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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council leaders visit Portakabin HQ to champion local skills and apprenticeships

    Source: City of York

    The Deputy Leader of City of York Council, alongside senior council officers, recently visited the Portakabin head office in York.

    Portakabin, the market leader in the manufacture and construction of modular buildings, is one of York’s largest employers, with over 1,000 people working across its head office and manufacturing facility in the city. The company has proudly called York home for more than 60 years.

    As a globally recognised brand, Portakabin recently welcomed local leaders to its York headquarters to discuss future growth opportunities, the importance of strong public-private partnerships, and to reflect on recent successes, including a thriving apprenticeship scheme that is opening skilled career paths for young people across the region.

    The apprenticeship scheme at Portakabin offers its people development opportunities, with 98% of apprentices offered a full-time career with the company once their apprenticeship completes.

    Apprenticeships range from the required skills for modular building construction such as electrical apprenticeships, to product design, quantity surveying, finance, and marketing.

    Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of the Council with responsibility for Economy and Culture, said:

    I was delighted to accept the invitation from Portakabin to visit their head office and hear about the work taking place to provide skilled and well-paid jobs.

    “York is a fantastic place to do business, we have a highly skilled population, and it is a great place to live.

    “A key priority of this council is for the city to have a fair, thriving, green economy for all, which provides opportunities and well-paid jobs. Portakabin are one of many amazing businesses in York who will help us to achieve that ambition. It was particularly good to hear so much about their apprenticeship schemes and how that is turning into long-term careers for our young people.”

    Dan Ibbetson, CEO at Portakabin said:

    We were delighted to welcome Councillor Pete Kilbane to our Head Office here in York. We are proud to be a York based business, delivering exceptional spaces across the UK and Northern Europe from our home here in Huntington.

    “Our successes are testament to the people that work here, the highly skilled and motivated teams that deliver a meaningful impact both in work and the wider York community. It was a pleasure to give Councillor Kilbane and other senior leaders from the council an insight into the people, community and spaces we deliver here at Portakabin.” 

    For businesses big and small there’s lots of support available to help your business prosper and thrive through the council’s Growth Managers. For more information visit:  https://www.york.gov.uk/GrowYourBusiness or email economicgrowth@york.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fool’s Gold: A Hidden Climate Stabilizer

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    On our planet, the cycle and balance of carbon from reservoir to reservoir is a matter of life or death. Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the ocean, to carbon-based life forms, to rocks or sediments, and it can be tied up in any of these reservoirs throughout the process.

    Imbalances within the cycle can have dramatic global impacts. For example, too much carbon in the atmosphere leads to the greenhouse effect and global warming, and too much carbon in the ocean leads to ocean acidification, which compromises conditions for marine life. How does the Earth recover from catastrophic conditions like massive volcanic eruptions?

    Researchers look to extremes in the past to study how the system reacts to imbalances. In their paper published in Nature, researchers from the University of Connecticut, University of Victoria, Yale University, University of British Columbia, and Georgia Institute of Technology detail an overlooked mechanism for how the ocean can help stabilize massive releases of carbon into the atmosphere following volcanic eruptions.

    UConn Department of Earth Sciences assistant professor and the paper’s lead author Mojtaba Fakhraee says a simplified way of imagining the global carbon cycle starts with an eruption of volcanic gases that release carbon into the atmosphere. Those forms of carbon like CO2 may remain in the atmosphere, whereas some can react with other elements to produce chemical species like dissolved inorganic carbon, that would be carried via rivers to the ocean.

    “When the oceanic carbon balances out with the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, they reach an equilibrium condition where the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would be proportional to the amount of dissolved carbon species in the ocean,” says Fakhraee.

    However, in times of extreme imbalance, like during climate catastrophes or when huge quantities of CO2 are released into the atmosphere, researchers found that a different type of feedback kicks in.

    “The feedback happens when the ocean loses oxygen, it becomes more basic, and another type of reaction becomes more dominant under low oxygen or anoxic conditions. That reaction is anaerobic respiration, which produces sulfur species,” says Fakhraee.

    The sulfur species formed by the reaction is iron sulfide or pyrite, which is also known as “fool’s gold.” The process has an overall buffering effect that preserves the alkalinity of the water and thus prevents it from becoming more acidic.

    Researchers made this discovery using a coupled global carbon-sulfur cycle model that simulates geochemical processes over the past several hundred million years, including several ocean anoxic events (OAEs) and massive volcanic eruptions that released large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. They found the production and burial of pyrite during OAEs had a substantial stabilizing effect during times of increased volcanic activity, thus buffering the oceans and playing a significant stabilizing role for millions of years.

    “What it means is, the more you get of this buffering species, the more resistant the ocean becomes to change in pH and ocean acidification. This reaction is important in terms of how the ocean becomes resistant to acidification and changing pH,” says Fakhraee.

    These reactions happen over a very long time, when the oceans of the past periodically experienced huge influxes of volcanic gases, resulting in deoxygenation and anoxic conditions, says Fakhraee, and that is when the models showed the increase in the iron sulfide reaction, increased alkalinity, and climate stabilization.

    “We found it to be quite convincing to see why some of these past oceanic anoxic events were able to recover the way they did,” says Fakhraee. “Anoxic conditions were always thought of as a big problem for the oceans, but on a longer time scale this big problem can actually be a good way for the ocean and the whole earth to survive. Not everything about anoxia and oxygen loss is bad for the Earth system.”

    There are also important implications to the carbon cycle of today, says Fakhraee, when we are seeing deoxygenation in the ocean as atmospheric levels of CO2 increase, but there is a caveat – time.

    “We expect this process of iron sulfide formation to be important as we increase the rate of ocean deoxygenation, which would help regulate and stabilize the CO2 in the atmosphere. But do not make a mistake and think that this will help us with current climate change, because this feedback happens on a longer time scale. Humans would be drastically affected by climate change, but the Earth system has this intriguing feedback that would help the system to recover,” says Fakhraee.

    Although pyrite formation occurs today in some anoxic marine environments, its global impact on ocean alkalinity and carbon sequestration is minimal under current conditions. A significant uptick in this buffering mechanism would require extensive, sustained deoxygenation of the global ocean — conditions that would be catastrophic for most marine life and profoundly disruptive to the Earth’s biosphere.

    “Humans and other life experiencing climate change would be severely impacted over a very short time scale. It’s all about the time scale and then how much oxygen loss happens,” says Fakhraee.

    Another important takeaway from this research that Fakhraee reflects on is the remarkable resilience of the global carbon cycle.

    “All these interconnected processes show where one small change in one part of this whole system would make a large change in another part of the system. It’s intriguing to see how Earth can recover from very severe past experiences that wiped out life on the planet,” says Fahkraee. “Part of the reason that Earth has experienced so many ups and downs in terms of life, and part of the reason there is hope is because there was feedback that helped Earth to recover and allowed for some other life to exist and to evolve. Earth has its own way to survive, but we need to find a way to survive, and we are in danger if we don’t pay enough attention to what’s happening in terms of climate change.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Champions Secretary Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again Agenda at Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Champions Secretary Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again Agenda at Hearing

    Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, applauded Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to Make America Healthy Again at the subcommittee hearing, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services”. Highlights of Senator Mullin’s exchange on a range of topics, including wasteful NIH funding, are below.

    The full exchange can be found here. 
    On America’s health crisis: 
    Sen. Mullin: “Earlier, you said… HHS over the last four years had increased by 38% is that correct?” 
    Sec. Kennedy: “That’s right, Senator Mullin.” 
    Sen. Mullin: “So, what has the taxpayers got in return over the last four years? 
    Sec. Kennedy: “They got a worse chronic health crisis and the unhealthiest, sickest, population in the globe.”  
    On the increase of the HHS budget in recent years: 
    Sen. Mullin: “So, your total budget for 2024, I think, was around $1.7 trillion. Is that correct?” 
    Sec. Kennedy: “Yes.” 
    Sen. Mullin: “So, we’ve had a 10% increase across that, we’ve received nothing in return?” 
    Sec. Kennedy: “We’ve had a 38% increase in four years with nothing in return.”  
    On wasteful NIH funds: 
    Sen. Mullin: “And we have my Democrat colleagues that are complaining about cutting spending at the same time we have NIH recipients, because we’ve heard our colleagues on the left side really complain about you cutting NIH funding, because they call it research, but is it really research? I mean, let me just throw some numbers out here for you. Harvard received $488 million in NIH, and 69% went to indirect costs, meaning didn’t go to research. Yale received $646 million and 67.5% of their NIH money went to indirect costs, meaning didn’t go to research.” 
    Sen. Mullin: “You have Johns Hopkins University got $858 million 67.5% went to indirect costs, meaning 67.5% of $858 million did not go to research. University of California, San Francisco received $815 million in NIH money and 59% went to indirect costs. But I’m sure there’s no room to cut NIH money for research? I mean, who would think we probably have room for that?” 
    Sec. Kennedy: “There’s room to cut the research both through the indirect cost, which the total cost was $9 billion last year in indirect. So that’s, you know, that’s $9 billion that did not go to research.” 
    Sen. Mullin: “$9 billion that went to other things, like flowers at the University President’s house.”  
    On Secretary Kennedy’s work to Make America Healthy Again: 
    Sen. Mullin: “You know, only in the American government do we think throwing money at the problem will eventually fix it. So, thank you for staying strong and actually getting the taxpayers the money that they spent for something that it’s supposed to be spent for, and that’s to make us healthier, so thank you for being strong in this.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Shine your light’: responding to challenges facing the charity sector

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    ‘Shine your light’: responding to challenges facing the charity sector

    Charity Commission Chief Executive David Holdsworth delivers keynote speech at Charity Times’ Annual Conference 2025.

    Thank you Srabani and good morning everyone / bore da pawb.

    It’s a privilege to be speaking to at this conference for the first time as the Commission’s CEO, after rejoining the organisation last summer.

    I probably don’t need to explain to this audience why I returned to work with the charity sector.

    Current operating environment and challenges 

    The Charity Commission stands at a unique vantage point, where the perspectives of charities, government, the public and donors meet.

    From this position, we see three trends.

    First, an incredibly challenging economic environment for the sector.

    Like other sectors, charities face inflationary pressures and rising operational costs.

    But charities are also dealing with increased demands for their services.

    The cumulative impact of these trends on charities is, in some cases, extremely challenging.

    Second, charities, like other organisations, are contending with rapid technological and social change.

    Some tech innovations, notably in the space of AI, offer tools that can help charities do more with less and increase their impact.

    But looking ahead, these technologies potentially challenge the very role of organisations and institutions in the traditional sense.

    Notably when coupled with changing attitudes, especially among younger people, whose allegiances are increasingly to causes, not ‘bricks and mortar’ or brands and institutions and where technology platforms offer alternatives of direct giving to those in need.  

    Thirdly – global conflicts, geo political shifts and instability. The shocking invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the middle east have seen demands on and need of charity increase significantly. Whilst at the same time the once seemingly immovable, solid post war geo political system is shifting, creating uncertainty and instability. This makes responding to increased global need more difficult and challenging to navigate.

    Impact and Potential

    Despite those challenges the sector has never been more important – and let’s be clear what charities achieve for society is astonishing, both in terms of scale and impact.

    Based on Annual Returns submitted to the Commission for 2023’s accounts, the sector had an annual income of over £96 billion – up around 7% on the previous year.

    We registered just over 5,000 new charities last year, having assessed a record 9,840 applications – a 9% increase on the previous year.

    And there are around 700,000 trustees who collectively steward the sector though good times and bad, and whose work often goes unrecognised and uncelebrated – though we at the Commission are all too aware of their service and contribution.

    But numbers alone don’t tell of the human impact of charity. Of the positive difference charities make in transforming or enriching communities, our environment, our wildlife, heritage, culture as well as saving and improving countless individual lives.

    It is that impact that charities, their amazing trustees, volunteers and employees have – that we must not lose sight of – nor let the challenges shroud.

    There are so many examples to tell.

    Like the Felix Project which had a landmark year, providing 38 million meals through its network of 1,264 community organisations and schools by growing its network of collaborations. Building on that success it has launched its Multibank, which has seen 1.46 million non-food essential items distributed to try and ensure no Londoner in need goes without.

    Welsh Women’s Aid and its partners helped 739 survivors access refuge-based support. That is life-saving intervention happening every day, across the country – offering not just physical shelter but a sense of home and safety when people need it most.

    That the osprey – that magnificent bird of prey – which was once driven to near extinction in the UK – is now thriving, with over 250 nesting pairs living in Britain today, is thanks to charities.

    And it is thanks to charity that, on average, two lives are saved at sea every single day by RNLI volunteers.  

    Also I know from my last CEO role at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, thanks to animal welfare charities’ campaigning work over decades, the UK now has one of the most advanced legal frameworks protecting animal health and welfare.

    These a just a few examples of what has been made possible by the charity sector.

    Potential and Opportunity

    So whilst I don’t underestimate for one moment the challenges charities face – and which I have seen first hand on my many visits – I would urge you not to let those challenges dim nor shroud the huge impact you are having, everyday.

    I also firmly believe that as Albert Einstein once said:

    in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

    Arguably, the bigger the challenge, the greater the opportunity. Ideas previously rejected as too radical; innovation that once felt too big; conversations which felt too challenging can suddenly feel possible – and necessary.

    Take for example, the city I call home, Liverpool. Which is incidentally also the Commission’s main home, where most of our staff are based.

    I grew up in Liverpool in the 1980s. It was a time when the city felt like it had lost its way, with ever increasing challenges and ever dwindling opportunity and resources.

    Today my home city is transformed. And that transformation happened through collaboration – a combination of philanthropic investments, national and local government investment, alongside renewed community action notably in the arts, culture and tourism which acted as catalysts for wider renewal.

    Each individual project mattered, but what made for game-changing transformation was the cumulative impact of collaborative and complementary efforts from a number of actors. And that is true across the sector today.

    Take for example, Fareshare. Working collaboratively, supporting other charities in their network, they’ve helped distribute 92% more food over the last year, and made their budgets go 78% further.

    This resulted in them distributing a whopping 135 million meals, reaching nearly 1 million people.

    If you’ll allow me to return once more to my hometown.

    In late 2024, Zoe’s Place, a hospice in Liverpool which provides care to children, faced an uncertain future. The community of Liverpool, supported by business leaders and politicians, as well as a fellow charity the Institute of our Lady of Mercy, fellow hospice Claire’s Place and regional media collectively rallied to save Zoe’s Place, with the Commission playing a key facilitating role.

    Now, ownership has been transferred to the newly registered Liverpool Zoe’s Place. The charity’s trustees have also finalised plans to build the charity’s new home, securing the continuation of the former charity’s legacy.

    The hospice had been helping families through the unimaginable since 1995 – to see that vital service disappear would have been gutting for the community, and a huge blow to the families who rely on the organisation’s support.

    Instead, by reawakening their community’s passion and pride in the service, the charity will now continue to provide that support for years to come.

    In addition to this kind of public appeal, forging new corporate partnerships is another option being explored by many charities. Indeed, the Charities Aid Foundation estimates that UK businesses contribute around £4 billion to the sector.

    Take one example – a mere stone’s throw from here: national homelessness charity, Shelter.

    The organisation has partnered with clothing brand, Lucy and Yak. Last year they held a successful pop-up shop in Kings Cross, and now, they’ve launched donation boxes in several Lucy and Yak shops across the country encouraging customers to donate clothing.

    Shelter has responded to competition facing charity shops with the rise of preloved selling platforms in an agile and innovative way. Through this partnership, they’ve added a funding stream to their ‘bow’ and potentially reached new supporters.

    But I appreciate that public appeals and new corporate partnerships won’t work for everyone.  

    As a result of the Covid pandemic, many charities needed to re-evaluate their financial resilience and ability to weather further storms – many had dipped into their reserves, while others had little to fall back on.

    With the same desire to ensure services do not come to an end, some charities with similar goals turned to mergers – combining resources to create something more sustainable.

    For example, Community Integrated Care, one of the largest social care providers in the UK, merged with Inspire, a social care provider based in Scotland, in 2023. The charities saw how funding shortfalls, economic pressures and workforce shortages were impacting social care more broadly and chose to secure their future together rather than struggle through apart. And it paid off.

    Community Integrated Care’s income increased by £22 million in the year after the merger, and the charities reported publicly that the merger was a good strategic fit. These charities found strength in unity while continuing to provide that sense of belonging their beneficiaries depend on.

    Mergers are not the answer for all – and I don’t underestimate the work that can be involved in navigating a successful transition. But where you decide a merger is the best way forward, the Commission is on hand.

    Conclusion: strength in collaboration

    I’ve touched upon a few examples today to evidence my underlying confidence in this sector’s collective power. Just as no home is built by a single pair of hands, no lasting social change comes from isolated efforts.

    Our dear late Queen, Elizabeth II, once said:

    On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.

    In the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan we should remember those words and that out of darkness can come something brighter and better than before.

    From the darkness of tyranny, fascism and unfathomable loss came a renewed determination for peace, democracy and equality. That which charities had long fought for then came forward in the form of the NHS, welfare state, expansion of access to higher education, and workers’ rights.

    While the challenges facing society may be less existential, I believe this sector can again play a transformational role across communities, across government, local and national, with businesses and philanthropists to once again tackle our biggest issues with joint purpose.

    There is no greater charity sector in the world than here and my message is clear.

    Keep shining a light, charities.

    Shine a light on your charitable purpose.

    Shine a light of hope, and of refuge to those in need.

    Shine a light on your innovation and impact.

    And always remember that you not only stand on the shoulders of giants, but you too are now building that better brighter future for the next generation.

    Thank you. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and taking your questions.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK stands ready to send more aid to Gaza as Minister pledges further support

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK stands ready to send more aid to Gaza as Minister pledges further support

    Minister for Development announces new UK support for Gaza on first visit in her role to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

    • extra UK aid announced today will support organisations on the ground seeking to get food, water and medicine to those who need it
    • Minister Chapman will call Israel’s decision to allow just a basic amount of food into Gaza ‘abominable’ after an ‘indefensible’ 11-week blockade.
    • on her first visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in her role, the Minister also emphasises the need to release all Israeli hostages held by Hamas and works towards a two-state solution

    Vulnerable Gazans must urgently be given full access to aid, UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said today [Wednesday 21 May] on her first visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in her role. 

    Following the Government’s calls, together with partners, for restrictions on aid access to be lifted, the UK has announced £4m of new UK humanitarian support for Gazans as the Minister reaffirms the UK’s commitment to driving peace in the region.

    The visit comes the day after Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced new sanctions hitting violent West Bank settlers, paused free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and called the Government of Israel’s actions ‘egregious’ and ‘intolerable’. 

    On her visit the Development Minister will say the limited restart of aid deliveries into Gaza is ‘simply not enough’ and she will urge the Israeli government to allow the unhindered provision of aid. She will say the blockade has been appalling and indefensible, particularly following an IPC report noting the entire population of Gaza is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.

    The Minister will announce new UK support during a visit to a Red Crescent centre, highlighting that the UK stands ready to provide the urgent aid to those who desperately need it, while expressing frustration much of it cannot yet reach them.

    Backing up words with action, the new UK support would cover essential medicines and medical supplies for up to 32,000 people, safe drinking water for up to 60,000 people, and food parcels for up to 14,000 people.

    Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said:

    The lack of aid reaching ordinary Gazans is appalling. The Israeli government’s failure to allow full humanitarian access to aid workers is abhorrent. Far too few trucks are crossing into Gaza. The UN has warned nearly half a million Palestinians, including children, are facing starvation.

    The UK is clear – Israel will not achieve security through prolonging the suffering of the Palestinian people.

    I have heard first hand from aid workers today of the abominable impact of this behaviour on real families. The UK has today pledged new support for Gazans but the brutal reality is most of it is stuck in limbo.

    We need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, a surge of aid, and a path towards long-term peace.

    During the first day of her visit (Wednesday, May 21), Minister Chapman has met with Palestinian Justice Minister Sharhabeel al-Zaeem, and talked to UNRWA representatives on resolving the challenges in getting aid to Palestinian communities.

    Tomorrow, she is due to meet the families of hostages cruelly held by Hamas, where she will highlight the importance of an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated end to the conflict which secures their urgent release. This is the only way to deliver long-term stability in the region, and at home, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Background

    • The £4 million contribution announced today will be made to the British Red Cross to deliver humanitarian relief in Gaza through their partner the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. This support has been allocated from the £101 million set aside for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) in financial year 2025-26, announced during the official visit of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa to the UK.
    • UK support to the OPTs since October 7, 2023, has so far provided 405,000 patient consultations across Gaza, food aid to at least 647,000 people, and improved water, sanitation and hygiene services to almost 300,000 people. 
    • Photos from the visit will be available on FCDO Flickr
    • See here for the Foreign Secretary’s statement announcing sanctions on West Bank violence network and the pause on negotiations for a free trade agreement.
    • See here for joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank delivered on 19/05/2025.
    • See here for joint statement from UK and 26 other humanitarian partners delivered on 19/05/2025.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin opened the Yuzhnoye electric depot of the Zamoskvoretskaya metro line

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Sergei Sobyanin opened a new electric depot “Yuzhnoye” of the Zamoskvoretskaya line. Its commissioning became the final stage of the formation of the largest in Russia and one of the largest in Europe complexes for the repair, maintenance and operation of metro cars.

    On behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin presented the Moscow Metro with the Order “For Valiant Labor”, which recognized the great merits of the metro workforce in strengthening and developing the capital’s transport complex. The award was timed to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the metro.

    In addition, 10 new “Moscow-2024” trains ceremoniously entered the Zamoskvoretskaya line. Together with metro employees and invited guests, Sergei Sobyanin rode on the lead train from the depot to the Krasnogvardeyskaya station.

    “This year, the Moscow Metro turns 90. It is a respectable age, but the Moscow Metro demonstrates a very young, energetic life, developing, adding new lines, new stations, first-class trains, electric depots, developing in a way that probably no other metro in the world is developing. Today, a new electric depot “Yuzhnoye” is being opened, the largest and most modern in Russia. The Zamoskvoretskaya line of the metro is being replenished with 10 new trains, the most modern. This year, in honor of the metro’s anniversary, in honor of its merits, the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree on awarding the Moscow Metro team with the Order for Labor Valor. This is a well-deserved award. The Moscow Metro is the most intensive in the world, the most accurate, the most reliable, the safest, the cleanest and the most beautiful. And the most beloved by Muscovite passengers,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    The Mayor of Moscow congratulated the entire staff of the capital’s metro, metro builders and everyone who is related to the metro on the award and anniversary.

    The head of the Moscow Metro, Viktor Kozlovsky, in turn, thanked the President of Russia for the award and Sergei Sobyanin for his assistance and constant participation in the development of the metro.

    “I would like to say a huge thank you to the President of our country, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, for the high assessment of our work, our many thousands of people, and personally to you, Sergey Semenovich, for your constant participation, for the development of the Moscow Metro. For the work that you do. The Moscow Metro is ready to continue to fulfill any tasks at a high level,” said Viktor Kozlovsky.

    Thanks to the unprecedented construction of new lines and stations, more than 90 percent of Muscovites now live in the service area of the rail frame stations. For comparison: in 2010, this figure was 70 percent. On weekdays, the metro carries more than 8.2 million passengers. The Moscow metro has become a world leader in important indicators. Thus, the accuracy of the schedule is 99.9 percent, the traffic intensity reaches 90-second intervals during rush hours on the most popular lines, a variety of payment methods and customer services are available, which leads to a high level of passenger loyalty.

    Development of the capital’s metro

    In 2010, city residents built most of the routes through the center. As a result, transfer stations here were overloaded almost all day long, and at peak times, passengers managed to get on far from the first train.

    Thanks to the development of the Moscow Metro infrastructure – the opening of new stations and the renewal of rolling stock – every year the trips become faster and more comfortable, many additional transfers and route options appear, the carriages become noticeably freer even during rush hours. There are no more overloaded sections in the metro.

    The first stage of the Moscow metro opened on May 15, 1935. It included 11.2 kilometers of lines and 13 stations – from Sokolniki to Park Kultury with a branch to Smolenskaya. Shortly before that, on November 10, 1934, the Severnoye electric depot began operating.

    Today, together with the Moscow Central Circle (MCC), the metro has 302 stations (271 metro stations and 31 MCC stations), as well as 23 electric depots, including the Brateevo car repair complex.

    Since 2011, 123 stations have been built and reconstructed in Moscow — their total number has increased by almost 1.7 times. New lines have started operating: Nekrasovskaya, Solntsevskaya and Troitskaya. Sokolnicheskaya, Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya, Zamoskvoretskaya and a number of other metro lines have been extended. Two new rings (MCC and Big Circle Line) provide convenient transfers and transit along routes without entering the center. In Soviet times, it took almost 40 years to build a network of such a scale.

    More than 130 kilometers of the capital’s metro tunnels were laid in five yearsSergei Sobyanin opened full service on the Troitskaya metro line

    The Moscow Metro employs over 65,000 workers (almost a third of whom are women), with an average age of 43. The company is represented by more than 200 professions and specialties. The metro workforce includes more than 100 dynasties with a total work experience of over 15 thousand years.

    In recent years, the city has been paying special attention to the renewal of its rolling stock. Moscow is the leader among European and American megacities in terms of the rate of renewal of its metro cars. Today, the Moscow Metro fleet has over 6.7 thousand cars of various models, with over 77 percent of them being of the current generation. Since 2010, the average age of metro cars has decreased almost twofold — from 20 to 12 years. By the end of 2025, another 272 Moscow-2024 cars are to be added to the fleet, and in 2030, the share of new trains will be about 90 percent, meaning that modern trains will serve passengers on all metro lines. In addition, the share of domestic components in Moscow-2024 trains has reached almost 95 percent.

    Trains created according to the technical specifications of the Moscow Metro are a standard for the metros of other cities and countries. In addition to the capital of Russia, trains based on the Moscow train are supplied to the metros of four cities – Kazan (Russia), Baku (Azerbaijan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Minsk (Belarus).

    Most trains in the Moscow metro are serviced under a life cycle contract. These are the Oka, Moskva, Moskva-2020 and Moskva-2024 type trains. The manufacturer’s service company is responsible for timely and high-quality maintenance, train diagnostics, washing and daily cleaning, as well as the readiness of the trains to go on the line.

    Electric depot as part of the metro

    In addition to performing their main function – parking, scheduled maintenance and washing of rolling stock, electric depots are the basic enterprises of the Moscow Metro for the repair of electric trains and auxiliary production, and also serve to accommodate personnel and equipment of various services. In fact, the electric depot is the technological heart of the metro.

    Without the construction of new electric depots, the development of the metro is impossible; they are as important a part of the infrastructure as stations and tunnels.

    Since 2011, 13 electric depots have been built and reconstructed as part of the Moscow Metro development program. Thus, eight new ones appeared: Aminyevskoye, Brateevo, Likhobory, Mitino, Nizhegorodskoye, Rudnevo, Solntsevo and Yuzhnoye (Brateevo-2). They service trains on six lines, are equipped with all the necessary equipment and are ready for technical maintenance, periodic and unscheduled repairs of cars. Another five electric depots have been reconstructed. These are Vladykino, Vykhino, Pechatniki, Planernoye and Sokol.

    This year, the city plans to complete construction of the Stolbovo (Salaryevo) depot on the Sokolnicheskaya Line. Three more depots are to appear by 2030: Ilyinskoye for the Rublevo-Arkhangelskaya Line, Biryulevskoye for the Biryulevskaya Line, and Troitskoye for the Troitskaya Line.

    Sergei Sobyanin: The first metro train arrived at the Stolbovo electric depot under constructionWhere trains spend the night: how metro cars are serviced and repaired at the Krasnaya Presnya depot

    Electric depot “Yuzhnoye”

    The Yuzhnoye electric depot is the largest in Russia and one of the largest complexes in Europe for the repair, maintenance and operation of wagons.

    The Zamoskvoretskaya Line is one of the longest and most popular in the Moscow metro. From 24 stations on the green line, you can make 19 transfers to other metro lines, the Moscow Central Circle (MCC) and the Moscow Central Diameters (MCD). More than 880 thousand trips are made on the line every day. At the most popular times, trains run at intervals of 1.6 minutes.

    The last 10 years have been a time of dynamic development of the Zamoskvoretskaya line. From 2015 to 2018, new stations “Tekhnopark”, “Khovrino” and “Belomorskaya” were opened, which improved transport accessibility of five districts of the capital: Khovrino, Levoberezhny, Zapadnoye Degunino, Nagatinsky Zaton and Danilovsky.

    In 2023, new tunnels were built in record time on the Kantemirovskaya-Tsaritsyno section. Last year, the first Moskva-2024 train entered service on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line, which marked the beginning of the rolling stock renewal process.

    Passengers on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line are transported by 78 trains (624 cars), including 30 trains (240 cars) “Moscow-2024”. On May 21, 2025, another 10 of these most modern trains in the world entered service. Thus, more than 50 percent of the rolling stock on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line has been updated. The process on the green line is planned to be completed in 2025-2026. Both modern Russian “Moscow-2024” trains and the newest “Moscow-2026” trains will run on it. More than 1.8 million residents of 21 districts through which the Zamoskvoretskaya Line passes will receive new and modern rolling stock – their trips will become much more comfortable.

    Until 2021, the trains of the Zamoskvoretskaya line were serviced by the Sokol (since 1938), Zamoskvoretskoye (since 1969) and Brateevo (since 2014) electric depots.

    However, in 2021, the Zamoskvoretskoye depot was transferred to service the rolling stock of the Big Circle Line of the metro, and now it fully serves the needs of the BCL, and also temporarily accepts trains of the Troitskaya Line.

    To replace the decommissioned capacities in the south of Moscow, a new electric depot, Yuzhnoye (Brateevo-2), was built next to the existing depot. As a result, the largest in Russia and one of the largest in Europe infrastructure complexes for the maintenance, repair and operation of metro cars was formed.

    “Together with the wagon repair plant, the Yuzhnoye electric depot has surpassed the previous record holder, the Mitino depot, in terms of scale. 46 buildings and structures have been built in Yuzhnoye, and the most modern and technologically advanced equipment has been installed: servicing of trains on the Zamoskvoretskaya line will be fast and high-quality. At the same time, the neighboring wagon repair plant will focus on major and medium repairs of wagons from all over the metro,” Sergei Sobyanin wrote in his

    telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    In the new Yuzhnoye depot, on a site of 13.6 hectares, buildings and structures with a total area of 77.3 thousand square meters were constructed, including a storage and repair building, a motor depot and an electrical centralization post, a compressor station, a warehouse, an administrative and household building and other structures – a total of 46 buildings for various purposes.

    The total length of the tracks at the Yuzhnoye depot is about 6.2 kilometers, which can be compared with the section between the Krylatskoye and Strogino stations, the longest in the Moscow Metro.

    After reaching its design capacity, the enterprise will create approximately 1.3 thousand jobs.

    Along with the modern carriages, a service company from the manufacturer arrived at the Yuzhnoye depot, which will service the new rolling stock (trains Moscow-2024 and Moscow-2026) under a life cycle contract for 30 years of operation.

    The staff was provided with the most favorable conditions for efficient work and good rest.

    The administrative building has a canteen for 160 people. The locomotive crews’ rest rooms are organized like hotel rooms, and the blocks are equipped with bathrooms. Separate comfortable rooms are provided for female drivers.

    There are currently 130 female drivers and assistant drivers working in the Moscow Metro. In addition, about 50 women are undergoing training in the profession. It is planned that female drivers will soon begin working on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line.

    The medical service includes pre-trip examination rooms, a doctor, a medical psychologist, a treatment room, a vaccination room, and a recovery room.

    There are also a sports hall and a gym with a physical education instructor’s office, an assembly hall and utility rooms (laundry, ironing, storage rooms for special clothing).

    After the commissioning of the Yuzhnoye depot, it took over the functions of servicing the Zamoskvoretskaya line, including the new Moscow-2024 series trains, which began carrying passengers in March 2024.

    At the same time, the Brateevo depot will become the main car repair complex of the Moscow Metro. Its capacity allows repairing the rolling stock of the Zamoskvoretskaya line, as well as carrying out technically complex repairs of cars of the Nomernoy and Rusich types from other metro lines. In total, up to 850 cars, 8.5 thousand wheels and more than 6.4 thousand engines per year – a record for similar facilities in Russia.

    The wagon repair complex will not only be the largest, but also the most modern, with a high level of automation – a conveyor for moving wheel pairs, electric bogies, and CNC machines.

    In terms of its scale, the new infrastructure complex, consisting of the Yuzhnoye depot and a wagon repair plant, has surpassed the previous record holder, the Mitino electric depot, which until now was the largest in Russia in terms of capacity. The total area of the complex is 32.2 hectares. The capacity of the complex allows servicing up to 2.4 thousand wagons per year.

    Main characteristics of the new infrastructure complex

    Depot “Yuzhnoye”:

    — capacity — 34 seats for trains;

    — night storage — 25 places;

    — washing — 12 compositions per day;

    — operational maintenance — 30 trains per day;

    — technical maintenance — four trains per day;

    — turning of wheel pairs — three cars per day;

    — current repairs — three trains per month;

    — jobs — about 1.3 thousand;

    — the total length of the tracks is 6.2 kilometers.

    Wagon repair complex “Brateevo”:

    — capacity — 11 seats for trains;

    — the total length of the tracks is 7.1 kilometers;

    — major repairs — 300 cars per year;

    — average repairs — 550 cars per year;

    — repair of traction electric motors — 6.4 thousand units per year;

    — wheel sets — 8.5 thousand pieces per year;

    — motor-compressors — two thousand pieces per 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 access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12781050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Home Sales Forecast Upgraded in May Outlook

    Source: Fannie Mae

    WASHINGTON, DC – Total single-family home sales are expected to close 2025 at 4.92 million units, with existing home sales accounting for 4.24 million of those units, according to the May 2025 Economic and Housing Outlook from the Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group. Revisions to the home sales forecast were driven in part by the ESR Group’s lower expectations for mortgage rates, which it now forecasts to end 2025 and 2026 at 6.1% and 5.8%, respectively. The latest outlook also projects real gross domestic product growing at 0.7% in 2025 and 2.0% in 2026 on a Q4/Q4 basis.

    Visit the Economic and Strategic Research site at fanniemae.com to read the full May 2025 Economic and Housing Outlook, including the Economic Developments Commentary, Economic Forecast, and Housing Forecast. To receive email updates with other housing market research from Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group, please click here.

    Opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views of Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group included in these materials should not be construed as indicating Fannie Mae’s business prospects or expected results, are based on a number of assumptions, and are subject to change without notice. How this information affects Fannie Mae will depend on many factors. Although the ESR Group bases its opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views on information it considers reliable, it does not guarantee that the information provided in these materials is accurate, current, or suitable for any particular purpose. Changes in the assumptions or the information underlying these views could produce materially different results. The analyses, opinions, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views published by the ESR Group represent the views of that group as of the date indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of Fannie Mae or its management.

    About the ESR Group
    Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group, led by Chief Economist Mark Palim, studies current data, analyzes historical and emerging trends, and conducts surveys of consumer and mortgage lenders to inform forecasts and analyses on the economy, housing, and mortgage markets.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee – 10:00AM

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

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the FY26 Department of State Budget Request on Capitol Hill, on May 21, 2025.

    ———-
    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 www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/
    Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/StateDept
    Substack: https://statedept.substack.com

    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSTATEBPA/signup/32562

    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=EAGqh7jvyus

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s Made By Basketball (MBB) bounce back, record first win in the Basketball Africa League (BAL)

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

    KIGALI, Rwanda, May 21, 2025/APO Group/ —

    On a BAL career night (www.BAL.NBA.com), Pieter Prinsloo recorded a game-high 30 points and 11 rebounds, Teafale Lenard Jr. added 20 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Made By Basketball (MBB, South Africa) defeated Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya) 75-74 when the BAL Nile Conference resumed at BK Arena in Kigali on Tuesday afternoon. MBB overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half and it came down to a dramatic three-pointer from Robinson Opong, his second in the game, to get Sam Vincent’s team one-point ahead with just over three seconds left.

    The Thunder were led by Evans Ganapamo (21 points) and Tylor Ongwae (20 points), but were shooting 36 percent from the floor and could not hold to the lead late in the fourth. It was MBB’s first win in the competition (1-2) as they look for a slot in the upcoming BAL Playoffs and Finals back home in Pretoria (June 6-14). After three games in Kigali, the Thunder (0-3) are still searching for a win.

    In the second game, Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) beat APR (Rwanda) 90-68, becoming the only undefeated team in the Nile Conference. Jean Jacques Boissy and Naseim Badrush combined for 52 points, 11 rebounds and six steals for Al Ahli, while Obadiah Noel and Chasson Randle scored 18 points each for APR, who were missing Aliou Diarra due to injury. After three games, Al Ahli (3-0) sits on top of the Nile Conference, with APR (2-1) losing their first game in the competition.

    The BAL continues on Thursday when Al Ahli takes on Nairobi at 4 p.m. CAT and APR faces MBB at 7 p.m. CAT.

    POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE:

    • MBB vs Nairobi City Thunder (https://apo-opa.co/3YT6kOi) (MBB: Head Coach Sam Vincent; Teafale Lenard Jr.; Thunder: Head Coach Bradley Thomas; Evans Ganapamo)
    • Al Ahli Tripoli vs APR (https://apo-opa.co/3H3wUy0) (Tripoli: Head Coach AbouAbou Charca Joseph Fouad; Deon Thompson; APR: Head Coach James Maye Jr.; Obadiah Noel)

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency secures over £526K in Proceeds of Crime case

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Environment Agency secures over £526K in Proceeds of Crime case

    An illegal enterprise in catalytic converters has brought confiscation orders for £526,215.04, at a Proceeds of Crime Award hearing.

    Converters

    The case led by the Environment Agency was concluded at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 16 May 2025.

    The ruling was made against Long Sutton-based Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd and director Edvars Stancik.

    Recorder John Hardy KC ruled that Stancik, 30, had made a benefit of £4,312,925.70 from his criminal activity while his company made a benefit of £4,344,827.60.

    The court heard assets of £495,280.88 were available from the company made up of cash in a bank account and seized catalytic converters.

    Stancik’s only asset was £30,934.16 from equity in a house he sold before his trial, the court was told.

    Recorder Hardy ordered those amounts to be confiscated and ruled that £100,111.65 should be paid to the Environment Agency to cover costs.

    At a previous hearing (4 September 2024), the company and Stancik were found guilty of running an illegal waste site at Long Sutton.

    The court heard that, between December 2019 and September 2021, Stancik, 30, acted as a director of the company and traded in catalytic convertors on a colossal scale. 

    A jury heard that neither Stancik nor his company had obtained an environmental permit before buying and selling thousands of catalytic converters.

    Stancik stored the devices in containers in Long Sutton and were stored in an irresponsible manner giving rise to health risks.

    A warrant for the arrest of Stancik, who is believed to be living in Lithuania, has been issued.  He has been given 3 months to pay or face 5 years in jail.

    The Environment Agency continues to investigate ways of retrieving further proceeds.

    Peter Stark, Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, said:

    “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the benefit they obtain from their illegal activities.

    “Offenders won’t get away with concealing information or their assets, and due to the EA’s hard work, justice has been served.

    “Waste crime can be a blight on the environment, communities and to legitimate businesses.

    “We will continue to work with professional partners like Lincolnshire Police in this case to prevent, disrupt, investigate, and stop waste offending.

    “If anyone suspects that a company or its directors are doing something wrong, contact our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

    The charges:

    Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd.

    • Operating a regulated facility, namely a waste operation, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton).

    • Operating a regulated facility, namely a waste operation, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    • Keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33(1)(c) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.) (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33(1)(c) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    Edvars Stancik

    • Causing a company to operate a regulated facility otherwise in accordance with an environmental permit contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) by virtue of Regulation 41(1) and 41(3) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to operate a regulated facility otherwise in accordance with an environmental permit contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) by virtue of Regulation 41(1) and 41(3) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to commit an offence, contrary to section 33(1)(c), 33(6) by virtue of s157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

    • Causing a company to commit an offence, contrary to section 33(1)(c), 33(6) by virtue of s157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

    Background Information

    Catalytic converters are components in car exhausts.  They contain small amounts of precious metals contained within a metal case making them valuable.

    However, catalytic converters also contain carcinogenic fibres which, if ingested, can cause serious and irreversible lung disease. 

    The dangerous fibres can attach to shoes and clothing and be transported from one place to another.

     It is therefore extremely important that catalytic converters are handled only under the strict conditions of an environmental permit, supervised by the Environment Agency.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Power Your Summer Plans with Hot Savings on Samsung Tech

    Source: Samsung

    Summer is heating up at Samsung – and so are the savings.
    The Discover Samsung Summer Sale is coming soon from June 2-8 with big savings on smart home essentials and mobile must-haves to power your summer. Mark your calendar for weeklong offers, curated bundles and new daily deals beginning at 9am ET each day. To get a head start on the savings, download the Samsung Shop App to unlock Early Access to exclusive offers beginning Friday, May 30 at 9am ET.
    Whether you’re planning the ultimate beach weekend, backyard staycation, or backpacking trip, Samsung AI features are here to help you make the most of your summer plans. Explore some of our favorite features for summer and take a peek at current and upcoming offers below.
    For summer travels, let Galaxy AI[1] take the lead on planning. Looking for flights? Hold the side button of your Galaxy S25 and ask Gemini[2] to find deals in real time before saving the results to your Samsung Notes app to easily reference later. Try out local cuisine with ease by pressing the side button of your Galaxy S25 and asking Galaxy AI to translate the menu before providing recommended meal options. And if you want the perfect photo to post, use Galaxy AI’s Generative Edit[3] feature to remove any unwanted background objects.

    Weeklong Deal: Save up to $300 on Galaxy S25 Ultra (promo price: starting at $1299.99)
    Weeklong Deal: Save $60 or up to $150 with eligible trade-in,[4] plus get a case on us with Galaxy Buds3 Pro (promo price: starting at $99.99)

    For backyard dinner parties, your connected kitchen is the ultimate sous chef. Use the AI Home screen[5] on select products in our 2025 Bespoke AI lineup to act as your personal assistant and convenient control center for your smart home. Plan your meals and create grocery lists or view your calendar and leave notes for your family, all from the screen. And once you finish dinner, tackle your sink full of dirty dishes with our latest Bespoke smart dishwasher, the quietest in its class.[6]

    Save up to $1,500 on Bespoke 4-Door French Door with AI Home & AI Vision Inside [7] (promo price: starting at $3,199)
    Save up to $400 on the 38 dBA Bespoke Smart Dishwasher with 3rd Rack Washing System (promo price: starting at $999)

    For movie marathons and more, experience the next big thing in television with Samsung Vision AI[8] on our 2025 TVs. The 2025 Samsung TV lineup offers breathtaking picture and immersive sound, paired with AI-backed features that take your TV to new heights. Use Click to Search[9] for instant info about your shows or movies, or enjoy content in your preferred language with Live Translate[10]. Universal Gestures even lets you control your TV with just a Galaxy Watch[11]. Plus, Samsung Vision AI helps upscale[12] everything you watch into crystal clear resolution, and even adapts your TV’s audio to your room for crisp dialogue and immersive sound. You can also pair your TV with a 2025 Samsung soundbar to amp up the audio even further.

    Happening NOW: Save up to $400 on S90F and S85F series OLED TVs (promo prices: starting at $1,399)
    Happening NOW: Save up to $500 on Q-series soundbars (promo prices: starting at $449)

    We’re also offering great savings on our 2024 OLED TVs, delivering pure blacks, bright whites and Pantone®-Validated color – all backed by powerful AI processors that optimize picture and sound as you watch. Whichever model you choose, you can shop with confidence from the #1 TV brand for 19 years running[13].

    Happening NOW: Save $1,400 on 65” Class OLED S90D (promo price: $1,299)
    Happening NOW: Save $2,100 on 77” Class OLED S95D (promo price: $2,499)

    Check back here next week for even more offers across our home entertainment lineup!
    For on-the-go smart home control, use the SmartThings app[14] on your mobile device. Seamlessly manage your compatible tech with automated routines, whether you’re turning on the lights for your arrival or cranking up the air conditioner on hot days. And with SmartThings Energy’s AI Energy Mode, you can receive personalized tips to help cut down on your energy usage and costs from your Samsung washer to your refrigerator to your TV and beyond.

    Save up to $1,100 on 3 cu. ft. Bespoke AI Laundry Ventless Heat Pump Dryer Combo All-in-One Ultra Capacity Washer with AI Home (promo price: starting at $2,199)
    Click here to download the SmartThings app

    For more on the Discover Samsung Summer Sale and details on the latest offers, visit Samsung.com.

    [1] Galaxy AI features by Samsung are free through 2025 and require Samsung account login.
    [2] Compatible with select apps. Requires Google Gemini account. Results may vary based on input; check responses for accuracy. Google and Gemini are trademarks of Google LLC.
    [3] Generative Edit requires a Samsung account login. Editing with Generative Edit results in a resized photo up to 12MP. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by Galaxy AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed.
    [4] For Samsung Trade-In terms and conditions, click here.
    [5] AI Home LCD Display on RF90F29/23BECRAA Refrigerators accesses AI Vision Inside , Bixby and personalized recipe recommendations based on AI algorithms. Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account required.
    [6] Together with DW90 models, compared to competitor models with MSRP $1399 or less.
    [7] AI Vision Inside can recognize and automatically label 37 unobscured fresh food items such as select fruits and vegetables; other items may be manually labeled. Results vary by manner of placement.
    [8] Samsung Vision Al is only available on 2025 Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED, OLED, QLED and The Frame TV models. Samsung Vision Al features vary by TV model. (Excludes Crystal UHD, FHD and HD TV models).
    [9] Available on certain models only, and on terrestrial, cable TV and Samsung TV Plus.
    [10] Works with antenna broadcast only. Available languages vary and may require download. Translation accuracy not guaranteed.
    [11] Available apps and services may vary and are subject to change without notice. Only supported on Galaxy Watch4 and later models, and Wear OS 5 and higher versions. Galaxy Watch sold separately.
    [12] Viewing experience may vary according to types of content and format. Upscaling may not apply to PC connection and Game Mode.
    [13] Source: Omdia, Feb 2025. Results are not an endorsement of Samsung. Any reliance on these results is at the third party’s own risk.
    [14] Available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Windows are the No. 1 human threat to birds – an ecologist shares some simple steps to reduce collisions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Hoeksema, Professor of Ecology, University of Mississippi

    Birds are drawn to the mirror effect of windows. That can turn deadly when they think they see trees. CCahill/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    When wood thrushes arrive in northern Mississippi on their spring migration and begin to serenade my neighborhood with their ethereal, harmonized song, it’s one of the great joys of the season. It’s also a minor miracle. These small creatures have just flown more than 1,850 miles (3,000 kilometers), all the way from Central America.

    Other birds undertake even longer journeys — the Swainson’s thrush, for example, nests as far north as the boreal forests of Alaska and spends the nonbreeding season in northern South America, traveling up to 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers) each way.

    These stunning feats of travel are awe-inspiring, making it that much more tragic when they are cut short by a deadly collision with a glass window.

    A wood thrush singing. Shared by the American Bird Conservancy.

    This happens with alarming regularity. Two recent scientific studies estimate that more than 1 billion birds – and as many as 5.19 billion – die from collisions with sheet glass each year in the United States alone, sometimes immediately but often from their injuries.

    In fact, window collisions are now considered the top human cause of bird deaths. Due to window collisions and other causes, bird populations across North America have declined more than 29% from their 1970 levels, likely with major consequences for the world’s ecosystems.

    These collisions occur on every type of building, from homes to skyscrapers. At the University of Mississippi campus, where I teach and conduct research as an ecologist, my colleagues and I have been testing some creative solutions.

    Why glass is so often deadly for birds

    Most frequently, glass acts as a mirror, reflecting clear sky or habitat. There is no reason for a bird to slow down when there appears to be a welcoming tree or shrub ahead.

    These head-on collisions frequently result in brain injuries, to which birds often succumb immediately.

    In other cases, birds are stunned by the collision and eventually fly off, but many of those individuals also eventually perish from brain swelling.

    Other injuries, to wings or legs, for example, can leave birds unable to fly and vulnerable to cats or other predators. If you find an injured bird, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

    Which windows are riskiest

    Some windows are much worse than others, depending on their proximity to bushes and other bird habitats, what is reflected in them, and how interior lighting exacerbates or diminishes the mirror effect.

    On our campus, some buildings with a great deal of glass surface area kill surprisingly few birds, while other small sets of windows are disproportionately deadly.

    A stunned Swainson’s thrush sits on the ground in front of a window on campus. The bird, which likely hit the window, eventually recovered and flew away.
    Jason Hoeksema/University of Mississippi

    One particular elevated walkway with glass on both sides between the chemistry and pharmacy buildings is a notoriously dangerous spot. The glass kills migratory birds each spring and fall as they try to pass between the two buildings on their way to The Grove, the university’s central-campus park area with large old oak trees.

    During the pandemic in 2020, student Emma Counce did the heart-heavy work of performing a survey of 11 campus buildings almost daily during spring migration. She found 72 bird fatalities in seven weeks. Five years later, my ornithology students completed a new survey and found 62 mortalities over the course of five weeks in 2025, demonstrating that we still have a lot of work to do to make our campus safe for migratory birds.

    Thrushes, perhaps due to their propensity for whizzing through tight spaces in the shady forest understory, have been disproportionately represented among the victims. Others include colorful songbirds – northern parulas, black-and-white warblers, prothonotary warblers, Kentucky warblers, buntings, vireos and tanagers.

    How to make windows less dangerous

    The good thing is that everyone can do something to lower the risk.

    Films, stickers or strings can be added on the exterior of windows, creating dots or lines, 2 to 4 inches apart, that break up reflections to give the appearance of a barrier.

    Exterior screens and blinds work great too. Just adding a few predator silhouette stickers is not effective, by the way – the treatment needs to span the whole window.

    Putting film with dots on windows, like this one at the University of Mississippi, can help birds spot the glass and stop in time. Without the dots, the reflection can look like more trees are ahead instead of glass and a hallway.
    Jason Hoeksema/University of Mississippi

    When applied properly, window treatments can make a huge difference. An inspiring example is McCormick Place in Chicago, the country’s largest convention center, which notoriously killed nearly 1,000 birds in a single night in 2023. After workers applied dot film to an area of the building’s windows equivalent to two football fields, bird mortality at the lakeside building has been reduced by 95%.

    The Bird Collision Prevention Alliance provides information on options for retrofitting home or office windows to make them more bird friendly.

    Options for new windows are also becoming more common. For example, the new Center for Science & Technology Innovation on my campus, which features many windows, mostly used bird-friendly glass with subtle polka dots built into it. This spring, we found that it killed only four birds, despite a very high surface area of glass.

    How you can help

    When trying to make a difference on your home turf, I suggest starting small. Make note of which specific windows have killed birds in the past, and treat them first.

    Use it as an opportunity to learn what approach might work best for you and your building. Either order a product or make something yourself and get it installed.

    How to make your windows safer for birds. Shared by Audubon New York and American Bird Conservancy.

    Then do another, and tell a friend. At the office, talk to people, find others who care and build a team to make gradual change.

    With some creative solutions, anyone can help reduce at least this major risk.

    Jason Hoeksema is affiliated with the University of Mississippi, Delta Wind Birds, and the Mississippi Ornithological Society.

    – ref. Windows are the No. 1 human threat to birds – an ecologist shares some simple steps to reduce collisions – https://theconversation.com/windows-are-the-no-1-human-threat-to-birds-an-ecologist-shares-some-simple-steps-to-reduce-collisions-255838

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo’s choice of name

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nathan Schneider, Assistant Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

    An 1878 photograph of Pope Leo XIII and members of his court, taken by Jules David. Wikimedia Commons

    When Robert Francis Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV, it could have meant many things. There were 13 Leos before him: The first, Leo the Great, was a fifth-century theologian who helped heal the doctrinal divisions among early Christians; Leo X, a member of the powerful Medici family, helped provoke the Protestant Reformation with his lavish lifestyle and sale of indulgences.

    Two days after his election, the new pope affirmed the most likely inference: that his name was a tribute to the most recent Leo, Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903. Less obvious, however, was what inspired his choice: the rise of artificial intelligence.

    As the new pope told the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025, he was inspired by his namesake’s teachings about economic justice during another time of radical technological change. Leo XIII applied Catholic tradition to the Industrial Revolution in a historic encyclical called Rerum Novarum, which became the founding document of modern Catholic economics.

    “In our own day,” Leo XIV said, “the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”

    I am a scholar of economic thought around technology and religion, and so the invocation of the previous Leo had immediate resonance for me. What lessons is the current pope drawing from his predecessor? What would Leo XIII say about AI?

    19th-century teachings

    Some might imagine that the answer is some kind of outright rejection. The Catholic Church has a sometimes earned reputation for denouncing the modern world in favor of its centuries-old traditions.

    One aspect of the reign of Leo XIII, who became pope in 1878, was an attack on modern individualism, which he denounced as “Americanism.” But his relationship with modernity was far from simply rejecting it. Leo XIII was the first pope captured on film, for instance, and he blessed the camera that recorded him.

    Leo XIII was the first pope to appear on film.

    In Rerum Novarum, which appeared in 1891, Leo responded to the roiling struggles between Gilded Age capitalists and the industrial workers they systematically exploited. The “teeming masses of the laboring poor” received “a yoke little better than that of slavery itself,” he wrote.

    The 19th-century pope refused to endorse either the capitalists’ wait-and-see promise of progress or the communists’ longing for a dictatorship of the proletariat. Instead, he offered a vision that became the cornerstone of modern Catholic social teaching.

    Leo XIII’s prescription for the Industrial Revolution of his time was to embrace private property, like the capitalists, but to spread it out far more widely among workers. Rerum Novarum contends it is “just and right that the results of labor should belong to those who have bestowed their labor.” If workers become owners, he explained, they can have a part in stewarding the gifts of God.

    Leo XIII’s writings have formed the foundation of modern Catholic social thought.
    L’Illustrazione Italiana via Wikimedia Commons

    The pope further called for public policy that would spread wealth and power in the industrial economy through widespread ownership: “The law, therefore, should favor ownership, and its policy should be to induce as many as possible of the people to become owners.”

    This was a radical position then, as it is now. Following Leo XIII’s call, many Catholics searched for ways to share ownership of industry more widely. This movement gave birth to cooperative businesses around the world, from the North American credit union system to the Mondragon Corporation in the Basque region of Spain, an industrial behemoth owned and governed by its workers.

    But for most of the world, Leo’s plea was forgotten in the capitalist-versus-communist Cold War.

    21st-century tech

    Today, we inhabit yet another Gilded Age. Wealth inequality in the United States has reached similar levels as in Leo XIII’s time, once again thanks to technological disruptions that funnel the benefits to a small elite. AI threatens to put the platform economy on steroids, upending work with the bots that only a few companies can afford to build.

    Policy debates about AI tend to be limited to what the big tech CEOs should or shouldn’t do. The Biden administration was poised to enshrine a few powerful companies as the arbiters of AI, handing them and the government power to determine what is and isn’t ethical. Now, the Trump administration is pulling out all the stops to compete with China. “The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety,” Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, told a major AI summit soon after taking office. “It will be won by building.”

    Channeling Leo XIII to confront the AI revolution, however, means looking past prevailing ideas, as he did in his time. His teachings suggest that the people who create and use AI should be the ones who actively own and govern it.

    This could take many forms. For instance, already there are workers organizing to shape how AI is deployed in their workplaces. In other contexts, cooperative businesses such as Land O’Lakes have worked with farmer-owners to use the data that farm machines produce to improve their practices. People do not have to be merely passive users of AI tools; when they have well-organized democratic power through unions and co-ops, they can make the technology more accountable to them.

    AI companies themselves can spread ownership and governance more widely. Fears about the dangers that powerful AI could pose if it gets out of hand have already prompted some founders to adopt unusual corporate structures. Anthropic, the company behind the AI assistant Claude, is a public-benefit corporation, which means that it can prioritize long-term social benefit above shareholder profits. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is owned by a nonprofit – an arrangement that has resisted efforts to turn it into a more conventional kind of company.

    Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, middle, speaks on a panel at an event about AI safety in 2024.
    AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

    But these structures still assume that AI’s future should be in the hands of an aristocracy of business and technical elites. Leo XIII, on the other hand, argued that everyone who participates in an enterprise should have a stake in it.

    For AI, that could include not only company employees but also the users who train the models, the communities that share their water and power with data centers, the workers who mine the raw materials for high-performance chips, and the creators who contribute to the systems’ knowledge.

    Early research has suggested that ordinary people are very concerned about turning power over to machines that they do not yet understand. They see consequences of AI in their lives that engineers in Silicon Valley are less likely to consider, from racial discrimination to workplace surveillance. Also, as a wonderful story by the science fiction writer Cadwell Turnbull suggests, people will likely use and trust AI more if they know it is truly accountable to them.

    In January 2025, the Vatican released a document calling for a “renewed appreciation of all that is human” in the age of AI. It warned against what Pope Francis called the “technocratic paradigm”: the mindset that gives up humans’ role as stewards of God’s creation and hands power over to systems, whether they are stock markets or computer programs.

    By taking the name Leo, I believe the new pope is suggesting something similar. The important question is not whether new technologies are good or bad. What matters far more is whether we can learn to share the responsibility of stewardship – whether we can all be partners in what this new industrial revolution is making possible.

    Nathan Schneider identifies as a Roman Catholic.

    – ref. 19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo’s choice of name – https://theconversation.com/19th-century-catholic-teachings-21st-century-tech-how-concerns-about-ai-guided-pope-leos-choice-of-name-256645

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council working in partnership to tackle illegal off-road biking

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Off-road vehicles including motorbikes, quad bikes and other similar vehicles are classed as motor vehicles and must meet specific standards to be legally ridden on public highways.

    Off-roaders must have the permission of the landowner to ride on private land and, even with permission, dangerous or careless riding can lead to prosecution. For more details, please visit Off-Road Vehicle Nuisance.

    Off-roaders may also be in breach of the High Court injunction banning street racing in the Black Country, and therefore in contempt of court, if they are used on the public highway or land open to the public either for racing or to perform stunts.

    Meanwhile, parents who are considering purchasing off-road vehicles for young people should be aware that they may be held accountable for the actions of their children if they are found using vehicles anti-socially, including fines and legal action.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “As a council, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our residents.

    “The anti-social use of off-road vehicles is not only dangerous but also illegal. It can cause significant distress and danger to our communities and offenders may face fines, prosecution or have their vehicles seized.

    “We are working closely with West Midlands Police and other partners to identify and take action against offenders, and are pursuing legal measures against persistent offenders.

    “But we need the public’s help. If you witness the anti-social use of off-road vehicles, please report it to us, in confidence.”

    People can report the anti-social use of off-road vehicles to the Wolverhampton Anti-Social Behaviour Unit via asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk, Report anti-social behaviour or by calling 01902 556789, or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via CrimeStoppers.

    Alternatively, contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat at West Midlands Police or call 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

    When reporting, please provide as much information as possible, including the location of the incident, a description of the vehicle(s) involved, the time and date of the incident and any photos or videos, if available.

    Chris Seymour, ASB Officer for Wolverhampton Police, said: “We are committed to dealing with the ongoing issues surrounding the use of off-road bikes and the associated anti-social behaviour – we will continue to work closely with our partners to identify and prosecute offenders.”

    For more information or to discuss concerns, please contact the council’s Community Safety Team via safer@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Residents lay first bricks for almost 100 new energy efficient council homes as part of major overhaul

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    It is part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s citywide strategy to identify solutions for 4,100 homes built by out dated, non traditional construction methods.

    Keon Homes, appointed through the council’s housing framework, are building the new homes, with the first ones now emerging on School Lane.

    Demolition of the ageing bungalows is simultaneously taking place across the estate on Alleston Road, Alleston Walk, Grosvenor Road, Grosvenor Crescent, Lincoln Green, School Lane, and Wood Lane.

    To date, 21 properties have been demolished and the first phase will see 36 bungalows built by summer 2026.

    All of the old bungalows have been declared defective under the 1985 Housing Act – and suffer from a number of issues including failing structural elements, leaking and poorly insulated roofs, very poor thermal efficiency, and wet rot in the floor.

    The council has therefore taken the decision to replace the properties before they have an adverse effect on tenants’ health and wellbeing.

    The new, modern council bungalows will also provide a greater ability to adapt properties to meet tenants’ needs, something which has been difficult to achieve in the out dated properties due to their structural limitations.

    The redevelopment programme is being managed on behalf of the council by Wolverhampton Homes and follows extensive and ongoing consultation with residents.

    Existing council tenants, currently living in the out dated bungalows, will be given the opportunity to move into the new properties. The remaining new homes will be allocated to local people in line with the council’s official housing allocations policy.

    Diane Brookshaw of Grosvenor Crescent and Lincoln Green Estate Tenants Residents’ Association Chair said: “We’re all excited and can’t wait to get into our new homes.

    “It’s great to see the first bricks getting laid and the process has been very good generally – we’ve been updated all the way through.”

    City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “This is a major milestone for the project and it was great to see the residents excited to watch the first bricks being laid for their new homes.

    “The non traditional built properties they were living are in such poor structural condition that they can no longer be economically and satisfactorily maintained.

    “For the safety and comfort of our residents, we are delivering better homes in the long term that they can make their own in the same location.

    “We have been talking regularly with all those affected and have engaged with all tenants, who are relishing the prospect of moving into brand new homes. They understand the absolute necessity to remove these out dated bungalows and replace them with new modern homes.”

    Keon Homes Project Manager, Matt Wilkes, said: “Laying the first bricks is always a special moment and delivers a visual sign to local people that the exciting vision is becoming a reality.

    “Keon Homes is proud to be supporting the City of Wolverhampton Council on its ambitious housing framework, not only creating high quality homes that are energy efficient but delivering vibrant communities that make a real difference to individuals and families.”
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Progressive Reports April 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OHIO, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) today reported the following results for the month ended April 30, 2025:

      April
    (millions, except per share amounts and ratios; unaudited) 2025   2024   Change
    Net premiums written $ 6,837     $ 6,178     11   %
    Net premiums earned $ 6,641     $ 5,575     19   %
    Net income $ 986     $ 421     134   %
    Per share available to common shareholders $ 1.68     $ 0.72     134   %
    Total pretax net realized gains (losses) on securities $ (3 )   $ (267 )   (99 ) %
    Combined ratio   84.9       89.0     (4.1 ) pts.
    Average diluted equivalent common shares   587.7       587.4     0   %
      April 30,
    (thousands; unaudited) 2025   2024   % Change
    Policies in Force          
    Personal Lines          
    Agency – auto 10,246   8,720   18
    Direct – auto 14,938   12,105   23
    Special lines 6,705   6,153   9
    Property 3,590   3,261   10
    Total Personal Lines 35,479   30,239   17
    Commercial Lines 1,174   1,108   6
    Companywide 36,653   31,347   17
               
               

    See Progressive’s complete monthly earnings release for additional information.

    About Progressive

    Progressive Insurance® makes it easy to understand, buy and use car insurance, home insurance, and other protection needs. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach us however it’s most convenient for them — online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, via the Progressive mobile app, or in-person with a local agent.

    Progressive provides insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and homes; it is the second largest personal auto insurer in the country, a leading seller of commercial auto, motorcycle, and boat insurance, and one of the top 15 homeowners insurance carriers. 

    Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price®, Snapshot®, and HomeQuote Explorer®.

    The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, trade publicly at NYSE: PGR.

    Company Contact:
    Douglas S. Constantine
    (440) 395-3707
    investor_relations@progressive.com
     
    The Progressive Corporation
    300 North Commons Blvd.
    Mayfield Village, Ohio  44143
    http://www.progressive.com

    Download PDF: Progressive April 2025 Complete Earnings Release

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Shine a light’: responding to challenges facing the charity sector

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    ‘Shine a light’: responding to challenges facing the charity sector

    Charity Commission Chief Executive David Holdsworth delivers keynote speech at Charity Times’ Annual Conference 2025.

    Thank you Srabani and good morning everyone / bore da pawb.

    It’s a privilege to be speaking to at this conference for the first time as the Commission’s CEO, after rejoining the organisation last summer.

    I probably don’t need to explain to this audience why I returned to work with the charity sector.

    Current operating environment and challenges 

    The Charity Commission stands at a unique vantage point, where the perspectives of charities, government, the public and donors meet.

    From this position, we see three trends.

    First, an incredibly challenging economic environment for the sector.

    Like other sectors, charities face inflationary pressures and rising operational costs.

    But charities are also dealing with increased demands for their services.

    The cumulative impact of these trends on charities is, in some cases, extremely challenging.

    Second, charities, like other organisations, are contending with rapid technological and social change.

    Some tech innovations, notably in the space of AI, offer tools that can help charities do more with less and increase their impact.

    But looking ahead, these technologies potentially challenge the very role of organisations and institutions in the traditional sense.

    Notably when coupled with changing attitudes, especially among younger people, whose allegiances are increasingly to causes, not ‘bricks and mortar’ or brands and institutions and where technology platforms offer alternatives of direct giving to those in need.  

    Thirdly – global conflicts, geo political shifts and instability. The shocking invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the middle east have seen demands on and need of charity increase significantly. Whilst at the same time the once seemingly immovable, solid post war geo political system is shifting, creating uncertainty and instability. This makes responding to increased global need more difficult and challenging to navigate.

    Impact and Potential

    Despite those challenges the sector has never been more important – and let’s be clear what charities achieve for society is astonishing, both in terms of scale and impact.

    Based on Annual Returns submitted to the Commission for 2023’s accounts, the sector had an annual income of over £96 billion – up around 7% on the previous year.

    We registered just over 5,000 new charities last year, having assessed a record 9,840 applications – a 9% increase on the previous year.

    And there are around 700,000 trustees who collectively steward the sector though good times and bad, and whose work often goes unrecognised and uncelebrated – though we at the Commission are all too aware of their service and contribution.

    But numbers alone don’t tell of the human impact of charity. Of the positive difference charities make in transforming or enriching communities, our environment, our wildlife, heritage, culture as well as saving and improving countless individual lives.

    It is that impact that charities, their amazing trustees, volunteers and employees have – that we must not lose sight of – nor let the challenges shroud.

    There are so many examples to tell.

    Like the Felix Project which had a landmark year, providing 38 million meals through its network of 1,264 community organisations and schools by growing its network of collaborations. Building on that success it has launched its Multibank, which has seen 1.46 million non-food essential items distributed to try and ensure no Londoner in need goes without.

    Welsh Women’s Aid and its partners helped 739 survivors access refuge-based support. That is life-saving intervention happening every day, across the country – offering not just physical shelter but a sense of home and safety when people need it most.

    That the osprey – that magnificent bird of prey – which was once driven to near extinction in the UK – is now thriving, with over 250 nesting pairs living in Britain today, is thanks to charities.

    And it is thanks to charity that, on average, two lives are saved at sea every single day by RNLI volunteers.  

    Also I know from my last CEO role at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, thanks to animal welfare charities’ campaigning work over decades, the UK now has one of the most advanced legal frameworks protecting animal health and welfare.

    These a just a few examples of what has been made possible by the charity sector.

    Potential and Opportunity

    So whilst I don’t underestimate for one moment the challenges charities face – and which I have seen first hand on my many visits – I would urge you not to let those challenges dim nor shroud the huge impact you are having, everyday.

    I also firmly believe that as Albert Einstein once said:

    in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

    Arguably, the bigger the challenge, the greater the opportunity. Ideas previously rejected as too radical; innovation that once felt too big; conversations which felt too challenging can suddenly feel possible – and necessary.

    Take for example, the city I call home, Liverpool. Which is incidentally also the Commission’s main home, where most of our staff are based.

    I grew up in Liverpool in the 1980s. It was a time when the city felt like it had lost its way, with ever increasing challenges and ever dwindling opportunity and resources.

    Today my home city is transformed. And that transformation happened through collaboration – a combination of philanthropic investments, national and local government investment, alongside renewed community action notably in the arts, culture and tourism which acted as catalysts for wider renewal.

    Each individual project mattered, but what made for game-changing transformation was the cumulative impact of collaborative and complementary efforts from a number of actors. And that is true across the sector today.

    Take for example, Fareshare. Working collaboratively, supporting other charities in their network, they’ve helped distribute 92% more food over the last year, and made their budgets go 78% further.

    This resulted in them distributing a whopping 135 million meals, reaching nearly 1 million people.

    If you’ll allow me to return once more to my hometown.

    In late 2024, Zoe’s Place, a hospice in Liverpool which provides care to children, faced an uncertain future. The community of Liverpool, supported by business leaders and politicians, as well as a fellow charity the Institute of our Lady of Mercy, fellow hospice Claire’s Place and regional media collectively rallied to save Zoe’s Place, with the Commission playing a key facilitating role.

    Now, ownership has been transferred to the newly registered Liverpool Zoe’s Place. The charity’s trustees have also finalised plans to build the charity’s new home, securing the continuation of the former charity’s legacy.

    The hospice had been helping families through the unimaginable since 1995 – to see that vital service disappear would have been gutting for the community, and a huge blow to the families who rely on the organisation’s support.

    Instead, by reawakening their community’s passion and pride in the service, the charity will now continue to provide that support for years to come.

    In addition to this kind of public appeal, forging new corporate partnerships is another option being explored by many charities. Indeed, the Charities Aid Foundation estimates that UK businesses contribute around £4 billion to the sector.

    Take one example – a mere stone’s throw from here: national homelessness charity, Shelter.

    The organisation has partnered with clothing brand, Lucy and Yak. Last year they held a successful pop-up shop in Kings Cross, and now, they’ve launched donation boxes in several Lucy and Yak shops across the country encouraging customers to donate clothing.

    Shelter has responded to competition facing charity shops with the rise of preloved selling platforms in an agile and innovative way. Through this partnership, they’ve added a funding stream to their ‘bow’ and potentially reached new supporters.

    But I appreciate that public appeals and new corporate partnerships won’t work for everyone.  

    As a result of the Covid pandemic, many charities needed to re-evaluate their financial resilience and ability to weather further storms – many had dipped into their reserves, while others had little to fall back on.

    With the same desire to ensure services do not come to an end, some charities with similar goals turned to mergers – combining resources to create something more sustainable.

    For example, Community Integrated Care, one of the largest social care providers in the UK, merged with Inspire, a social care provider based in Scotland, in 2023. The charities saw how funding shortfalls, economic pressures and workforce shortages were impacting social care more broadly and chose to secure their future together rather than struggle through apart. And it paid off.

    Community Integrated Care’s income increased by £22 million in the year after the merger, and the charities reported publicly that the merger was a good strategic fit. These charities found strength in unity while continuing to provide that sense of belonging their beneficiaries depend on.

    Mergers are not the answer for all – and I don’t underestimate the work that can be involved in navigating a successful transition. But where you decide a merger is the best way forward, the Commission is on hand.

    Conclusion: strength in collaboration

    I’ve touched upon a few examples today to evidence my underlying confidence in this sector’s collective power. Just as no home is built by a single pair of hands, no lasting social change comes from isolated efforts.

    Our dear late Queen, Elizabeth II, once said:

    On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.

    In the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan we should remember those words and that out of darkness can come something brighter and better than before.

    From the darkness of tyranny, fascism and unfathomable loss came a renewed determination for peace, democracy and equality. That which charities had long fought for then came forward in the form of the NHS, welfare state, expansion of access to higher education, and workers’ rights.

    While the challenges facing society may be less existential, I believe this sector can again play a transformational role across communities, across government, local and national, with businesses and philanthropists to once again tackle our biggest issues with joint purpose.

    There is no greater charity sector in the world than here and my message is clear.

    Keep shining a light, charities.

    Shine a light on your charitable purpose.

    Shine a light of hope, and of refuge to those in need.

    Shine a light on your innovation and impact.

    And always remember that you not only stand on the shoulders of giants, but you too are now building that better brighter future for the next generation.

    Thank you. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and taking your questions.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: From Protests to Partnership: Interview with Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, addresses residents who developed a list of conditions for community acceptance of the construction of new nuclear power plants in the municipality. (Photo: Municipality of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands)

    The world’s first major gathering of representatives of communities hosting nuclear facilities will take place in Vienna, Austria, from 26 to 30 May 2025 at the IAEA’s International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes. Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands, which hosts the country’s only operating nuclear power plant, discusses key aspects of stakeholder engagement for nuclear power:

    How has stakeholder engagement changed over time?

    In the 1960s and 1970s, there were fierce protests and demonstrations against the arrival of the nuclear power plant, but in recent years we have seen almost no demonstrations. Over the years, the plant operator, EPZ, has learned to communicate openly and transparently. This has contributed to a good relationship with the surrounding community, an important element of EPZ’s ‘licence to operate’. The plant is now seen as a good neighbour.

    Borsele organized a unique citizen participation process in 2023 on upcoming large energy projects, including two nuclear power reactors. What prompted you as Mayor, and the local government, to include citizens in the process?

    People often have strong opinions either for or against nuclear energy, but the decision about whether new nuclear power plants will be built is ultimately made by the national government. So we’ve focused on the interests of the local community and asked the question: “If two additional nuclear power reactors are built, what will that mean for our municipality and residents? Under what conditions would we accept such a development?” By having this conversation, we’re engaging in a discussion about our shared future and deciding what is needed to keep living, working and enjoying life in our region.

    My municipality has over 23 000 residents, so it’s not possible to ask everyone personally about their views on these developments. By randomly selecting 100 residents, we thought we would get a fair range of opinions reflecting the views of all residents. This way, we can look at what’s coming our way as a community with an open mind, without being too influenced by loud supporters or critics. We also wanted to give a voice to young people, who will live with the impact of new nuclear power plants the longest, and to the ‘silent majority’ — residents who are generally less likely to speak out in public debates.

    Over the course of 5 meetings, these 100 residents came up with 39 conditions under which major developments could take place, ensuring that the environmental impact is properly considered.

    We believe that as a local community we should have a voice in projects happening in our area.

    What are some of the common concerns local residents have about nuclear energy projects? To what extent are they different from concerns about other large projects?

    We are somewhat used to big projects because we live next to a large industrial area and an international seaport. However, there are concerns about the impact of the construction: we see in other countries how long it takes, how large the construction site is, and how many people work there. Residents mainly think about noise, dust and light pollution and an increase in construction traffic. There are also concerns about this development in relation to the landscape we are so proud of here.

    Specifically for the nuclear component, people are concerned about the safety of new nuclear power plants and the continuing perception of a lack of a final solution for nuclear waste.

    What is the socioeconomic impact of nuclear energy projects on host communities and neighbouring areas, based on the experience of Borsele?

    About 400 people work at the existing nuclear power plant, and many more are employed indirectly. If the construction of two new nuclear power reactors goes ahead, thousands of additional workers will be needed for 5 to 15 years. This will not only create jobs in the region but also provide opportunities for local businesses, educational institutions and housing development. It is an opportunity to invest in the future of the region, with innovation and progress at the forefront. It’s therefore crucial that, as a government and society, we make timely plans to properly manage these developments. The construction of nuclear power plants affects an entire region, and when new nuclear power reactors are built, cooperation with neighbouring municipalities is essential to prepare for this. This includes planning for housing, infrastructure and education.

    In addition to being Mayor of Borsele, you are President of the Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities (GMF Europe). Why is it important for nuclear host communities to organize in such associations?

    Nuclear host communities often face or have faced the same challenges. As a network of host communities in different parts of Europe, GMF allows us to learn from each other and find solutions together. We can help each other by sharing information and lessons learned about how to deal with nuclear initiatives. Together, we can also be a stronger voice that is heard in international politics. I am proud that GMF has been invited several times — including by the IAEA — to contribute to new policy and present our vision to participating countries. Together with mayors in Canada and the United States of America, we have also established the Global Partnership of Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities.

    It is equally important to advocate for the position of local communities. They must have a voice in developments that take place in their community.

    What is the advice you would give to communities that are newcomers to nuclear?

    Take an active role, make sure you are well informed, ask the right questions and ensure that the concerns of your community are heard. This not only helps in understanding the impact of nuclear projects, but also ensures that you can actively contribute to decision making and to the process in a way that is in the interest of your community.

    Additionally, it is important to join networks of municipalities. This way, you can jointly influence policy, both nationally and internationally. By working with organizations such as the IAEA, we can ensure that policies take into account the needs of host communities.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Beeline Holdings Reports Q1 2025 Results: First Quarter as Public Company Highlights AI-Led Growth, Record Originations, and Transformational Fintech Expansion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beeline Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLNE), a fintech-focused mortgage and title company, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Q1 2025 Highlights

    • Breakout debut quarter as a newly public company, with Beeline repositioned as a next-gen AI-powered mortgage lender and title agent
    • Loan originations increased 38% year-over-year, outpacing industry growth (~9%) with April performance believed to be best in three years, signaling momentum despite macro headwinds
    • Surpassed $1 billion in cumulative loan originations since inception
    • AI-mortgage agent “Bob 2.0” drove 6x lead conversion and 8x full application volume—at near-zero marginal cost—validating Beeline’s proprietary automation strategy
    • Workflow engine Hive & Task based model reduced closing timelines to 14–21 days, approximately twice as fast as traditional lenders
    • Expanded distribution through key partnerships, including RedAwning, Rabbu, CredEvolv, and
    • MagicBlocks has 16 clients in Beta and BlinkQC out of Beta and Live in Beeline’s production eliminating third party QC costs.
    • Reduced debt by $2 million
    • Development of a new equity product with features exclusive to Beeline.
    • Early-stage net loss aligned with growth investments; company targets operating leverage as loan volume and platform efficiencies scale

    A Foundational Quarter for Beeline

    “Q1 marked our first as a public company and showed the full power of our AI-driven platform taking hold,” said Nick Liuzza, Co-Founder and CEO of Beeline Holdings. “Despite continued market challenges, our performance validates the core strengths of our business and lays the groundwork for transformational growth. We’re especially excited about our upcoming equity product launch, which is interest-rate neutral and designed to unlock liquidity in a constrained housing market.”

    Financial Performance

    Beeline reported total net revenues of $1.8 million in Q1 2025 with over 70% of revenue driven by mortgage and title operations, including $1.0 million in lending revenue and $0.4 million in title revenue; the remaining $0.4 million came from its legacy spirits business. Mortgage-related metrics showed strong year-over-year growth, with the average loan amount up 24%, revenue per loan up 28%, and title revenue up 93%. Operating expenses totaled $6.8 million, including $2.3 million in salaries and benefits, $1.2 million in professional fees (primarily non-recurring costs), $0.6 million in marketing, and $0.8 million in depreciation and amortization. The company reported an operating loss of $4.9 million and a net loss from continuing operations of $6.9 million, which includes $1.9 million in interest expense.

    In Q1 2025, Beeline Financial Holdings originated $39.8 million in residential mortgage loans, generating $1.4 million in revenue and reporting a net loss of $2.3 million.

    As of quarter-end, Beeline had $1.5 million in cash and approximately $0.5 million in available warehouse line capacity. Following the close of Q1, the company completed additional equity raises. During the quarter, it used $1.5 million in operating cash, generated $1.8 million from net financing activities, and ended with a net cash increase of $0.3 million.

    Looking ahead, Beeline plans to launch its interest-rate neutral equity product in the third quarter, supported by a stablecoin partner. This new offering is designed to fund real estate transactions outside of traditional mortgage channels, expanding access to capital and enabling greater market participation.

    The company also expects to announce new strategic partnerships and continue advancing its SaaS innovation initiatives through Beeline Labs. These efforts are aimed at enhancing the customer experience and expanding the company’s reach across the real estate and fintech ecosystems.

    In parallel, Beeline will remain focused on reducing losses and moving toward sustainable profitability, while continuing to invest in its core technology and customer acquisition infrastructure.

    “We’ve built the foundation for a scalable, AI-first fintech mortgage platform with accelerating performance,” said CFO Chris Moe. “While early-stage losses are expected, we believe Q1 reflects the beginning of a structural transformation in both our financial profile and market position.”

    About Beeline Holdings, Inc.

    Beeline Holdings is a technology-forward mortgage and title platform designed to simplify home financing for a new generation of buyers. By combining AI, automation, and modern UX, Beeline offers faster, more accessible, and more transparent home loan experiences for real estate investors and primary homebuyers alike. For more, visit www.makeabeeline.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding anticipated trends in the mortgage loan industry and the company’s prospective new technology offerings and strategic partnerships including a planned new innovative equity product and advances to its SaaS innovation initiatives, as well as the anticipated or potential benefits of these efforts. Forward-looking statements are prefaced by words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “intend,” “seem,” “potential,” “appear,” “continue,” “future,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” and similar words. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. We caution you, therefore, against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation, the Risk Factors contained in our Form 10-K filed April 15, 2025. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this presentation speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Investor Contact:
    investors@makeabeeline.com

    Media Contact:
    press@makeabeeline.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Have your say about Shared Lives

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Shared Lives is a unique form of social care based on the simple but transformative power of human relationships. In Shared Lives, a young person or adult who is assessed as needing care and support is matched with a carer by the Shared Lives service, coordinated by Camphill Village Trust. Together, they share home, family, and community life.  

    The service is provided by individuals or families – Shared Lives carers – and enables people to access community facilities, maximise their independence and quality of life, and live an ordinary life in a place which feels like home. In many cases the individual requiring support will become a permanent part of the Shared Lives family and in other cases the individual can use the support for short breaks.

    The service can support people aged 16 and over who have been assessed as having care needs which can be met by Shared Lives, including older people, people with mental health needs, people living with dementia, those with a physical and/or sensory impairment, learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions, care leavers and individuals with complex needs.  

    Councillor Paula Brookfield, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “Shared Lives has been running in Wolverhampton since 2014 and has had an incredible impact on the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens, offering greater choice around the support they receive and providing a real alternative to more traditional forms of care such as residential and day care.

    “We want it to be the best that it can be, and so we are carrying out a survey to shape future service delivery – please take a few moments to share your thoughts.”

    To complete the survey please visit Shared Lives by Monday 17 June, 2025.

    To find out more about Shared Lives, contact Camphill Village Trust on 01384 441505, email sharedlives@cvt.org.uk or visit Camphill Village Trust.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mansion House team tours city clubs and schools

    Source: City of York

    The Sheriff and Lord Mayor with a student dressing up in civic robes

    Published Wednesday, 21 May 2025

    While work continues to restore and maintain the Mansion House, the team which usually welcomes visitors to it is taking its stories, artefacts and democratic connections out into the community.

    Insider detail about the long and intriguing history of the Mansion House and its treasures are being shared in sessions with children and young people across the city. These include visits to Applefields for students with Special Educational Needs, to local Brownie groups and primary schools.

    The sessions offer an educational game of how to run a democratically-elected Council, dressing up as a member of the civic party, or an insight into Georgian fan language and fashion. They are being offered free to schools and groups such as Scouts and Guides to create connections with this building at the heart of York’s civic life.

    School groups have been invited on site visits to see the work underway, and work experience placements are being run for students from Huntington School and the Vale of York Academy.

    The Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of York have joined a number of visits when dressing-up robes were provided. The workshops have been running across the city since January and will continue until the end of June, free-of-charge.

    One of the sessions revolves around the game ‘Run the City’. In it, students manage an imaginary city council. They’re given a budget and a list of responsibilities, and work out how to spend their funds while considering the impact of those decisions at election time. Every group to have played it said they found it ‘very engaging and educational’.

    Also popular are workshops about Georgian women’s fashion and the language of the fan. Being an eighteenth-century townhouse and the home of York’s Georgian Festival (7-11 August 2025), the Mansion House is a centre of expertise on these. The rigmarole of dressing for the day is explained, along with handling the many layers of garments and finding out how they were made. Lessons on fan language include sending secret messages across a room, while learning about society’s expectations of young ladies in Georgian ballroom culture.

    Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said:

    Taking the Mansion House out on tour across the city is a rare and important event. Its rich and colourful past and its role in the city’s democracy and cultural heritage are as important as its future place in the life of York.

    “Telling its stories and sharing its treasures with the younger generation will, I hope, increase their sense of belonging and understanding of their city. We all have a huge amount of pride in our home, York. Who knows, one day these young people could choose to stand for election to the Council itself!”

    When the Mansion House reopens ahead of the popular Georgian Festival, these workshops will run from the House itself along with other activities such as house tours, ghost trails and more.

    Find out more at www.york.gov.uk/YorkMansionHouse or book for the Georgian Festival events at www.mansionhouseyork.com .

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Denis Law Legacy Trail to officially open

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    The Printfield 10 – Denis Law Legacy Trail will be officially unveiled on Saturday (24 May) in Denis’ childhood community of Printfield.

    Set to be launched by members of the Law family, representatives from both the Printfield project and the Denis Law Legacy Trust and Aberdeen Lord Provost, Dr David Cameron, the ten point trail is a walking route through the Printfield community, that celebrates Denis Law’s life, career, and impact on Aberdeen.

    The project was first initiated by the Printfield community and developed in collaboration with Denis Law Legacy Trust, Robert Gordon University’s Gray’s School of Art, Denis’ family and Aberdeen City Council. 

    The trail was designed and delivered by Fine Day Studio, in collaboration with New Practice. The murals have been produced by Blank Walls – a street art company renowned for delivering world-class public art projects.

    A motion on the creation of the walking trail was brought to Full Council by Councillor Neil Copland in March 2020.

    Councillor Copland said: “I’m thrilled to see the Denis Law Legacy Trail completed in the heart of Denis’ childhood community of Printfield. The trail will allow people to walk in the footsteps of a sporting legend and experience a world-class public artwork in the heart of Aberdeen.

    “These artworks will attract both local people and tourists to the Printfield area, further cementing Aberdeen’s reputation as a growing hub for public art and cultural heritage.  It’s a very fitting tribute for one of Aberdeen’s greatest sons.”

    The trail will be officially opened on Saturday at 3.15pm, at number 10 on the corner of Printfield Walk and Printfield Terrace.

    Between 2pm and 4.15pm, there will be workshops for families in the Printfield play area, games and activities by The Denis Law Legacy Trust and workshops by Fine Day Studio and the Robert Gordon University Mobile Art School.

    Alex Harvey and Jerome Davenport, Co-Founders of Blank Walls said: “This has been an incredible project to be part of and It’s a great honour to create such an iconic legacy piece for a legend of Aberdeen and a legend of football. We hope the mural becomes a welcome addition to the already impressive street art in Aberdeen and serves as an inspiration to the local community.”

    Colin Leonard, Founder of Fine Day Studio said: “We’re thrilled to see the first phase of the Denis Law Legacy Trail come to life. Denis wasn’t just a footballing icon—he was also a fearless, selfless teammate who never lost sight of his roots in Printfield and Aberdeen.

    “Every stop on the trail offers a chance to celebrate his story and spark pride in the place he called home. It’s been about creating something joyful and meaningful that belongs to the whole community.”

    Di Law, Denis’ daughter said: “We are absolutely delighted and immensely proud to support this unbelievable project that will leave a positive and long-lasting legacy for our father and the community in Printfield.”

    David Suttie, Trustee of The Denis Law Legacy Trust said: “This trail is a wonderful example of the Trust and Aberdeen City Council coming together to support a community driven project into fruition. This project has come to life spectacularly and will be a great focal point for the city for a long time to come.”

    Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer of The Denis Law Legacy Trust said: “We have been delighted to support the local Printfield community to deliver an incredible legacy for Denis in and around the very streets where he was born. Built to inform and inspire all who visit this, we hope it will continue to do so for many years to come.”

    A representative from the Printfield Youth Group said: “I think the Trail is really cool, I think the designs are so bright and makes you feel happy.  It makes the area look so much better and I think it will bring more people into the community and it is something to be proud of.”

    The Denis Law Legacy Mural has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Aberdeen City Council’s Common Good Fund.

    Image courtesy of Innes Gregory.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Avoid disruptions – Alectra customers encouraged to go paperless amid postal uncertainty

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With a potential Canada Post strike approaching on May 22, Alectra Utilities is encouraging customers to switch to paperless billing for uninterrupted, secure access to their account information.

    “Switching to paperless billing means never worrying about a missing bill or delayed payment,” said Kerry Lakatos-Hayward, Director, Customer Operations, Alectra Utilities. “It’s a fast, secure way to keep your account up to date and avoid late fees, all while reducing paper waste.”

    To further prepare for postal delays, customers are advised to use one of the following payment methods:

    • Online or telephone banking
    • In person at a financial institution
    • Pre-authorized payments
    • Credit card

    With the postal disruption, customers who receive their monthly bills by mail remain responsible for paying their bills on time to avoid late fees. Customers can view their balance and due date by:

    • Visiting My Alectra to view account balances, download bills and register for paperless billing.
    • Calling our Contact Centre line at 1-833-253-2872, then selecting option ‘2’, then “1”. Please have your account number available. You’ll get details about your last payment made and next payment due.
    • Signing up for Text Alerts. Go to My Alectra ‘preferences’ to start receiving your monthly balance and due date at your preferred mobile number.

    For more information and to register for e-billing, visit alectrautilities.com.

    About Alectra Utilities

    Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow’s energy future.

    X: https://x.com/alectranews
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alectranews/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alectranews/?hl=en
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/16178435/admin/
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alectranews.bsky.social
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alectranews

    Media Contact

    Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson | Email: ashley.trgachef@alectrautilities.com | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1-833-MEDIA-LN

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9106159f-873d-4513-9632-3794e7737dd2

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lelantos Energy Unveils Strategic Initiatives for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TUCSON, Ariz., May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN — Lelantos Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lelantos Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: LNTO) (“Lelantos” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce its 2025 strategic initiatives focused on expanding access to renewable energy, working with underserved communities, and driving innovation in tax credit and renewable credit monetization.

    Powering Progress: Commercial Solar Expansion

    Lelantos Energy has solidified its partnership with NeRD Power to provide a comprehensive turnkey solution for commercial solar projects. From small businesses to utility-scale developments, the collaboration brings together expert engineering, financing, and installation capabilities. The partnership is exploring further integration to broaden its impact in the commercial solar sector.

    Honoring Veterans: Free Solar 4 Veterans Program

    In an initiative to support U.S. veterans, Lelantos Energy has launched the Free Solar 4 Veterans program in partnership with The Warrior Up Foundation and NeRD Power. This initiative will begin by providing free solar installations to disabled veterans and the widows of fallen soldiers, promoting energy independence and reducing financial burdens. A pilot project is already underway, and a media campaign is being planned to attract broader support and funding. More information can be found at freesolar4vets.org.

    Empowering Communities: Government and Municipal Partnerships

    Lelantos Energy is spearheading a Sustainable Community Network program with its strategic partner, SEDC Solar, for the Washington D.C. Housing Authority. This initiative will provide green energy systems at no cost to over 550 low-income households, supported by a coalition of finance partners and tax-credit incentives.

    In addition, Lelantos is executing a Memorandum of Understanding to form a joint venture with a GSA-certified agency and NeRD Power to develop government-funded solar projects, marking a strategic move into the federal renewable energy space.

    Driving Financial Innovation: Investment Tax Credit Monetization

    As the exclusive sales partner of Coulomb Capital, Lelantos Energy is scaling its Investment Tax Credit (ITC) monetization efforts. With access to a robust network of high-net-worth and institutional buyers, Lelantos has already begun managing high-value ITC transactions. A multichannel marketing strategy is underway to deepen executive outreach and grow the sales pipeline.

    First-Mover Advantage: Carbon and Renewable Energy Credit Platform

    In collaboration with Carbontricity and Electryone Advisors, Lelantos Energy has been given access to a digital platform for the automated issuance and monetization of renewable energy and carbon credits. Compliant with global standards such as M-RETS and I-REC, the platform utilizes blockchain and NFT technology for secure, transparent transactions.

    Holding exclusive rights to this platform in North America through Electryone Advisors, Lelantos is poised to become a first-mover in the next evolution of global carbon trading.

    About Lelantos Holdings

    Founded in the spirit of “Solution Hunting,” Lelantos Holdings’ innovative business structure is purpose-built to acquire or joint venture with established entities in strategic market sectors. With a focus on sustainable energy, Lelantos Holdings has a mission of being at the forefront of innovation in a dynamic industry, and the goal of operating as a vertically integrated entity to reduce overhead and increase service offerings. Their management team is dedicated to fostering innovation and advancing technological developments.

    Lelantos Holdings website: www.Lelantosholdings.io

    About Lelantos Energy

    INNOVATIVE. STRATEGIC. SOLUTION ORIENTED.

    Lelantos Energy offers a forward-thinking solution and a comprehensive approach to adapt to the dynamic landscape of commercial solar, residential solar, microgrid design, energy storage architecture, and EV supercharging. The company has strategically joined forces with experienced and leading industry professionals as well as dedicated lending resources to create a model that will seek to manage project risks, pursue favorable returns (though no guarantees can be made) and support the Company’s efforts to enhance the deployment of renewable energy projects.

    Lelantos Energy website: www.LNTO.Energy

    About the Free Solar 4 Vets Program

    POWERING UP THE LIVES OF OUR VETERANS

    Dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes, the mission of our program is to help veterans secure energy independence and a renewed sense of purpose through programs that empower them economically and socially. Powered by a joint venture among Lelantos Energy, a veteran’s foundation, and a large-scale solar installer, the program aims to utilize donations and a tax equity fund to provide free solar systems for veterans and widows of fallen soldiers.

    Free Solar 4 Vets Program website: https://www.freesolar4vets.org/

    FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

    Certain information set forth in this press release contains “forward-looking information,” including “future-oriented financial information” and “financial outlook,” within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company’s business, projects and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company’s vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company’s projects; (vi) completion of the Company’s projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vii) renewal of the Company’s current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (viii) future liquidity, working capital and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management’s beliefs and opinions in respect to the future so they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material nonpublic information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information on our company website, www.LelantosHoldings.io, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We also use social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, in light of the SEC’s guidance, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the Company website.

    CONTACT INFORMATION

    Lelantos Holdings, Inc.
    info@Lelantos.Group

    Wire Service Contact:
    IBN
    Austin, Texas
    www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
    512.354.7000 Office
    Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: GraniteShares launches new YieldBoost ETFs on NVIDIA (NVYY) and Bitcoin (XBTY)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GraniteShares, an ETF issuer specializing in high conviction ETFs, announced that it is launching two ETFs to add to its existing YieldBOOST lineup – the GraniteShares YieldBOOST NVDA ETF (NVYY) and the GraniteShares YieldBOOST Bitcoin ETF (XBTY).

    The GraniteShares YieldBOOST NVDA ETF (NVYY) is designed to generate income from options1 strategies linked to 2x Long NVDA Daily ETF. To generate income, NVYY sells put options2 on leveraged ETFs linked to 2x Long NVDA Daily ETF.

    The GraniteShares YieldBOOST Bitcoin ETF (XBTY) is designed to generate income from options1 strategies linked to 2x Long Bitcoin Daily ETF. To generate income, XBTY sells put options2 on leveraged ETFs linked to 2x Long Bitcoin Daily ETF.

    FUND NAME TICKER CUSIP
    GraniteShares YieldBOOST NVDA ETF NVYY 38747R637
    GraniteShares YieldBOOST Bitcoin ETF XBTY 38747R421
         

    “We are excited to launch the newest additions to our YieldBOOST options income suite,” said Will Rhind, Founder and CEO of GraniteShares. “The GraniteShares YieldBOOST NVDA ETF (NVYY) and the GraniteShares YieldBOOST Bitcoin ETF (XBTY) will seek to generate income from selling put options on their respective underlying leveraged ETFs.”

    Other existing YieldBOOST ETFs include the GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF (YSPY), the GraniteShares YieldBOOST QQQ ETF (TQQY) and the GraniteShares YieldBOOST TSLA ETF (TSYY).

    For more information, please visit: www.graniteshares.com.

    About GraniteShares:

    GraniteShares is an entrepreneurial ETF provider focused on high-conviction investment solutions. The firm offers a range of ETFs spanning leveraged, inverse, and high-yield strategies, empowering investors with differentiated tools for portfolio construction. Founded in 2016, GraniteShares has grown rapidly by delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to modern market needs. For more information, visit www.graniteshares.com.

    Source: GraniteShares

    1An option is a contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation to buy or sell a specific asset at a predetermined price on or before a specified date. Options are a type of derivative, meaning their value is derived from the underlying asset.

    2A put option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to sell an underlying asset at a specified price by or on a specific date.

    RISK FACTORS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    Please see the funds’ prospectus for more details – https://graniteshares.com/media/u5odudej/graniteshares-etf-trust-prospectus-yb.pdf.

    Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Funds, please call (844) 476 8747 or visit www.graniteshares.com. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

    The investment program of the Funds is speculative, entails substantial risks and include asset classes and investment techniques not employed by more traditional mutual funds.

    PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

    The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), trading price, yield, total return and/or ability to meet its investment objectives. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund — Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”

    The Underlying NVDA ETF Risk. The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Underlying NVDA ETF shares. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of the Underlying NVDA ETF, even though it may not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in options contracts that are based on the value of the Underlying NVDA ETF shares, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:

    Effects of Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Underlying NVDA ETF shares’ performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is likely to differ from 200% of the Underlying Stock’s performance, before fees and expenses. Compounding has a significant impact on funds that are leveraged and that rebalance daily. The impact of compounding becomes more pronounced as volatility and holding periods increase and will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Underlying NVDA ETF is held and the volatility of the Underlying Stock during the shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Underlying NVDA ETF.

    Leverage Risk. The Underlying NVDA ETF obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Underlying NVDA ETF is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Stock will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Underlying NVDA ETF will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the Underlying Stock, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Underlying NVDA ETF could lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event of an Underlying Stock decline of more than 50%.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. Investing in derivatives may be considered aggressive and may expose the Underlying NVDA ETF to greater risks, and may result in larger losses or smaller gains, than investing directly in the reference assets underlying those derivatives, which may prevent the Underlying NVDA ETF from achieving its investment objective.

    Counterparty Risk. If a counterparty is unwilling or unable to make timely payments to meet its contractual obligations or fails to return holdings that are subject to the agreement with the counterparty resulting in the Underlying NVDA ETF losing money or not being able to meet its daily leveraged investment objective.

    Industry Concentration Risk. The performance of the Underlying Stock, and consequently the Underlying NVDA ETF’s performance, is subject to the risks of the semiconductor industry. The Underlying Stock is subject to many risks that can negatively impact its revenue and viability including, but are not limited to price volatility risk, management risk, inflation risk, global economic risk, growth risk, supply and demand risk, operations risk, regulatory risk, environmental risk, terrorism risk and the risk of natural disasters. The Underlying Stock performance may be affected by NVIDIA Corporation’s ability to identify new products, technologies or services, global competition and business conditions, its dependence on third-party product manufacturers, product defect issues, cybersecurity breaches, and customer concentration. The Underlying Stock may also be affected by risks that affect the broader technology industry, including: government regulation; dramatic and often unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for qualified personnel; heavy dependence on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability; and a small number of companies representing a large portion of the technology sector as a whole. The Fund’s daily returns may be affected by many factors but will depend on the performance and volatility of the Underlying Stock.

    Indirect Investments in the Underlying NVDA ETF. Investors in the Fund will not have rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying NVDA ETF but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying NVDA ETF. Although the Fund invests in the Underlying NVDA ETF only indirectly, the Fund’s investments are subject to loss as a result of these risks.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds, interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be an imperfect correlation between the value of the Underlying NVDA ETF and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objectives. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested. In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:

    • Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. For the Fund, in particular, the value of the options contracts in which it invests is substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying NVDA ETF. Selling put options exposes the Fund to the risk of potential loss if the market value of the Underlying NVDA ETF falls below the strike price before the option expires. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate at the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values of options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, the Fund’s practice of “rolling” may cause the Fund to experience losses if the expiring contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the costs of entering into new options contracts. Rolling refers to the practice of closing out one options position and opening another with a different expiration date and/or a different strike price. Further, if an option is exercised, the seller (writer) of a put option is obligated to purchase the underlying asset at the strike price, which can result in significant financial and regulatory obligations for the Fund if the market value of the asset has fallen substantially. Furthermore, when the Fund seeks to trade out of puts, especially near expiration, there is an added risk that the Fund may be required to allocate resources unexpectedly to fulfill these obligations. This potential exposure to physical settlement can significantly impact the Fund’s liquidity and market exposure, particularly in volatile market conditions.
    • Swap Risk: Swaps are subject to tracking risk because they may not be perfect substitutes for the instruments they are intended to hedge or replace. Over the counter swaps are subject to counterparty default. Leverage inherent in derivatives will tend to magnify the Fund’s losses. The swap agreements may reference standardized exchange-traded, FLEX, European Style or American Style put options contracts that are based on the values of the price returns of the Underlying ETF. that generate specific risks.

    Affiliated Fund Risk. In managing the Fund, the Adviser has the ability to select the Underlying NVDA ETF and substitute the Underlying NVDA ETF with other ETFs that it believes will achieve the Fund’s objective. The Adviser may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in selecting the Underlying NVDA ETF and substituting the Underlying NVDA ETF with other ETFs because the fees paid to the Adviser by some Underlying NVDA ETF may be higher than the fees charged by other Underlying NVDA ETF.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives positions, the Fund will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through their accounts at clearing members. Customer funds held at a clearing organization in connection with any options contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account and are not identified to the name of the clearing member’s individual customers. As a result, assets deposited by the Fund with any clearing member as margin for options may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy losses of other clients of the Fund’s clearing member. In addition, although clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house, there is a risk that the assets of the Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the clearing member’s bankruptcy, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing member’s customers for the relevant account class. The Fund is also subject to the risk that a limited number of clearing members are willing to transact on the Fund’s behalf, which heightens the risks associated with a clearing member’s default. If a clearing member defaults the Fund could lose some or all of the benefits of a transaction entered into by the Fund with the clearing member. If the Fund cannot find a clearing member to transact with on the Fund’s behalf, the Fund may be unable to effectively implement its investment strategy. In addition, a counterparty (the other party to a transaction or an agreement or the party with whom the Fund executes transactions) to a transaction (including repurchase transaction) with the Fund may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of in-the-money put options contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in increases in value experienced by the Underlying NVDA ETF over the Call Period. This means that if the Underlying NVDA ETF experiences an increase in value above the strike price of the sold put options during a Call Period, the Fund will likely not experience that increase to the same extent and may significantly underperform the Underlying NVDA ETF over the Call Period. Additionally, because the Fund is limited in the degree to which it will participate in increases in value experienced by the Underlying NVDA ETF over each Call Period, but has full exposure to any decreases in value experienced by the Underlying NVDA ETF over the Call Period, the NAV of the Fund may decrease over any given time period. The Fund’s NAV is dependent on the value of each options portfolio, which is based principally upon the performance of the Underlying NVDA ETF. The degree of participation in the Underlying NVDA ETF gains the Fund will experience will depend on prevailing market conditions, especially market volatility, at the time the Fund enters into the sold put options contracts and will vary from Call Period to Call Period. The value of the options contracts is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of the Underlying NVDA ETF, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the Underlying NVDA ETF and the remaining time to the options’ expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market. As the price of the Underlying NVDA ETF share changes and time moves towards the expiration of each Call Period, the value of the options contracts, and therefore the Fund’s NAV, will change. However, it is not expected for the Fund’s NAV to directly correlate on a day-to-day basis with the returns of the Underlying NVDA ETF share price. The amount of time remaining until the options contract’s expiration date affects the impact of the potential options contract income on the Fund’s NAV, which may not be in full effect until the expiration date of the Fund’s options contracts. Therefore, while changes in the price of the Underlying NVDA ETF share will result in changes to the Fund’s NAV, the Fund generally anticipates that the rate of change in the Fund’s NAV will be different than that experienced by the Underlying NVDA ETF share price.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current monthly income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given month. If the Fund makes distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next. Additionally, the monthly distributions, if any, may consist of returns of capital, which would decrease the Fund’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment.

    NAV Erosion Risk Due to Distributions. When the Fund makes a distribution, the Fund’s NAV will typically drop by the amount of the distribution on the related ex-dividend date. The repeated payment of distributions by the Fund, if any, may significantly erode the Fund’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment.

    Put Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s put writing strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in the positive price returns of the Underlying NVDA ETF and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold put options and over longer time periods. 187 If, for example, the Fund were to sell 10% in-the-money put options having a one-month term, the Fund’s participation in the positive price returns of the Underlying NVDA ETF will be capped at 10% for that month. However, over a longer period (e.g., a three-month period), the Fund should not be expected to participate fully in the first 30% (i.e., 3 months x 10%) of the positive price returns of the Underlying NVDA ETF, or the Fund may even lose money, even if the Underlying NVDA ETF share price has appreciated by at least that much over such period, if during any particular month or months over that period the Underlying NVDA ETF had a return less than 10%. This example illustrates that both the Fund’s participation in the positive price returns of the Underlying NVDA ETF and its returns will depend not only on the price of the Underlying NVDA ETF but also on the path that the Underlying NVDA ETF takes over time.

    If, for example, the Fund were to sell 5% out-of-the-money put options having a one-week term, the Fund’s downward protection against the negative price returns of the Underlying NVDA ETF will be capped at 5% for that week. However, over a longer period (e.g., a four-week period), the Fund should not be expected to be protected fully in the first 25% (i.e., 4 weeks x 5%) of the negative price returns of the Underlying NVDA ETF, and the Fund may lose money, even if the Underlying NVDA ETF share price has appreciated over such period, if during any particular week or weeks over that period the Underlying NVDA ETF share price had decreases by more than 5%. This example illustrates that both the Fund’s protection against the negative price returns of the Underlying NVDA ETF and its returns will depend not only on the price of the Underlying NVDA ETF but also on the path that the Underlying NVDA ETF takes over time.

    Under both cases the Fund may be fully exposed to the downward movements of the Underlying NVDA ETF, offset only by the premiums received from selling put contracts. The Fund does not seek to offer any downside protection, except for the fact that the premiums from the sold options may offset some or all of the Underlying NVDA ETF’s decline.

    Option Market Liquidity Risk. The trading activity in the option market of the Underlying NVDA ETF may be limited and the option contracts may trade at levels significantly different from their economic value. The lack of liquidity may negatively affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective. This risk may increase if the portfolio turnover is elevated, for instance because of frequent changes in the number of Shares outstanding, and if the net asset value of the Underlying NVDA ETF is modest. For the 12-month period ending September 30, 2024, the net asset value of the Underlying NVDA ETF ranged from $0.6m to $5,986m.

    Concentration Risk. To the extent that the Underlying NVDA ETF concentrates its investments in a particular industry, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with that industry.

    ETF Risks.

    Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.

    Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund currently expects to affect a significant portion of its creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. Paying redemption proceeds in cash rather than through in-kind delivery of portfolio securities may require the Fund to dispose of or sell portfolio securities or other assets at an inopportune time to obtain the cash needed to meet redemption orders. This may cause the Fund to sell a security and recognize a capital gain or loss that might not have been incurred if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher or lower annual capital gains distributions than ETFs that redeem in-kind. The use of cash creations and redemptions may also cause the Fund’s Shares to trade in the market at greater bid-ask spreads or greater premiums or discounts to the Fund’s NAV. Furthermore, the Fund may not be able to execute cash transactions for creation and redemption purposes at the same price used to determine the Fund’s NAV. To the extent that the maximum additional charge for creation or redemption transactions is insufficient to cover the execution shortfall, the Fund’s performance could be negatively impacted.

    Costs of Buying or Selling Shares. Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, including brokerage commissions imposed by brokers and bid-ask spreads, frequent trading of Shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

    Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may be significant.

    Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Shares will develop or be maintained or that the Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. This risk may be greater for the Fund as it seeks to have exposure to a single underlying stock as opposed to a more diverse portfolio like a traditional pooled investment. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. Shares trade on the Exchange at a market price that may be below, at or above the Fund’s NAV. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event of an unscheduled market close for options contracts that reference a single stock, such as the Underlying NVDA ETF’s securities being halted or a market wide closure, settlement prices will be determined by the procedures of the listing exchange of the options contracts. As a result, the Fund could be adversely affected and be unable to implement its investment strategies in the event of an unscheduled closing.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings. A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses. Frequent trading may also cause adverse tax consequences for investors in the Fund due to an increase in short-term capital gains.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil. This risk is greater for the Fund as it will hold options contracts on a single security, and not a broader range of options contracts. Markets for securities or financial instruments could be disrupted by a number of events, including, but not limited to, an economic crisis, natural disasters, epidemics/pandemics, new legislation or regulatory changes inside or outside the United States. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value, especially in changing or volatile markets. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid security at an unfavorable time or price, the Fund may be adversely impacted. Certain market conditions or restrictions, such as market rules related to short sales, may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying NVDA ETF. There is no assurance that a security that is deemed liquid when purchased will continue to be liquid. Market illiquidity may cause losses for the Fund.

    Management Risk. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. In managing the Fund’s investment portfolio, the portfolio managers will apply investment techniques and risk analyses that may not produce the desired result. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective.

    Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments, including money market funds, may lose money through fees or other means.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers could cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio.

    Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund, Adviser, and Sub-Adviser seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.

    Recent Market Events Risk. U.S. and international markets have experienced significant periods of volatility in recent years and months due to a number of economic, political and global macro factors including the impact of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, which has resulted in a public health crisis, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, stress on the global healthcare system, growth concerns in the U.S. and overseas, staffing shortages and the inability to meet consumer demand, and widespread concern and uncertainty. The global recovery from COVID-19 is proceeding at slower than expected rates due to the emergence of variant strains and may last for an extended period of time. Continuing uncertainties regarding interest rates, rising inflation, political events, rising government debt in the U.S. and trade tensions also contribute to market volatility. Conflict, loss of life and disaster connected to ongoing armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia in Europe and Israel and Hamas in the Middle East could have severe adverse effects on the region, including significant adverse effects on the regional or global economies and the markets for certain securities. The U.S. and the European Union have imposed sanctions on certain Russian individuals and companies, including certain financial institutions, and have limited certain exports and imports to and from Russia. The war has contributed to recent market volatility and may continue to do so.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment vehicle which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security (the Underlying NVDA ETF), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Tax Risk. The Fund intends to elect and to qualify each year to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its net investment income and net capital gain that it distributes to Shareholders, provided that it satisfies certain requirements of the Code. If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year and certain relief provisions are not available, the Fund’s taxable income will be subject to tax at the Fund level and to a further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. To comply with the asset diversification test applicable to a RIC, the Fund will attempt to ensure that the value of the derivatives it holds is never 25% of the total value of Fund assets at the close of any quarter. If the Fund’s investments in the derivatives were to exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of a tax quarter, the Fund, generally, has a grace period to cure such lack of compliance. If the Fund fails to timely cure, it may no longer be eligible to be treated as a RIC. In addition, distributions received by the Fund from the Underlying NVDA ETF may generate “bad income” that could prevent the Fund from meeting the “Income Requirement” of Subchapter M of the Code, which may cause the Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC.

    Investing in U.S. Equities Risk. Investing in U.S. issuers subjects the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risks that are specific to the U.S. Certain changes in the U.S., such as a weakening of the U.S. economy or a decline in its financial markets, may have an adverse effect on U.S. issuers.

    U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.

    Fixed Income Securities Risk. The market value of Fixed Income Securities will change in response to interest rate changes and other factors, such as changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of fixed income investments. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding Fixed Income Securities and related financial instruments generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values of such securities and related financial instruments generally decline. Fixed Income Securities are also subject to credit risk.

    Investments in Fixed Income Securities may also involve the following risks, depending on the instrument involved:

    • Asset-Backed/Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk – The market value and yield of asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities can vary due to market interest rate fluctuations and early prepayments of underlying instruments.
    • Credit Risk – An investment in the Fund also involves the risk that the issuer of a Fixed Income Security that the Fund holds will fail to make timely payments of interest or principal or go bankrupt, or that the value of the securities will decline because of a market perception that the issuer may not make payments on time, thus potentially reducing the Fund’s return.
    • Event Risk – Event risk is the risk that corporate issuers may undergo restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers, or similar events financed by increased debt. As a result of the added debt, the credit quality and market value of a company’s bonds and/or other debt securities may decline significantly.
    • Extension Risk – Payment on the loans underlying Fixed Income Securities held by the Fund may be made more slowly when interest rates are rising.
    • Interest Rate Risk – Generally, the value of Fixed Income Securities will change inversely with changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise, the market value of Fixed Income Securities tends to decrease. Conversely, as interest rates fall, the market value of Fixed Income Securities tends to increase. This risk will be greater for long-term securities than for short-term securities. In recent periods, governmental financial regulators, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken steps to maintain historically low interest rates. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify interest rate risk. Changes in government intervention may have adverse effects on investments, volatility, and illiquidity in debt markets.
    • Prepayment Risk – When interest rates are declining, issuers of Fixed Income Securities held by the Fund may prepay principal earlier than scheduled.

    The Fund is distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc, which is not affiliated with GraniteShares or any of its affiliates ©2024 GraniteShares Inc. All rights reserved. GraniteShares, GraniteShares Trusts, and the GraniteShares logo are registered and unregistered trademarks of GraniteShares Inc., in the United States and elsewhere. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

    Media Contact:
    GraniteShares Inc.
    Attn: Media Relations
    222 Broadway, 21st Floor
    New York, NY 10038
    844-476-8747
    info@graniteshares.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ManTech Wins $200 Million Cyber Contract with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HERNDON, Va., May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ManTech, a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI), Cyber and mission-focused technology solutions, has won a $200 million contract with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create and manage a transformational Security Operations Center (SOC) that sets the model for efficient, reliable federal cybersecurity.

    Under this 8-year task order ManTech will implement its innovative “cell-based” SOC approach that revolutionizes the traditional three-tiered SOC model. Leveraging lean agile principles and the integration of advanced technology, the cell-based SOC delivers massive improvements in efficiency and cybersecurity effectiveness. This collaborative partnership between NOAA and ManTech will empower NOAA’s Cyber Security Center (NCSC) to monitor and protect the entire system of systems supporting NOAA’s global, land, sea, air and space missions.

    “ManTech’s partnership with NOAA will bring significant opportunities for innovation and efficiency that all federal government SOCs can benefit from,” said Stephen Deitz, President of the company’s Federal Civilian Sector. “Our cell-based approach, proven in sensitive national security missions for more than a decade, drives efficiencies, accountability and operational excellence in Cyber defense systems.”

    About ManTech  
    ManTech provides mission-focused technology solutions and services for U.S. Defense, Intelligence and Federal Civilian agencies. In business for more than 57 years, we are a leading provider of AI solutions that power full-spectrum cyber, data collection & analytics, enterprise IT, high-end engineering and software application development solutions that support national and homeland security. Additional information on ManTech can be found at www.mantech.com.

    Media Contact: 

    Jim Crawford 
    ManTech 
    Executive Director, External Communications 
    (M) 703-498-7315 
    James.Crawford2@ManTech.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d2446357-bbdf-4f7f-926b-8fa0f270d41e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDONESIA – The Director of the PMS: “Social justice as part of the mission, inspired by Pope Leo”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 21 May 2025

    Archdiocese of Jakarta

    Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “Social justice is one of the central themes today for a great nation like Indonesia, an emerging nation on the international scene. It is also a crucial issue for the Church’s mission in Indonesia. And we see that Pope Leo XIV, inspired by his predecessor Leo XIII, the Pope of Rerum Novarum, has placed the theme of social justice among the central points of his vision and action.This can also be of help to us,” says Father Alfonsus Widhiwiryawan, a Xaverian missionary originally from Java and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Indonesia, in an interview with Fides.Fr. Alfonsus recalls Pope Leo XIV’s recent speech to the Diplomatic Corps, in which he stated that “the pursuit of peace requires the practice of justice.” And, evoking Leo XIII, he added that “in the era of change we are experiencing, the Holy See cannot fail to make its voice heard in the face of the numerous imbalances and injustices that cause, among other things, undignified working conditions and increasingly fragmented and conflict-ridden societies. It is also necessary to correct global inequalities, where opulence and poverty leave deep gaps between continents, countries, and even within individual societies.” “This need is felt in Indonesia, a nation characterized by a great diversity of regions, cultures, religious contexts, and socio-economic situations. The risk is fragmentation, even within the Church itself,” the missionary emphasized. “That is why our national motto is unity in diversity, and we are called to practice it every day also within the Church,” added the national director of the PMS. Social justice, he recalls, “is also one of the fundamental principles of Pancasila, the five-principle charter that is the basis of the Indonesian nation, and is a particularly relevant issue for many Muslim organizations.”The Indonesian bishops have clearly expressed their commitment in this area. For example, the prelates of the Flores region, in their message for Lent 2025, issued a joint appeal for “justice for the poor and a renewed commitment to Gospel values.” In particular, they expressed concern about the development of geothermal projects, which, they noted, “harm the environment, food security, social balance, and cultural sustainability.” They also denounced the persistence of chronic malnutrition, which continues to affect many young children, stressing that “this is not simply a question of health, but of justice.” “All children deserve food, love, and dignity,” they wrote, encouraging targeted support for vulnerable families and the implementation of solid nutrition education programs. It is in this context that the debate surrounding the economic policy of the new President, Prabowo Subianto, is taking place. In keeping with his campaign promises, he has launched an ambitious program to support school canteens and a budget efficiency plan. However, the latter has sparked protests over job cuts and the suspension of scholarships until 2025. Fr. Alfonsus comments on this: “Instead of allocating public resources to welfare measures that bring easy consensus, the government should consider and implement policies capable of stimulating economic growth, combating unemployment, and promoting authentic and sustainable development.” Social justice was also the central theme of Pope Francis’ first speech during his trip to Indonesia, on September 4, 2024, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, before both the outgoing President Joko Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto. On that occasion, the Pontiff called for a “true and far-sighted commitment” to achieving social justice, so that a substantial part of humanity is not left “on the margins, without a dignified existence and without any defense against the serious social imbalances that trigger acute conflicts.” “In a rapidly changing society,” concludes the National Director of the PMS, “the Indonesian Catholic Church is called to understand and expand its mission, reflecting and actively engaging in the field of social justice.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 21/5/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – “We hope the Pope will make an appeal for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 21 May 2025   wars  

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “We hope the Pope will make an appeal for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” write the members of ACMEJ (Association Against Evil and for the Integration of Youth) of Katogota, in the province of South Kivu, in the east of the country.Recalling that “in his first Sunday blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica, the new Pope Leo XIV made a solemn appeal for peace in Ukraine and for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” the members of the ACMEJ ask the Holy Father not to forget the tragedy of their homeland, one of the forgotten conflicts that continue to bloody the world. Since the M23 guerrillas, supported by Rwandan soldiers, have conquered vast areas of North and South Kivu—including the regional capitals of Goma and Bukavu—the civilian population has been living in tragic conditions.According to ACMEJ, the village of Katogota, already the scene of a massacre on May 14, 2000, in which 375 civilians died, has once again been “destroyed, looted, wounded, and bombed by the M23 and its Rwandan allies.” “The attackers have illegally occupied the premises of the local Catholic Church of Saint Berger—church, school, and prayer hall—as well as the multipurpose hall of the Katogota community, setting up their camp there and transforming the religious and educational spaces into military accommodation,” the statement sent to Fides said.”The villagers ask Pope Leo XIV to make a new solemn appeal for peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, starting with an immediate and effective ceasefire and the creation of a buffer zone in the villages of Katogota and Kamanyola, under the control of military forces sent by the United Nations Security Council or the African Union.” According to the ACMEJ, this measure would allow refugees and displaced persons from Katogota to return to their homes more safely, pending a final peace agreement,” the human rights organization stated.The villages of Katogota and Kamanyola are currently on the front line separating the M23 from forces loyal to the Kinshasa government (see Fides, 4/3/2025). The situation has been further aggravated by the Congolese government’s recent decision to close banks and airports in areas under M23 control.The Secretary General of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), Bishop Donatien Nshole, denounced the interruption of these essential services. “The closure of banks and airports in these areas forces many families to survive in particularly precarious conditions,” he said on May 19. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 21/5/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing man in Cheung Sha Wan (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Police today (May 21) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan.

         Tsai Muk-lun, aged 61, went missing after he left his caring home on Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan on May 19 afternoon. Staff of the caring home made a report to Police yesterday (May 20).

         He is about 1.7 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt, shorts with floral patterns and black sports shoes.

         Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Interest in terminal space sought

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    ​The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau today invited the market to submit expressions of interest (EOI) for better utilising the space of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT).

    As one of the strategies in the Action Plan on Development of Cruise Tourism, the bureau aims to elevate the function of the KTCT as a cruise terminal for all.

    Apart from the cruise operation facilities, the KTCT also has an ancillary commercial area of about 5,600 sq m, and public space located on the rooftop and second floor.

    The bureau invites interested vendors and organisations to submit feasible proposals for the use of the ancillary commercial areas and public space, including use for conventional retail or other purposes, with a view to fully utilising the space.

    The bureau stressed that it has been committed to promoting the KTCT for hosting more non-cruise and commercial events during the low season and on days when fewer cruises berthing thereat to better utilise the space at the KTCT.

    What’s more, with the official commissioning of the Kai Tak Sports Park on March 1 this year, the park has become a new hub for hosting major sports and entertainment events.

    The pedestrian walkway connecting the park and the KTCT has recently been opened, and the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau has completed the tender exercise for the Youth Post hostel and spaces for cultural and arts exchanges for youths next to the KTCT.

    The organisation to operate the youth development facility has been selected, and is expected to commence operation within this year.

    With the gradual population intake of the residential development projects at the former runway area of Kai Tak, the transport connectivity of the KTCT will continue to be enhanced in accordance with the plan.

    Seizing the opportunities brought by the developments, the bureau hopes to bring more visitors to the KTCT by the new activities and seek business opportunities through collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community.

    Interested commercial entities, non-profit-making organisations, organisations related to the cultural, creative and sports industries as well as young entrepreneurs are welcome to submit proposals.

    The bureau added that in considering the suggestions collected, it will focus on how the activities can create greater convenience and a better experience for cruise visitors, create synergies between the Kai Tak Sports Park and the Youth Post hostel, and benefit the residential community of Kai Tak.

    Furthermore, it pointed out that it will determine the future use and management arrangements of the space based on the suggestions.

    The invitation documents for the EOI are available on the Tourism Commission website. Interested parties must submit their EOI by July 18.

    The bureau will also hold a briefing session on the EOI invitation on June 3.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –