Category: housing

MIL-OSI: Descope Announces Agentic Identity Hub to Enable Secure, Standards-Based AI Agent Connectivity
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LOS ALTOS, Calif., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Descope, the drag & drop external IAM platform, today announced the launch of the Agentic Identity Hub, an industry-first platform that helps organizations solve authentication and authorization challenges for AI agents, systems, and workflows. Notable additions include providing apps an easy way to become agent-ready while requiring user consent, providing agents a scalable way to connect with 50+ third-party tools and enterprise systems, and helping developers using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) protect their remote MCP servers with purpose-built authorization APIs and SDKs.

As agents, LLMs, and other AI systems become increasingly embedded into enterprise and consumer workflows, developers struggle with the dual challenge of securely connecting these AI systems to external SaaS tools and ensuring their own apps properly authenticate AI agents with the right level of access and human oversight. As the industry converges on a few key standards to power identity infrastructure for agentic builds (e.g. OAuth, MCP), developers face the choice between spending time to become experts in these protocols to build and manage authentication for AI systems, or risking identity spoofing, tool misuse, privilege compromise, and other threats described in the OWASP Top 10 for GenAI. This developer complexity contributes to the fact that less than two-fifths of GenAI projects go into production.

The Descope no / low code external IAM platform helps organizations easily create, modify, and manage journeys for their consumers, business customers, partners, and APIs / AI agents using visual workflows. Hundreds of customers including GoFundMe, Databricks, Navan, and You.com use Descope to enhance customer experience, help prevent account takeover, and get a 360 view of their customer and machine identities.

Capabilities announced today include:
- Inbound Apps, which provide every application an easy way to become its own identity provider using the OAuth standard. This allows AI agents to securely authenticate, access authorized user data, and take scoped actions on behalf of users with their explicit consent.
- Outbound Apps, which provide every AI agent builder a secure, scalable way to connect AI agents to external tools without having to manually manage and store tokens, scopes, and permissions. Developers can choose from over 50 out-of-the-box tool integration templates including Gmail, HubSpot, GitHub, Snowflake, Slack, Notion, and Shopify.
- MCP Auth SDKs and APIs that help developers building and managing remote MCP servers secure their systems with robust authorization controls as well as extend the MCP servers’ functionality by connecting them with multiple OAuth-based services.
“As AI systems make our lives easier, we must ensure the lives of developers building AI don’t become harder,” said Slavik Markovich, Co-founder and CEO of Descope. “The Agentic Identity Hub provides a set of tools to help developers spend more time on the interesting work of building and fine-tuning their AI systems and hardly any time on the nitty-gritties of authentication and access control. True enterprise AI adoption won’t happen without a robust, interoperable identity infrastructure working behind the scenes, and we’re excited to be a part of that infrastructure.”

“According to industry trends, over 70% of enterprises cite security, compliance, and trust as primary concerns when adopting AI technologies. As organizations increasingly integrate AI agents into their workflows, the need for robust governance frameworks becomes critical,” said Paul Nashawaty, Principal Analyst at theCUBE. “To scale AI adoption successfully, enterprises must become AI-ready—by modernizing their identity infrastructure—while AI systems must be architected for enterprise-grade demands. Solutions like the Descope Agentic Identity Hub, with its secure, granular, and interoperable identity management capabilities, are essential to bridging this readiness gap.”

To learn more, visit Descope’s AI Launch Week page and AI demo site.

Inbound Apps

AI agents are autonomous enough to navigate digital storefronts and access SaaS applications–however, these apps need to account for the fact that many AI agents don’t navigate the web like humans do. Instead of visual stimuli and UI, AI systems rely on APIs, standards like OAuth, and token-based flows to securely communicate with other machines.

With Descope Inbound Apps, any app or API can easily become OAuth-compatible, enabling a variety of use cases such as:
- Secure connectivity with AI agents with consent screens for users to have control and visibility into what data the AI agent can access and what actions it can perform.
- Integrating with partner applications while allowing them to fetch user data and take authorized actions on the user’s behalf.
- Powering app registration, token management, and consent for B2C and B2B marketplace ecosystems.
“We’re very excited about the potential of Descope Inbound Apps,” said Arnie Katz, Chief Product and Technology Officer at GoFundMe. “Descope is helping us provide frictionless, secure, and omnichannel authentication experiences for millions of users. Inbound Apps builds on this by providing the building blocks for us to more deeply connect with our charity partner ecosystem and make it easier for users to create and donate to fundraisers wherever they are – extending the reach and impact of our platform.”

Outbound Apps
Developers seeking to build powerful AI systems that can interact with the “real world” (e.g. book meetings, write emails, retrieve data from external systems on users’ behalf) face several authentication and integration challenges that delay or prevent production-readiness.

Descope Outbound Apps simplifies how AI agents connect with external tools and enterprise systems. Developers can pick from 50+ templates–ranging from CRMs and payroll to calendars and customer support tools–to securely integrate their AI agent without the heavy lift of learning complex OAuth processes, managing and storing tokens, or ensuring properly scoped access.

“Descope’s Outbound Apps capability frees up our developers from tooling and integration work so they can spend more time shipping core features instead,” said Soham Mazumdar, Co-founder and CEO of WisdomAI. “Being able to seamlessly connect with CRMs, data warehouses, and messaging tools to take actions on users’ behalf helps us show the value of our AI-powered analytics platform instantly.”

Remote MCP Auth SDKs and APIs

The Model Context Protocol, developed by Anthropic, provides a standardized way for LLMs to connect with external tools and services. As MCP continues to gain rapid adoption–with OpenAI, Microsoft, and Figma being a few recent adopters–developers face a mounting list of tasks to make their MCP servers production-ready.

The Descope MCP Auth SDKs and APIs simplify the process of implementing MCP authorization in remote MCP Servers, abstracting out complexities such as creating OAuth-based flows with PKCE or dynamic client registration. These SDKs and APIs work seamlessly with Inbound Apps, enabling use cases such as:
- Protecting MCP servers with OAuth-based authorization, ensuring scoped access to authorized clients.
- Extending MCP server functionality by connecting with external OAuth-based services.
Resources

About Descope

Descope is a drag & drop platform to help organizations manage all their external identities. Our no / low code external IAM solution helps organizations create, modify, and secure authentication and authorization journeys for end users, business customers, partner applications, and APIs / AI agents. Hundreds of businesses use Descope to improve customer experience, prevent account takeover, and get a 360 view of their customer and machine identities.

Media Contact
Erica Anderson
Offleash for Descope
descope@offleashpr.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/56fe28c7-74ba-4853-8fbd-2d8193a85ac9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81c56077-54cc-416b-a155-4febb18d5c7c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58829c30-5cec-4f64-8a40-7a2b3d30e323

The MIL Network –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Orion180 Teams Up with Jewelers Mutual® to Offer Homeowners Comprehensive Jewelry Insurance

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Jewelers Mutual

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

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025

MIL-OSI: Juniata Valley Financial Corp. Announces Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Mifflintown, PA, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Juniata Valley Financial Corp. (OTCQX:JUVF) (“Juniata”), announced net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 of $2.0 million, an increase of 48.2%, compared to net income of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Earnings per share, basic and diluted, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $0.40 compared to $0.27 reported for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

President’s Message

President and Chief Executive Officer, Marcie A. Barber stated, “We are pleased to announce first quarter net income of $2.0 million which represents a nearly 50% increase over the same quarter last year. This improvement is due in part to disciplined loan and deposit pricing which resulted in the reversal of a two-year trend of net interest margin compression. Additionally, our continued efforts to increase fee income and improve efficiency resulted in a 3.9% increase in noninterest income and a 9.2% decrease in noninterest expense. Our credit quality remains strong with nonperforming loans totaling 0.1% of the total loan portfolio and delinquent and nonperforming loans comprising 0.4%. Our focus for the remainder of 2025 is to accelerate loan growth, especially in the State College and Harrisburg regions, while maintaining our excellent credit quality. We also intended to actively communicate with and provide customized service to our customers due to the current economic uncertainty, continue the improvements in fee generation and the containment of operating expenses, while exploring opportunities for expansion.”

Financial Results for the Quarter

Annualized return on average assets for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 0.94%, compared to 0.63% for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Annualized return on average equity for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 16.55%, compared to 13.38% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Net interest income increased by 5.1%, to $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Average interest earning assets decreased 1.7%, to $842.6 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, due to a decrease of $18.2 million, or 5.7%, in average investment securities as principal paydowns on the mortgage-backed securities portfolio were used for funding needs rather than being reinvested into the securities portfolio. Average interest bearing liabilities decreased by $16.1 million, or 2.6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to a decline of $23.9 million, or 29.9%, in average borrowings and other interest bearing liabilities, which was partially offset by an increase in average time deposits of $17.3 million, or 8.7%, for the three months end March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The yield on earning assets increased 19 basis points, to 4.42%, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to same period last year driven by an increase in loan yields of 24 basis points, while the cost to fund interest earning assets with interest bearing liabilities increased two basis points, to 2.26%, aided by the 100 basis point decline in the federal funds rate between the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The net interest margin, on a fully tax equivalent basis, increased from 2.63% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 to 2.83% for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Juniata recorded a credit loss expense of $104,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to a credit loss expense of $120,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Non-interest income was $1.3 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024. Most significantly impacting non-interest income in the comparative three month periods were increases of $89,000 in customer service fees due to an increase in the collection of overdraft and checking account fees, as well as $24,000 in trust fees. Partially offsetting these increases between the comparative three month periods was a decline of $56,000 in fees derived from loan activity due to decreases in title insurance commissions, a derivative credit adjustment and loan referral fees in the 2025 period.

Non-interest expense was $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 9.2%. Most significantly impacting non-interest expense in the comparative three month periods were decreases in employee compensation and benefits expenses of $233,000 and $99,000, respectively. The primary drivers for these declines were decreases in employee compensation expenses compared to the 2024 period, with the 2024 expenses being elevated due to overtime pay from the core conversion and optimizing staffing levels, and employee benefits expense due to a decrease in medical claims expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. Also contributing to the decrease in non-interest expense between the comparative three month periods were decreases of $48,000 in professional fees and $34,000 in the provision for unfunded commitments recorded in other non-interest expense. Partially offsetting these decreases for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024 was an increase of $74,000 in equipment expense primarily due to an increase in depreciation and ATM expenses attributable to the core conversion in March 2024.

An income tax provision of $371,000 was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $201,000 recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase between the comparative three month periods was primarily due to more taxable income recorded in the 2025 period. Juniata qualifies for a federal tax credit for investments in low-income housing partnerships. The tax credit was $82,000 for both the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024.

Financial Condition

Total assets as of March 31, 2025 were $854.0 million, an increase of $5.1 million compared to total assets of $848.9 million as of December 31, 2024. Cash and cash equivalents increased $2.5 million, or 22.8%, while total loans increased by $5.1 million, or 1.0%, as of March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024. Total deposits increased by $728,000, or 0.1%, as of March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024, while short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements increased by $1.8 million, or 4.4%, primarily due to increased balances in repurchase agreement accounts. At March 31, 2025, total capital increased $2.7 million, or 5.8%, compared to year-end 2024 due to an increase in retained earnings and a decline in other comprehensive losses.

Juniata maintains a strong liquidity position and, as of March 31, 2025, had additional borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh of $213.3 million and with the Federal Reserve’s Discount Window of $51.2 million. In addition, Juniata has internal authorization for brokered deposits of up to $175.0 million. Juniata had no brokered deposits outstanding as of March 31, 2025.

Subsequent Event

On April 15, 2025, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.22 per share to shareholders of record on May 16, 2025, payable on May 30, 2025.

Management considers subsequent events occurring after the statement of condition date for matters which may require adjustment to, or disclosure in, the consolidated financial statements. The review period for subsequent events extends up to and including the filing date of a public company’s consolidated financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the financial information in this release is subject to change.

The Juniata Valley Bank, the principal subsidiary of Juniata Valley Financial Corp., is headquartered in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, with fourteen community offices located in Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Franklin, McKean and Potter Counties. More information regarding Juniata Valley Financial Corp. and The Juniata Valley Bank can be found online at www.JVBonline.com. Juniata Valley Financial Corp. trades through the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol JUVF.

Forward-Looking Information
*This press release may contain “forward looking” information as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Juniata’s management with respect to, among other things, future events and Juniata’s financial performance. When words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative variations of those words or similar expressions are used in this release, Juniata is making forward-looking statements. Such information is based on Juniata’s current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of its business, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond the control of Juniata. These statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance, events or results and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materializes, or if underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from this forward-looking information. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and many factors could affect future financial results. Juniata undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward looking information, whether because of new or updated information, future events, or otherwise. For a more complete discussion of certain risks and uncertainties affecting Juniata, please see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Forward-Looking Statements” set forth in the Juniata’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Financial Statements

Juniata Valley Financial Corp. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition


(Dollars in thousands, except share data)	(Unaudited)
	March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	5,145		$	5,064
Interest bearing deposits with banks		8,364			5,934
Cash and cash equivalents		13,509			10,998

Equity securities		1,114			1,189
Debt securities available for sale		64,772			64,623
Debt securities held to maturity (fair value $184,898 and $182,773, respectively)		189,634			191,627
Restricted investment in bank stock		2,674			2,530
Total loans		538,971			533,869
Less: Allowance for credit losses		(6,278	)		(6,183	)
Total loans, net of allowance for credit losses		532,693			527,686
Premises and equipment, net		9,323			9,382
Bank owned life insurance and annuities		15,273			15,214
Investment in low income housing partnerships		751			832
Core deposit and other intangible assets		240			258
Goodwill		9,812			9,812
Mortgage servicing rights		68			69
Deferred tax asset, net		9,320			9,842
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		4,824			4,812
Total assets	$	854,007		$	848,874
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing	$	198,753		$	196,801
Interest bearing		549,932			551,156
Total deposits		748,685			747,957

Short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements		44,082			42,242
Long-term debt		5,000			5,000
Other interest bearing liabilities		769			830
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		5,275			5,388
Total liabilities		803,811			801,417
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, no par value: Authorized – 500,000 shares, none issued		—			—
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share: Authorized 20,000,000 shares; Issued – 5,151,279 shares at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024; Outstanding – 5,016,727 shares at March 31, 2025 and 5,003,384 shares at December 31, 2024		5,151			5,151
Surplus		24,712			24,896
Retained earnings		54,034			53,126
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(31,522	)		(33,320	)
Cost of common stock in Treasury: 134,552 shares at March 31, 2025; 147,895 shares at December 31, 2024		(2,179	)		(2,396	)
Total stockholders’ equity		50,196			47,457
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	854,007		$	848,874

Juniata Valley Financial Corp. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)	March 31,
	2025			2024
Interest income:
Loans, including fees	$	7,781		$	7,467
Taxable securities		1,365			1,465
Tax-exempt securities		30			30
Other interest income		17			43
Total interest income		9,193			9,005
Interest expense:
Deposits		2,803			2,642
Short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements		531			698
Long-term debt		30			117
Other interest bearing liabilities		7			9
Total interest expense		3,371			3,466
Net interest income		5,822			5,539
Provision for credit losses		104			120
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		5,718			5,419
Non-interest income:
Customer service fees		460			371
Debit card fee income		422			404
Earnings on bank-owned life insurance and annuities		57			56
Trust fees		131			107
Commissions from sales of non-deposit products		101			102
Fees derived from loan activity		115			171
Change in value of equity securities		(28	)		(13	)
Gain from life insurance proceeds		—			—
Other non-interest income		88			98
Total non-interest income		1,346			1,296
Non-interest expense:
Employee compensation expense		1,975			2,208
Employee benefits		546			645
Occupancy		366			332
Equipment		217			143
Data processing expense		629			663
Professional fees		206			254
Taxes, other than income		31			56
FDIC Insurance premiums		135			155
Gain on other real estate owned		—			—
Amortization of intangible assets		18			22
Amortization of investment in low-income housing partnerships		81			81
Merger and acquisition expense		—			—
Other non-interest expense		481			600
Total non-interest expense		4,685			5,159
Income before income taxes		2,379			1,556
Income tax provision		371			201
Net income	$	2,008		$	1,355
Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.40		$	0.27
Diluted	$	0.40		$	0.27

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A pioneer in home economics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Science of high-altitude baking

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more of our stories about Colorado.

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

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

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: I-81 Viaduct Project Reaches Major Milestone
Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the award of the fifth and final construction contract of phase one of the transformative Interstate 81 Viaduct Project in the City of Syracuse. The award of the nearly $251 million contract to Salt City Constructors marks a significant milestone in this historic project to reunite the long-divided communities of Syracuse’s Southside and modernize the entire transportation landscape of Central New York. It is the first contract to include removal of portions of the viaduct and signals the transition of the project away from its initial stages — which focused largely on improvements needed to redesignate Interstate 481 as the new I-81 — and toward the later phase of eliminating the viaduct and establishing the Community Grid. Work on the fifth contract is set to begin imminently.

“Across the State, we are reimagining and reshaping our infrastructure to reconnect communities and address the misguided planning decisions of the past,” Governor Hochul said. “The award of the I-81 Viaduct Project’s latest contract is proof of the advancements we are making to reunite the Southside neighborhoods that were wrongly divided by this highway’s construction and is an indicator of the progress that is yet to come for all of Central New York.”

The generational I-81 Viaduct Project is the largest project ever undertaken by the New York State Department of Transportation and is part of Governor Hochul’s unprecedented commitment to modernize New York State’s infrastructure and invest in projects that promote equity, connectivity, and multi-modal transportation opportunities for communities across the state. The project will remove a 1.4-mile stretch of elevated highway that has divided the City of Syracuse for decades and implement a Community Grid that will reconnect neighborhoods, modernize infrastructure, give motorists additional ways to safely access downtown Syracuse and improve mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Comprised of eight separate contracts, construction on the project began in the spring of 2023 and with the award of the fifth contract, New York State has now reached the major milestone of having all five phase one contracts in construction. The $33 billion NYSDOT Capital Plan adopted in 2022 helps fulfill the Governor’s vision for a modern transportation system that serves New Yorkers across the State. The project is being funded with a mix of federal and State resources.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, New York State is doing more to invest in infrastructure projects that are fundamentally transforming communities across the state – creating jobs and providing economic opportunities for generations of New Yorkers to come. The I-81 Viaduct project is an outstanding example of working with the community to develop and progress a project that truly reflects the transportation needs of the community. Today’s announcement is further proof that we are moving full speed ahead on this transformative project in the City of Syracuse, which will promote connectivity in all its forms, for communities across Central New York, leading to a brighter path forward for the thousands of residents – many of whom were negatively impacted by the viaduct’s construction over seventy five years ago.”

As part of contract five, construction will begin in earnest on the southside of Syracuse, with the transformation of the southern end of Almond Street and I-81 into future Business Loop 81. Work includes reconstructing and converting I-81 to Business Loop 81 from just north of Colvin Street to Burt Street, gradually bringing the highway down to street grade, while introducing several traffic calming measures, including curved roadways and narrower lanes and shoulders. Plans also call for a grassy median, decorative lighting, and trees as traffic approaches Martin Luther King East.  View an aerial rendering.

Contract five also includes the construction of a roundabout at Business Loop 81 and Van Buren Street, which will help slow northbound traffic as it approaches Martin Luther King East and downtown Syracuse. The roundabout was initially planned for a location at Martin Luther King East, near the STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School, but was relocated after community members expressed concerns about its proximity to the school. View a rendering of the roundabout at the intersection of Business Loop 81 and Van Buren Street looking west.

As construction on contract five proceeds, two thirds of the way through completion, the viaduct will officially close to traffic south of Harrison Street and approximately seven spans of the viaduct will be removed. Southbound traffic destined for Exit 18 to Adams and Harrison Streets, and northbound traffic that enters using the on-ramp to I-81 at Harrison Street will remain on the viaduct. Temporary improvements will be made to Almond Street to allow for all traffic destined to or from Business Loop 81 to access the central business district.

Additionally, a new railroad bridge will be constructed between Martin Luther King East and the new roundabout to carry the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway tracks over Business Loop 81. The new bridge will include blue painted steel and lighting to create a new gateway entrance into the City of Syracuse.

Additional contract five components include:
- An off-ramp from Business Loop 81 northbound to Colvin Street to enhance connectivity to the downtown areas, Syracuse University, and the university’s south campus. View a rendering of the new Colvin Street exit.
- Improvements to the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County’s storm water runoff and sewage systems.
- Pedestrian and cyclist amenities, including designated bike lanes, shared use paths, new sidewalks and crosswalks with enhanced pedestrian activated signals.
- New traffic signals with video detection on mast arm poles to enhance safety and traffic flow.
- Noise barriers along Business Loop 81 southbound between Martin Luther King East and along the off-ramp to South State Street, South Salina Street, and Brighton Avenue, in the northbound direction between a half mile south of the I-81 bridge over Colvin Street to just north of the I-81 bridge over Colvin Street.
As part of NYSDOT’s ongoing commitment to engage with the community at every step of the process, several outreach events will be scheduled to keep stakeholders informed about the project, including an open house for southside residents to learn more about contract five construction.

Senator Charles Schumer said, “With the fifth and final contract now awarded for Phase 1 of I-81’s transformation we have never been closer to realizing the dream of a reconnected Syracuse with green space and modern transportation for all. This contract will remove portions of the viaduct and signals that wheels are in motion to realize the city’s vision for a community grid to better connect Syracuse to a brighter future. When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I did so with projects like Syracuse’s I-81 transformation as my north star. I am proud this significant over $250 million contract will be invested in Syracuse to reconnect the community and create good-paying construction jobs. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul and Mayor Walsh’s partnership in putting this federal funding to good use building the better, brighter future that Syracuse deserves.”

Representative John W. Mannion said, “Today marks another visible step forward in removing the outdated I-81 viaduct and constructing a better, more connected Syracuse and Central New York. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership and commitment to bold infrastructure investments, we are creating a safer, smarter road system that will deliver smoother drives, stronger neighborhoods, cleaner air, and a brighter future for the region.”

State Senator Rachel May said, “The I-81 project is transforming Central New York, and it’s exciting to see the next phase begin. As the final contract is awarded, we must continue reinvesting in the Syracuse area, ensuring the high-quality construction jobs go to workers in our community. This once-in-a-lifetime project aims not only to improve our infrastructure but also to unite Syracuse and guide us toward a brighter future. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her leadership, NYSDOT for keeping the project on track, and my Senate Majority colleagues for their continued support.”

State Senator Christopher Ryan said, “This milestone is about more than just one phase of concrete and construction — it’s part of a major step forward in reconnecting neighborhoods, restoring opportunity, and renewing a sense of unity across our community. For too long, infrastructure decisions have divided communities and limited potential across Central New York. With this next phase of the I-81 Project, we move closer to a future where every neighborhood in Syracuse and the surrounding area is part of the progress. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her partnership and her commitment to building a more connected and equitable CNY.”

Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “I am pleased to see the final Phase I contract of the I-81 Viaduct Project awarded. This marks an important step in the construction of the project. I look forward to its timely completion.”

Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “This investment not only addresses decades of infrastructure inequity, but also sets the foundation for a more connected, accessible, and unified community. The removal of the viaduct and the creation of the Community Grid will help restore neighborhoods that have been divided for far too long, and I commend Governor Hochul and the Department of Transportation for their continued commitment to making this vision a reality.”

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “The award of Contract Five means Syracuse continues to be all systems go for the positive transformation of Interstate 81. Work has already been occurring within the City of Syracuse, and with these next stages we will see even more progress toward the Community Grid. I thank Governor Hochul, Commissioner Dominguez and the entire New York State Department of Transportation I-81 project team for advancing this critically important public infrastructure project.”

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

About the Department of Transportation
It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

MIL OSI USA News –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Primech AI Showcases HYTRON Cleaning Technology at Global Innovation Summit 2025 in Germany

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Topline Financial Credit Union Members and Employees Give Back to the Local Twin Cities Communities During March Minnesota Foodshare Month

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, held a food drive during the month of March for the MN FoodShare March Campaign benefitting three local non-profits, Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP), Hope 4 Youth and Keystone Community Services. TopLine members and employees generously donated non-perishable food items of canned vegetables, soups, rice, dry pasta, and more to help fight hunger in our local communities.

Employees were able to participate by donating non-perishable food items and money in exchange for a “Foundation Friday/Saturday” sticker, allowing them to wear jeans to work. TopLine and community members could also purchase items from an Amazon Wishlist or Target Registry and have them delivered directly to TopLine, and in return delivered to the charitable partners. When the program ended TopLine employees and members had donated over 574 pounds of food items and $1,155 in cash to assist local individuals and families.

“We frequently receive feedback from our non-profit partners that food supplies decrease during the initial months of the year following a surge in holiday donations,” said Mick Olson, President and CEO of TopLine Financial Credit Union. “Through the generous contributions of our TopLine family, including members and employees, we aim to alleviate some of the stress associated with food insecurity. By collaborating with other donors, we are optimistic that our collective efforts will strengthen our local communities and provide vital support to those in need of food assistance.”

Minnesota FoodShare began its work in 1982 as a campaign advanced by congregations to restock food shelves in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The effort was so successful, and the need so evident, the March campaign became a statewide initiative just one year later and is now in its 44^th year. Minnesota Foodshare March Campaign is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state and helps support the capacity of nearly 300 food shelves. Each year, CEAP, Hope 4 Youth and Keystone Community Services participate in the statewide food and fund drive to restock pantry shelves.

Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP), serving Hennepin and Anoka Counties, is a community-based, non-profit agency dedicated to providing information, referrals, advocacy and assistance to local communities. Visit www.ceap.org to learn more.

Hope 4 Youth is a nonprofit organization in Anoka County that helps young people, ages 16-24, who are experiencing homelessness in the northern Twin Cities metro area. To learn more, visit www.hope4youthmn.org.

Keystone Community Services is a community-based volunteer organization in St. Paul that helps thousands of low-income individuals and families in the East Metro Area. Keystone’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of individuals and families to improve their quality of life. Visit www.keystoneservices.org to learn more.

TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota’s 9^th largest credit union, with assets of over $1.1 billion and serves over 70,000 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit financial cooperative offers a complete line of financial services from its ten branch locations — in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Forest Lake, Maple Grove, Plymouth, St. Francis and in St. Paul’s Como Park — as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com or www.ahcu.coop. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties in Minnesota and their immediate family members, as well as employees and retirees of Anoka Hennepin School District #11, Anoka Technical College, Federal Premium Ammunition, Hoffman Enclosures, Inc., GRACO, Inc., and their subsidiaries. Visit us on our Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about the credit union’s foundation, visit www.TopLinecu.com/Foundation.

CONTACT:
Vicki Roscoe Erickson
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
TopLine Financial Credit Union
verickson@toplinecu.com | 763.391.0872

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd220912-ff69-4f80-a365-080f58c60d44

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: To truly understand Pope Francis’ theology – and impact – you need to look to his life in Buenos Aires

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Fernanda Peñaloza, Senior Lecturer in Latin American Studies, University of Sydney

Pope Francis’ journey from the streets of Flores, a neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to the Vatican, is a remarkable tale.

Born in 1936, Jorge Bergoglio was raised in a middle-class family of Italian Catholic immigrants.

Bergoglio defied his mother’s wish for him to become a medical doctor and chose instead to pursue priesthood, a calling he felt during confession. The young man joined the Jesuits in the 1950s, attracted to the order’s vow of poverty and its ethos of serving others and living simply.

He became a priest in 1969, Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and took on the papacy in 2013. As Pope Francis, his dedication to social justice was deeply rooted in the Latin American context.

The region’s history of inequality, poverty and political upheaval greatly influenced his perspective.

The young Argentinian priest

Bergoglio, a devoted supporter of the San Lorenzo soccer team, was also a confident tango dancer, mate drinker, and an unconditional admirer of his compatriot, Jorge Luis Borges, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

In 1965, the two men collaborated on the publication of short stories written by Bergoglio’s literature students. The students had been inspired by a seminar led by Borges, organised by the young priest.

Borges thought highly of Bergoglio, finding him charming and intelligent. For Borges, Bergoglio was a Jesuit through and through, noting the clerics of that order had been historically transgressive as well as possessors of a good sense of humour.

While Borges never saw him transformed into Pope Francis, his observations somehow fit with the respect Bergoglio earned as a global leader.

Theology of the people

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he lived modestly, often taking public transport and dedicating himself to the poor and disenfranchised. He personally attended the needs of underprivileged neighbourhoods known as villas miseria (literally “misery towns”) in Argentine Spanish.

He was a vocal opponent to economic inequality. During the 2001 Argentine economic crisis he advocated for the rights and dignity of impoverished citizens.

Pope Francis hails from a region deeply influenced by the progressive movements of Catholic priests and nuns, who were significantly inspired by liberation theology during the 1960s in Latin America.

Liberation theology developed in Latin America during the latter part of the 20th century, as a reaction to significant political and theological transformations in the area. It believed in political liberation for the oppressed, inspired by the Cuban Revolution and Second Vatican Council by Pope John XXIII, both in 1959.

While Francis did not fully subscribe to the tenets of liberation theology, much of his dedication to social justice aligns with its ideals. Pope Francis’ social awareness was deeply shaped by the “theology of the people”.

Distinct to Argentina, and emerging in the 1960s, the theology of the people shared liberation theology’s focus on social justice, but is devoid of Marxist ideology, and emphasises the dignity and agency of the marginalised and the impoverished.

During Argentina’s dictatorial regime from 1976–83, Bergoglio led the Jesuits. But he did not adopt the highly dangerous stance of full opposition typical among liberation theologians elsewhere in Argentina and other parts of Latin America.

Commenting on Latin American affairs

In his early years as the Pope, he resonated with progressive Catholics across Latin America, because of his grounding in Argentinian theology and his focus on social justice. But in recent years, his popularity in some Latin American countries declined.

In Argentina, this dip in enthusiasm is partly attributed to his decision not to visit, despite travelling to neighbouring nations.

More profoundly, the decline likely stems from his fixed stance against contentious issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion. To the disappointment of many Argentines and other Latin American citizens, he refused to compromise.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis received all Argentine presidents – even those who were previously critical of him, such as Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

He maintained a strong connection to his Buenos Aires roots and remained engaged with Argentina’s social and political landscape, often commenting on situations that provoke strong reactions from politicians.

He was a critic of policies instituted by the current President of Argentina, Javier Milei, particularly Milei’s libertarian model of economy and the government’s brutal response to public dissent and opposition. In September 2024, the Pope famously said:

the government put its foot down: instead of paying for social justice, it paid for pepper spray.

An alternative model of leadership

By reflecting on how Pope Francis’ theology is rooted in the Argentina he grew up in, we can better understand his actions as Pope.

He made significant contributions in the Latin American region. He played a mediating role between the United States and Cuba, supported the peace process in Colombia, and highlighted the environmental devastation caused by mining companies in the Amazon.

He publicly apologised to Indigenous peoples of Latin America for the Church’s historical complicity with colonialism, and acknowledged his inaction allowed the Chilean clergy to overlook sexual abuse cases.

He appointed clergymen from non-European countries, enhancing representation from Asia, Africa and Latin America and increased the participation of women within the Church’s leadership structures.

His landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’, underscored the moral imperative to address climate change, inspiring accolades from global leaders. His critique of Israel and the conflict in Gaza underscored his consistent opposition to war and advocacy for peace.

Despite existing tensions and contradictions within his papacy – particularly regarding the Church’s stance on LGBTQIA+ issues and women’s rights – Pope Francis’s approach to global issues remained steadfast and aligned with his core values, and the Buenos Aires he came of age in.

Francis’s leadership is a product of his upbringing and a catalyst for regional and global dialogue on social justice.

The profound influence of the Latin American region on him is well captured by long time friend, Uruguayan lawyer and activist, Guzman Carriquiry who described the Pope as:

Priest, and profoundly priest; Jesuit and profoundly Jesuit; Latin American, and profoundly Latin American.

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

– ref. To truly understand Pope Francis’ theology – and impact – you need to look to his life in Buenos Aires – https://theconversation.com/to-truly-understand-pope-francis-theology-and-impact-you-need-to-look-to-his-life-in-buenos-aires-255003

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Make Russia Medieval Again! How Putin is seeking to remold society, with a little help from Ivan the Terrible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Czar Ivan the Terrible and the priest Sylvester.
Wikimedia Commons

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

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

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

Whitewashing Ivan the Terrible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russian revisionism

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

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

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

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

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

Medieval threat to democracy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine war: path to peace looks increasingly narrow as Kyiv’s western backers scramble to focus on their own interests

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where the White House stands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gulf remains between Russia and Ukraine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Toxic chemical pollution continues on Isle of Man as government defends Unesco conservation status
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anna Turns, Senior Environment Editor, The Conversation

Peel Bay on the Isle of Man. MrsBain/Shutterstock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘A hidden gem’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Landfills

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

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

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

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

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

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

Regulations

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

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

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

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

Tourism

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

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

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

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

A desirable designation

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

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

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

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

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

A spokesperson for the Isle of Man government said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A spokesperson for Unesco said:

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

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

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

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

For you: more from our Insights series:
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Patrick Byrne receives funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council.

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

– ref. Toxic chemical pollution continues on Isle of Man as government defends Unesco conservation status – https://theconversation.com/toxic-chemical-pollution-continues-on-isle-of-man-as-government-defends-unesco-conservation-status-236547
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Reducing diversity, equity and inclusion to a catchphrase undermines its true purpose

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Detris Honora Adelabu, Clinical Professor of Applied Human Development, Boston University

More than 440 anti-DEI bills have been introduced in 42 states since the 2023 Supreme Court decision that ended race-conscious college admissions. J Studios/Getty Images

Diversity, equity and inclusion, which has become the catchphrase DEI, represents a commitment to fairness and to tackling racism and exclusionary policies that limit access to resources and perpetuate injustice.

The Trump administration’s attacks on DEI frame efforts toward equity and fairness as illegal, wasteful, immoral and shameful.

However, unfair access to resources and opportunities remains a daily reality in American society.

Consider persistent disparities in housing, education and employment that prevent access to resources and opportunities based on race.

These inequalities are also evident in health care and the criminal justice system.

African Americans, for instance, make up approximately 13% of the U.S. population. But they account for 53% of exonerations after wrongful convictions.

As public health expert David Ansell argues in his book “The Death Gap: How Inequality Kills,” these disparities are not just a matter of quality of life but of life itself.

Where people are born and how they live shape their access to health care, education, nutritious food, stable housing and fair treatment within the justice system. This inequity, Ansell argues, creates a “death gap” where systemic barriers to opportunity and well-being shorten lives.

As professors focused on human development and education, we are committed to building fair and equitable living and learning opportunities for all students. We believe reducing diversity, equity and inclusion to a catchphrase or acronym undermines its importance and purpose to tackle the racism and biases that contribute to unfairness and injustice.

More than a single concept

DEI is more than an acronym or catchphrase. When diversity, equity and inclusion is reduced to a buzzword, it undermines its importance and the depth of work required to create inclusive spaces.

Each component of DEI represents unique aims and challenges.

Diversity is the practice of involving people from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds who hold varying perspectives. Diversity includes the meaningful and intentional inclusion of those who have been historically underrepresented.

Equity is the practice of being fair and just, especially in a way that seeks to address existing inequalities.

Equity means providing fair access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded. This includes those who have been underrepresented due to historical and contemporary biases.

This inequity is illustrated by education funding disparities where public schools attended by majority Black and Latino students receive less funding than majority white, affluent schools.

Inclusion is the state of being included within a group in a way that establishes a feeling of being welcomed and respected.

Broad benefits

Consider the racial diversity in your neighborhood. To what extent is it racially diverse?

People of color in predominantly white neighborhoods face discrimination. This includes encounters with police and other community members who question their presence within spaces that have historically been majority white. However, diversity and inclusivity within communities contribute to prejudice reduction and improved race relations.

DEI can broadly benefit society.

Imagine going to the local grocery store and the doors open automatically as you approach. Upon exiting, you push your shopping cart toward the sloped sidewalk designed to provide easy access to the road surface. Although the automatic doors and sloped sidewalk were designed for individuals with physical disabilities, these examples of DEI initiatives make everyday life better for everyone.

The danger of oversimplification

Reducing diversity, equity and inclusion to a catchphrase can lead to a superficial understanding and application of the concepts.

Some organizations incorporate DEI language into their mission statement without committing to deeper changes that promote equity and fairness.

In higher education, institutions may promote DEI initiatives while failing to address inequities in access and opportunity among students and faculty. Despite decades of stated commitments to DEI, predominantly white higher education institutions have made little progress toward racially diversifying their faculty, leadership or student body.

States such as Florida, Texas and Kentucky have introduced policies to dismantle programs aimed at promoting racial and gender equity in education.
designer491/Getty Images

For example, 72% of U.S. college and university presidents and 72% of faculty identify as white. Yet white adults make up just 60% of the U.S. population.

Additionally, some organizations hire chief diversity officers without allocating resources or power to enact meaningful policy changes. Such superficial steps toward DEI squander its potential to transform higher education to truly advance diversity, equity and inclusion.

Backlash against DEI

DEI is also susceptible to political manipulation and dismantling.

More than 440 anti-diversity, equity and inclusion bills have been introduced in 42 states since the 2023 Supreme Court decision that ended race-conscious college admissions.

States such as Florida, Texas and Kentucky have recently introduced policies to dismantle programs aimed at promoting racial and gender equity in education and the workplace.

Meanwhile, in recent years DEI officers and advocates have lost jobs in higher education and other organizations.

DEI has become a scapegoat for political and systemic failures.

President Donald Trump, for example, blamed diversity, equity and inclusion for a Washington, D.C., plane crash that killed 67 people in January 2025. And Missouri is suing Starbucks, claiming the coffeehouse chain’s DEI policies are increasing wait times for orders.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is not about individual prejudice or emotions. It’s about addressing the systemic historical exclusions of people of color and other underrepresented groups – people who have not had fair and equitable access to resources and opportunities in America.

Linda Banks-Santilli is a member of the board of Horizons@LMS, a summer enrichment program focused on improving math and literacy for low-income students.

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

– ref. Reducing diversity, equity and inclusion to a catchphrase undermines its true purpose – https://theconversation.com/reducing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-to-a-catchphrase-undermines-its-true-purpose-249717

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two new Board Members appointed to the Charity Commission for England and Wales
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

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

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

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

Alan Mather

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

Remuneration and Governance Code

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

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

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Updates to this page

Published 22 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Helping businesses start, scale and flourish
Source: Scottish Government

Ana Stewart appointed as Chief Entrepreneur as Ecosystem Fund reopens.

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

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

The Chief Entrepreneur’s remit includes:
- acting as the chief advisor to Government on growing the start-up and scale-up economy. This includes key priorities such as implementing the Pathways report, optimising existing programmes and initiatives, growing Scotland’s risk capital market and working with universities to increase the number of spinout companies who reach scale.
- engaging closely with investors and entrepreneurs, ensuring that Government policy and delivery is shaped by business.
- making sure entrepreneurship is instilled in the education and skills systems, with clear routes established to setting up a business
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Ms Stewart visited the offices of Inspirent, a social enterprise based in Hamilton, to mark the appointment and launch a new round of the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund.

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

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

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

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

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

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

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

The Scottish Government’s Chief Entrepreneur Ana Stewart said:

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

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

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

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

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

Background

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

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

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

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

The Scottish Government’s Economic Development Directorate has awarded a £50,000 grant to Pathways Forward, a non-profit organisation established by Ana Stewart to drive the private sector’s contribution to the implementation of Pathways. The grant will enable the organisation to continue its work in Ana’s day-to-day absence.
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pension Age Disability Payment opens for applications nationwide
Source: Scottish Government

National rollout of new Scottish benefit for pensioners

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

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

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

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

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

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

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

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

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

Chief Executive at Age Scotland, Katherine Crawford said:

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

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

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

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

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

Background  
- On 22 April 2025 the benefit extended to 14 more areas – Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.
- Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. People in Scotland who are getting Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions do not need to do anything as their award transfer will happen automatically. Social Security Scotland will write to people to let them know when this is happening and when this is complete. Social Security Scotland aims to complete case transfer for everyone by the end of 2025. Until people receive the letter from Social Security Scotland to tell them their transfer is complete, they should continue to report any change in circumstances, including a terminal illness diagnosis, to the Department for Work and Pensions.
- Pension Age Disability Payment launched on 21 October 2024 in five pilot areas – Aberdeen City, Argyll and Bute, Highland, Orkney and Shetland. It rolled out to 13 more areas on 24 March – Aberdeenshire, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, Falkirk, Fife, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), North Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, South Ayrshire and Stirling. The payment is available throughout Scotland from 22 April 2025.   
- It is not means-tested and is worth between £295 and £441 a month depending on the needs of the person who gets it.
- Social Security Scotland has started transferring the awards of 169,000 people in Scotland who currently receive Attendance Allowance to the new benefit.
- Eligible people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness are automatically entitled to the higher rate of care and can apply under special rules for terminal illness. This means that Social Security Scotland will prioritise their application. People who are already getting Pension Age Disability Payment and later receive a terminal illness diagnosis can also report this diagnosis to Social Security Scotland under the special rules for terminal illness to ensure they get the support they are entitled to.   
- Social Security Scotland’s accelerated application process for people who are terminally ill is open to any eligible person who has a terminal illness diagnosis, no matter how long they’re expected to live. This is different to the Department for Work and Pensions, who only class someone as terminally ill if they are expected to live for 12 months or less.
- Pension Age Disability Payment was designed with the people who will be eligible for the benefit and those who support them. Improvements include a streamlined process for people to nominate a third-party representative who can support them in their interactions with Social Security Scotland – something that older disabled people told us was important to them.
- Social Security Scotland can help people to apply, with face-to-face support available from advisers based in communities across the country.  
- Help is also available from independent advocacy service Voiceability who are funded by the Scottish Government to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits.
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford City Council policy approved to deliver a ‘consistent and equitable’ approach for the allocation of housing
Source: City of Salford
Housing Allocation Policy for 2025 to 2028 approved by Salford City Council.

The policy underpins the council’s wider strategic priorities of its Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028 and commitment to ‘a good home for all’.

Housing options available will be dependent upon the level and type of housing need, in addition to the size, type and location of available properties. Each application is assessed on its own merits.
Salford City Council’s cabinet has approved its Housing Allocation Policy for 2025 – 2028, which sets out how social rented housing is allocated within the area and how residents on the housing register are prioritised taking into account local considerations and needs.

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

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

The policy is based on:
- A fair system for the allocation of housing accommodation, which is transparent and easy to understand.
- Making best use of increasingly scarce social housing stock (Homes available for rent below market rate to households whose needs cannot be met by the commercial housing market – Housing and Regeneration Act 2008).
- Preventing homelessness and reduce the usage and length of stay in temporary accommodation.
- Giving priority to applicants with the greatest housing need.
- Managing customer expectations by supporting people to make realistic and informed choices about where they live.
- Creating sustainable tenancies in the light of welfare reform.
- Creating balanced and stable communities.
A first stage public consultation took place in March 2024, to review the existing policy criteria, which included members of the public, local organisations, key stakeholders and partners. A second stage public consultation was held in December 2024, to further explore the suggested and proposed policy changes – including engagement with vulnerable people who shared their real-life experiences.

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

The housing options available to a household will be dependent upon the level and type of housing need. Each application will be assessed on its own merits and exceptional circumstances will also be taken into consideration. Housing options and advice aim to achieve:
- Help and support to remain in current accommodation.
- Advice on securing alternative private rented accommodation.
- Advice on mobility schemes that may help a household move out of the area.
- Advice to current social housing tenants on mutual exchange.
- Advice on low-cost home ownership options.
- Access to the housing register to obtain social housing.
Councillor Tracy Kelly, Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty at Salford City Council said: “The policy enables the council to deliver a consistent and equitable approach to the allocation of social housing in Salford, to help us meet the housing needs of residents in our communities.

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

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

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

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Date published

Tuesday 22 April 2025

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council launches consultation on extending city’s Smoke Control Area

Source: City of York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The capital is updating road markings after winter

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Jefferson, Economic Mobility and the Dual Mandate

Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

Thank you, Dr. Singleton, for the kind introduction and for the opportunity to speak here today.1 It is great to be back in Philadelphia, and I look forward to today’s discussions on economic mobility.

As monetary policymakers, my colleagues and I on the Federal Open Market Committee do not have direct control over economic mobility in the U.S. Our key monetary policy tools are not designed to address this issue, nor is economic mobility part of our mandate. However, our dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability has implications for a wide range of economic outcomes, including economic mobility. This leads to many important questions about the relationship between the dual mandate and economic mobility. In my remarks, I want to address two such questions. First, does meeting the dual mandate facilitate economic mobility? And second, does economic mobility matter for the conduct of monetary policy?
In today’s talk, I will discuss my views on these questions, but I will not be able to provide definitive answers. Rather, I hope that posing these questions and relaying some of my own thoughts will lead to further discussions during this conference and beyond. Before turning to these questions, let me start with a brief overview of intergenerational mobility in the U.S.
Taking Stock of Economic MobilityEconomic mobility, the ability to move up the economic ladder, is at the heart of the American dream. We tell our children that in the U.S., if you work hard and play by the rules, you can have a secure and successful financial future no matter where you start. We continue to believe strongly in this part of the American dream and remain optimistic that hard work is a primary determinant of later-life success. In a survey from 2019, when respondents were asked which factors are essential or very important to getting ahead in life, nearly 90 percent identified hard work, and only 30 percent indicated coming from a wealthy family.2
Policymakers have long been aware of the importance of economic mobility. To illustrate that, let me share a quote from former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke: “Equality of economic opportunity appeals to our sense of fairness, certainly, but it also strengthens our economy. If each person is free to develop and apply his or her talents to the greatest extent possible, then both the individual and the economy benefit.”3
With these sentiments of what Americans and policymakers think and feel about mobility in mind, let me turn to some evidence on economic mobility in the U.S. One common way to measure economic mobility is to relate an individual’s income in adulthood to their family income during childhood. The measure I am showing here—from Harvard economist Raj Chetty and coauthors—is likely familiar to many of you.4 It shows a relative intergenerational mobility measure, also known as the “rank–rank” relationship. This measure relates a child’s ranking in the income distribution as an adult, shown on the vertical axis, to the child’s family income rank during childhood, shown on the horizontal axis.
The upward slope of the line implies that children born into lower-income families tend to be lower on the income distribution as adults. For example, a child born to the richest parents is, on average, 30 percentage points higher in the income distribution as an adult compared with a child born to the poorest parents. This difference in the relative standing in the income distribution as an adult translates into meaningful differences in earnings levels. To put this in perspective, consider two children who grow up to be 30 percentile points apart on the earnings distribution as adults, with one at the 80th percentile and the other at the 50th percentile. The child who grows up to be at the 80th percentile of the distribution as an adult will earn roughly twice as much compared with the child at the 50th percentile.5
In addition to having lower earnings as adults, children born into lower-income families are more likely to experience outcomes that can negatively affect their success in the labor market later in life. Girls born into the bottom decile of the family income distribution are about 10 times more likely to become teenage mothers compared with those born to top-decile families.6 Boys born into bottom-decile families are roughly 20 times more likely to be incarcerated in their thirties compared with boys from families in the top decile.7 Teen pregnancy and incarceration are extreme examples of barriers to labor market success that differentially affect children from lower-income families. More generally, there are numerous reasons that any individual may struggle in the labor market, including skill mismatches and lack of proper training or education.
Does Meeting the Dual Mandate Facilitate Economic Mobility?Now, let me turn to the Fed’s dual mandate and discuss how working toward maximum employment and price stability helps set the stage for broad-based success generally, and how this may provide favorable conditions for upward mobility.
Consider my first question: Does meeting the dual mandate facilitate economic mobility? To help answer this question, I want to revisit remarks I delivered earlier this year about the implications of noninflationary expansions on shared prosperity.8 Specifically, I am reflecting on the economic expansion that followed the 2007–09 Global Financial Crisis (GFC). During that period, the economy expanded for 128 consecutive months, making it the longest economic expansion in U.S. history.
As shown in figure 2, the aggregate unemployment rate fell steadily from a peak of 10 percent in October 2009 to 3.5 percent in September 2019, the lowest level recorded in nearly 50 years. The labor market in this period was remarkable in terms of broad-based gains seen across demographic groups, which contributed to a historic narrowing of employment differentials. To illustrate this point, let’s add in unemployment rates by levels of education, as shown in figure 3. In 2019, the unemployment rate gaps between workers with less than a high school education, the solid green line near the top of the chart, and those who had attained at least a bachelor’s degree, the solid orange line closer to the bottom, were near multidecade lows. Further, the strong pre-pandemic labor market drew many new participants into the labor force, including teens and younger workers whose employment prospects, and even long-term career trajectories, are especially sensitive to the cyclical state of the economy.9 These are the types of labor market conditions that the economist Arthur Okun speculated would increase upward mobility.10 In a tight labor market, when individuals move up the job ladder, they create openings for newer or less educated workers.
Moving on to earnings, figure 4 shows that nominal wage growth increased steadily following the GFC. As with gains in employment, the strong labor market was especially beneficial for some groups. To demonstrate that, let’s turn to figure 5, which shows wage growth for different earnings levels. Wage growth for the bottom half of earners, the dashed red line, started to pick up about five years into the expansion, and by 2017, it was notably stronger compared with that for workers in the top half of the earnings distribution, the solid blue line.11 These differences in wage growth are important. As the bottom of the distribution catches up to higher earners, wage inequality declines. These are also dynamics that can facilitate upward economic mobility.
Let me now turn to the second component of the dual mandate, price stability. While some long economic expansions have led to an unwelcome rise in prices, inflation remained low and stable during the economic expansion following the GFC. Indeed, Federal Reserve policymakers were grappling with inflation somewhat below, rather than above, the longer-run 2 percent target, as shown in figure 6.
Low and stable inflation is important for individuals and businesses for a variety of reasons. It ensures that the nominal wage gains I just discussed are not eroded in real terms and that necessities remain affordable. In addition, it helps individuals and families plan for major purchases, such as a car or home, and for major expenses, including retirement and college.
I want to highlight one of these major expenses—higher education—as attending college is an important pathway for upward mobility. Looking at figure 7, higher education inflation is shown by the red line. A variety of factors affect the cost of college generally, including student loan costs, state funding, and administrative overhead. Nonetheless, when inflation was low for an extended period during the economic expansion that followed the GFC, we also saw a moderation in the growth of higher education costs.12
To illustrate the importance of college attendance for mobility, let me return to the rank–rank intergenerational mobility relationship I showed earlier. As before, the darkest dots show the national child-income-rank-to-parent-income-rank relationship. Now consider how this relationship looks across different types of higher education. The red line shows elite four-year colleges, the green line shows the remaining four-year institutions, and the lighter-blue line shows two-year schools. As you can see from the colored lines, the relationship between family income rank and later-life income rank is weaker—that is, the slope of the line is flatter—within each type of college than it is nationally.
The flatter slope indicates that outcomes for children from lower-income families are more similar to outcomes for children from higher-income families within each college type than they are overall. In this way, higher education is an important source of upward mobility for many youths and a pathway to a more secure financial future. Of course, the relatively steeper national relationship holds because there are meaningful differences in college enrollment over the family income distribution.
Going back to my initial question, I asked whether meeting the dual mandate facilitates economic mobility. I think that achieving the dual mandate sets the conditions for all individuals to succeed, including those moving up the economic ladder. The evidence suggests that long noninflationary expansions are associated with narrower gaps in employment and earnings, and that lower-wage and less-educated workers benefit disproportionately from sustained periods of strong economic growth. Further, achieving price stability allows individuals and households to plan for and make investments in human capital, such as attending college, that may allow individuals to move up the income distribution.13
Does Economic Mobility Matter for the Conduct of Monetary Policy?Before I conclude, I want to return to my second question: Does economic mobility matter for the conduct of monetary policy? As I mentioned earlier, economic mobility is not part of the Federal Reserve’s mandate, and our monetary policy tools are blunt instruments for affecting economic mobility. For example, interest rates affect the entire economy, not targeted populations, and rate changes operate through financial markets rather than directly influencing labor market outcomes.
One way that economic mobility could matter for the conduct of monetary policy is if the goals of monetary policy are easier to achieve in a high-mobility society compared with one with low mobility. I do not know if this is true, but let me offer some conjectures. I think that a society with relatively higher mobility may allow for more efficient transmission of monetary policy. In a dynamic economy with relatively more upward mobility, individuals may have greater incentives to be proactive in the job market. They may seek new and better job opportunities, which could allow for a quicker path to maximum employment following economic downturns. Further, individuals and households may hold additional savings for increased investments in human capital when mobility is relatively higher, allowing for more effective transmission of monetary policy. Stepping back, I pose this question not to offer a definitive answer, but rather to serve as one potential starting point for your discussions here today.
ConclusionLet me conclude by pointing out that the patterns we observe in our economy, including those for economic mobility, are not predetermined. Outcomes can and will change as we learn more about effective strategies to improve and maintain economic mobility in the U.S. By joining in these conversations here today, and by continuing to research and describe the patterns of economic mobility, you are helping society understand the dynamics of our economy better and find new and innovative ways to help keep the American dream of economic mobility alive and well. Thank you.
ReferencesAutor, David H. (2014). “Skills, Education, and the Rise of Earnings Inequality among the ‘Other 99 Percent,’ ” Science, vol. 344 (May), pp. 843–51.
Bernanke, Ben S. (2007). “The Level and Distribution of Economic Well-Being,” speech delivered at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Omaha, Neb., February 6.
Bleemer, Zachary, and Basit Zafar (2018). “Intended College Attendance: Evidence from an Experiment on College Returns and Costs,” Journal of Public Economics, vol. 157 (January), pp. 184–211.
Card, David (1999). “Chapter 30 – The Causal Effect of Education on Earnings,” in Orley C. Ashenfelter and David Card, eds., Handbook of Labor Economics, vol. 3A. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, pp. 1801–63.
Chetty, Raj, John N. Friedman, Emmanuel Saez, Nicholas Turner, and Danny Yagan (2020). “Income Segregation and Intergenerational Mobility across Colleges in the United States,” Quarterly Journal of Economics, vol. 135 (August), pp. 1567–1633.
Chetty, Raj, Nathaniel Hendren, Patrick Kline, and Emmanuel Saez (2014). “Where Is the Land of Opportunity? The Geography of Intergenerational Mobility in the United States,” Quarterly Journal of Economics, vol. 129 (November), pp. 1553–1623.
ISSP Research Group (2022). International Social Survey Programme: Social Inequality V – ISSP 2019. GESIS, Cologne. ZA7600 Data file Version 3.0.0.
Jefferson, Philip N. (2025). “Do Non-inflationary Economic Expansions Promote Shared Prosperity? Evidence from the U.S. Labor Market,” speech delivered at Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., February 5.
Looney, Adam, and Nicholas Turner (2018). “Work and Opportunity before and after Incarceration (PDF),” Economic Studies at Brookings. Washington: Brookings Institution, March.
Okun, Arthur M. (1973). “Upward Mobility in a High-Pressure Economy (PDF),” Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, no. 1, pp. 207–61.
Oreopoulos, Philip, Till von Wachter, and Andrew Heisz (2012). “The Short- and Long-Term Career Effects of Graduating in a Recession,” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, vol. 4 (January), pp. 1–29.
Wolla, Scott A., Guillaume Vandenbroucke, and Cameron Tucker (2023). “Is College Still Worth the High Price? Weighing Costs and Benefits of Investing in Human Capital,” Page One Economics. St. Louis: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, September 1.
Zimmerman, Seth D. (2014). “The Returns to College Admission for Academically Marginal Students,” Journal of Labor Economics, vol. 32 (October), pp. 711–54.

1. The views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily those of my colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Open Market Committee. Return to text
2. The data are Federal Reserve Board staff calculations for U.S. respondents in the International Social Survey Programme: Social Inequality V. See IISP Research Group (2022). Return to text
3. See Bernanke (2007), quoted text in paragraph 1. Return to text
4. In figure 1, parent and child linkages and incomes are based on population-level tax data. The sample includes children born between 1980 and 1982. Parent income for these children is the average of total pretax family income when the child is between the ages of 15 and 19. Later-life income for these children is measured in 2014 when the child is between the ages of 32 and 34 and is defined as total individual pretax income. See Chetty and others (2020). Return to text
5. Earnings are, on average, just under $56,000 at the 80th percentile of the child earnings distribution, compared with just under $27,000 at the 50th percentile. See Chetty and others (2020). Return to text
6. See Chetty and others (2014). Return to text
7. See Looney and Turner (2018). Return to text
8. See Jefferson (2025). Return to text
9. See Oreopoulos, von Wachter, and Heisz (2012). Return to text
10. See Okun (1973). Return to text
11. Nominal wages in the figure are measured by the Atlanta Fed’s Wage Growth Tracker. Series show 12-month moving averages of the median percent change in the nominal hourly wage of individuals observed 12 months apart. Workers are assigned to wage quantiles based on the average of their wage reports in both the Current Population Survey and outgoing rotation group interviews. Workers in the lowest 50 percent of the average wage distribution are assigned to the bottom half, and those in the top 50 percent are assigned to the top half. Return to text
12. There are limitations to this measure of higher education costs, as it is volatile and may not reflect the underlying net price that students pay. However, list tuition prices have been shown to be salient for many families when making college enrollment decisions. For example, see Bleemer and Zafar (2018). Return to text
13. Despite the rising cost of college, research consistently shows a positive return to higher education for most students. See Wolla, Vandenbroucke, and Tucker (2023), Autor (2014), Zimmerman (2014), and Card (1999). Return to text

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025

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

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

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

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

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

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

Executive Summary

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

Balance Sheet Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First Quarter 2025 Income Statement Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Asset Quality

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

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

About BCB Bancorp, Inc.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

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

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

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

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

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

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


	Statements of Operations – Three Months Ended,
	March 31,2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024		Mar 31, 2025 vs. Dec 31, 2024			Mar 31, 2025 vs. Mar 31, 2024
Interest and dividend income:	(In thousands, except per share amounts, Unaudited)
Loans, including fees	$	38,927		$	41,431		$	43,722		-6.0	%		-11.0	%
Mortgage-backed securities		561			473			305		18.6	%		83.9	%
Other investment securities		968			978			975		-1.0	%		-0.7	%
FHLB stock and other interest-earning assets		3,736			3,771			4,283		-0.9	%		-12.8	%
Total interest and dividend income		44,192			46,653			49,285		-5.3	%		-10.3	%

Interest expense:
Deposits:
Demand		5,418			5,866			5,257		-7.6	%		3.1	%
Savings and club		151			156			166		-3.2	%		-9.0	%
Certificates of deposit		10,762			12,218			14,983		-11.9	%		-28.2	%
		16,331			18,240			20,406		-10.5	%		-20.0	%
Borrowings		5,856			6,219			5,736		-5.8	%		2.1	%
Total interest expense		22,187			24,459			26,142		-9.3	%		-15.1	%

Net interest income		22,005			22,194			23,143		-0.9	%		-4.9	%
Provision for credit losses		20,845			4,154			2,088		401.8	%		898.3	%

Net interest income after provision for credit losses		1,160			18,040			21,055		-93.6	%		-94.5	%

Non-interest income income :
Fees and service charges		1,173			1,187			1,215		-1.2	%		-3.5	%
(Loss) gain on sales of loans		–			(554	)		45		-100.0	%		-100.0	%
Realized and unrealized (loss) gain on equity investments		(115	)		(661	)		130		-82.6	%		-188.5	%
Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income		608			636			675		-4.4	%		-9.9	%
Other		125			330			44		-62.1	%		184.1	%
Total non-interest income		1,791			938			2,109		90.9	%		-15.1	%

Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		7,403			7,117			6,981		4.0	%		6.0	%
Occupancy and equipment		2,723			2,483			2,644		9.7	%		3.0	%
Data processing and communications		1,844			1,754			1,853		5.1	%		-0.5	%
Professional fees		692			599			595		15.5	%		16.3	%
Director fees		418			269			277		55.4	%		50.9	%
Regulatory assessment fees		709			769			1,142		-7.8	%		-37.9	%
Advertising and promotions		179			212			216		-15.6	%		-17.1	%
Other		692			1,164			1,130		-40.5	%		-38.8	%
Total non-interest expense		14,660			14,367			14,838		2.0	%		-1.2	%

(Loss) Income before income tax provision		(11,709	)		4,611			8,326		-353.9	%		-240.6	%
Income tax (benefit) provision		(3,385	)		1,339			2,460		-352.8	%		-237.6	%

Net (Loss) Income		(8,324	)		3,272			5,866		-354.4	%		-241.9	%
Preferred stock dividends		482			475			434		1.6	%		11.0	%
Net (Loss) Income available to common stockholders	$	(8,806	)	$	2,797		$	5,432		-414.8	%		-262.1	%

Net (Loss) Income per common share-basic and diluted
Basic	$	(0.51	)	$	0.16		$	0.32		-413.8	%		-260.4	%
Diluted	$	(0.51	)	$	0.16		$	0.32		-414.7	%		-260.5	%

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic		17,113			17,056			16,930		0.3	%		1.1	%
Diluted		17,113			17,108			16,939		0.0	%		1.0	%

Statements of Financial Condition	March 31,2025			December 31,2024			March 31, 2024			March 31, 2025 vs. December 31, 2024			March 31, 2025 vs. March 31, 2024
ASSETS	(In Thousands, Unaudited)
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions	$	11,977		$	14,075		$	11,795			-14.9	%		1.5	%
Interest-earning deposits		240,773			303,207			340,653			-20.6	%		-29.3	%
Total cash and cash equivalents		252,750			317,282			352,448			-20.3	%		-28.3	%

Interest-earning time deposits		735			735			735			–			–
Debt securities available for sale		116,496			101,717			86,966			14.5	%		34.0	%
Equity investments		9,357			9,472			9,223			-1.2	%		1.5	%
Loans held for sale		–			–			–			–			–
Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses on loans
of $51,484, $34,789 and $34,563 , respectively		2,917,610			2,996,259			3,226,877			-2.6	%		-9.6	%
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) stock, at cost		22,066			24,272			24,917			-9.1	%		-11.4	%
Premises and equipment, net		12,474			12,569			12,744			-0.8	%		-2.1	%
Accrued interest receivable		16,354			15,176			17,442			7.8	%		-6.2	%
Deferred income taxes		22,814			17,181			17,555			32.8	%		30.0	%
Goodwill and other intangibles		5,253			5,253			5,253			0.0	%		0.0	%
Operating lease right-of-use asset		12,622			12,686			12,186			-0.5	%		3.6	%
Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”)		76,648			76,040			74,081			0.8	%		3.5	%
Other assets		8,643			10,476			8,768			-17.5	%		-1.4	%
Total Assets	$	3,473,822		$	3,599,118		$	3,849,195			-3.5	%		-9.8	%

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

LIABILITIES
Non-interest bearing deposits	$	542,621		$	520,387		$	531,112			4.3	%		2.2	%
Interest bearing deposits		2,143,887			2,230,471			2,460,547			-3.9	%		-12.9	%
Total deposits		2,686,508			2,750,858			2,991,659			-2.3	%		-10.2	%
FHLB advances		405,499			455,361			472,949			-10.9	%		-14.3	%
Subordinated debentures		43,024			42,961			37,624			0.1	%		14.4	%
Operating lease liability		13,087			13,139			12,579			-0.4	%		4.0	%
Other liabilities		10,982			12,874			14,253			-14.7	%		-22.9	%
Total Liabilities		3,159,100			3,275,193			3,529,064			-3.5	%		-10.5	%

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock: $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized		–			–			–			–			–
Additional paid-in capital preferred stock		25,243			24,723			27,733			2.1	%		-9.0	%
Common stock: no par value, 40,000 shares authorized		–			–			–			0.0	%		0.0	%
Additional paid-in capital common stock		201,804			200,935			199,726			0.4	%		1.0	%
Retained earnings		130,291			141,853			138,643			-8.2	%		-6.0	%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(4,269	)		(5,239	)		(7,624	)		–			–
Treasury stock, at cost		(38,347	)		(38,347	)		(38,347	)		0.0	%		0.0	%
Total Stockholders’ Equity		314,722			323,925			320,131			-2.8	%		-1.7	%

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	3,473,822		$	3,599,118		$	3,849,195			-3.5	%		-9.8	%

Outstanding common shares		17,163			17,063			16,957

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025							2024
	Average Balance		Interest Earned/Paid		Average Yield/Rate (3)			Average Balance		Interest Earned/Paid		Average Yield/Rate (3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans Receivable ⁽⁴⁾⁽⁵⁾	$	2,994,529	$	38,927		5.27	%	$	3,299,938	$	43,722		5.30	%
Investment Securities		117,205		1,529		5.22	%		96,226		1,280		5.32	%
Other Interest-earning assets ⁽⁶⁾		331,808		3,736		4.57	%		303,291		4,283		5.65	%
Total Interest-earning assets		3,443,542		44,192		5.20	%		3,699,455		49,285		5.33	%
Non-interest-earning assets		125,974							125,480
Total assets	$	3,569,516						$	3,824,935
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand accounts	$	560,565	$	2,369		1.71	%	$	560,190	$	2,230		1.59	%
Money market accounts		394,282		3,049		3.14	%		369,096		3,027		3.28	%
Savings accounts		252,227		151		0.24	%		277,731		166		0.24	%
Certificates of Deposit		1,005,669		10,762		4.34	%		1,239,807		14,983		4.83	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,212,743		16,331		2.99	%		2,446,824		20,406		3.34	%
Borrowed funds		488,418		5,856		4.86	%		510,503		5,736		4.49	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,701,161		22,187		3.33	%		2,957,327		26,142		3.54	%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities		543,660							552,959
Total liabilities		3,244,821							3,510,286
Stockholders’ equity		324,695							314,649
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,569,516						$	3,824,935
Net interest income			$	22,005						$	23,143
Net interest rate spread⁽¹⁾						1.87	%						1.79	%
Net interest margin⁽²⁾						2.59	%						2.50	%

(1) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield on average interest-earning assets and the average cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(2) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(3) Annualized.
(4) Excludes allowance for credit losses.
(5) Includes non-accrual loans.
(6) Includes Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Stock.

	Financial Condition data by quarter
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024

	(In thousands, except book values)
Total assets	$	3,473,822		$	3,599,118		$	3,613,770		$	3,793,941		$	3,849,195
Cash and cash equivalents		252,750			317,282			243,123			326,870			352,448
Securities		125,853			111,189			108,302			94,965			96,189
Loans receivable, net		2,917,610			2,996,259			3,087,914			3,161,925			3,226,877
Deposits		2,686,508			2,750,858			2,724,580			2,935,239			2,991,659
Borrowings		448,523			498,322			533,466			510,710			510,573
Stockholders’ equity		314,722			323,925			328,113			320,732			320,131
Book value per common share¹	$	16.87		$	17.54		$	17.50		$	17.17		$	17.24
Tangible book value per common share²	$	16.56		$	17.23		$	17.19		$	16.86		$	16.93

	Operating data by quarter
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024
	(In thousands, except for per share amounts)
Net interest income	$	22,005		$	22,194		$	23,045		$	23,639		$	23,143
Provision for credit losses		20,845			4,154			2,890			2,438			2,088
Non-interest income (loss)		1,791			938			3,127			(3,234	)		2,109
Non-interest expense		14,660			14,367			13,929			13,987			14,838
Income tax (benefit) expense		(3,385	)		1,339			2,685			1,163			2,460
Net (loss) income	$	(8,324	)	$	3,272		$	6,668		$	2,817		$	5,866
Net (loss) income per diluted share	$	(0.51	)	$	0.16		$	0.36		$	0.14		$	0.32
Common Dividends declared per share	$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16

	Financial Ratios(3)
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024
Return on average assets		(0.95	%)		0.36	%		0.72	%		0.30	%		0.61	%
Return on average stockholders’ equity		(10.40	%)		4.04	%		8.29	%		3.52	%		7.46	%
Net interest margin		2.59	%		2.53	%		2.58	%		2.60	%		2.50	%
Stockholders’ equity to total assets		9.06	%		9.00	%		9.08	%		8.45	%		8.32	%
Efficiency Ratio⁴		61.61	%		62.11	%		53.22	%		68.55	%		58.76	%

	Asset Quality Ratios
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024
	(In thousands, except for ratio %)
Non-Accrual Loans	$	99,833		$	44,708		$	35,330		$	32,448		$	22,241
Non-Accrual Loans as a % of Total Loans		3.36	%		1.48	%		1.13	%		1.01	%		0.68	%
ACL as % of Non-Accrual Loans		51.6	%		77.8	%		98.2	%		108.6	%		155.4	%
Individually Analyzed Loans		122,517			83,399			66,048			60,798			65,731
Classified Loans		251,989			152,714			98,316			87,033			97,739

(1) Calculated by dividing stockholders’ equity, less preferred equity, to shares outstanding.
(2) Calculated by dividing tangible stockholders’ common equity, a non-GAAP measure, by shares outstanding. Tangible stockholders’ common equity is stockholders’ equity less goodwill and preferred stock. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures by quarter.”
(3) Ratios are presented on an annualized basis, where appropriate.
(4) The Efficiency Ratio, a non-GAAP measure, was calculated by dividing non-interest expense by the total of net interest income and non-interest income. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures by quarter.”

	Recorded Investment in Loans Receivable by quarter
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024
	(In thousands)
Residential one-to-four family	$	232,456		$	239,870		$	241,050		$	242,706		$	244,762
Commercial and multi-family		2,221,218			2,246,677			2,296,886			2,340,385			2,392,970
Construction		118,779			135,434			146,471			173,207			180,975
Commercial business		330,358			342,799			371,365			375,355			378,073
Home equity		66,479			66,769			67,566			66,843			65,518
Consumer		2,271			2,235			2,309			2,053			2,847
	$	2,971,561		$	3,033,784		$	3,125,647		$	3,200,549		$	3,265,145
Less:
Deferred loan fees, net		(2,467	)		(2,736	)		(3,040	)		(3,381	)		(3,705	)
Allowance for credit losses		(51,484	)		(34,789	)		(34,693	)		(35,243	)		(34,563	)

Total loans, net	$	2,917,610		$	2,996,259		$	3,087,914		$	3,161,925		$	3,226,877

	Non-Accruing Loans in Portfolio by quarter
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024
	(In thousands)
Residential one-to-four family	$	1,138		$	1,387		$	410		$	350		$	429
Commercial and multi-family		89,296			32,974			27,693			27,796			12,627
Construction		586			586			586			586			3,225
Commercial business		8,374			9,530			6,498			3,673			5,916
Home equity		439			231			123			43			44
Consumer		–			–			20			–			–
Total:	$	99,833		$	44,708		$	35,330		$	32,448		$	22,241

	Distribution of Deposits by quarter
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024
	(In thousands)
Demand:
Non-Interest Bearing	$	542,620		$	520,387		$	528,089		$	523,816		$	531,112
Interest Bearing		537,468			553,731			527,862			549,239			552,295
Money Market		405,793			395,004			366,655			371,689			361,791
Sub-total:	$	1,485,881		$	1,469,122		$	1,422,606		$	1,444,744		$	1,445,198
Savings and Club		254,732			252,491			255,115			258,680			272,051
Certificates of Deposit		945,895			1,029,245			1,046,859			1,231,815			1,274,410
Total Deposits:	$	2,686,508		$	2,750,858		$	2,724,580		$	2,935,239		$	2,991,659

	Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures by quarter

	Tangible Book Value per Share
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	$	314,722		$	323,925		$	328,113		$	320,732		$	320,131
Less: goodwill		5,253			5,253			5,253			5,253			5,253
Less: preferred stock		25,243			24,723			29,763			28,403			27,733
Total tangible common stockholders’ equity		284,226			293,949			293,097			287,076			287,145
Shares common shares outstanding		17,163			17,063			17,048			17,029			16,957
Book value per common share	$	16.87		$	17.54		$	17.50		$	17.17		$	17.24
Tangible book value per common share	$	16.56		$	17.23		$	17.19		$	16.86		$	16.93

	Efficiency Ratios
	Q1 2025			Q4 2024			Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q1 2024
	(In thousands, except for ratio %)
Net interest income	$	22,005		$	22,194		$	23,045		$	23,639		$	23,143
Non-interest income (loss)		1,791			938			3,127			(3,234	)		2,109
Total income		23,796			23,132			26,172			20,405			25,252
Non-interest expense		14,660			14,367			13,929			13,987			14,838
Efficiency Ratio		61.61	%		62.11	%		53.22	%		68.55	%		58.76	%

Contact:	Michael Shriner, President & CEO Jawad Chaudhry, EVP & CFO (201) 823-0700

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Leaders trade barbs and well-worn lines in unspectacular third election debate

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Visitor, School of History, Australian National University

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have met for the third leaders’ debate of this election campaign, this time on the Nine network. And while the debate traversed much of the same ground as the first two, the quick-fire set up of the debate allowed for some more animated exchanges less than two weeks from election day.

Three expert authors give their analysis of how the two leaders performed.

Joshua Black, Australian National University

Tonight’s leaders’ debate was a marked improvement on the appalling spectacle Nine hosted three years ago. Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton had clearly taken advantage of the reduced campaign activity in recent days to prepare themselves for this contest.

The problem? There was nothing new worth saying. Viewers were treated instead to the greatest hits of an election campaign that has so far not been especially great. Dutton once again paid homage to Howard and Costello’s liberalism (read: “I’m not Trump”), while Albanese repeated his hardly seamless mantra: “no-one held back and no-one left behind” (read: “I’m not Dutton”).

For all of the lofty soundbites, the debate hinged on pedantry. The semantic argument from the first debate about the 2014 budget and health and education spending came up again. (Were there cuts, or did these “line items” simply not grow as fast as promised?)

Both leaders repeated banal explanations about why they were best placed to deal with the Trump White House. There was plenty of tired campaign rhetoric about looming recessions and “talking Australia down”. Even an exchange from last week between Albanese and the ABC’s moderator David Speers seemed to be repeated tonight: why isn’t the government’s energy relief for households means-tested?

At times, this debate was self-indulgent on the part of Nine Entertainment. Ally Langdon (who opened the debate by welcoming “a bit of theatre”) routinely cast her own judgement, condemning Albanese and Dutton for merely “patching cracks” and not proving their “fiscal responsibility” sufficiently.

Interestingly, media policy was one of the few things on which the two leaders could agree. Nine’s political editor Charles Croucher asked the leaders to state their attitude toward the News Media Bargaining Code, which prompts global tech giants to pay Australian news providers for access to their content. Both leaders tripped over themselves to assure the panel they were on a “unity ticket” to protect local media companies (including Nine Entertainment) from being “cannibalised” by multinational tech giants. (Of course, a fair playing field for local media providers is clearly in the national interest.)

This was Dutton’s best debate showing so far. That’s hardly a win. The prime minister managed to reel off a list of his government’s more popular policies, subtly compare his compassionate approach to leadership with Dutton’s darker obsession with order and the threat of disorder, and remind people of the opposition leader’s history of unpopular statements and policies. A modest win for Albanese, if not grounds for inspiration.

Andrea Carson, La Trobe University

Coinciding with the first day of early voting, the third leaders’ debate was more like a game of speed chess – with 60 seconds for leaders’ answers, and 30 seconds for rebuttals. The result was too often a word salad.

While voters may be feeling debate fatigue — and little wonder with a fourth showdown looming on Channel 7 on Sunday — this one could have mattered. With about half of Australians casting their votes early, these televised match-ups represent a potential last chance to shape opinions before May 3.

Instead, questions often focused on personal qualities: trust and lies, and less on policy – poorly serving viewers as answers became a tit-for-tat affair. The countdown of the clock only re-enforced leaders’ rehearsed answers to well-worn topics of cost of living, energy prices, Medicare bulk billing rates, immigration, housing crisis and tax cuts, barely exposing key policy differences for undecided voters. Even their matching blue suits and pale ties made them look less like opponents and more like political twins.

Dutton seemed more assured than Albanese from the start.

Typically, campaign messages get more negative as we move closer to polling day. Studies have shown fear campaigns can “work”, but they can also turn off voters, particularly women. So, unsurprisingly, Dutton’s emphasis was on law and order framed in the language of fear, promising to “keep people safe in their home and communities […] in very uncertain times”. He also promised to cut migration, couched as bringing down housing prices.

The former policeman seeking to be prime minister kept with the law and order theme to sway voters offering a $A750 million package to stamp out illegal drugs and tobacco.

In a similar vein, the Labor leader Anthony Albanese used every chance he had to pivot questions back to Labor’s policy home ground advantage: health, education (free TAFE and reduced HECS debt) and low-cost childcare.

Asked by journalist Deborah Knight if he was “too soft” as a leader, Albanese strove to offer voters hope over fear, replying: “kindness isn’t weakness […] we raise our children to be compassionate”, arguing he can still hold firm when dealing with autocratic leaders to protect Australia’s national interest.

As Dutton listed his top legislative priorities if elected, promising a 25% fuel levy tax, Albanese scored a zinger, pointing out that that policy expires in a year, chortling “you better do it quickly before it disappears”. Overall, it was a flat event, lacking atmosphere and detailed information.

Zareh Ghazarian, Monash University

The “Great Debate”, as it was called by the broadcaster, started on a solemn tone as both leaders mourned the passing of Pope Francis. The format of the debate was geared towards a quick-fire approach. Time limits of one minute per response to questions ensured the debate covered a lot of ground. Policies from cost of living to international affairs were discussed.

The leaders played their roles effectively. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton demonstrated a laser-like focus on critiquing the government, while highlighting the Coalition’s policies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the track record of his government while also taking opportunities to criticise the previous Morrison government. Both leaders stayed true to advancing the core messages of their campaign.

Cost of living was central to the debate and provided ample opportunity for Dutton and Albanese to put forward their views on the measures they believe would address the issues. Energy policy, and the divide between nuclear and renewable energy sources, also emerged. There was also a moment of unity as both leaders took pride that Australia had implemented a social media ban for under-16s.

After the only break of the night, the host gave both leaders the opportunity to spell out the values that underpinned their policy approach. Dutton focused on restating policy goals, such as a reduction in fuel excise. Albanese returned to “no one left behind, but no one held back” as his key message, a concept he had also mentioned in his victory speech in 2022.

On the whole, and considering the stakes, the debate was a model of civility. Both leaders presented as being in command of the details regarding their policies. Gaffes about figures, costings, and promises were virtually non-existent. Whether it added anything new about the leaders or their policy platforms, however, is debatable.

Joshua Black is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Australia Institute.

Andrea Carson and Zareh Ghazarian do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Leaders trade barbs and well-worn lines in unspectacular third election debate – https://theconversation.com/leaders-trade-barbs-and-well-worn-lines-in-unspectacular-third-election-debate-254941

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Is backing Welsh independence the same as being a nationalist? Not necessarily

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Independence without nationalism?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Could independence really happen?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Stripping federal protection for clean water harms just about everyone, especially already vulnerable communities

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeremy Orr, Adjunct Professor of Law, Michigan State University

A Des Moines Water Works employee takes samples from a nearby river for analysis. The regional water utility delivers drinking water to more than 500,000 Iowans. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Before Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, U.S. factories and cities could pipe their pollution directly into waterways. Rivers, including the Potomac in Washington, smelled of raw sewage and contained toxic chemicals. Ohio’s Cuyahoga River was so contaminated, its oil slicks erupted in flames.

That unchecked pollution didn’t just harm the rivers and their ecosystems; it harmed the humans who relied on their water.

The Clean Water Act established a federal framework “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.”

As an attorney and law professor, I’ve spent my career upholding these protections and teaching students about their legal and historical significance. That’s why I’m deeply concerned about the federal government’s new efforts to roll back those safeguards and the impact they’ll have on human lives.

A fire of an oil slick on the Cuyahoga River swept through docks at the Great Lakes Towing Company site in Cleveland in 1952, one of several times that pollution in the river caught fire.
Bettman/Getty Images

Amid all the changes out of Washington, it can be easy to lose sight of not only which environmental policies and regulations are being rolled back, but also of who is affected. The reality is that communities already facing pollution and failing infrastructure can become even more vulnerable when federal protections are stripped away. Those laws are ultimately meant to protect the quality of the tap water people drink and the rivers they fish in, and in the long-term health of their neighborhoods.

A few of the most pressing concerns in my view include the government’s moves to narrow federal water protections, pause water infrastructure investments and retreat from environmental enforcement.

Diminishing protection for US wetlands

In 2023, the Supreme Court narrowed the definition of “waters of the United States.” In its decision in Sackett vs. Environmental Protection Agency, the court determined that only wetlands that maintained a physical surface connection to other federally protected waters qualified for protection under the Clean Water Act.

Wetlands are important for water quality in many areas. They naturally filter pollution from water, reduce flooding in communities and help ensure that millions of Americans enjoy cleaner drinking water. The Clean Water Act limits what industries and farms can discharge or dump into those waterways considered “waters of the U.S.” However, mapping by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that upward of 84%, or 70 million acres, of the nation’s wetlands lacked protection after the ruling.

The Sackett ruling also called into question the definition of “waters of the U.S.”

The Trump EPA, in announcing its plans to rewrite the definition in 2025, said it would make accelerating economic opportunity a priority by reducing “red tape” and costs for businesses. Statements from the administration suggest that officials want to loosen restrictions on industries discharging pollution and construction debris into wetlands.

Toxic algae blooms fueled by farm, urban and industrial runoff can trigger fish kills and shut down beaches for days, harming tourism businesses.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Pollution already harms wetlands along Florida’s Gulf Coast, leading to fewer fish and degraded water quality. It also affects people whose jobs depend on healthy waterways for fishing, recreation and tourism.

This marks a shift away from the federal government protecting wetlands for the role they play in public health and resilience. Instead, it prioritizes development and industry – even if that means more pollution.

Pausing investment for rebuilding crumbling infrastructure

Public water systems are also at risk. The Trump administration on its first full day in office froze at least US$10 billion in federal water infrastructure funding. That included money for replacing lead pipes and building new water treatment plants, allocated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Public water systems across the country have been falling into disrepair in recent decades due to aging and sometimes dangerous infrastructure, as cities with lead water pipes have discovered.

The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation’s drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure grades of a C-minus, D and D-plus, respectively, in its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card. The group estimates that America’s drinking water systems alone need more than $625 billion in investment over the next 20 years to reach a state of good repair.

Jackson, Miss., volunteers distributed bottled water to residents in 2022 after the aging water system failed.
AP Photo/Steve Helber

Congress passed the Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to help pay for updating drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems. That included replacing lead pipes and tackling water contamination, especially in the most vulnerable communities. Many of the same communities also have high poverty and unemployment rates and histories of racial segregation rooted in government discrimination.

Where I live in Detroit, this need is especially clear. We have the fourth-highest number of lead service lines, connecting water mains to buildings, of any city in the country, and these pipes continue to put people at risk every day. Just an hour up the road, the Flint water crisis left a predominantly Black, working-class community to suffer the consequences of lead-contaminated water.

These aren’t abstract problems; they’re happening right now, in real communities, to real people.

Dropping lawsuits meant to stop pollution

The Trump administration’s decision to drop from some environmental enforcement lawsuits filed by previous administrations is adding to the risks that communities face.

The administration argues that these decisions are about reducing regulatory burdens – dropping these lawsuits reduces costs for companies.

However, stepping back from these lawsuits leaves the communities without a meaningful way to put an end to the long-standing harms of environmental pollution. Few communities have the resources to litigate against private polluters and must rely on regulatory agencies to sue on their behalf.

Real lives are affected by these changes

What America is seeing now is more than a change in regulatory approach. It’s a step back from decades of progress that made the nation’s water safer and communities healthier.

President Donald Trump talked repeatedly on the campaign trail about wanting clean air and clean water. However, the administration’s moves to reduce protection for wetlands, freeze infrastructure investments and abandon environmental enforcement can have real consequences for both.

At a time when so many systems are already under strain, it raises the question: What kind of commitment is the federal government really making to the future of clean water in America?

Jeremy Orr works for Michigan State University College of Law and Earthjustice.

– ref. Stripping federal protection for clean water harms just about everyone, especially already vulnerable communities – https://theconversation.com/stripping-federal-protection-for-clean-water-harms-just-about-everyone-especially-already-vulnerable-communities-252267

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: I study local government and Hurricane Helene forced me from my home − here’s how rural towns and counties in North Carolina and beyond cooperate to rebuild

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jay Rickabaugh, Assistant Professor of Public Administration, North Carolina State University

Last year was a record year for disasters in the United States. A new report from the British charity International Institute for Environment and Development finds that 90 disasters were declared nationwide in 2024, from wildfires in California to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

The average number of annual disasters in the U.S. is about 55.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides funding and recovery assistance to states after disasters. President Donald Trump criticized the agency in January 2025 when he visited hurricane-stricken western North Carolina. Though 41% of Americans lived in an area affected by disaster in 2024, according to the institute’s report, the Trump administration is reportedly working to abolish or dramatically diminish FEMA’s operations.

“FEMA has been a very big disappointment. They cost a tremendous amount of money. It’s very bureaucratic, and it’s very slow,” Trump declared, saying he thought states were better positioned to “take care of problems” after a disaster.

“A governor can handle something very quickly,” he said.

Trump’s remarks have prompted a heated response, including proposals to fundamentally overhaul – but not abolish – federal disaster recovery.

But I believe the current discussion about FEMA handling U.S. disasters puts the emphasis in the wrong place.

As a scholar who researches how small and rural local governments cooperate, I believe this public debate demonstrates that many people fundamentally misunderstand how disaster recovery actually works, especially in rural areas, where locally directed efforts are particularly key to that recovery.

I know this from personal experience, too: I am a resident of Watauga County, in western North Carolina, and I evacuated during Hurricane Helene after landslides severely impaired the roads around my home.

When disaster strikes

Here, in short, is what happens after a disaster.

Federal legislation from 1988 called the Stafford Act gives governors the power to declare disasters. If the president agrees and also declares the region a disaster, that puts federal programs and activities in motion.

Yet local officials are generally involved from the very start of this process. Governors usually seek input from state and local emergency managers and other municipal officials before making a disaster declaration, and it is local officials who begin the disaster response.

That’s because small and rural local governments actually have the most local knowledge to lead recovery efforts in their area after a disaster.

Local officials determine conditions on the ground, coordinate search and rescue, and help bring utilities and other infrastructure back online. They have relationships with community members that can inform decision-making. For example, a county senior center will know which residents receive Meals on Wheels and might need a wellness check after disaster.

However, small towns cannot do all this alone. They need FEMA’s money and resources, and that can present a problem. The process of applying and complying with the requirements of the grants is incredibly complex and burdensome. According to FEMA’s website, there are eight phases in the disaster aid process, composed of 28 steps that range from “preliminary damage assesment” to “recovery scoping video” to “compliance reviews” and “reconciliation.” Getting through these eight phases takes years.

If you think this FEMA graphic shows a simple, straightforward process, there might be a job for you in emergency managment.
Public Assistance’s Consolidated Resource Centers’ 2022 New Hire Training, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Larger cities and counties frequently have dedicated staff that apply for disaster aid and ensure compliance with regulations. But smaller governments can struggle to apply for and administer state or federal grants on their own – especially after a disaster, when demands are so high.

That’s where regional intergovernmental organizations come in. Every region has its own name for these entities. They’re often called councils of government, regional planning commissions or area development districts. My colleagues and I call them RIGOs, for their initials.

What is a RIGO?

No matter the name, RIGOs are collaborative bodies that allow local governments to cooperate for services and programs they might not otherwise be able to afford. Bringing together local elected officials from usually about three to five counties, RIGOs help local officials cooperate to address the shared needs of everyone in their area. They do this in normal times; they also do this when disasters strike.

RIGOs operate throughout most of the U.S., in big cities and rural areas, in turbulent times and in calm. They serve different needs in different regions, but in all cases, RIGOs bring together local elected officials to solve common problems.

One example of this in western North Carolina is the Digital Seniors project, launched during COVID-19. Here, the local RIGO is called the Southwestern Commission. In 2021, the RIGO area agency on aging coordinated with the Fontana Regional Library to help dozens of elders who had never been connected to the internet get online during the pandemic. The Southwestern Commission used its relationships with the local senior centers to identify people who needed the service, and the library had access to hot spots and laptops through a grant from the state of North Carolina.

In rural areas, RIGOs work alongside regional business and nonprofits to allow local governments to offer regular services and programs they might not otherwise be able to afford, such as public transportation, senior citizen services or economic development.

Part of that work is helping member governments navigate the maze of federal and state funding opportunities for the projects they hope to get done, often by employing a specialized grant administrator. Each small local government may not have enough work or revenue to justify such a staff member, but many together have the workload and funding to hire someone specially trained to abide by the rules of funding from states and the federal government.

This system helps small local governments receive their fair share in federal grant money and report back on how the money was spent.

Transparency, technical compliance and action

Disasters rarely respect borders. That’s why governments generally work together to distribute grant money for rebuilding communities.

In the summer of 2022, eastern Kentucky faced deadly flooding after receiving about 15 inches of rain over four days – 600% above normal. The North Fork of the Kentucky River crested at approximately 21 feet, killing over two dozen people and damaging 9,000 homes and more than 100 businesses.

A volunteer helps to clear debris in Perry County, Ky., after the historic floods of August 2022.
Michael Swensen/Getty Images

The Kentucky River Area Development District, a RIGO representing eight counties, played a key role in the area’s recovery. It secured millions in FEMA aid and maintained critical services, including expanded food delivery and transportation for elderly residents.

Similarly, after disastrous flooding hit Vermont in 2023 and 2024, another RIGO, the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, jumped into action. It quickly provided emergency communication to the 23 small villages and towns in its region and has since supported local governments applying for grants and reimbursements.

Today, it continues to assist in Vermont’s disaster planning and flood mitigation. This is also part of the recovery process.

Local control

Rebuilding after a disaster is a long, arduous process. It begins after national journalists and politicians have left the area and continues for years. That would be true no matter how Trump restructures emergency aid: The damage is massive, and so is the repair.

For example, here’s how western North Carolina looks six months after Helene: Most businesses have reopened, most folks have running water again, and people can drive in and out of the area.

But many roads are still full of broken pavement. Mud from landslides presses up against the sides of the highway, and condemned housing teeters on the edge of ravaged creek beds.

A storm-damaged apartment complex in Swannanoa, N.C., in March 2025.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images

It is, in other words, too soon to see the full impact of local government efforts to rebuild my region. But RIGOs across the region are hiring additional temporary staff to help local governments get federal money and comply with complex guidelines. Their support ensures that decisions affecting North Carolinians are voted on by the city and county leaders they elected – not decreed by governors or handed down from Washington, D.C.

Locally led rebuilding is slow and difficult work, yes. But it is, in my opinion, the most community-responsive way to deal with disaster.

Jaylen Peacox, a graduate student in public administration at North Carolina State University, contributed to this story.

Jay Rickabaugh receives grant funding from the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

– ref. I study local government and Hurricane Helene forced me from my home − here’s how rural towns and counties in North Carolina and beyond cooperate to rebuild – https://theconversation.com/i-study-local-government-and-hurricane-helene-forced-me-from-my-home-heres-how-rural-towns-and-counties-in-north-carolina-and-beyond-cooperate-to-rebuild-248606

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: A warning for Democrats from the Gilded Age and the 1896 election

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Adam M. Silver, Associate Professor of Political Science, Emmanuel College

Chief Justice Melville Weston Fuller administers the oath of office to William McKinley during his presidential inauguration in 1897, as outgoing President Grover Cleveland looks on. AP Photo/Library of Congress

More than five months after President Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris, Democrats are still trying to understand why they lost the election and the Senate majority – and how the party can regroup.

These concerns have only increased in the wake of Trump’s sustained activity at the start of his second term. The American public has witnessed a Democratic Party struggling to craft a coherent strategy.

Recently, Trump has joined a chorus of people likening the current political period to the Gilded Age – the late 19th-century period known for economic industrialization and wealth inequality.

As a political scientist focused on electoral politics, I believe the Gilded Age provides a warning for the Democrats’ current situation, as the party’s internal struggles hampered its ability to wage successful national campaigns.

The party period

Scholars of U.S. political history often refer to the bulk of the 19th century as the party period due to the degree to which party politics permeated society. Parties framed political discourse through the creation of “brands” centered on distinct ideologies.

These ideologies offered coherent ideas of what it meant to be a Democrat or a Republican.

Democrats opposed a strong national government in favor of states’ rights. They resisted vesting too much economic authority in the national government. And they used their states’ rights position to justify human enslavement and racially discriminatory policies.

Republicans embraced national authority over states’ rights. It was a vision centered on a national political economy that fostered manufacturing and industrialization. This economic approach was accompanied at times by opposition to immigration in often nativist and racist rhetoric.

The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age has been compared with the present. That’s due, in part, to the period’s rapid industrialization, increased immigration and prominent debates over economic policy.

And like today, these Gilded Age years, roughly from 1870 to 1900, witnessed intense competition between Democrats and Republicans, during which only about seven states were contested in any given election due to the regional basis of support for each party.

From 1860 to 1912, Democrats won the White House only twice – Grover Cleveland in 1884 and 1892. But they won the popular vote two more times, while losing the Electoral College – Samuel Tilden in 1876 and Cleveland in 1888.

Further, from the 1870s to the 1890s, party control of Congress tended to rely on slim majorities.

Democrats usually held the House and Republicans controlled the Senate.

The 1880s and 1890s were characterized by debates over economic policies, primarily the protective tariff. That tariff was supported by Northern industrialists to protect domestic industry and opposed by Southern agrarians. The U.S. monetary standard, which determines how value is measured, also dominated discussions.

The 1888 election revealed tensions among Democrats, primarily over the tariff, that became a harbinger of the party’s struggles in 1896. The party’s inability to reconcile competing constituencies in its coalition and offer a coherent message on the tariff ultimately cost them the White House.

After winning reelection in 1892, Democrat Cleveland faced an economic depression that impeded the goals of his second term. The Democrats lost both chambers of Congress in the ensuing midterm election.

President William McKinley, a Republican, is inaugurated in 1901.
Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images

The 1896 election

The battle over the monetary standard consumed the 1896 election.

From the 1870s-1890s, debates over whether greenbacks, or paper currency, should be redeemable in gold or silver ebbed and flowed.

Republicans, buoyed by wealthy financiers, tended to support maintaining the gold standard only. Democrats, who courted laborers and farmers, usually supported the increased circulation of greenbacks redeemable in both gold and silver.

The economic depression in 1893 heightened tensions on this issue, as many Americans sought to pay off their debts with cheaper currency.

At their national convention, Democrats adopted the pro-silver position and nominated a populist firebrand for president, William Jennings Bryan.

Republicans also faced internal divisions on the issue. But, as in 1888, they were able to overcome these tensions to maintain their coalition and supported the gold standard in their platform.

The Republican candidate, William McKinley, defeated Bryan. The outcome solidified Republican primacy for 30 years.

William Jennings Bryan campaigns in 1896.
AP Photo

The legacy of 1896

Internal strife in the late 19th century hindered Democrats’ ability to advance a unified voice, mobilize their voters and attract new ones. In 1888 and 1896, these divisions harmed Democrats’ electoral prospects. Their organizational problems and intense internal discord proved too much for Bryan to overcome.

Scholar James Reichley contends that the Republicans’ more effective organizing after Reconstruction may have resulted in a coherent message compared with the Democrats.

And a lack of enthusiasm on the part of Democratic voters contributed to Republican success in 1894 and 1896, according to historian Richard White. Republicans mobilized their base and attracted new voters, while Democrats did not.

These elections solidified voter alignments until 1932.

Although Democrat Woodrow Wilson held the presidency from 1913 to 1921, Republicans dictated national policy and controlled Congress for most of those years. It took a massive economic depression to return the Democrats to the majority on the national level.

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

– ref. A warning for Democrats from the Gilded Age and the 1896 election – https://theconversation.com/a-warning-for-democrats-from-the-gilded-age-and-the-1896-election-250887

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Habeas corpus: A thousand-year-old legal principle for defending rights that’s getting a workout under the Trump administration

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Andrea Seielstad, Professor of Law, University of Dayton

Two Latin words – ‘habeas corpus’ – protect any person, whether citizen or not, from being illegally confined. deepblue4you, iStock / Getty Images Plus

In some parts of the world, a person may be secreted away or imprisoned by the government without any advanced notification of wrongdoing or chance to make a defense. This has not been lawful in the United States from its very inception, or in many other countries where the rule of law and respect for individual civil rights are paramount.

The legal doctrine of “habeas corpus,” a Latin phrase that has its American roots in English law as early as the 12th century, stands as a barrier to unlawful arrest.

In its essence, habeas corpus protects any person, whether citizen or not, from being illegally confined. Habeas corpus is Latin for “you shall have the body” and requires a judge literally to have the body of any incarcerated person brought physically forward so that the legality of their detention may be assessed.

That is why habeas, sometimes also called the “Great Writ”, is front and center right now in many of the lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s arrest and deportation of noncitizen students, scholars, humanitarian refugees and others.

In an April 7, 2025, decision in a habeas corpus case brought by lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union representing Venezuelans who faced deportation, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the government must give those it aims to deport the opportunity to legally challenge their removal from the U.S. This chance for due process when deprived of liberty is what habeas corpus is and does.

Since then, several federal judges have issued habeas writs blocking certain deportations from the U.S. and even movement of potential deportees from one state to another.

The rapid deportation to El Salvador of noncitizens from the U.S. has sparked public concern about deportees’ ability to challenge the move.
Dominic Gwinn, Middle East Image / Middle East Images via AFP

Habeas corpus’s deep roots

The idea that no person shall be deprived unjustly of liberty formally dates to the 39th Clause of the Magna Carta signed by England’s King John in 1215.

The Magna Carta itself was, as the U.K. parliament describes it, “the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law.”

Although the writ originally was a means of enforcing the king’s power over his subjects, as noted by the Supreme Court in reviewing the writ’s long history, English judges over time issued habeas corpus “to enforce the King’s prerogative to inquire into the authority of a jailer to hold a prisoner.”

The idea crossed the ocean to play an important part in the formation of the U.S. constitutional form of democracy. As the Supreme Court emphasized in a 2008 case holding that the habeas corpus privilege existed even for “aliens” designated as enemy combatants and detained at Guantanamo Bay: “Protection for the privilege of habeas corpus was one of the few safeguards of liberty specified in a Constitution that, at the outset, had no Bill of Rights.”

In the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789, which created lower federal courts following the ratification of the Constitution, Congress gave immediate power to the federal courts to issue habeas corpus relief.

Read more:
Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to El Salvador sparks legal questions likely to reach the Supreme Court

Congress expanded the right in 1867 to permit habeas corpus challenges to unlawful actions by state and local officials. This enabled people who were still held in slavery or indentured servitude, or otherwise detained in state jails, to seek release in federal court. This legislation also established the framework, still recognized today, for state prisoners to attack the constitutionality of their state convictions in federal court.

States and some tribes also have their own habeas corpus statutes. Congress also extended habeas to allow federal challenges to detention by tribal officials via the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, which made many of the constitutional rights held by individuals applicable to official action by federally recognized Native American tribes. In fact, habeas corpus is the sole remedy under the Indian Civil Rights Act for challenging any of the enumerated rights in that act.

When is habeas corpus used?

The principal use of habeas corpus, historically and in more modern times, has been “to seek release of persons held in actual, physical custody in prison or jail,” as Justice Hugo Black wrote in a 1962 Supreme Court opinion.

Its scope extends well beyond imprisonment, however. Habeas has been the vehicle for challenging interference with child custodial rights, involuntary commitment to inpatient treatment or psychiatric care, military induction, restrictive conditions of pretrial release, probation or parole, and banishment from tribal lands, to name a few examples.

Besides securing the physical release of imprisoned persons, habeas corpus may result in dismissal of criminal charges, new trials or appeals, the appointment of legal counsel, and court orders directing remediation of cruel or inhumane conditions of confinement.

The idea that no person shall be deprived unjustly of liberty formally dates back to the 39th Clause of this document, the Magna Carta, signed by England’s King John in 1215.
The National Archives

Critical safeguard of liberty

Detained individuals have been blocked from using habeas corpus less than a handful of times in American history.

In the words of the Constitution’s Article I, which governs congressional power: “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”

For example, it was suspended by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War; in Hawaii after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor; during rebellions in 11 South Carolina counties overtaken by the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction in the years just after the Civil War; and in certain provinces of the U.S.-controlled Philippines in 1905.

Significantly, however, habeas relief has remained vital to challenges to presidential orders and congressional enactments even during times of war and other national security concerns.

The Supreme Court reaffirmed the validity of using habeas corpus in many efforts to suspend or limit the writ in cases stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

In November 2001, President George W. Bush issued a military order authorizing the indefinite detention of noncitizens suspected of being connected to terrorism. Under that order, Yaser Hamdi, who was an American citizen, was detained in U.S. military facilities without being charged, without legal counsel or the possibility of court hearings after being accused of fighting for the Taliban against the United States.

In a 2004 ruling on Hamdi’s case against the government, the Supreme Court upheld the right of every American citizen to use habeas corpus, even when declared to be an enemy combatant.

The court later ruled that Congress’ efforts to impose similar limits with respect to noncitizens being detained at Guantanamo Bay under the Military Commissions Act of 2006 were an unconstitutional abridgment of habeas corpus rights.

In the 2004 landmark case of Rasul v. Bush, the Supreme Court reaffirmed limits on when habeas corpus can be suspended – and when it cannot. The justices said that even foreign detainees captured in countries around the world and brought to Guantanamo Bay on suspected ties to terrorism had the right to challenge their detention in U.S. courts.

As these cases affirm, “Neither citizenship nor territoriality have been determined to be essential to the exercise of the writ.”

Habeas corpus is a critical safeguard of liberty. In the words of Chief Justice John Marshall in the seminal 1803 case, Marbury v. Madison, the “very essence” of civil liberty is “the right to claim the protection of the laws, whenever he receives an injury.”

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

– ref. Habeas corpus: A thousand-year-old legal principle for defending rights that’s getting a workout under the Trump administration – https://theconversation.com/habeas-corpus-a-thousand-year-old-legal-principle-for-defending-rights-thats-getting-a-workout-under-the-trump-administration-254525

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Prairie Flower Casino Partners With Signature Systems, Inc. to Update Point of Sale Technology

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WARMINSTER, Pa., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Signature Systems, Inc. (SSI), the multi-award-winning technology solutions provider known for their point-of-sale (POS) solutions, announced its partnership with The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s Prairie Flower Casino brand. The partnership represents the first gaming site that Signature Systems, Inc. has converted in the state of Iowa.

SSI has installed brand-new point-of-sale hardware, including mobile tablets and kiosks, to the state-of-the-art gaming facility in Carter Lake, Iowa. Prairie Flower Casino recently opened its expanded, 70,000 sq. ft. gaming facility and sought to find a POS that reflected their commitment to delivering the best possible guest experience.

“When we were evaluating the best possible vendors and partners for Prairie Flower Casino, SSI stood out to us,” said Raymond Bertschy, Director of Food and Beverage at Prairie Flower Casino. “SSI’s POS had the features we were looking for, but their reputation for reliability was the key factor in our decision. This casino will serve guests every hour of every day and we want them all to have the kind of experience that makes them want to come back.”

The SSI POS solution was implemented at Prairie Flower Casino in February 2025 following a major d expansion that increased the overall footprint of the Iowa-based gaming destination by 700%.

“Prairie Flower Casino marks our first gaming partner in Iowa, but adds to a growing list of tribal properties that have been underserved in their POS needs,” said John White, EVP/CTO of Signature Systems. “We’re proud to have served The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska in helping them to actualize their vision for their expansion. We look forward to our continued partnership and the continued success of their casino.”

About Signature Systems (SSI)

With deep roots in food and beverage, SSI is a 35-year tenured technology solutions provider whose signature product is PDQ POS, a top rated, all-concept point of sale management system. SSI differentiates itself from all others by virtue of its all-in-one, custom solution sets; all-in-house, domestic teams (including development, live 24x7x365 support, and data/cyber security); and all-in accountability for prompt, accurate issue resolution. Products & services include a natively integrated enterprise reporting mobile app, natively integrated “In-Place Dining” mobile app, natively integrated online ordering, an array of guest empowerment solutions including self-serve kiosks with multiple tenders, full PCI DSS compliance, comprehensive menu management, value-added integrations via RESTful APIs, expert project management, onsite training and education, and much more. Learn more at SSIpos.com. SSI is the proud winner of the 2022 Innovation Award for Integration Services and the 2023 Partner Award from Gaming & Leisure©.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cf09c3f8-6f04-4355-b6ca-d7758963f495

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – April 22, 2025 – 12:00 PM

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

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on April 22, 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!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzyucgfqpAU

MIL OSI Video –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s Message for International Mother Earth Day [scroll down for French]

Source: United Nations – English

other Earth is running a fever.

Last year was the hottest ever recorded:

The final blow in a decade of record heat.

We know what’s causing this sickness: the greenhouse gas emissions humanity is pumping into the atmosphere – overwhelmingly from burning fossil fuels.

We know the symptoms: devastating wildfires, floods and heat. Lives lost and livelihoods shattered.

And we know the cure: rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and turbocharging adaptation, to protect ourselves – and nature – from climate disasters.

Getting on the road to recovery is a win-win.

Renewable power is cheaper, healthier, and more secure than fossil fuel alternatives.

And action on adaptation is critical to creating robust economies and safer communities, now and in the future.

This year is critical.

All countries must create new national climate action plans that align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius – essential to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe.

This is a vital chance to seize the benefits of clean power. I urge all countries to take it, with the G20 leading the way.

We also need action to tackle pollution, slam the brakes on biodiversity loss, and deliver the finance countries need to protect our planet.

Together, let’s get to work and make 2025 the year we restore good health to Mother Earth.

*****

La Terre nourricière est prise de fièvre.

L’année dernière a été la plus chaude jamais enregistrée – le coup de grâce d’une décennie de chaleur record.

Nous savons la cause de cette maladie : les émissions de gaz à effet de serre que l’humanité rejette dans l’atmosphère, et qui proviennent essentiellement des combustibles fossiles.

Nous en connaissons les symptômes : les incendies de forêt, les inondations et les chaleurs, qui font des ravages. Des vies perdues et des moyens de subsistance anéantis.

Et nous connaissons le remède : réduire rapidement les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et accélérer l’adaptation pour nous protéger – et protéger la nature – des catastrophes climatiques.

Tout le monde gagne à prendre le chemin de la guérison.

Les énergies renouvelables sont moins chères, plus saines et plus sûres que les combustibles fossiles.

Les mesures d’adaptation sont essentielles pour créer des économies solides et des sociétés plus sûres, aujourd’hui et demain.

L’année 2025 est décisive.

Tous les pays doivent établir de nouveaux plans d’action nationaux pour le climat compatibles avec l’objectif de limiter la hausse de la température mondiale à 1,5 degré Celsius, qui sera primordial pour éviter la pire des catastrophes climatiques.

Il s’agit d’une occasion unique de profiter des avantages de l’énergie propre. J’invite tous les pays à la saisir, le G20 montrant la voie à suivre.

Nous devons également agir pour lutter contre la pollution, freiner l’appauvrissement de la biodiversité et fournir les fonds dont les pays ont besoin pour protéger notre planète.

Ensemble, mettons-nous à l’œuvre et faisons de 2025 l’année où nous remettrons d’aplomb la Terre nourricière.

MIL OSI Africa –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Human trafficking-fueled fraud ring dismantled in joint Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana operation
Source: Interpol (news and events)

22 April 2025
LYON, France – Two suspected traffickers have been arrested and 33 people rescued from a criminal network that sequestered victims and forced them into exploitative pyramid schemes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Côte d’Ivoire – Victims were kept in harsh conditions

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

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

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General said:

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

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

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

Scams on the rise: What to look out for

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

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

INTERPOL urges the public to be extremely cautious when approached about work or study opportunities, even when introduced by a personal contact. Some of the red flags to look out for include:
- Requests for personal information or money – One of the clearest signs of a scam is a request for payment or investment during the application, interview or onboarding process. You should never have to part with your money to receive a legitimate offer.
- Pressure tactics – Scammers may create urgency by setting short deadlines or claiming the offer will go to someone else if you don’t respond quickly. Genuine recruiters will allow you time to consider the opportunity.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers – Is the offer vague or poorly explained? Did you receive it without a thorough interview? Are the salary or conditions unusually generous? Compare it with similar offers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Online presence – In the past, a simple online search could often expose a scam through its amateur website or unprofessional communication. Today, many criminal groups set up convincing companies or imitate well-known brands, often with a polished digital presence.
MIL Security OSI –
April 23, 2025

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