is safer – despite everything it is going through. That’s how unsafe we feel in Beirut – we are bouncing between one war-torn country and another.”

    Implications for refugee-host dynamics

    The cyclical nature of displacement between Lebanon and Syria overturns the prevailing political narrative of host-refugee dynamics being fixed and unidirectional.

    Syrian displacement to Lebanon has been portrayed by some Lebanese politicians as one-directional. This appears to be in order to frame Syrian refugees as the sole recipients of aid – as opposed to Lebanese citizens – as well as burdens on Lebanon.

    When displacement occurs in both directions, however, this narrative begins to break down.

    Syrian refugees who once sought safety in Lebanon now see their home country as a safer haven – albeit a fragile and temporary one. Meanwhile, Lebanese citizens face the same kinds of vulnerability and desperation that their Syrian counterparts experienced over the past decade.

    Importantly, testimonies from those who are making the trip from their ‘temporary’ home in Lebanon back to Syria highlight that these movements should not be mistaken for return. Rather, they are in themselves a temporary solution.

    As one Syrian who had fled his Lebanese home explained to me: “No, I am not returning. I am rather leaving one foot in Lebanon and one in Syria. Syria is in no way a safe place. As men, we are at risk of arrest and forced conscription. However, Lebanon is momentarily, at this point in history, much less safe. We do this assessment week by week. I sent my wife and my children first. I will follow.”

    For their part, internally displaced Lebanese entering into Syria insist that these movements are “absolutely temporary.” One told me: “Syria is not foreign to us. It feels close and familiar. But most importantly, it feels temporary and is the right proximity to Lebanon. As soon as things calm down we will come back to our homes. Many of us have nothing to go back to, but even in this case, we will not remain in Syria.”

    The strain of displacement

    Both Lebanon and Syria are, in many ways, ill-equipped to handle the new wave of displacement.

    Syrian children at a refugee camp in Lebanon’s frontier town of Arsal on Feb. 18, 2014.
    Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

    By 2023, Lebanon’s economic collapse had driven 80% of its population into poverty, making it nearly impossible to absorb the additional strain of mass internal displacement.

    Government paralysis, compounded by political deadlock, leaves internally displaced people with little to no state support, mostly relying on aid and community networks to survive.

    Syria, though in the position of “host” in this current migratory flow, is similarly constrained. The country’s infrastructure remains devastated from more than a decade of civil war. Basic services are stretched thin, and the economy has not recovered. Humanitarian organizations coordinating the response are working amid overextended resources and dwindling support.

    A region in perpetual chaos

    As the armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, the displacement crisis in Lebanon and Syria will, I fear, likely worsen.

    The recent wave of Syrian refugees and Lebanese into Syria reveals the cyclical nature of refuge in the region. Ultimately, the ongoing displacement crisis in Lebanon and Syria serves as a reminder that refuge is often temporary, contingent on the shifting geopolitics of the region.

    The histories of these two countries, where both have served as havens for the other’s displaced populations, underscore the complexity of displacement in the Middle East.

    The fact that Lebanese citizens are now seeking shelter in Syria, a country from which over 1 million refugees fled just over a decade ago, underscores the volatility of regional displacement patterns. It also raises critical questions about the sustainability of international refugee systems that too often rely on static, one-directional models of migration and don’t account for the fluid and often reversible nature of displacement.

    Jasmin Lilian Diab 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. Bouncing between war-torn countries: Displacement in Lebanon and Syria highlights cyclical nature of cross-border refuge – https://theconversation.com/bouncing-between-war-torn-countries-displacement-in-lebanon-and-syria-highlights-cyclical-nature-of-cross-border-refuge-241168

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Overseas US voters get ignored by political campaigns − but could be crucial supporters

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels, Honorary Reader in MIgration and Politics, University of Kent

    Election workers prepare to mail absentee ballots to Americans, including those living overseas. Allison Joyce/Getty Images

    One group of American voters is being largely ignored in the closely watched polling leading up to the Nov. 5 elections: U.S. citizens living abroad, whether as civilians or as members of the military. We know from governmental data that the number of ballots cast by overseas Americans has been greater than the margin of victory in races in the past – and may be again in 2024.

    But that one potentially crucial group of American voters – U.S. citizens living abroad – does not get much attention, from pollsters or campaigns.

    We are scholars of political science whose research shows that overseas voters can make a difference in elections – and that there is potential for campaigns to mobilize these voters, despite a more complex process of voting than for domestic voters.

    Who are overseas Americans?

    Though there is not an exact count of American citizens living abroad, we do know they number in the millions. Estimates from the Federal Voter Assistance Program and the Association of Americans Resident Overseas placed this number between 4.4 million and 5.3 million in 2023.

    But those are likely undercounts. It’s almost impossible to account fully for dual citizens, naturalized U.S. citizens who have returned to the country of their birth or people who split their time between the U.S. and other countries.

    Research that we and others have conducted indicates that Mexico and Canada are home to the largest numbers of Americans outside the U.S., followed by the U.K., France, Israel and Germany. The three most common reasons Americans move abroad are family connections, employment and quality of life, although there are others.

    Overseas Americans tend to be highly educated: More than three-quarters have a college degree, double the percentage within the U.S. Most overseas Americans do not move from country to country but rather stay in one country, often for a decade or more. But our surveys have found they remain interested in U.S. politics – not least because they pay U.S. income taxes, whether they work for a U.S. or foreign employer. IRS data shows that the vast majority are not ultra-wealthy.

    Voting from abroad

    Military members and U.S. citizens living abroad have had the right to vote in federal elections since 1976. This right was further consolidated in the 1986 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, while the right for Americans living abroad to vote in local and state elections depends on state law.

    Some people have recently expressed concern that overseas voting could be used to cast fraudulent ballots, but there is no evidence of illegal voting by noncitizens abroad.

    Overseas voters’ absentee ballot requests and their returned ballots are carefully scrutinized by local officials in the state where they last lived in the U.S., making abuse very unlikely. But it is complex for overseas voters to vote: The paperwork is complicated, and there is comparatively little outreach from political parties and candidates.

    Barriers to voting from overseas

    In 2020, the Federal Voting Assistance Program, which is supposed to help overseas voters exercise their voting rights, estimated that just shy of 8% of eligible American voters overseas cast ballots in that year’s presidential election. Using program numbers to calculate a percentage another way finds that no more than 20% of overseas Americans cast ballots in the 2020 election.

    That’s far lower than the 67% national turnout rate that year.

    Federal law requires local election officials in the U.S. to mail absentee ballots 45 days before an election to overseas Americans who request them. Poor mail service in the U.S. and elsewhere can mean that voters don’t always get the ballots in time, and the ballots mailed back to election officials face similar delays.

    Some states allow voters to receive or return their ballots electronically, which is faster; an overseas voter casting a ballot in Massachusetts can request a ballot, receive a blank ballot and return it all by email, while an overseas voter from Pennsylvania must return it by mail or courier, following exact procedures for enclosing their ballot in multiple envelopes.

    In 2023, the Federal Voting Assistance Program estimated that as many as 150,000 U.S. citizens overseas did not cast ballots in the 2022 elections because of administrative hurdles, such as slow or irregular mail service and difficulties in communicating procedural changes to prospective voters abroad.

    Interest in US politics

    Another possible reason Americans abroad don’t vote is that they have lost interest in U.S. politics. But our own research, and the work of others, finds that not to be true.

    Even given the logistical challenges, U.S. citizens living in Canada, as one example, have very similar levels of interest in American politics compared with citizens back home.

    During the 2020 and 2022 campaign seasons, two of us surveyed American citizens who had moved north of the border. In 2020, 55% indicated they were very interested in American politics, as did 44% in the midterm year of 2022. This is comparable with levels of attention to politics within the U.S. during those campaigns, as gauged by the Cooperative Election Study.

    So although Americans in Canada indicated interest levels as high as those in the U.S. during the past two national election cycles, the vast majority of them did not cast a vote. Administrative barriers play a role, but they’re not enough to explain such low turnout among citizens overseas.

    Ignored by campaigns

    Another key factor driving low turnout from abroad is a lack of communication from campaigns and parties. Research demonstrates that contacts by campaigns and parties significantly increase a person’s likelihood of voting.

    In the U.S., parties and campaign organizations can help streamline the voter registration process, reinforce the stakes of an election and bolster a sense of camaraderie among citizens.

    U.S. citizens living abroad are unlikely to hear from campaigns, even in nearby Canada. When asked in 2020 or 2022 whether they had been contacted by American political campaigns, most potential voters in the U.S. had. But our surveys of Americans living in Canada show less than one-third reported contact from parties or candidates.

    Because overseas citizens vote in their last state of residence in the U.S. but are not physically resident there, campaigns find it harder to identify them as swing-state residents or members of favorable demographic groups.

    Overall, Americans living overseas are as eligible to vote as citizens in the U.S. They are as attentive to politics as Americans living in the U.S. On the other hand, they face major administrative hurdles and are generally not contacted by American parties or campaigns.

    James A. McCann has received support for his research on migration from Purdue University, the US Fulbright Program, the Russell Sage Foundation, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

    Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels and Ronald Rapoport 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. Overseas US voters get ignored by political campaigns − but could be crucial supporters – https://theconversation.com/overseas-us-voters-get-ignored-by-political-campaigns-but-could-be-crucial-supporters-240184

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 4 ways AI can be used and abused in the 2024 election, from deepfakes to foreign interference

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Barbara A. Trish, Professor of Political Science, Grinnell College

    The American public is on alert about artificial intelligence and the 2024 election.

    A September 2024 poll by the Pew Research Center found that well over half of Americans worry that artificial intelligence – or AI, computer technology mimicking the processes and products of human intelligence – will be used to generate and spread false and misleading information in the campaign.

    My academic research on AI may help quell some concerns. While this innovative technology certainly has the potential to manipulate voters or spread lies at scale, most uses of AI in the current election cycle are, so far, not novel at all.

    I’ve identified four roles AI is playing or could play in the 2024 campaign – all arguably updated versions of familiar election activities.

    1. Voter information

    The 2022 launch of ChatGPT brought the promise and peril of generative AI into public consciousness. This technology is called “generative” because it produces text responses to user prompts: It can write poetry, answer history questions – and provide information about the 2024 election.

    Rather than search Google for voting information, people may instead ask generative AI a question. “How much has inflation changed since 2020?” for example. Or, “Who’s running for U.S. Senate in Texas?”

    Some generative AI platforms such as Google’s AI chatbot Gemini, decline to answer questions about candidates and voting. Some, such as Facebook’s AI tool Llama, respond – and respond accurately.

    AI’s response to an election query on Facebook.
    Screenshot from Facebook, CC BY-SA

    But generative AI can also produce misinformation. In the most extreme cases, AI can have “hallucinations,” offering up wildly inaccurate results.

    A CBS news account from June 2024 reported that ChatGPT had given incorrect or incomplete responses to some prompts asking how to vote in battleground states. And ChatGPT didn’t consistently follow the policy of its owner, OpenAI, and refer users to CanIVote.org, a respected site for voting information.

    As with the web, people should verify the results of AI searches. And beware: Google’s Gemini now automatically returns answers to Google search queries at the top of every results page. You might inadvertently stumble into AI tools when you think you’re searching the internet.

    2. Deepfakes

    Deepfakes are fabricated images, audio and video produced by generative AI and designed to replicate reality. Essentially, these are highly convincing versions of what are now called “cheapfakes” – altered images made using basic tools such as Photoshop and video-editing software.

    The potential of deepfakes to deceive voters became clear when an AI-generated robocall impersonating Joe Biden before the January 2024 New Hampshire primary advised Democrats to save their votes for November.

    After that, the Federal Communication Commission ruled that AI-generated robocalls are subject to the same regulations as all robocalls. They cannot be auto-dialed or delivered to cellphones or landlines without prior consent.

    The agency also slapped a US$6 million fine on the consultant who created the fake Biden call – but not for tricking voters. He was fined for transmitting inaccurate caller-ID information.

    While synthetic media can be used to spread disinformation, deepfakes are now part of the creative toolbox of political advertisers.

    One early deepfake aimed more at persuasion than overt deception was an AI-generated ad from a 2022 mayoral race contest portraying the then-incumbent mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana, as a failing student summoned to the principal’s office.

    Blink and you’ll miss the disclaimer that this campaign ad is a deepfake.

    The ad included a quick disclaimer that it was a deepfake, a warning not required by the federal government, but it was easy to miss.

    Wired magazine’s AI Elections Project, which is tracking uses of AI in the 2024 cycle, shows that deepfakes haven’t overwhelmed the ads voters see. But they have been used by candidates across the political spectrum, up and down the ballot, for many purposes – including deception.

    Former President Donald Trump hints at a Democratic deepfake when he questions the crowd size at Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign events. In lobbing such allegations, Trump is attempting to reap the “liar’s dividend” – the opportunity to plant the idea that truthful content is fake.

    Discrediting a political opponent this way is nothing new. Trump has been claiming that the truth is really just “fake news” since at least the “birther” conspiracy of 2008, when he helped to spread rumors that presidential candidate Barack Obama’s birth certificate was fake.

    3. Strategic distraction

    Some are concerned that AI might be used by election deniers in this cycle to distract election administrators by burying them in frivolous public records requests.

    For example, the group True the Vote has lodged hundreds of thousands of voter challenges over the past decade working with just volunteers and a web-based app. Imagine its reach if armed with AI to automate their work.

    Such widespread, rapid-fire challenges to the voter rolls could divert election administrators from other critical tasks, disenfranchise legitimate voters and disrupt the election.

    As of now, there’s no evidence that this is happening.

    4. Foreign election interference

    Confirmed Russian interference in the 2016 election underscored that the threat of foreign meddling in U.S. politics, whether by Russia or another country invested in discrediting Western democracy, remains a pressing concern.

    Special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the 2016 U.S. election concluded that Russia had worked to get President Donald Trump elected.
    Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP

    In July, the Department of Justice seized two domain names and searched close to 1,000 accounts that Russian actors had used for what it called a “social media bot farm,” similar to those Russia used to influence the opinions of hundreds of millions of Facebook users in the 2020 campaign. Artificial intelligence could give these efforts a real boost.

    There’s also evidence that China is using AI this cycle to spread malicious information about the U.S. One such social media post transcribed a Biden speech inaccurately to suggest he made sexual references.

    AI may help election interferers do their dirty work, but new technology is hardly necessary for foreign meddling in U.S. politics.

    In 1940, the United Kingdom – an American ally – was so focused on getting the U.S. to enter World War II that British intelligence officers worked to help congressional candidates committed to intervention and to discredit isolationists.

    One target was the prominent Republican isolationist U.S. Rep. Hamilton Fish. Circulating a photo of Fish and the leader of an American pro-Nazi group taken out of context, the British sought to falsely paint Fish as a supporter of Nazi elements abroad and in the U.S.

    Can AI be controlled?

    Acknowledging that it doesn’t take new technology to do harm, bad actors can leverage the efficiencies embedded in AI to create a formidable challenge to election operations and integrity.

    Federal efforts to regulate AI’s use in electoral politics face the same uphill battle as most proposals to regulate political campaigns. States have been more active: 19 now ban or restrict deepfakes in political campaigns.

    Some platforms engage in light self-moderation. Google’s Gemini responds to prompts asking for basic election information by saying, “I can’t help with responses on elections and political figures right now.”

    Campaign professionals may employ a little self-regulation, too. Several speakers at a May 2024 conference on campaign tech expressed concern about pushback from voters if they learn that a campaign is using AI technology. In this sense, the public concern over AI might be productive, creating a guardrail of sorts.

    But the flip side of that public concern – what Stanford University’s Nate Persily calls “AI panic” – is that it can further erode trust in elections.

    Barbara A. Trish 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. 4 ways AI can be used and abused in the 2024 election, from deepfakes to foreign interference – https://theconversation.com/4-ways-ai-can-be-used-and-abused-in-the-2024-election-from-deepfakes-to-foreign-interference-239878

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What is Chabad-Lubavitch? A Jewish studies scholar explains

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Schneur Zalman Newfield, Associate Professor of Sociology and Jewish Studies, Hunter College

    Lubavitchers have put up leaflets, posters and even murals of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson around the world, with many proclaiming him the messiah. Nizzan Cohen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    If you live anywhere near New York – or anywhere in the world, really – you may have seen a picture of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Yellow posters of the rabbi’s face are stuck to lampposts or streetlights: an elderly man with a long white beard and black hat.

    For tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews, Schneerson is simply “the rebbe”: the leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, even though he died in 1994. The name “Chabad” is familiar to many Americans, but the actual beliefs of this Hasidic group rarely are.

    As someone who was raised in a Lubavitch community and became a scholar of sociology and Jewish studies, I am often asked what sets it apart from other Orthodox streams of Judaism.

    Mystic teachings, joyful prayer

    Hasidism began under the leadership of the 18th-century mystic and healer Israel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov. Instead of focusing on the Bible and Jewish law, the movement prioritized attaching oneself to God through joyful prayer and passionate devotion.

    The Lubavitch sect of Hasidism was founded in the late 1700s by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the author of the Tanya – a theological text and self-improvement manual still studied daily by Lubavitchers. For over a hundred years, the movement was based in the rural town of Lyubavichi, Russia, from which it derives its name.

    Lubavitch headquarters in Brooklyn, which many followers call ‘770.’
    Sagtkd/Wikimedia Commons

    Since 1940, however, Lubavitch has been based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The headquarters there at 770 Eastern Parkway are simply referred to as “770” by Lubavitchers the world over, who imbue the red brick building with mystical symbolism.

    Lubavitch, also known by the name “Chabad,” is one of the largest Hasidic groups today, with an estimated 90,000 members.

    Lubavitch shares many things in common with all streams of Orthodox Judaism, including a commitment to strictly abiding by “halacha” – Jewish law and customs. The group also shares a great deal with other ultra-Orthodox communities, such as opposition to providing their children with secular education.

    Yet there are key features of Lubavitch that distinguish it – particularly how much it engages with non-Orthodox Jews.

    The rebbe

    All Hasidic sects have a leader, a “rebbe,” who is believed to possess unique spiritual gifts and connect his followers to the divine. Still, Lubavitch is distinct in terms of the extent to which the rebbe is central to the lives of every single member of the community.

    In 1951, Schneerson accepted leadership of the Lubavitchers after the passing of his father-in-law and grew the movement exponentially until his passing in 1994. Rather than naming a successor, however, Lubavitchers have continued to regard Schneerson as “the rebbe.”

    With his piercing blue eyes, full white beard, black fedora and silk coat, images of Schneerson are ubiquitous among Lubavitchers. Photos and paintings of him adorn walls, key chains, clocks and charity boxes wherever they live.

    A baby clutches a photo of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson during a holiday celebration in front of the Chabad Lubavitch headquarters in Brooklyn.
    AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

    While the rebbe was alive, his followers would ask him for advice and blessings regarding all spiritual matters, as well as questions about health, business and marriage. Since his passing, followers continue to seek his blessings by placing notes at his gravesite and searching his printed works for guidance.

    Even among Lubavitchers who have left the fold, many still feel attached to its leader.

    Jewish outreach

    One expression of Lubavitchers’ devotion is their commitment to creating Jewish outreach centers all over the world.

    The ethos of sharing Hasidic thought was present from the founding of the Lubavitch movement. This drive became much more developed, however, during and after the Holocaust and continued under Schneerson’s leadership.

    Today, Lubavitch has established Jewish outposts, called “Chabad Houses,” from Melbourne to Hong Kong and Buenos Aires to Cape Town. These emissaries endeavor to reach out to secular Jews and inspire them to become more religiously observant.

    Members of Chabad participate in a Fourth of July parade in Santa Monica, Calif.
    AP Photo/Richard Vogel

    The language surrounding Lubavitch outreach often has a militaristic flavor – for example, its youth movement is named the “Army of God”: Tzivos Ha-Shem, in Hebrew. However, outreach is rooted in the commandment to love one’s fellow Jew and a desire to help them enjoy the Jewish tradition. It is also motivated by a belief that these efforts will help fulfill the biblical prophecy of a Jewish messiah, who will usher in a time of global peace.

    These two motivations fortify the nearly 5,000 emissaries sent to far-flung communities around the world, notwithstanding profound obstacles. These include being separated from their families, who tend to live in established Hasidic communities, and being vulnerable to antisemitic attacks.

    Messianism

    The most distinct aspect of contemporary Lubavitch is its enthusiasm for the coming of the messiah and its assertion that Schneerson is that long-awaited messiah, despite his death.

    Messianic hopes and people claiming to be the messiah have appeared at various points throughout Jewish history, often during periods of crisis. In the wake of the devastation of the Holocaust, however, Schneerson made the idea of the messiah’s coming integral to every aspect of Jewish life.

    Eventually, most followers came to believe that Schneerson was the righteous redeemer sent by God to usher in the messianic age. While Schneerson did not embrace these proclamations, he insisted that through additional acts of goodness and kindness it was possible to bring about the messianic redemption.

    While some outsiders criticized this emphasis, especially claims about the rebbe, the situation became much more fraught after he passed away in 1994. In response to this trauma, a split developed in Lubavitch.

    Praying men leave notes seeking guidance and blessings at the grave site of Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
    Bentzi Sasson via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    One camp, composed largely of those involved in outreach work and members of long-standing Lubavitch families, argued Lubavitch should stop publicly talking about Schneerson being the messiah since it scared away outsiders. The other camp, largely composed of those who joined the community as adults, claimed that he was still the messiah and was about to return, and that it was vital to tell the world.

    To some other Jews, this belief seemed suspiciously close to Christian faith in the second coming of Jesus. Still, many Lubavitchers persist in their messianic beliefs.

    The future

    This issue still divides some Lubavitchers. Nonetheless, since Schneerson’s passing three decades ago, the movement has increased in size and strength.

    The group’s cohesiveness has been aided by creative uses of technology to foster a sense of the rebbe’s continued presence in their lives. For example, the Jewish Educational Media organization regularly produces videos that splice footage of his talks with current visuals to make him feel present in the moment. Lubavitchers have reinterpreted Hasidic texts to fit their current predicament, helping them feel grounded despite his physical absence.

    While the precise future of Lubavitch is unknown, the fact that it has managed to weather the storm of the rebbe’s passing and emerged stronger gives his followers hope for the future.

    Schneur Zalman Newfield 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. What is Chabad-Lubavitch? A Jewish studies scholar explains – https://theconversation.com/what-is-chabad-lubavitch-a-jewish-studies-scholar-explains-222218

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What is Temporary Protected Status? A global migration expert why the US offers some foreign nationals temporary protection

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Karen Jacobsen, Henry J. Leir Chair in Global Migration, Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University

    Haitian students use mobile phones to record an exercise during an English class in Springfield, Ohio, on Sept. 13, 2024. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

    Former President Donald Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, have criticized the Biden administration’s decision to allow Haitian nationals who are in the U.S. to apply for permission to stay under a legal classification called Temporary Protected Status. Here is what this designation means and how it’s made:

    TPS permits foreign nationals who are already in the United States – even if they did not enter the country through an official or legal means – to remain for six, 12 or 18 months at a time if the situation in their home country is deemed too dangerous for them to return. Threats that prompt TPS designations include ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters, epidemics and other extraordinary and temporary conditions.

    The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security designates a foreign country for TPS when conditions there meet requirements spelled out in federal law. Once the secretary determines that the foreign country is safe for its nationals to return, their protected status expires and people who have been granted it are expected to return to their home country.

    Congress created TPS as part of the Immigration Act of 1990. Since then, administrations have used it to protect thousands of people from dozens of countries. The first nations to be designated, in March 1991, were Kuwait, Lebanon and Liberia.

    As of March 2024, there were 863,880 people from 16 countries under Temporary Protected Status in the U.S. Another 486,418 people had initial or renewal applications pending. An estimated 316,000 people may also be eligible under two new extensions since that date.

    TPS beneficiaries may not be detained by federal officials over their immigration status or deported from the United States. They can obtain work permits and apply for authorization to travel outside the U.S. and return to it.

    People who receive TPS don’t automatically become legal permanent residents. But they can petition for an adjustment of their immigration status, such as applying for permanent residency, a student visa or asylum. Applying for a change of immigration status does not necessarily mean their application will be approved.

    Humanitarian measures

    TPS is not the only tool administrations can use to protect people from countries facing disaster or conflict.

    For example, a Haitian person currently living in the U.S. is eligible for TPS under a designation that lasts through Feb. 3, 2026. In contrast, a Haitian who travels through Mexico and applies for entry to the U.S. at the border is not likely to be admitted.

    However, there is a third possibility for Haitians, known as parole. The federal government can give certain groups permission to enter or remain in the U.S. if it finds “urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons” for doing so.

    People who enter through parole programs must have an approved financial supporter in the U.S., undergo a robust security vetting and meet other eligibility criteria. They typically can stay for one to two years, and may apply for authorization to work.

    One current parole program is for people from Latin American countries that are TPS designates. The U.S. government can grant advance permission to enter the U.S. to up to 30,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans each month. People fleeing these countries – all of which have been designated for Temporary Protected Status – can seek authorization to travel from their homes to the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons, and then stay for a temporary period of parole for up to two years.

    Immigrant rights groups rally at the U.S. Capitol following a federal court ruling that threatened the legal standing of thousands with Temporary Protected Status, Sept. 15, 2020.
    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    I’ve studied global migration and asylum policy for 25 years. I see both TPS and parole as legal and carefully considered ways to support people from countries experiencing wrenching conflict, disorder and disaster who are seeking safety in the U.S. Doing away with these programs, as Trump sought to do during his term in office, would make it extremely difficult for people in great danger to escape.

    Neither TPS nor parole programs are automatic roads to citizenship or permanent residence. They are ways to provide humanitarian assistance to people in appalling circumstances, such as rampant gang violence in Haiti and economic hardship and political repression in Venezuela and Nicaragua.

    Certainly, cities need more resources to support large numbers of immigrants. But offering temporary protection to people whose home countries are not safe places to live is a long-standing – and, in my view, crucial – element of U.S. immigration policy.

    Karen Jacobsen 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. What is Temporary Protected Status? A global migration expert why the US offers some foreign nationals temporary protection – https://theconversation.com/what-is-temporary-protected-status-a-global-migration-expert-why-the-us-offers-some-foreign-nationals-temporary-protection-240525

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Presidential elections provide opportunities to teach about power, proportions and percentages

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Liza Bondurant, Associate Professor of Secondary Math Education, Mississippi State University

    The complex voting system in the U.S. requires a sophisticated understanding of math. bamlou/DigitalVision Vectors

    To American voters, the process of electing a president and other officials may be difficult to explain and understand. For America’s math teachers, the system represents a gold mine for real-life lessons on ratios, statistics and data.

    And by basing the lessons on elections, teachers can help put students on the path to becoming informed and engaged voters later in life, according to a 2020 survey of 2,232 young adults ages 18-21.

    Americans don’t vote directly for the president. Instead, a group of electors vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. In most states, whoever wins the most votes wins all the state’s electors, or “electoral votes.”

    Not all states have the same number of electors. Each state starts with two electoral votes, based on the two U.S. senators in each state. States receive additional electors based on the number of representatives they have in the House of Representatives, which depends on a state’s population. The number of representatives in the House, however, has been set at 435 since 1929, despite a huge and varied increase in the population. This means the number of people represented by each member of the U.S. House – the ratio of people to representative – varies considerably, as shown in a table from the U.S. Census Bureau.

    Armed with this background, math teachers can use the census data on population and ratios to teach students the following math – and voting – topics.

    Topic 1: Ratio

    To calculate a state’s representative ratio, the number of people for every one representative, divide the population by the number of the state’s representatives in the U.S. House. In 2020, for example, Montana had two congressional representatives and a population of 1,085,407. The representative ratio was 542,704:1 – 1,085,407 divided by 2 – or 542,704 residents for each representative.

    Topic 2: Minimum and maximum

    In any set of numbers, the minimum is the smallest number in the set and the maximum is the largest number. For example, using the representative ratios from the 2020 census data, Montana’s ratio of 542,704:1 is the smallest – the minimum – and Delaware’s ratio of 990,837:1 is the largest, or the maximum.

    Topic 3: The shape, center and spread of data

    Shape means how data, such as the ratios of residents to representatives, looks on a chart or graph. Teachers can use a histogram, a kind of graph used to illustrate how data is distributed: evenly, skewed to one side, or with some numbers as outliers, at a distance from the other numbers.

    The ratios can also be used to explain how to find the “center” of data, its mean or median. The mean is the average, found by adding all the numbers in the set and dividing by how many there are. For example, adding the ratios for all the states and dividing by 50. The median is the middle number when all numbers are placed in order from minimum to maximum. Simple spreadsheet formulas are available online to help students find both.

    Students can examine ratios of residents to representatives for all 50 states.
    iofoto via Getty Images

    The “spread” of a set of numbers tells how much the numbers are different from the center. One measure of spread is called the range, which is the difference between the maximum and the minimum. For example, the range in representative ratios among the states is 448,133: the maximum, Delaware’s 990,837, minus the minimum, Montana’s 542,704.

    When students understand how ratios – and elections – work, teachers can ask questions such as, “Montana has fewer people per representative than Delaware. Where would your vote count more?” Answer: Montana, because fewer people per representative means each vote counts more.

    Topic 4: Gerrymandering

    Each state is divided into districts; residents of each district vote for their state and federal representatives. Gerrymandering occurs when the borders of voting districts are drawn to favor one party at the expense of another. The political party in power often draws these district lines to make it easier for that party to win in the future.

    Imagine a state has 10 representatives, and Party X gets 60% of the votes. With 60% of the votes, it seems fair that Party X should get 6 of the state’s 10 seats for representatives.

    There is no rule that says the percentage of votes cast for a party in a state has to line up with the number of seats the party wins. And Party X wants more. To keep control of as many seats as possible, the politicians in Party X would like to manipulate – or gerrymander – each of 10 districts to make sure it would win 60% of the vote in each. With a majority in each district, Party X would win all 10 seats. Gerrymandering to this extreme is not always possible because districts must consist of adjoining areas, and voters who favor one party might not live in areas that can be easily connected.

    Lessons on gerrymandering can vary by grade level. For example, elementary students can get hands-on experience manipulating borders with the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival “puzzles” tool. The puzzle, which can be tied to lessons about shapes, percents and area, allows children to change boundaries on a graph to increase or decrease the number of yellow or green squares – representing voters – in each “district.” There are fewer green squares than yellow squares in each puzzle. Students win when they successfully gerrymander, changing the borders so the green voters are in the majority in most, or all, of the districts.

    High school students, who already understand the basics of gerrymandering, can use a tool called Districtr to draw real voting districts. The site uses actual data about where voters live and which political party won in which area. Using this tool, students cannot only try to gerrymander districts, they can also try to create districts that are more fairly balanced. After trying to draw their own “fair” districts, students might be interested in some states’ use of independent groups to draw fairer district lines.

    By using elections as a learning tool, students can gain a better understanding of ratios, means and range, and they might also start thinking about what they can do to improve the process.

    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. Presidential elections provide opportunities to teach about power, proportions and percentages – https://theconversation.com/presidential-elections-provide-opportunities-to-teach-about-power-proportions-and-percentages-238152

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: iPower Completes First Purchase Order Shipment from Vietnam in September

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iPower Inc. (Nasdaq: IPW) (“iPower” or the “Company”), a tech and data-driven ecommerce services provider and online retailer, today announced the successful shipment of its first purchase order (PO) from Vietnam in September. This marks a significant milestone in iPower’s ongoing strategy to diversify its supply chain and expand its global reach.

    Building on its previous engagements with manufacturers in Vietnam, iPower is now realizing the first tangible outcomes of this collaboration. The initial PO was shipped in September, with additional shipments scheduled for this month and continuing thereafter. By diversifying the Company’s supply chain with global partners, iPower ensures greater stability and efficiency while reducing reliance on specific regions.

    The expansion into Vietnam presents meaningful cost-saving opportunities for iPower. As products begin to arrive in the U.S. and commence sales, the Company anticipates benefiting from reduced production and logistics expenses. These lower costs will enable iPower to offer more competitive pricing while improving margins, an essential factor for long-term, sustainable growth.

    iPower remains dedicated to expanding and diversifying its supply chain to build a more resilient and efficient global network. Collaborating with Vietnamese manufacturers is a key component of a larger strategy to explore new sourcing opportunities across the globe. This initiative is aimed at bolstering iPower’s capabilities to meet growing consumer demand while reinforcing its competitive position in the marketplace.

    “The shipment of our first purchase order from Vietnam marks a critical milestone in our supply chain diversification strategy,” said Lawrence Tan, CEO of iPower. “By reducing costs and expanding our global reach, we are positioning iPower for greater efficiency and long-term stability. We look forward to continuing our efforts to diversify and strengthen our supply chain through future shipments and strategic partnerships.”

    About iPower Inc.

    iPower Inc. is a tech and data-driven online retailer, as well as a provider of value-added ecommerce services for third-party products and brands. iPower’s capabilities include a full spectrum of online channels, robust fulfillment capacity, a network of warehouses serving the U.S., competitive last mile delivery partners and a differentiated business intelligence platform. iPower believes that these capabilities will enable it to efficiently move a diverse catalog of SKUs from its supply chain partners to end consumers every day, providing the best value to customers in the U.S. and other countries. For more information, please visit iPower’s website at http://www.meetipower.com.

    Investor Relations Contact

    Sean Mansouri, CFA or Aaron D’Souza
    Elevate IR
    (720) 330-2829
    IPW@elevate-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NMI Holdings, Inc. to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on November 6, 2024; Reminder to Register for Annual Investor Day to be Held on November 21, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EMERYVILLE, Calif., Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NMI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NMIH), the parent company of National Mortgage Insurance Corporation (National MI), today announced that it will report results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2024 after the market close on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

    The company will hold a conference call and live webcast at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webcast will be available on the company’s website at https://ir.nationalmi.com/events-and-presentations. The call can be accessed by dialing (844) 481-2708 in the U.S. or (412) 317-0664 internationally by referencing NMI Holdings, Inc.

    A replay of the webcast as well as the earnings press release and any supplemental information will be available on the company’s website.

    Investor Day Registration Reminder
    NMI Holdings will host its annual Investor Day on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 9:00 am to
    11:30 am Eastern Time at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. The event will be live streamed at NMIH 2024 Investor Day and on the company’s website at https://ir.nationalmi.com/events-and-presentations. Presentation materials will be available in advance of the event and archived on the company’s website at https://ir.nationalmi.com/events-and-presentations. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available on the company’s website following the event.

    NMI Holdings, Inc. Annual Investor Day
    November 21, 2024
    9:00 am – 11:30 am ET
    St. Regis Hotel, Two East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue
    New York, NY 10022

    To register for the event, please follow the link below:
    Register Now

    To register via email: investor.relations@nationalmi.com.

    About NMI Holdings

    NMI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NMIH) is the parent company of National Mortgage Insurance Corporation (National MI), a U.S.-based, private mortgage insurance company enabling low-down-payment borrowers to realize home ownership while protecting lenders and investors against losses related to a borrower’s default. To learn more, please visit http://www.nationalmi.com.

    Investor Contact
    Gregory Epps
    Manager, Investor Relations and Treasury
    Gregory.Epps@Nationalmi.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: France: Discriminatory algorithm used by the social security agency must be stopped 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The French authorities must immediately stop the use of a discriminatory risk-scoring algorithm used by the French Social Security Agency’s National Family Allowance Fund (CNAF), which is used to detect overpayments and errors regarding benefit payments, Amnesty International said today.

    On 15 October, Amnesty International and fourteen other coalition partners led by La Quadrature du Net (LQDN) submitted a complaint to the Council of State, the highest administrative court in France, demanding the risk-scoring algorithmic system used by CNAF be stopped.  

    “From the outset, the risk-scoring system used by CNAF treats individuals who experience marginalization – those with disabilities, lone single parents who are mostly women, and those living in poverty – with suspicion. This system operates in direct opposition to human rights standards, violating the right to equality and non-discrimination and the right to privacy,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International.

    In 2023, La Quadrature du Net (LQDN) got access to versions of the algorithm’s source code – a set of instructions written by programmers to create a software – thereby exposing the discriminatory nature of the system.

    Since 2011, CNAF has used a risk-scoring algorithm to identify people who are potentially committing benefits fraud by receiving overpayments. The algorithm assigns a risk score between zero and one to all recipients of family and housing benefits. The closer the score is to one, the higher the probability of being flagged for investigation.

    Overall, there are 32 million people in France living in households that receive a benefit from CNAF. Their sensitive personal data, as well as that of their family, is processed periodically, and a risk score is assigned.

    The criteria that increase one’s risk score include parameters which discriminate against vulnerable households, including being on a low income, being unemployed, living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, spending a significant portion of income on rent, and working while having a disability. The details of those who are flagged due to having a high-risk score are compiled into a list that is investigated further by a fraud investigator.

    “While authorities herald the rollout of algorithmic technologies in social protection systems as a way to increase efficiency and detect fraud and errors, in practice, these systems flatten the realities of people’s lives. They work as extensive data-mining tools that stigmatize marginalized groups, and invade their privacy,” said Agnès Callamard.

    Amnesty International did not investigate specific cases of people flagged by the CNAF system. However, our investigations in Netherlands and Serbia suggest that using AI-powered systems and automation in the public sector enables mass surveillance: the amount of data that is collected is disproportionate to the purported aim of the system. Moreover, evidence by Amnesty International also exposed how many of these systems have been quite ineffective at actually doing what they purport to do—whether it be identifying fraud or errors in the benefits system.

    While authorities herald the rollout of algorithmic technologies in social protection systems as a way to increase efficiency and detect fraud and errors, in practice, these systems flatten the realities of people’s lives. They work as extensive data-mining tools that stigmatize marginalized groups, and invade their privacy.

    Agnès Callamard, Secretary General, Amnesty International

    It has also been argued that the scale of errors or fraud in benefits system has been exaggerated to justify the development of such tech systems, often leading to discriminatory or racist or sexist targeting of particular groups, particularly migrants and refugees.

    Over the past year, France has been actively promoting itself internationally as the next hub for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, culminating in a summit scheduled for February 2025. At the same time, France has also been legalizing mass surveillance technologies and has consistently undermined the EU’s AI Act negotiations.

    “France is relying on a risk-scoring algorithmic system for social benefits that highlights, sustains and enshrines the bureaucracy’s prejudices and discrimination. Instead, France should ensure that it complies with its human rights obligations in the first place that of non-discrimination. The authorities must address current and existing AI-related harms amid the country’s quest to become a global AI hub,” said Agnès Callamard.

    Under the newly adopted European Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act), AI systems used by authorities to determine access to essential public services and benefits are considered to pose high risk to rights, health and safety of people. Therefore, they must meet strict technical, transparency and governance rules, including an obligation on deployers to carry out an assessment of human rights risks and guarantee mitigation measures before deployment.

    In the meantime, certain systems, such as those used for social scoring, are considered to pose unacceptable level of risk and therefore must be banned.

    It is unfortunate that EU lawmakers have been vague in explicitly defining social scoring within the AI Act. The European Commission must ensure that its upcoming guidelines provide a clear and enforceable interpretation of the social scoring ban, especially as it applies to discriminatory fraud detection and risk-scoring systems. 

    Agnès Callamard

    It is currently unclear whether the system used by CNAF qualifies as a social scoring system due to a lack of clarity in the AI Act on what constitutes such a system.

    “It is unfortunate that EU lawmakers have been vague in explicitly defining social scoring within the AI Act. The European Commission must ensure that its upcoming guidelines provide a clear and enforceable interpretation of the social scoring ban, especially as it applies to discriminatory fraud detection and risk-scoring systems,” said Agnès Callamard.

    Regardless of its classification under the AI Act, all evidence suggests that the system used by CNAF is discriminatory. It is essential that authorities stop employing it and scrutinize biased practices that are inherently harmful especially to marginalized communities seeking social benefits.

    Background

    The European Commission will issue guidance on how to interpret the prohibitions in the AI Act prior to their entry into force on 2 February 2025, including what would qualify as social scoring systems.

    In August 2024, the AI Act came into force. Amnesty International, as part of a civil society coalition led by the European Digital Rights Network (EDRi), has been calling for EU artificial intelligence regulation that protects and promotes human rights.

    In March 2024, an Amnesty International briefing outlined how digital technologies including artificial intelligence, automation, and algorithmic decision-making are exacerbating inequalities in social protection systems across the world

    In 2021, Amnesty International’s report Xenophobic Machines exposed how racial profiling was baked into the design of the algorithmic system by the Dutch tax authorities that flagged claims for childcare benefits as potentially fraudulent. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: France: Government must stop using dangerous AI-powered surveillance to tackle benefit fraud

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Authorities must immediately stop using discriminatory algorithm used by the social security agency

    The risk-scoring system treats marginalised individuals with suspicion

    ‘This system operates in direct opposition to human rights standards, violating the right to equality and non-discrimination and the right to privacy’ – Agnès Callamard

    The French authorities must immediately stop the use of a discriminatory risk-scoring algorithm used by the French Social Security Agency’s National Family Allowance Fund (CNAF), which is used to detect overpayments and errors regarding benefit payments, Amnesty International said today. 

    On 15 October, Amnesty and 14 other coalition partners led by La Quadrature du Net (LQDN) submitted a complaint to the Council of State, the highest administrative court in France, demanding the risk-scoring algorithmic system used by CNAF be stopped.

    In 2023, LQDN gained access to versions of the algorithm’s source code – a set of instructions written by programmers to create a software – exposing the discriminatory nature of the system.

    Since 2011, CNAF has used a risk-scoring algorithm to identify people who are potentially committing benefits fraud by receiving overpayments. The algorithm assigns a risk score between zero and one to all recipients of family and housing benefits. The closer the score is to one, the higher the probability of being flagged for investigation.

    Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International, said:

    “From the outset, the risk-scoring system used by CNAF treats individuals who experience marginalisation – those with disabilities, lone single parents who are mostly women, and those living in poverty – with suspicion. This system operates in direct opposition to human rights standards, violating the right to equality and non-discrimination and the right to privacy.

    “While authorities herald the rollout of algorithmic technologies in social protection systems to increase efficiency and detect fraud and errors, in practice, these systems flatten the realities of people’s lives. They work as extensive data-mining tools that stigmatise marginalised groups and invade their privacy.

    “France is relying on a risk-scoring algorithmic system for social benefits that highlights, sustains and enshrines the bureaucracy’s prejudices and discrimination. Instead, France should ensure that it complies with its human rights obligations in the first place that of non-discrimination. The authorities must address current and existing AI-related harms amid the country’s quest to become a global AI hub.”

    Putting people at risk

    There are currently 32 million people in France receiving a benefit from CNAF. Their sensitive personal data, as well as that of their family, is processed periodically, and a risk score is assigned.

    The criteria that increase one’s risk score include parameters which discriminate against vulnerable households, including being on a low income, being unemployed, living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, spending a significant portion of income on rent, and working while having a disability. The details of those who are flagged due to having a high-risk score are compiled into a list that is investigated further by a fraud investigator. 

    Amnesty did not investigate specific cases of people flagged by the CNAF system. However, its investigations in the Netherlands and Serbia suggest that using AI-powered systems and automation in the public sector enables mass surveillance and the amount of data collected is disproportionate to the purported aim of the system.

    Amnesty has also exposed how many of these systems have been quite ineffective at doing what they purport to do—whether it be identifying fraud or errors in the benefits system. 

    It has also been argued that the scale of errors or fraud in benefits system has been exaggerated to justify the development of such tech systems, often leading to discriminatory or racist or sexist targeting of particular groups – particularly migrants and refugees.

    Over the past year, France has been actively promoting itself internationally as the next hub for  AI technologies, culminating in a summit scheduled for February 2025. At the same time, France has also legalised mass surveillance technologies and consistently undermined the EU’s AI Act negotiations.

    Under the newly adopted European Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act), AI systems used by authorities to determine access to essential public services and benefits are considered to pose high risk to rights, health and safety of people. Therefore, they must meet strict technical, transparency and governance rules, including an obligation on deployers to carry out an assessment of human rights risks and guarantee mitigation measures before deployment. 

    In the meantime, certain systems, such as those used for social scoring, are considered to pose unacceptable level of risk and therefore must be banned.

    It is currently unclear whether the system used by CNAF qualifies as a social scoring system due to a lack of clarity in the AI Act on what constitutes such a system. 

    Regardless of its classification however, all evidence suggests that the system is discriminatory. It is essential that authorities stop employing it and scrutinise biased practices that are inherently harmful – especially to marginalised communities seeking social benefits.

    Regulation and algorithms of discrimination

    The European Commission will issue guidance on how to interpret the prohibitions in the AI Act prior to their entry into force on 2 February 2025, including what would qualify as social scoring systems.

    In August 2024, the AI Act came into force. Amnesty, as part of a civil society coalition led by the European Digital Rights Network, has been calling for EU artificial intelligence regulation that protects and promotes human rights.

    In March this year, an Amnesty briefing outlined how digital technologies including artificial intelligence, automation, and algorithmic decision-making are exacerbating inequalities in social protection systems across the world.

    In 2021, Amnesty’s report Xenophobic Machines exposed how racial profiling was baked into the design of the algorithmic system by the Dutch tax authorities that flagged claims for childcare benefits as potentially fraudulent. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: Medallion Financial Corp. to Report 2024 Third Quarter Results on Tuesday, October 29, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Medallion Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: MFIN, the “Company”), a specialty finance company that originates and services loans in various consumer and commercial industries, as well as loan products and services offered through fintech strategic partners, announced today that it will report its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, after the market closes on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

    CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

    A conference call to discuss the financial results will be held the next morning, October 30, 2024.

    How to Participate

    • Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
    • Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern time
    • U.S. dial-in number: (833) 816-1412
    • International dial-in number: (412) 317-0504
    • Live webcast: Link to Webcast of 3Q24 Earnings Call

    A link to the live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s IR website.

    Replay Information

    The webcast replay will be available at the Company’s IR website until the next quarter’s results are announced.

    The conference call replay will be available following the end of the call through Wednesday, November 6.

    • U.S. dial-in number: (844) 512-2921
    • International dial-in number: (412) 317-6671
    • Passcode: 1019 3247

    INDIVIDUAL MEETING INFORMATION

    To increase relations with institutional investors, management has dedicated time to hosting individual meetings with portfolio managers and analysts after its earnings conference call. If you are interested in scheduling a meeting with management, please contact investorrelations@medallion.com or (212) 328-2176.

    About Medallion Financial Corp.

    Medallion Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:MFIN) and its subsidiaries originate and service a growing portfolio of consumer loans and mezzanine loans in various industries. Key industries served include recreation (towable RVs and marine) and home improvement (replacement roofs, swimming pools, and windows). Medallion Financial Corp. is headquartered in New York City, NY, and its largest subsidiary, Medallion Bank, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, please visit http://www.medallion.com.

    Company Contact:

    Investor Relations
    212-328-2176
    InvestorRelations@medallion.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LanzaTech Awarded $3 Million from U.S. Department of Energy to Advance Conversion of Waste CO2 into Valuable Chemicals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNZA) (“LanzaTech” or the “Company”), the carbon recycling company transforming waste carbon into sustainable fuels, chemicals, materials, and protein, has been awarded $3 million by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), as part of a broader $29 million investment program to advance its carbon management priorities. LanzaTech’s Project ADAPT (“Accelerating Decarbonization via Advanced Production Technologies”) was selected to address FECM’s priority of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into environmentally responsible and economically valuable products.

    LanzaTech’s Project ADAPT builds upon the Company’s existing capabilities of using CO2 as a feedstock to produce isopropanol at a pilot scale and aims to advance the process and platform with the following key focus areas:

    1. Versatility in Feedstock Use: Enhancing the platform’s ability to process a range of gas mixes with CO2
    2. Microbial Strain Optimization: Employing advanced gene-editing techniques to develop tailored microbial production strains for making isopropanol and other prevalent chemicals
    3. Cost and Efficiency Improvements: Refining the end-to-end process to be more cost-effective, efficient, and more robust

    Isopropanol is a common alcohol used in an array of everyday products such as cleaning agents and is also a precursor to the propylene value chain. Propylene, which is a building block for packaging, medical supplies, automotive products, among many other applications, has a thriving demand market that is projected to approach $150 billion and 180 million tons by 2030. Importantly, isopropanol production has the ability to achieve greenhouse gas savings of over 200% when produced from recycled CO2 instead of fossil carbon, and a non-fossil commercial production pathway does not exist today.

    Project ADAPT will primarily be funded by the FECM investment of $3 million and includes a Company funded cost share portion of approximately $0.8 million, totaling an estimated project cost of $3.8 million. Revenue and costs related to this project will be reported as Joint Development Agreement and Contract Research results for LanzaTech, and the majority of revenue is expected to be received and benefit financial results in 2025 and 2026.

    “We are thrilled to receive this support from the U.S. Department of Energy to progress our work around scaling the conversion of waste CO2 to make some of the world’s most needed chemicals,” said Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. “CO2 is an essential feedstock of today and the future, and Project ADAPT leverages our expertise and existing operations to accelerate the commercialization of transformational carbon capture and utilization technologies that deliver cleaner and more sustainable energy and products.”

    The projects supported by FECM’s investment program are in keeping with the Biden-Harris Administration’s aggressive climate ambitions of reaching a carbon-neutral power sector by 2035 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

    About LanzaTech
    LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNZA) is the carbon recycling company transforming waste carbon into sustainable fuels, chemicals, materials, and protein for everyday products. Using its biorecycling technology, LanzaTech captures carbon generated by energy-intensive industries at the source, preventing it from being emitted into the air. LanzaTech then gives that captured carbon a new life as a clean replacement for virgin fossil carbon in everything from household cleaners and clothing fibers to packaging and fuels. By partnering with companies across the global supply chain like ArcelorMittal, Zara, H&M Move, Coty, On, and LanzaJet, LanzaTech is paving the way for a circular carbon economy. For more information about LanzaTech, visit https://lanzatech.com.

    Forward Looking Statements
    This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, the plans, strategies, and prospects, both business and financial, of LanzaTech. These statements are based on the beliefs, assumptions, projections and conclusions of LanzaTech’s management. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are outside LanzaTech’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. LanzaTech cannot assure you that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and you should not rely on forward-looking statements.

    Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including those concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “anticipates,” “intends” or similar expressions. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

    • Timing delays in the advancement of projects to the final investment decision stage or into construction;
    • Failure by customers to adopt new technologies and platforms;
    • Fluctuations in the availability and cost of feedstocks and other process inputs; • The availability and continuation of government funding and support;
    • Broader economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates, supply chain disruptions, employment conditions, and competitive pressures;
    • Unforeseen technical, regulatory, or commercial challenges in scaling proprietary technologies, business functions or operational disruptions; and
    • Other economic, business, or competitive factors, and other risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors and other information contained in LanzaTech’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other existing and future filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Any forward-looking statement herein is based only on information currently available to LanzaTech and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. LanzaTech undertakes no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    LanzaTech Global, Inc.

    Investor Relations
    Kate Walsh
    VP, Investor Relations & Tax
    Investor.Relations@lanzatech.com

    Media Relations
    Kit McDonnell
    Director of Communications
    press@lanzatech.com

    The MIL Network –