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  • MIL-OSI Global: Ethical leadership can boost well-being and performance in remote work environments

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mark R. Gleim, Associate Professor of Marketing, Auburn University

    Managers can still provide ethical leadership in remote environments if they’re able to convey genuine care for employees. pixdeluxe/E+ via Getty Images

    Employees are likely to perform better and be committed to the organization when they are supervised by ethical leaders, even when working remotely. Ethical leadership is evident in an organization when employees recognize values such as integrity, fairness and care for others through the actions of a leader.

    Coming out of the pandemic, we were interested in the shift to remote work and how it impacts employees when they are not able to observe and interact with managers face-to-face. Given that our research team has over 60 years of combined leadership experience in multiple industries and over 40 years of combined academic experience, we could envision the shift to remote work being impactful. These findings are based on three studies of salespeople conducted between 2021 and 2024 aimed at understanding how ethical leadership is perceived in a remote work environment.

    Across the studies, our results showed that when salespeople perceive their leaders as ethical, they feel significantly more committed to the organization. That commitment, in turn, leads to greater well-being and better performance.

    Interestingly, even as the percentage of remote supervision increases, these positive effects hold steady, suggesting that ethical leadership remains powerful and effective, even in fully remote positions.

    In-depth interviews with sales professionals who worked remotely highlighted four key factors that help reinforce ethical leadership in a remote setting: consistent and transparent communication, occasional in-person interactions, modeling integrity, and establishing clear ethical standards.

    Why it matters

    More sales jobs are becoming remote, meaning managers and employees often interact through video calls, emails and messages rather than in person. In fact, remote sales positions saw the greatest increase in new job postings – up 48% in 2023 compared with the previous year. About 22% of the U.S. workforce will work remotely in 2025.

    Some experts worry that remote work limits employees’ ability to connect with their leaders, making it harder to build a strong ethical culture. There is little understanding of how virtual communication affects employees’ perceptions of ethical leadership in organizations.

    Ethical leadership plays a crucial role in shaping workplace culture, influencing everything from employee satisfaction to overall performance. Leaders who demonstrate integrity, strong values and clear expectations foster an environment where employees feel supported and motivated. This, in turn, leads to higher engagement, lower turnover and better job performance.

    Remote supervision can pose several challenges for managers, but it can also present valuable opportunities.
    Morsa Images/Digital vision via Getty Images

    However, as remote work becomes more common, the way employees perceive and experience ethical leadership is changing. Without face-to-face interactions, employees may struggle to pick up on the same cues that signal ethical leadership in traditional office settings. For example, the spontaneous moments of ethical behavior – like how a manager handles unexpected dilemmas or navigates tough decisions in real time – are more likely to be witnessed in person.

    Remote supervision presents both challenges and opportunities for ethical leadership. While technology allows for greater flexibility and global communication, it can also create barriers to trust and connection. Emails and messages lack tone and nuance, and video calls, while more personal, still lack the spontaneous conversations that help build relationships.

    At the same time, advances in communication tools have improved the ability to convey emotions and intent, making remote leadership more effective. Features such as video calls, emojis and reactions in chat, along with voice messages, help recreate the emotional nuance of in-person interactions. These tools can allow managers to express empathy, enthusiasm, concern or praise more clearly, making their messages feel more personal and authentic; employees can better interpret a leader’s values and intentions, strengthening trust and connection even without face-to-face contact.

    What’s next

    Given the positive impact of ethical leadership on employee outcomes, it is important to understand communication effectiveness among leaders. Ethical leadership starts at the top with the CEO, who sets the tone for the entire organization. However, it must also be consistently demonstrated by managers, since employees interact with them most often and look to them for everyday guidance. While executive leadership shapes the culture, direct leaders display it daily.

    It’s also important to understand which coaching methods, like video calls or check-ins, work best to support remote teams. Individual differences, such as age or experience, may influence how employees respond to ethical leaders, so studying these factors can help tailor leadership approaches. As hybrid work becomes more common, it will also be important to examine how a mix of in-person and remote interactions impact the way ethical leadership is perceived and practiced.

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

    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. Ethical leadership can boost well-being and performance in remote work environments – https://theconversation.com/ethical-leadership-can-boost-well-being-and-performance-in-remote-work-environments-253201

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Radio Davos | Workplace wellbeing and WFH: what’s best for business and for you?

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Are you happy at work? And if so, do you think that helps you do the job better? Jan-Emmanuel de Neve, Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School thinks so – and says he has the real-world evidence – from companies and millions of employees to prove it.

    He also says there is evidence that companies with a happy workforce will perform better for shareholders.

    And he answers the question – does that mean working from home is best, or should we all go back to the office?

    Links:

    Thriving Workplaces: How Employers can Improve Productivity and Change Lives: https://www.weforum.org/publications/thriving-workplaces-how-employers-can-improve-productivity-and-change-lives/

    Future of Jobs Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/
    Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/news/jan-emmanuel-de-neve-launches-latest-book-workplace-wellbeing-and-why-it-matters

    Related podcasts:
    Wharton psychologist Adam Grant: How to rethink the work day – and the soft skill future leaders need: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/adam-grant-skills-future-leaders-work/

    The future of jobs requires a ‘skills-first’ mindset – for employers and for you: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/skills-first-jobs/

    Intel’s HR chief on reskilling and building teams for the future: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/christy-pambianchi-intel-ai-jobs-reskilling/

    IKEA HR chief shares decades of career lessons learned and what’s needed to bridge the gender equity gap: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/ulrika-biesert-ingka-group-gender-equity/

    Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:

    YouTube: – https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts
    Radio Davos – subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164
    Meet the Leader – subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560
    Agenda Dialogues – subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552
    Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRxbRNl16p0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Patients urged to check packs of blood pressure medicine lercanidipine after labelling error

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Patients urged to check packs of blood pressure medicine lercanidipine after labelling error

    Patients who take the common blood pressure medicine Lercanidipine HCI 20mg tablets (lercanidipine hydrochloride) from the manufacturer Recordati Pharmaceuticals Limited, should, as a precautionary measure, urgently check if they have the batch number MD4L07 with an expiry date of 01/2028 on any packs they have at home. The batch number is printed on the foil of the blister strips.

    This follows an error in the strength of the product printed on some of the sides of the pack. The error is limited to one batch of the medicine only.

    The packs are incorrectly labelled as 10mg on some sides of the pack when they are 20mg tablets. The correct strength (20mg) is printed on the top of the carton and on the blister strips.

    An alert, has been issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) today.

    Patients prescribed 10mg tablets

    Patients prescribed 10mg tablets and have received tablets with this batch number should contact their pharmacist or GP immediately.

    If the GP or pharmacist cannot be reached, patients should call NHS 111 for advice on continuing their medication.

    If a patient cannot speak to a healthcare professional before they are due to take their next dose, they should:

    1. verify the strength of the tablets is 20mg from the information on the foil of the blister strips

    2. remove one tablet from the blister as normal

    3. locate the break line on the tablet

    4. snap the tablet in half across the break line and take half of the tablet. This is permitted for the 20mg tablets and is in line with information included in the patient information leaflet (where it states ‘The tablet can be divided into equal doses’). This is a temporary measure until you can talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

    Patients prescribed 20mg tablets

    Patients who were prescribed 20mg tablets should verify the strength of the tablets by checking the information on the foil of the blister strips prior to taking the tablet. Patients should continue to take the tablets as prescribed by their doctor.

    Patients should not stop taking their medicine without consulting their healthcare provider. Patients who are concerned about the strength of the medication they have received should check it with their dispensing pharmacy.

    Patients concerned they may have accidentally taken a higher dose of the medication than they were prescribed should talk to a pharmacist, their GP or call NHS 111.  

    Patients who experience side effects or have any questions about the medication should seek medical attention. Any suspected side effects should also be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

    Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer said:

    Patient safety is our top priority. We ask patients to check their medicine packaging and follow our advice.

    Healthcare professionals such as pharmacists are also being asked to stop supplying medicine from the affected batch and to return it to the supplier.

    Please report any suspected adverse reactions via the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.

    The alert was issued after the manufacturer, Recordati Pharmaceuticals Limited, informed the MHRA of an error in the strength of the product printed on some sides of the product carton. Recordati Pharmaceuticals Limited is initiating a recall of the specified batches as a precautionary measure.

    Notes to editors

    • You can find local pharmacy opening times by using the NHS’s Find a Pharmacy page.
    • You can find which pharmacies are open by searching for Easter opening times online, contacting your local pharmacy or calling 111.
    • Patients who may have accidentally taken a higher dose of the medication than they were prescribed should talk to a pharmacist, their GP or call NHS 111.
    • Each of the packs affected by the recall contains 28 tablets. 7769 packs of the tablets have been distributed.
    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgments to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: CHERRY Unveils MX Northern Light – A Limited-Edition Linear Switch Crafted for the Keyboard Community

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The CHERRY MX NORTHERN LIGHT is a limited-edition linear switch engineered for peak smoothness and precision.

    K5V2 Keyboard + GP6 Northern Light Bundle also available for a limited time.

    KENOSHA, Wis. and AUERBACH IN DER OBERPFALZ, Germany, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CHERRY, the global leader in mechanical keyboard switch innovation, is proud to introduce the MX Northern Light, a limited-edition, community-crafted linear switch delivering the smoothest typing experience CHERRY has ever engineered.

    Developed by CHERRY’s in-house team of switch enthusiasts, MX Northern Light is a love letter to the keyboard community. It blends the latest MX2A innovations with never-before-seen enhancements, including an ultra-polished top housing and a custom-engineered blue bottom, resulting in a switch that’s as smooth as it is striking.

    “This is our most refined linear switch to date, and it’s made for the people who helped inspire it,” said Joakim Jansson, Managing Director of CHERRY. “MX Northern Light reflects what happens when CHERRY listens closely to its community and pushes the limits of precision engineering.”

    This exclusive set pairs the ultra-customizable K5V2 compact keyboard, featuring the new CHERRY MX Northern Light switches and uniquely designed PBT keycaps, with the matching GP6 Northern Light XL mousepad.

    Bold Bundle

    To celebrate the launch of MX Northern Light, CHERRY XTRFY is also releasing a limited-edition K5V2 + GP6 Northern Light Bundle. This exclusive set pairs the ultra-customizable K5V2 compact keyboard, featuring the new CHERRY MX Northern Light switches and uniquely designed PBT keycaps, with the matching GP6 Northern Light XL mousepad. Designed for performance and built to stand out, the bundle offers enthusiasts a premium typing and gaming experience with a cohesive, aurora-inspired aesthetic.

    Crafted by CHERRY’s in-house switch enthusiasts, the MX Northern Light features a polished top housing and a striking blue base, and is designed for the smoothest typing experience yet.

    Built by Enthusiasts, for Enthusiasts

    Crafted by CHERRY’s in-house team of engineers and enthusiasts, the MX Northern Light features a polished top housing and a striking blue base, and is designed for the smoothest typing experience yet.

    At its core, Northern Light delivers a smooth, dampened linear feel with whisper-quiet performance. Every keystroke is refined, responsive, and satisfying, and ideal for gaming, deep focus sessions, or simply enjoying the pure pleasure of a perfectly tuned mechanical switch.

    The switch is fully enhanced with the latest MX2A technology stack, including factory-applied premium lubricant that reduces friction, a noise-dampening barrel spring that softens the sound profile, and glide-optimized stem geometry paired with a polished top housing for ultra-smooth actuation.

    Built with CHERRY’s iconic Gold Crosspoint technology, Northern Light guarantees consistent performance and incredible durability, rated for over 50 million keystrokes without loss of quality. Add in its <1ms bounce time, and you have a switch that doesn’t just feel great, it keeps up with your fastest moves.

    Visually, the blue bottom housing sets Northern Light apart from every other CHERRY switch. It’s a bold look that reflects the bold thinking behind its design, which is eye-catching, distinct, and impossible to mistake for anything else.

    Northern Light (36 piece switch kit) Product Info

    • US availability: April 17
    • MSRP: $29.99
    • Amazon: Link

    K5V2 GP6 Northern Light Bundle

    • US availability: May
    • MSRP: $129.99
    • Amazon: Link

    This is a collector’s drop for the true keyboard connoisseurs, the enthusiasts who crave something rare, premium, and purpose-built.

    About Cherry

    Cherry SE [ISIN: DE000A3CRRN9] is a globally operating manufacturer of high-end mechanical keyboard switches and computer input devices such as keyboards, mice, and headsets for applications in the worlds of gaming, e-sports, office and hybrid workplaces, industry, and healthcare. Since it was founded in 1953, Cherry has been synonymous with innovative, high-quality products developed specifically to meet the various needs of its customers.

    Cherry has its operational headquarters in Auerbach in Germany’s Upper Palatinate region and over 400 employees in production facilities in Auerbach, Zhuhai (China), and Vienna (Austria) as well as in various sales offices in Auerbach (Germany), Munich (Germany), Landskrona (Sweden), Paris (France), Kenosha (USA), Chicago (USA), Taipei (Taiwan), and Hong Kong (China).

    More information is available online at https://www.cherry.de/en-us.

    Media Contact

    CHERRY@maxborgesagency.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2727fda-81c8-473a-b375-a56e56583d7f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e911935a-a210-432b-b5c3-d8606ec90ba0

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/55a9db02-375c-46e7-9b22-9931184d99c9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: SUNation Energy Issues Letter to Shareholders in Conjunction With Filing of Form 10-K

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RONKONKOMA, N.Y., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SUNation Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNE) (“SUNation” or the “Company”), a leading provider of sustainable solar energy and backup power to households, businesses, municipalities, and for servicing existing systems, today issued a Letter to Shareholders from CEO Scott Maskin in connection with the filing of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (“FY 2024”) on April 15, 2025. A copy of the Company’s Form 10-K is available at www.sec.gov.

    Dear Fellow Shareholder:

    I am writing to you with a renewed sense of optimism for SUNation’s future, tremendous pride in the dedication and hard work of our team, and appreciation for the continuing faith of our residential and commercial customers in our ability to provide an outstanding end-to-end solar experience. Over the last several quarters, we have made it a priority to address a variety of legacy financial, operational, and governance issues that impeded our growth potential, which included recruiting a new leadership team and a refreshed Board of Directors with relevant industry, capital markets, and public company experience.

    This journey has not been easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. Many of these decisions were among the most difficult of my career, with a significant impact to our people and our investors; they were, however, necessary. While we still have work to do, we believe that we have positioned the Company to resume growth and thrive in the years ahead.

    Our results for 2024 reflect both the encouraging and unpredictable aspects of our industry, as well as the specific issues that affected our operations. The last two years have been some of the most challenging in our space, and some companies – many larger than us – have not survived. While being a smaller company can make us more vulnerable to the effects of macro conditions, it also provides us with a significant advantage – specifically, the ability to act quickly and with resolve.

    As we look ahead to 2025, we see a significant opportunity to pursue a myriad of commercial and residential opportunities in our core markets and surrounding regions, consider strategic acquisition opportunities, and fortify our operations to support a pivot to sustainable growth and profitability. For full year 2024 results, and other recent developments, please review our annual report on Form 10-K, which we filed on April 15, 2025, and can be found at www.sec.gov, free of charge.

    2024 Performance Overview and Recent Events

    Full Year 2024

    • Total sales of $56.9 million declined as expected from last year’s sales of $79.6 million driven by a decrease in residential and commercial solar projects, as well as lower service revenue. However, sales increased on a consecutive basis for each quarter of 2024 with Q4 2024 sales of $15.4 million up 9.3% from Q1 2024 sales of $13.2 million.  
    • Over 50% of our installed jobs in 2023 and 2024 came from referrals or repeat customers, a rate that ranks among the best in our industry. This also helped drive down year-over-year customer acquisition costs by approximately 8%.
    • Gross margin for 2024 improved to 35.9% from 34.8%, reflecting tighter controls over direct costs.
    • Total operating expenses declined by nearly 7% to $32.7 million from $35.2 million.
    • The decline in total operating expenses in 2024 was offset by a $3.1 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge associated with Hawaii Energy Connection (“HEC”) and a $750,000 intangible asset impairment loss related to technology related intangible assets within the HEC segment; there were no such charges realized in 2023.
    • A series of cost optimization and efficiency measures implemented in 2024 are expected to produce annual selling, general and administrative expense cost savings in 2025 of over $2.0 million.
    • Operating loss from continuing operations was $12.3 million compared to $7.5 million in 2023

    Recent Developments

    • We secured $20 million in aggregate gross proceeds via a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors (“the Offering”).
    • This fresh capital allowed us to eliminate $12.6 million of secured debt and other long-term contractual obligations. This included the repayment in full of $9.4 million of senior and junior secured debt that removed an average annual cash drain of approximately $3.4 million through 2027, and the payment in full of a $2.5 million earn out consideration.
    • This reduction in debt has produced material benefits, including lowering our annual interest expense for 2025 by an estimated $1.4 million, while enhancing cash flows that provide the flexibility necessary to invest appropriately in our long-term expansion and/or other strategic options.

    Q1 2025 Outlook

    We expect that our financial position for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 will reflect the positive effects of this deleveraging and the cost containment initiatives that began in 2024, including:

    • cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.4 million, up from cash and cash equivalents of $0.8 million at December 31, 2024; cash at March 31, 2025 did not include $5 million in gross proceeds raised as part of the Offering that closed in early April 2025.
    • total debt of approximately $9.3 million, a $9.8 million reduction from $19.1 million at December 31, 2024; this reduction does not include the impact of the above-mentioned $2.5 million earn out payment.    

    The Path Forward

    Our strategy is designed to provide customers with sustainable energy security by leveraging our people, technology, and processes to deliver solutions that improve the performance, increase the reliability, and reduce the cost of energy.

    Our industry is highly fragmented, consisting primarily of small, regional companies that control the majority of installations. We believe that this creates a great opportunity for a company like SUNation. With our corporate transformation substantially complete, an injection of fresh capital, and our outlook for the solar industry positive, we believe that the best pathway for long-term growth is a combination of organic expansion initiatives, while pursuing net profitable accretive strategic acquisition opportunities.

    With respect to organic growth, we will continue to focus on lowering customer acquisition costs by capitalizing on our premier referral rates, achieve economies of scale that support a lower cost of goods sold, and explore opportunities that widen the scope of solar services to become a one-stop shop for solar and storage-related needs. By leveraging our two-decade reputation for high quality and dependable solar installation, we are investing heavily in the operations of our roofing division, a natural extension of our solar offerings, as well as strengthening our outreach to non-SUNation clients in need of service for their existing PV and battery systems. We also believe that we can increase our service revenue by addressing service gaps created by solar providers that are no longer in business.

    Our approach to any potential acquisitions will be deliberate and thoughtful, with a focus on well-run residential and commercial solar companies in a select group of states that contain markets with the factors that are necessary for fruitful expansion. We believe that regional companies with robust corporate support are best suited to navigate their respective state and regulatory operating environments. Our acquisition criteria includes exposure to battery storage and value-added energy services, opportunities that can deliver meaningful cost and revenue synergies, and compatible business cultures, with a focus on the customer. Our goal is to achieve scale while maintaining the regional identity and connection to the community that these companies have developed over the years.

    We believe that SUNation’s value proposition of energy independence, our sterling reputation, customer-centric approach, and diversified service portfolio will help us navigate the macroeconomic environment, including tariffs, government subsidies, and interest rates.

    In Closing

    I founded SUNation in 2003 and built it into one of the largest and most respected solar installers on Long Island. This was accomplished through hard work, a respect for the customer, and surrounding myself with the best possible team. In 2022 we acquired HEC and E-GEAR, both Hawaii-based sustainable energy solution providers, as a reflection of our commitment to capitalize on the growing demand for solutions that provide home energy security.  

    After more than two decades, we are just beginning.

    I am optimistic about the future of the solar and storage industry and SUNation. Our industry creates good paying jobs and generates substantial revenue at the regional level, positioning us as a significant contributor to the national energy mix alongside oil, coal, gas, and wind. Importantly, our distributed energy solutions fortify local energy infrastructures, making us a vital part of energy security. Our industry is resilient and has always aligned with economic expansion – a stronger economy equals strong energy demand.

    I remain committed to capitalizing on the significant opportunities inherent in our industry and delivering long-term value to our shareholders.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Scott Maskin
    Chief Executive Officer

    Corporate Update Call / Submit Question in Advance

    Management will host a Corporate Update call on Wednesday, April 23 at 10:00 am ET. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing:

    • Domestic: (800) 715-9871
    • International: (646) 307-1963
    • Passcode: 5681681

    The conference call will also be accessible via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s web site at https://ir.sunation.com/news-events or via this link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/2sjxvf6u.

    Questions may be submitted in advance to ir@sunation.com with the subject line “Corporate Update Questions.” The deadline for submitting questions is April 22 at 5:00 PM ET.

    About SUNation Energy, Inc.

    SUNation Energy, Inc. is focused on growing leading local and regional solar, storage, and energy services companies nationwide. Our vision is to power the energy transition through grass-roots growth of solar electricity paired with battery storage. Our portfolio of brands (SUNation, Hawaii Energy Connection, E-Gear) provide homeowners and businesses of all sizes with an end-to-end product offering spanning solar, battery storage, and grid services. SUNation Energy, Inc.’s largest markets include New York, Florida, and Hawaii, and the company operates in three (3) states.

    Forward Looking Statements 

    Our prospects here at SUNation Energy Inc. are subject to uncertainties and risks. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor provided by the foregoing Sections. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, and are subject to various business risks and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond the control of management. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation. The Company cannot predict or determine after the fact what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements or other statements. The reader should consider statements that include the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “should”, or other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends, to be uncertain and forward-looking. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information respecting factors that could materially affect the Company and its operations are contained in the Company’s filings with the SEC which can be found on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. Achieves B Corp™ Certification, Demonstrating Leadership in Purpose-Driven Business

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. (SR Inc) proudly announces that it is now a Certified B CorporationTM (B Corp™), joining a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact, performance, accountability, and transparency. This prestigious certification, granted by B Lab™, affirms SR Inc’s commitment to using business as a force for goodTM.

    B Corp™ certification is awarded to businesses that meet rigorous criteria in areas such as environmental impact, employee well-being, community engagement, and positive contributions to customers’ lives. SR Inc particularly excelled in governance standards, reflecting its strong dedication to stakeholders, recently affirmed by its Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) status. With this certification, SR Inc showcases its commitment to driving economic change and its unwavering focus on meeting rising social and environmental standards.

    “Building on the support we received from our shareholders that enabled SR Inc to become a Public Benefit Corporation earlier this year, becoming a certified B Corp™ further demonstrates SR Inc’s deep commitment to leading with purpose. Doing both in 2025 brings home how we are growing our roots deeply into the purpose we share with our world-leading clients,” said Jim Boyle, CEO and founder of SR Inc. “At SR Inc, we’re energized by our mission to accelerate the growth and implementation of best practices in more sustainable business to help align business with life. By exceeding stringent B Lab™ standards, we demonstrate to all our stakeholders that we’re not just advocates for change – we are change.”

    SR Inc’s Sustainable Business & Enterprise Roundtable (SBER) played a key role in its B Corp™ achievement as it was recognized as an Environmental Education Impact Business Model (IBM). SR Inc’s strategic advisory and support services arm, SBER helps executives set goals, drive progress, and report results in more sustainable leadership. SBER’s IBM status underscores SR Inc’s high operational performance standards, its capacity to drive business-critical corporate sustainability education, and its ability to drive positive Member-Client outcomes.

    SR Inc recently achieved its goal of helping clients cause one gigawatt (GW) of new renewable energy by 2025 – made possible through its Net Zero Consortium for Buyers (NZCB), an invitation-only, confidential renewable energy buyers’ community that opens utility-scale aggregated procurements to enterprises that cannot access them alone. SR Inc’s clients have made the NZCB the leading platform servicing businesses in North America and Europe. Now, backed by the globally recognized B Corp™ certification, SR Inc is further poised to achieve its goal of helping clients cause 10 GW of new clean energy at home and abroad through 2030.

    The B Impact Assessment™ is designed to evaluate a company’s impact on all stakeholders – workers, customers, communities, and the environment – not just shareholders. Companies must score at least 80 points to attain certification, and those scores are made publicly available to ensure transparency. To maintain certification, companies must complete the assessment and verification process every three years, proving continued alignment with B Lab™ standards, which are continually refined with input from industry experts.

    For more information about SR Inc and its commitment to positive social and environmental change, visit www.sustainround.com.

    About SR Inc

    SR Inc is a for-profit Public Benefit Corporation and certified B Corp™ missioned to accelerate the growth and adoption of best practices in more sustainable business to help align business with life. SR Inc’s Sustainable Business & Enterprise Roundtable (SBER) provides strategic advisory and support in enterprise decarbonization. SR Inc’s Net Zero Consortium for Buyers (NZCB) is a confidential buyers’ community committed to creating corporate buyer-favorable renewable energy transactions, which SR Inc clients have made the leading platform for aggregated procurements of utility-scale clean energy. In doing so, SR Inc clients are helping the NZCB democratize the financial, environmental, and human health benefits of utility-scale clean energy.

    About the B Corp™ Movement

    The B Corp™ movement is a global ok movement of People Using Business as a Force for Good®. Together, they are shifting the economic system from profiting only the few to benefitting all, from concentrating wealth and power to ensuring equity, from extraction to regeneration, and from prioritizing individualism to embracing independence.

    Media Contact
    FischTank PR
    srinc@fischtankpr.com

    Other Inquiries
    Sarah Lehan
    sarahlehan@sustainround.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Orchid Security Appoints Former Wiz Executive as Chief Revenue Officer to Fuel Next Phase of Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orchid Security, on a mission to cut through the complexity of identity and access management (IAM), announced that Trish Cagliostro has joined the company as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) to lead its introduction to the market and build on its early Fortune 1000 customers.

    Cagliostro most recently served as the Vice President of Channels and Alliances at Wiz, where she built the global partner organization behind the company’s lightning fast journey to $100 million in ARR in 18 months and $350 million within its first four years. This momentum led to a $32 billion acquisition by their strategic partner Google. Cagliostro brings a “partner first and only” approach to form the foundation of go-to-market at Orchid Security.

    “I see many parallels between Orchid’s situation and the early days of Wiz, which is one of the main factors that attracted me to this opportunity,” said Cagliostro. “The identity space is now at an inflection point demanding a fundamentally new approach. Just as Wiz harnessed cutting edge technologies like graph databases to reshape cloud security, I see Orchid poised to do the same for IAM.”

    Orchid is leveraging new technologies including OpenTelemetry-powered identity observability and Generative AI / Large Language Model (LLMs) identity flow assessment to bring an application-centric approach to identity. These advances enable organizations to continuously discover and enable identity security, automate legacy manual processes, reduce costs, free up developer time and strengthen security posture.

    “No longer will enterprises be dependent on humans, whether in-house or outsourced, to assess each new application for expected identity controls or each new identity tool for integration with every existing application…over and over and over again,” said Cagliostro. “Instead, Orchid Security automates and accelerates these manual processes to speed up the deployment of new IAM tools and give organizations a complete and continuous view of their true identity security posture and the ability to close identity exposures.”

    As one example, consider Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)- on which organizations spent $3 billion last year according to Gartner. The average project takes 42 months, costs more than $1million and still remains incomplete. Industry experts estimate average IGA coverage at only 9%.

    By contrast, Orchid Security enables organizations to complete such projects in just four months, at a fraction of the cost and with significantly higher coverage. “Reducing project durations while delivering better results is a huge win for partners who can now show immediate value instead of being bogged down in the same project year after year,” said Cagliostro.

    Orchid exited stealth just four months ago with an impressive $36 million seed round and is seeing very strong market traction.

    “We see a clear opportunity ahead—from our inception via Team8’s company-building model to early Fortune 500 customer adoption, all signs point to strong product-market fit,” said Roy Katmor, CEO and co-founder of Orchid Security. “Now, it’s all about execution and scaling. Companies proved that with the right timing, team, and product—backed by a solid plan and execution—extraordinary growth is possible. We believe we’re in a similar position and are thrilled to bring in someone with the first-hand experience to help us reach that next level.”   

    With roughly $5 billion spent on IAM-related services alone each year, partners are an essential part of any identity project, whether as advisors, architects or implementors. Recognizing their critical role, Orchid Security is all-in on the channel as its route to market, with 100% of the business flowing through partners.

    “The fact that the founders at Orchid Security appointed an established channel leader like myself to head the entire sales organization should tell you everything you need to know about our commitment to our channel,” said Cagliostro.

    For more information on Orchid Security visit https://www.orchid.security. To hear more from Trish, read her welcome blog.

    About Orchid
    Orchid Security is an identity security orchestration platform- leveraging Open Telemetry, Prompt Engineering and Large Language Models (LLMs)- to unify and secure complex identity environments across enterprises. Founded by AI and cybersecurity experts Roy Katmor, Robert Weisman, and Ido Kelson, and backed by Intel Capital and Team8, Orchid enables large organizations to reduce the costs and effort of identity and access management (IAM), while maintaining compliance and security across their digital infrastructure. Its platform facilitates the continuous discovery of both self-hosted and SaaS applications, assessment of their native identity controls (and gaps), and remediation of compliance and cyber exposure from a single point of control— without extensive effort or application recoding.

    Media Contact
    Chloe Amante
    Montner Tech PR
    camante@montner.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3879cfa1-332f-4fee-a39b-e7cc1425ce7b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is a ‘friend-apist’ what we really want from therapy?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By David E. Tolchinsky, Professor and Dean, The Media School, Indiana University

    ‘Shrinking’ portrays a tangled web of care and connection, where therapists and patients are enmeshed in one another’s personal and professional lives. Apple TV+

    When I read the recent New York Times article “Therapy Is Good. These Therapists Are Bad,” I couldn’t help but think of the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.”

    The article details the troubling prevalence of ethical and legal boundary violations by therapists: riding an exercise bike during appointments, bringing a dog into sessions despite a patient’s fear of animals, flirting with patients and even having sex with them.

    In “Shrinking,” Jason Segel stars as Jimmy Laird, a cognitive behavioral therapist who becomes increasingly entangled in his patients’ lives. His skeptical boss, Paul Rhoades – played by Harrison Ford – critiques Jimmy’s unconventional methods while facing struggles of his own. Everyone seems enmeshed with everyone else’s personal and professional lives: A patient lives with Jimmy; Jimmy is sleeping with his colleague, Gaby; Paul secretly treats Jimmy’s daughter; Jimmy’s neighbor starts a business with Jimmy’s patient. (No one, thankfully, is sleeping with their patient.)

    Whether in real life or on screen, something strange is happening with therapy: The line between therapist and friend seems to be blurring.

    As a screenwriter who teaches a course on how to portray mental health on screen, I wonder: Are these depictions a reaction to earlier conceptions of therapists? Do they reflect a growing suspicion of authority? And ultimately, what do they reveal about what we now want from a therapist?

    The distant therapist

    Not too long ago, therapists acted like black boxes and authoritative gods.

    Take my father, a well-regarded, Freudian psychoanalyst who never shared anything about himself with his patients. He wanted to be a blank wall onto which the patient could project their fantasies.

    He saw patients at our home. When they arrived or left, my family hid to preserve the client’s anonymity. When we were out running errands and saw one of his patients, we quickly left so the patient would have no inkling of my father’s personal life.

    Traditionally, psychoanalysts tried to stay neutral, silent and enigmatic during their sessions.
    Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

    Movies from the 1940s reflect the trope of the mysterious therapist. Dr. Jaquith in the 1942 film “Now, Voyager” is a friendly presence yet remains unknowable, even as he effectively cures his patient’s mental health issues.

    Naturally, positive depictions of therapists gave rise to negative ones. Released that same year, “King’s Row” features a therapist, Dr. Tower, who seems to be a consummate professional, but ends up poisoning his disturbed daughter and killing himself, a twist that hints at an incestuous relationship between the two.

    “Ordinary People,” which won best picture at the 1981 Academy Awards, tells the story of Conrad Jarrett, a teenager who has attempted suicide, and may be contemplating it again.

    Dr. Berger, his therapist who’s played by Judd Hirsch, is friendly and empathetic, but still maintains professional boundaries. When Conrad asks how life can be worth living when it’s so painful, Berger’s comforting response – “Because I’m your friend” – is clearly a therapeutic technique, not a declaration of friendship.

    Therapists are people, too

    Later on-screen depictions of therapists humanize them as flawed individuals, just like everyone else.

    In “Good Will Hunting,” Robin Williams’ Dr. Maguire grieves over his late wife and talks about his own mental health struggles.

    Viewers are privy to the personal struggles of “The Sopranos” therapist Jennifer Melfi, played by Lorraine Bracco. While she occasionally missteps – like when she accidentally reveals Tony Soprano’s identity – she takes her job seriously and routinely consults a fellow therapist, which is part of the ongoing learning process for practitioners. She’s human yet professional.

    Robin Williams, left, as therapist Sean Maguire in ‘Good Will Hunting.’
    Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    In “Shrinking,” however, the boundaries blur completely. The show’s messy web of care and connection is entertaining and funny. But it distorts the therapist’s role. Everyone involved – patient, family member, practitioner – is portrayed as equally flawed and equally responsible for each other’s growth. While the therapists in “Shrinking” make a lot of mistakes, the message seems to be that connection and shared vulnerability matter more than expertise.

    In Season 2, “Shrinking” does interrogate its own boundary crossing when Jimmy realizes he can’t be a therapist, friend and roommate. And Paul starts out from a position of unmovable authority and realizes that he has his own issues – and that maybe Jimmy is a better therapist than he gives him credit for.

    Finding a happy medium

    But the gestalt – if I may use a psychological term – of “Shrinking” is that therapists and patients are on a somewhat equal footing and that boundary crossing is tolerated and even celebrated.

    To me, this reflects a broader cultural shift away from trusting experts, which tangentially could be related to younger generations’ greater willingness to confront authority. Social media has blurred the lines between expertise and lay knowledge further, with influencers and celebrities sometimes positioning themselves as quasi-therapists.

    At minimum, many patients nowadays seem to be looking for an equal, two-way conversation with their therapist, someone like Jimmy who admits that his psychological issues occasionally affect his therapeutic judgment.

    This is in contrast to my father, who, at least publicly, resisted the notion that his own inner life might color his psychoanalytic interpretations. He saw himself as a scientist, uncovering the true objective source of a patient’s symptoms – an endeavor he believed could be tested with the rigor of a scientific hypothesis.

    In my father’s defense, psychoanalysts are trained to recognize and neutralize their own psychological influence. He would say he was always learning. Still, his authoritative stance – and the continued insistence by many contemporary psychoanalysts on remaining a “blank screen” – may help explain why psychoanalysis has fallen out of favor as a therapeutic approach.

    In the screenwriting classes I teach, I’ve shifted from positioning myself as an all-knowing expert to being a facilitator. I share my experience, including my mistakes and failures. But I mostly focus on helping students find their own answers. Similarly, therapy may need to balance expertise with authentic connection – say, a combination of Dr. Berger’s steady wisdom in “Ordinary People” with Dr. Maguire’s openness in “Good Will Hunting.”

    If media depictions like “Shrinking” get you to talk about mental health or seek therapy, that’s no small thing. But I think it’s important to not conflate connection with qualification. Therapists aren’t friends. They’re trained professionals. And that boundary is exactly what makes the relationship work.

    David E. Tolchinsky 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. Is a ‘friend-apist’ what we really want from therapy? – https://theconversation.com/is-a-friend-apist-what-we-really-want-from-therapy-254437

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: International students infuse tens of millions of dollars into local economies across the US. What happens if they stay home?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Barnet Sherman, Professor, Multinational Finance and Trade, Boston University

    The Trump administration has recently revoked the visas of more than 1,300 foreign college students – detaining some – and launched immigration enforcement actions on college campuses across the country. This has raised concerns among the more than 1.1 million international students studying at U.S. universities.

    Headlines are filled with perspectives from immigration and civil rights experts, but one aspect of the story often goes overlooked: the tremendous economic impact international students have on local communities.

    Although the actual impact on enrollment won’t be known until the next academic year, interest from foreign students in pursuing graduate-level education in the U.S. fell sharply in the early days of the Trump administration, one analysis showed.

    If these global scholars stay home, that’s bad economic news for cities and towns across the United States.

    A $44 billion economic impact

    Higher education is America’s 10th-largest export, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. (Yes, even though students are coming into the U.S. for their education, economists consider it an export.)

    Last year, U.S. colleges and universities attracted international students from 217 nations and territories, including one student from the island nation of Niue in the South Pacific. Their economic contributions added up to more than the value of U.S. telecommunications, computer and information services exports combined.

    While the national impact is impressive, the effects at the local level are even more important. After all, nearly every city across the U.S. has at least one institution of higher learning.

    The average international student brings a wallet stuffed with about $29,000 to spend on everything from tuition to pizza. As these students rent apartments, buy books and order DoorDash delivery to fuel all-nighters, they’re pumping money into the local community.

    This money translates into American jobs. On average, a new job is created for every four international students enrolled in a U.S. college or university. In the 2023-24 academic year, about 378,175 jobs were created. And that’s just counting jobs that are directly supported by international students, such as local business hiring to staff retail shops and restaurants. If you count those jobs indirectly supported by international students, such as employees at a distribution center, the number is even higher.

    A boon to local economies

    In any of the 50 largest American cities, you’ll find at least one college or university with international students on campus. For these communities, global learners bring a most welcome financial aid package.

    Consider Boston. Greater Boston hosts more than 50 colleges and universities, including Boston University, where I teach multinational finance and trade. The city’s economic gains from the more than 63,000 international students attending these schools are huge: about $3 billion.

    Prestigious private schools are a draw, but hands down the biggest pull for international students are state universities and colleges. Of the nation’s top schools enrolling these students last year, 29 were state colleges and universities, attracting over 251,300 students.

    In the top three of those public institutions alone − Arizona State University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of California, Berkeley − international students contributed nearly $1.7 billion, supporting over 16,800 jobs. Expand that to the top 10 − the University of California system takes four of those spots − and the numbers pop up to $4.68 billion and 47,136 jobs.

    Bringing the world to Mankato

    Yet international students aren’t just boosting the economies of major university towns. Consider Mankato, a small city of 45,000 about 80 miles from Minneapolis that hosts a Minnesota State University campus. In the 2023-24 academic year, about 1,716 international students called Mankato their home away from home.

    Those students brought an infusion of $45.9 million into that community, supporting around 190 jobs. There are dozens of similar campuses in cities and towns like Mankato across the country. It adds up quickly.

    In addition to private and public universities, community colleges attract thousands of global scholars. Although their international enrollment declined during Covid-19, community colleges are resurgent, attracting some 59,315 international students in 2024, with China, Vietnam and Nepal leading the countries-of-origin list.

    Generating about $2 billion and supporting 8,472 jobs, they have a major economic impact − particularly in Texas, California and Florida, where the majority of these students come to learn.

    Texas leads the nation with the three community colleges with the largest international enrollment: Houston Community College, Lone Star College and Dallas College. Of the $256.7 million and 1,096 jobs international students brought into those institutions, Lone Star led the pack with $102.3 million and 438 jobs, nearly one job created for every two international students − double the national average.

    Due to changing demographics, American colleges enroll 2.3 million fewer domestic students than they did a decade ago − a decline of 10.7%. Colleges and universities are increasingly looking to international students to fill the gap. What’s more, universities tend to see international students as subsidizing domestic students, particularly since international students are generally ineligible for need-blind admissions.

    Moreover, the vast majority of international students are funded by family or foreign sponsors. Few require student aid packages. In fact, less than 20% of all international students receive grant funding from a federal source, and most of that goes to postgraduates doing advanced research. If you look at undergraduate exchange students alone, just 0.1% receive any sort of public funding.

    One thing’s for sure: Whether they’re attending small-town community colleges or the Ivies in big cities, international students bring a “high degree” of economic impact with them.

    This is an updated version of a story originally published Aug. 13, 2024.

    Barnet Sherman 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. International students infuse tens of millions of dollars into local economies across the US. What happens if they stay home? – https://theconversation.com/international-students-infuse-tens-of-millions-of-dollars-into-local-economies-across-the-us-what-happens-if-they-stay-home-254539

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Get involved with the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election

    Source: Scottish National Party

    As your SNP candidate for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on 5th June 2025, I am determined to continue the hard work of our dear friend and colleague, Christina McKelvie.

    Christina was a tireless champion for the community and for Scotland, and this by-election is an opportunity to honour her incredible legacy.

    Christina’s commitment to the constituency was unwavering, and my promise to you is that I will always put the people of Scotland’s interests first, just as she did. I will continue her fight for a brighter, better future for our people.

    This by-election is more important than ever for the SNP and for Scotland, against the backdrop of a recent poll showing a double-digit lead for independence support.

    In these difficult economic times, the Labour government in Westminster is failing us – ramping up cuts, treating Scotland as an afterthought, and letting our communities suffer.

    Take the issue of rising energy bills: under Labour, pensioners are being hit hard with cuts to winter fuel payments. The SNP is committed to bringing these payments back, to help those most in need.

    We also remain steadfast in our support for Scotland’s NHS. While the SNP works every day to improve access to GP services and tackle waiting times, we’ll never stop fighting to ensure that Scotland’s NHS is protected for future generations.

    This by-election is an opportunity for you to make your voice heard and get into the swing of things for the Scottish Parliamentary election in 2026.

    Please join me and my local team for this crucial by-election campaign by contacting me via email or visiting our Campaign Hub at 18 Townhead Street, Hamilton, ML3 7BE. It’s open 10am – 8pm every day between now and polling day.

    We have a number of upcoming campaigning sessions:

    Thursday 17th April
    2:30pm – Survey card delivery
    6:30pm – Canvassing

    Friday 18th April
    10:30am – Survey card delivery
    2:30pm – Canvassing

    Saturday 19th April
    10am – Canvassing
    1pm – Canvassing

    Sunday 20th April
    11am – Survey Cards delivery
    2pm – Survey Cards delivery

    Leafleting always available

    And donate to help us to reach people across every part of the constituency. Every penny will count.

    Donate now

    Your party, and your country, needs you. So, let’s get to work.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Local Partnership Expands Early Childhood Development Training for UConn Waterbury Students

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    When Alee Ennis ’25 (CLAS) began her required practicum hours for her human development and family sciences (HDFS) degree with a specialization in early childhood development, she faced a grueling commute. Without a car, she traveled nearly two hours by train and Uber each way from her home to practicum sites in Stamford and Westport – often leaving before sunrise and returning long after dark.   

    “My GPA took a hit, and I was constantly tired,” Ennis says. “But I knew this was the path I wanted.” 

    In Fall 2024, HDFS expanded its Early Childhood Specialization (ECS) program to UConn Waterbury in partnership with the Slocum School, a local Head Start program operated by TEAM Inc. The collaboration brought practicum opportunities just minutes from the Waterbury campus, making the program more accessible for students like Ennis. 

    “It changed everything,” Ennis says. “I could finally focus on the experience, the kids, and the material — without worrying about trains, rides, or losing an entire day to travel.” 

    Ennis was drawn to early childhood development after taking an HDFS course that introduced her to a more holistic approach to child development across a person’s lifespan. Initially interested in psychology, she realized the ECS program offered more hands-on, immersive learning that would prepare her to work with young children in a real-world setting. 

    Determined to stay on track despite the commute, Ennis says she worked closely with Cora D’Alessandro, instructor-in-residence and student coordinator for the ECS program. When the local practicum site launched in Waterbury, D’Alessandro was able to help Ennis transition into a preschool classroom placement. 

    “Cora made it happen,” Ennis says. “We even did an independent study so I could take a required course that was still only offered in Stamford. She made sure I stayed on track to graduate.” 

    Cora D’Alessandro, instructor-in-residence and student coordinator for the ECS program and Alee Ennis ’25 (CLAS) at Slocum School in Waterbury. (Steve Bustamante / University of Connecticut).

    The ECS program at UConn Waterbury blends research-based coursework with reflective practice and culturally responsive teaching. Students not only learn child development theory — they’re taught to apply it, observe, and adapt in real time. This collaborative model benefits students interested in teaching as well as those interested in pursuing careers across the full range of services TEAM offers, such as home visiting, health screenings, nutrition services, and a family resource center. 

    “Our students are learning how to teach, but also how to think critically about their teaching,” D’Alessandro says. “By working alongside professionals in a high-quality program like Slocum, they’re gaining the tools they need to support children and families in meaningful ways.” 

    Slocum School serves more than 200 children annually through TEAM Inc.’s Head Start program. As part of the program, Ennis was paired with a focus child for her practicum project. She documented the child’s language, motor, and social-emotional development, and worked closely with the classroom teacher to support growth in key areas. 

    “The classroom at Slocum was bigger and more diverse than what I’d experienced in Westport,” Ennis says. “I worked with kids with autism and other developmental needs. At first, I was nervous, but over time I learned how to build trust and support each child based on where they were developmentally.” 

    At Slocum, students like Ennis also work alongside experienced early childhood professionals, observing and engaging in classroom activities, assisting in curriculum implementation, and applying culturally responsive and inclusive teaching strategies. Many of the professionals at Slocum are HDFS alumni themselves, many of whom specialized in early childhood development, including TEAM Inc. CEO David Morgan ’97 (CLAS). 

    “The bedrock to our TEAM achievements is collaboration, and we’re humbled and honored that the University of Connecticut recognized and embraced this opportunity to partner with us,” Morgan says. 

    According to Fumiko Hoeft, dean of UConn Waterbury, the partnership is not only enhancing student learning but also strengthening the local early childhood education workforce. 

    “This collaboration with Slocum and TEAM Inc. is giving students the chance to stay local and still get a high-impact educational experience,” Hoeft says. “It’s a win for students, families, and the community.” 

    Ennis plans to pursue graduate study to become a child life specialist, supporting children and families navigating serious health challenges. Her time at Slocum affirmed her career goals and gave her the confidence to take the next step. 

     “I don’t think I would’ve made it through this program without the support I found here in Waterbury,” Ennis says. “Having this kind of opportunity close to home made all the difference.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Babbidge Library Exhibit Offers Powerful Images of War, and Hope, Created by Ukrainian Children

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In the drawing, two little children hold hands, the taller figure with shoulder-length hair.

    The shorter figure has hair cropped short, and holds a teddy bear in their other hand, one of the toy’s eyes missing and portrayed as an X.

    Between the two is an umbrella, seemingly their only protection from what’s falling from the sky above them – a cluster of ominous black bombs.

    ‘With faith in victory,’ an original drawing by Anastasiia B., a 14-year-old from Ukraine, from the ‘Children Draw War, Not Flowers’ exhibit, on display at the Babbidge Library until August 1, 2025. (Contributed image)

    The umbrella is striped – yellow, blue, yellow – in the colors of the flag of the artist’s home country: Ukraine.

    It’s a simple drawing, but poignant, and made ever more so by the fact that the artist who created the work, entitled “With faith in victory,” was only 14 years old when they drew it in September 2022, seven months after Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine.

    This drawing, and many others like it – created by Ukrainian children during the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War – are on display at the UConn Library’s Homer Babbidge Library as part of the “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” exhibit, which opened on April 8.

    In the fall of 2022, the Cherkasy Regional Universal Scientific Library, funded by the School of Information at San Jose State University in California, held a drawing competition in 40 public regional libraries in communities where over 220,000 displaced Ukrainians resided.

    Children from the ages of 6 to 18 created more than 450 drawings documenting their experiences of war, trauma, and hope. Those drawings are now part of “Children Draw War, Not Flowers,” which has traveled to a number of institutions but will reside at UConn Storrs until later this summer.

    Its stop at UConn was made possible by a collaboration with Ulia Gosart from San Jose State University, an assistant professor, scholar, writer, and human rights activist who received her bachelor’s degree from Kiev University of Arts in Ukraine and her master’s in library and information science from Southern Connecticut State University, according to Jean Cardinale ’04 MS, head of communication and marketing for the UConn Library.

    “Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gosart has been supporting Ukrainian libraries by raising awareness and fundraising through programming, including curating this traveling exhibit,” says Cardinale. “She supports her community engaged in war through the power of libraries, and the UConn Library was honored to be asked to take part in her important work.”

    The “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” exhibit includes 70 drawings depicting weapons, loss, soldiers, and destroyed buildings and artifacts. But the drawings also show symbols of hope and pride. The blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag are abundant. Angels hover over Ukrainian soldiers. Sunflowers and storks, images of national solidarity, hang over depictions of war.

    The exhibit’s goal, explains Cardinale, is to help visitors gain greater understanding of the realities Ukrainian people – and especially Ukrainian children – face in the midst of war.

    “Thankfully, living through war is something most of us have not had to experience, and we are geographically so far away that it’s easy to disassociate from what is happening,” Cardinale says. “When you see these pieces where children have drawn themselves amid bombings, fires, and saying goodbye to their homes and their families, you see the trauma that effects children of war.”

    The exhibit at the Babbidge Library also includes drawings from the Mia Farrow Collection, donated to the UConn Library’s Archives & Special Collections in 2009, that were made by refugee children escaping war and ethnic cleansing at the Djabal Refugee Camp in Eastern Chad in 2002.

    “Our Archives & Special Collections has many collections that focus on documenting human rights violations and struggles for social justice in the United States and internationally,” says Cardinale. “Their guiding principles are to enable us to understand the past to inspire our future. Displaying these two collections of drawings together shows parallels in how children have used art to express their feelings during war.”

    For children who may not yet know who to talk with about their feelings, art encourages them to explore their emotions and perceptions through their creativity, Cardinale notes. The images these children have created during two different conflicts, occurring decades apart, show the similarities of their struggles in a powerful and visual way.

    ‘Ukraine will win!’ an original drawing by Yana Kh., an 8-year-old from Ukraine, from the ‘Children Draw War, Not Flowers’ exhibit, on display at the Babbidge Library until August 1, 2025. (Contributed image)

    The exhibit also serves as a reminder that Ukrainian and Ukrainian American students at UConn continue to feel the ongoing impact of the war that may not always be clearly visible to the community at large.

    “We have had the opportunity to connect with the Ukrainian Students Association here at UConn, and at the exhibit’s opening reception, they brought their personal experiences of family members directly affected by the war,” she says. “So, it also serves as a reminder that our students may be experiencing many different challenges that we don’t see and deserve some grace during this stressful time of the semester.”

    “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” will be on display at the Gallery on the Plaza at the Homer Babbidge Library in Storrs through August 1, 2025.

    To view drawings from the “Children Draw War, Not Flowers” collection online, please visit Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online at gallery.sucho.org/collections.

    For more information about this and other exhibits at the UConn Library, as well as collections maintained by the library’s Archives & Special Collections, visit lib.uconn.edu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Energy Efficient Living: Smart Homes, Smarter Choices

    Source: Samsung

    Smarter living is on everyone’s minds these days, and Samsung is designing its appliances and devices to help you save time, energy and money. With seamless SmartThings integration across our portfolio, you can take better control of your smart home to improve daily routines, cut down on energy costs and make a positive impact on our planet.
    From our SmartThings technology to the devices and appliances themselves, here’s how you can start doing “just one thing” to make sustainable living second nature.
    How to Lower Energy Consumption & Costs
    Smart home technology has revolutionized energy conservation–and the SmartThings app allows your tech to work together to lower energy use (and your energy bills, too). Explore these tips to start living smarter:
    1. Connect your appliances and devices to the Samsung SmartThings app. SmartThings helps you monitor your energy usage and utilize routines and automations like a pro – making things like preparing for a dinner party a breeze.
    2. Activate SmartThings Energy to discover which devices use the most energy and receive regular tips to help make smarter decisions about how and when you run your appliances. Did you know that the carbon emissions from using or charging your smart home devices vary throughout the day? You can also see your carbon emissions data based on your home’s electricity usage so you can make more informed choices.
    3. Turn on AI Energy Mode. Many of our smart devices, such as our refrigerators, TVs, washers and dryers, have AI intelligence built in, allowing you to use AI Energy Mode in the SmartThings app to analyze your energy usage patterns and intelligently reduce your energy consumption, making a difference for both the environment and your electricity bill. For example, you can activate AI Energy Mode on your Samsung TV and it will adjust brightness in real-time to match the lighting in your space. Our TVs can also recognize when you haven’t been in the room for a while (more than two hours) and lower their brightness automatically.

    4. Earn Rewards for Saving Energy. SmartThings is now giving out Samsung Rewards Points for saving energy! Accrue energy stamps that convert to Samsung Rewards for every 400wh of energy saved. Eligible users can also enroll in Flex Connect to earn $50 in Samsung Rewards for saving energy when the grid is strained.
    5. Set up energy-saving routines and control your devices remotely. Use the SmartThings routines feature to automatically set when and how your appliances and devices function. The app will even tell you if you leave a device on while you’re away — and allow you to turn it off from anywhere.
    To help get you started, we’re sharing a special Earth Day-themed SmartThings routine. Simply scan the QR code below to kick start your day with a message from your Samsung soundbar and keep your home running efficiently all day long.

    With over 600 ENERGY STAR-certified products across our portfolio, including 95% of Samsung dishwashers, 91% of our refrigerators, 55% of electric ranges and 49% of laundry products, we’re here to help make energy savings simple.
    And whether you’re looking to start enjoying energy savings or clear out your pre-loved tech drawer, Samsung makes it easy to responsibly recycle your old devices. Since 2012, we have collected over 1.4 billion pounds of e-waste in the U.S. alone, and this Earth Month, we invite you to join us on the journey. Explore our 1,700+ e-waste drop-off locations from coast to coast to feel good about saying goodbye to your tech.
    For more ways to do just one thing this Earth Month and beyond, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for tips and tricks about reducing your energy consumption and download SmartThings Energy to make the most out of your appliances’ and devices’ energy use.
    Visit Samsung.com for more on sustainability at Samsung.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Art Store Expands to 2025 Samsung TV Lineup, Bringing Fine Art to Millions of Homes

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics continues to shape how people experience art at home by expanding access to the Samsung Art Store, a premium digital platform for fine art exclusively available on Samsung Smart TVs. For the first time, the Samsung Art Store will be available on 2025 Samsung Neo QLED 8K, 4K and QLED models, along with the 2025 Frame and Frame Pro, making art from the world’s leading artists, museums and galleries more accessible than ever.
    The Samsung Art Store is the #1 TV art subscription service globally, available in 115+ countries and growing. It offers access to a vast catalog of 3,000+ artworks from more than 1,000 artists, in collaboration with leading institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Musée d’Orsay.
    Since launching in 2019, the platform has seen tremendous growth and success on The Frame, and Samsung is excited to bring it to even more Samsung Smart TV owners. Now in its seventh year, the Samsung Art Store growth remains strong, with subscriptions increasing by more than 70% globally year-over-year since February 2024. Within the U.S. alone, subscribers are viewing over 400 million hours of art annually.

    The Samsung Art Store has also made incredible strides in adding new pieces to its unmatched and ever-growing library of artworks, growing the total number of artworks since launch by 233%. More recently, Samsung has made exclusive partnerships for modern and contemporary artworks the focus of its acquisition strategy, with exclusive collections from leading institutions like The Museum of Modern Art and Art Basel, with more coming this year.
    “We are proud of the surge in demand for Samsung-curated digital fine art experiences, which serves as a testament to the enduring trust and loyalty of our customers,” said Cathy Oh, VP & Head of Marketing, Samsung TV & Mobile Services and Samsung Ads. “We are deeply committed to shaping the future of the TV industry and delivering services that enrich people’s lives.”
    Now, with the Samsung Art Store expanding to the 2025 Neo QLED 8K, 4K and QLED lineups, the world’s largest fine art platform for TVs is set to reach an even larger audience.
    Jen Stark’s Cosmographic (detail) (2014) shown on the Neo QLED 4K (QN70F)
    You can experience the Samsung Art Store with stunning visuals and in vivid detail on the new 2025 Neo QLED 8K, 4K and QLED lineup by displaying vibrant artworks like Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” (1889), Fred Tomaselli’s “Irwin’s Garden” (2023), and Jen Stark’s “Cosmographic” (2014).
    Elevating Home Art Experiences with Art Basel Hong Kong Collection
    Also new this year, you can access a brand-new curated collection of 23 select works from Art Basel Hong Kong’s renowned galleries, exclusively available only on the Samsung Art Store. The collection includes renowned artworks from artists such as Ticko Liu, Jimok Choi, Bae Yoon Hwan and more.
    Additionally, as the Official Art TV of Art Basel, visitors to the Samsung activation at Art Basel Hong Kong last month were able to step into an immersive installation at the premier global art fair and experience artworks by five contemporary artists, including Kunyong Lee, Aerosyn-lex Mestrovic, Saya Woolfalk, Marc Dennis and Jules de Balincount.
    Artist Marc Dennis is standing inside the Samsung ArtCube at Art Basel Hong Kong, surrounded by his artworks
    Art Basel Hong Kong is the second collection in a quarterly series that will be available on the Samsung Art Store, which follows the recent launch for Art Basel Miami Beach last year.
    Later this year, collections from both Art Basel in Basel and Art Basel Paris will also be available, delivering even more value and premium offerings.

    The Premier Destination for Digital Fine Art
    From renowned 19th-century European painters like Vincent van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Claude Monet, to contemporary icons such as Salvador Dalí, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, and world-renowned partners like Marimekko and leading art institutions, the Samsung Art Store’s unrivaled catalog allows you to explore an ever-evolving digital collection.
    Only Samsung offers hand-selected curations, furthering differentiating the platform and offering the perfect piece of art for every season, holiday and mood on the leading screens from the global #1 TV brand. New this month is a celebration of spring, with a featured collection from famed artist Will Cotton, breathtaking cherry blossoms, and views of the stunning countryside with an expanded Vincent van Gogh curation.
    “At The Met, our mission is to bring art and culture to the daily lives of art enthusiasts around the world,” said Josh Romm, Head of Global Licensing and Partnerships at The Met. “Through our collaboration with Samsung, we’ve been able to connect with entirely new audiences, inspire creativity and foster deeper appreciation for the arts. Bringing highlights from The Met collection to the Samsung Art Store is a natural extension of our commitment to sharing art in a range of media to meet consumers where they are.”
    The Met collection features historically significant American artworks like Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware
    As the Samsung Art Store continues to grow and deepen its ties to major institutions as well as established and emerging artists, it has proven to be a powerful digital medium enabling greater discovery and democratization of art.
    “The Samsung Art Store is revolutionizing the way people experience and engage with art,” said Marc Dennis, Renowned Hyperrealist Artist. “It offers a world of accessibility, bringing art into people’s homes in a way that was never possible before. It breaks down barriers, allowing a diverse audience to experience and connect with art on their own terms. For artists like myself, it’s a chance to share our work with a global community, and for art lovers, it’s an invitation to explore new perspectives and immerse themselves in creativity without limits.”
    Explore influential artists such as Shinique Smith, Erin Hanson and Carissa Potter, among many others, as they share their own experiences on bringing their artwork to the platform and embracing a digital canvas.
    To learn more, visit https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/tvs/the-frame/digital-art-store/.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia

    Despite the challenges faced by local democratic activists, Thailand has often been an oasis of relative liberalism compared with neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

    Westerners, in particular, have been largely welcomed and provided with a measure of protection from harassment by the authorities. Thailand’s economy is extremely dependent on foreign tourism. Many Westerners also work in a variety of industries, including as academics at public and private universities.

    That arrangement now seems under pressure. Earlier this month, Paul Chambers, an American political science lecturer at Naresuan University, was arrested on charges of violating the Computer Crimes Act and the lèse-majesté law under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code for allegedly insulting the monarchy.

    Chambers’ visa has been revoked and he now faces a potential punishment of 15 years in jail.

    The lèse-majesté law has become a common tool for silencing Thai activists. At least 272 people have been charged under the law since pro-democracy protests broke out in 2020, according to rights groups.

    Its use against foreigners has, until now, been limited. No foreign academic has ever been charged with it. Because of the law, however, most academics in Thailand usually tread carefully in their critiques of the monarchy.

    The decision to charge a foreign academic, therefore, suggests a hardening of views on dissent by conservative forces in the country. It represents a further deterioration in Thailand’s democratic credentials and provides little optimism for reform under the present government.

    Thailand’s democratic deficit

    Several other recent actions have also sparked concerns about democratic backsliding.

    Following a visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to China in February, the government violated domestic and international law by forcibly returning 40 Uyghurs to China.

    The Uyghurs had fled China a decade earlier to escape repression in the western Xinjiang region and had been held in detention in Thailand ever since. They now potentially face worse treatment by the Chinese authorities.

    Then, in early April, Thailand welcomed the head of the Myanmar junta to a regional summit in Bangkok after a devastating earthquake struck his war-ravaged country.

    Min Aung Hlaing has been shunned internationally since the junta launched a coup against the democratically elected government in Myanmar in 2021, sparking a devastating civil war. He has only visited Russia and China since then.

    In addition, the military continues to dominate politics in Thailand. After a progressive party, Move Forward, won the 2023 parliamentary elections by committing to amend the lèse-majesté law, the military, the unelected Senate and other conservative forces in the country ignored the will of the people and denied its charismatic leader the prime ministership.

    The party was then forcibly dissolved by the Constitutional Court and its leader banned from politics for ten years.

    In February, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission criminally indicted 44 politicians from Move Forward for sponsoring a bill in parliament to reform the lèse-majesté law. They face lifetime bans from politics if they are found guilty of breaching “ethical standards”.

    Even the powerful former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter is also the current prime minister, is not immune from the lèse-majesté law.

    He was indicted last year for allegedly insulting the monarchy almost two decades ago. His case is due to be heard in July.

    This continued undermining of democratic norms is chipping away at Thailand’s international reputation. The country is now classified as a “flawed democracy” in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index, with its ranking falling two years in a row.



    Read more:
    Thailand’s democracy has taken another hit, but the country’s progressive forces won’t be stopped

    Academic freedom at risk

    The lèse-majesté law has always represented something of a challenge to academic freedom in Thailand, as well as freedom of speech more generally. Campaigners against the law have paid a heavy price.

    The US State Department has provided a statement of support for Chambers, urging the Thai government to “ensure that laws are not used to stifle permitted expression”. However, given the Trump administration’s attacks on US universities at the moment, this demand rings somewhat hollow.

    Academic freedom is a hallmark of democracies compared with authoritarian regimes. With the US no longer so concerned with protecting academic freedom at home, there is little stopping flawed democracies around the world from stepping up pressure on academics to toe the line.

    The undermining of democracy in the US is already having palpable impacts on democratic regression around the world.

    With little international pressure to adhere to democratic norms, the current Thai government has taken a significant and deleterious step in arresting a foreign academic.

    In the future, universities in Thailand, as in the US, will find it harder to attract international talent. Universities – and the broader society – in both countries will be worse off for it.

    Adam Simpson 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. Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic – https://theconversation.com/thailands-fragile-democracy-takes-another-hit-with-arrest-of-us-academic-254706

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why deregulating online platforms is actually bad for free speech

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael Gregory, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Clemson University

    Free speech requires freedom from fear and intimidation. AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam

    One of the first executive orders that President Trump signed after his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, was titled Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship. The order accused the previous administration of having “trampled free speech rights by censoring Americans’ speech on online platforms.”

    What Trump was referring to as censorship was the government’s attempt to work with social media and broadcasting platforms to regulate misinformation, disinformation and misleading information by removing content, limiting its dissemination or labeling it, sometimes with fact-checking included. Similar accusations had been brought before the Supreme Court in 2024, where the justices sided with the federal government, preserving its ability to interact and coordinate with social media platforms.

    However, the decision came during a trend toward deregulation of online platforms as Elon Musk removed guardrails after acquiring X, and Meta and YouTube removed policies meant to combat hate and misinformation. With Trump’s commitment to free speech protections through deregulation, online platforms are likely to remove more guardrails.

    As a scholar of legal and political philosophy, I know that deregulation and free speech are often linked. Recently there has been a significant increase in broad court rulings on the First Amendment that support deregulation in all sorts of market sectors, from contributions to political campaigns to graphic labels on cigarettes.

    This is not surprising considering that free speech has long been associated with the metaphor of free trade in ideas, closely tied to the value of a deregulated market economy. The presumption has been that the way to protect freedom of speech is through a deregulated marketplace, and speech on social media platforms is no exception. However, research on online speech shows the opposite to be the case: Regulating online speech protects free speech.

    What is content moderation?

    Free speech and its exceptions

    Free speech in the U.S. has always been accompanied by a series of exceptions, laid out clearly by the courts, that constrain speech based on a competing concern for the prevention of harm. For example, speech that threatens, incites or directly causes harm is not protected speech.

    Yet, when it comes to content-based regulation dealing with ideas or ideological expression, the courts have been clear that the government should not place burdens on speech that is objectionable. The government cannot censor speech that is false but does not lead to a specific, identifiable harm.

    Despite these legal constraints, researchers have suggested that upholding the value of free speech requires some content-based regulation. To understand this seemingly paradoxical conclusion, it’s important to understand why free speech is valuable in the first place. Free speech enables you to be an autonomous member of society by allowing you to express yourself and hear other people express themselves.

    People consider it wrong when a government bans discussion of a viewpoint or piece of content because that violates their right as speakers and listeners to engage with the viewpoint or content. In other words, having free speech is essential because citizens need to be able to choose freely what they say and listen to.

    In addition, democracy is served by having a citizenry that is able to engage freely and meaningfully in the content of their choosing. Democratic dissent, after all, was the original inspiration for free speech protections and serves as the backbone of their protections today.

    Regulating for free speech

    The need for citizens in a democratic state to be autonomous speakers and thinkers underscores the importance of content-based regulation in upholding free speech. Research has shown that hate speech online in particular and the proliferation of extremism online in general have a chilling effect on online speech through intimidation and fear. So, restrictions on hate speech can support free speech rather than undermining it.

    Hate speech is a form of speech that can diminish free speech.
    Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images

    In addition, the spread of online misinformation and the challenges of detecting it can similarly undermine the people’s ability to exchange ideas and evaluate viewpoints as autonomous speakers or listeners. In fact, research shows that users are bad at distinguishing between true and false claims online. This fundamental weakness undermines your ability to operate as an autonomous speaker or listener.

    Finally, increased polarization online, caused by the dissemination of falsehoods, undermines the democratic point of free speech protections. People cannot meaningfully engage in the marketplace of ideas on a platform where falsehoods are amplified. Importantly, this insight aligns with users’ preference that platforms remove disinformation rather than protect it.

    All of this is evidence that deregulating social media platforms is a net loss for free speech. In economic markets, maintaining a consumer’s freedom of choice requires regulations against coercion and deceit. In the marketplace of ideas, the principle is the same: The free trade of ideas requires regulation.

    Michael Gregory 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. Why deregulating online platforms is actually bad for free speech – https://theconversation.com/why-deregulating-online-platforms-is-actually-bad-for-free-speech-253015

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – April 17, 2025 – 2:00 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 17, 2025.
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

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

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

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: https://www.state.gov/department-email-updates/

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

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHd697vvKl8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Care leavers to be considered in council policy as it becomes a ‘locally protected characteristic’

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 17th April 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council will give new lifelong rights and protections to young people who spend time in care.

    The council’s ruling cabinet have decided to make experience of care a “locally protected characteristic” within the city.

    That means that whenever the council designs a new programme or policy, it will now consider the impact of changes to services and policy on those who have been in care.

    This would allow policies to be more effective in meeting the needs of care leavers and could lead to greater access to apprenticeships and housing, or support in times of financial hardship.

    The move goes beyond the council’s statutory responsibilities – reflecting its commitment to continuing to nurture and protect care leavers throughout their adult lives.

    Evidence shows people who have spent time in residential and foster placements are more likely to face lifelong barriers in a range of areas including education, mental health and employment opportunities.

    They also often face discrimination and stigma associated with being a care leaver.

    This comes as the council continues its wider work to support care leavers through the Care Leavers Local Offer and the Next Steps duty team, who support those who leave care up to the age of 25.

    The Next Steps team provide those leaving care with a personal adviser. They support care leavers with a range of things, from finding education or employment, to accommodation and how to cope living independently, as well as being there to offer advice and support.

    Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “I welcome this decision to make experience of care a locally protected characteristic, as it will help address the lifelong inequalities that care leavers face.

    “Care leavers face significant barriers towards work and education, as well as being more likely to experience a mental health condition, but this step will allow policies to be more effective in meeting care leavers’ needs, whilst strengthening inclusion.

    “We will better understand and respond to the structural disadvantage care leavers face as we continue towards creating a healthier, fairer city where all of our residents can thrive.”

    To find out more the Care Leavers Local Offer and the work that the Next Steps team do, visit: https://www.stoke.gov.uk/careleaverslocaloffer

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Japanese expert in hoarding visits Norwich to share global insights

    Source: City of Norwich

    Professor Aso, a former nurse in Japan and now an academic specialising in the study of hoarding, was aware of the good work taking place in Norwich to support residents affected by hoarding.

    Because of this she approached us, keen to learn more about our service and to share her own learnings with us.

    Hoarding is a complex and sensitive issue which can cause profound wellbeing problems for those suffering with the condition. It can also be a very difficult issue for family members and loved ones to understand.

    On top of this, there are often real barriers to tackle when it comes to getting the relevant professional services on board to provide the right kind of support to help tackle the issue.

    Council officers have witnessed first-hand how hoarding can negatively impact the lives of some residents. To help us understand more about this we were very happy to invite Professor Yasuko Aso, a public health expert from Japan, to come to City Hall and share her insights with us – drawn from across her research into hoarding.

    Rachel Omori, independent living and collaboration manager at Norwich City Council said: “Bringing in international expertise helps us see what works elsewhere and where we can do better. Learning from others allows us to keep improving support for people in Norwich.”

    During her visit, Professor Aso from Wayo Women’s University and Japan’s National Institute of Public Health, met with housing colleagues from the city council and other local organisations including St Martins Housing Trust, adult social care, and the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board and INTERACT.

    Among the topics discussed was an explanation of how group workshops can help people reduce clutter and improve their quality of life.

    Professor Aso said: “In Japan, we face challenges like an ageing population, limited space, and natural disasters, which make hoarding a growing concern.
    “Norwich’s approach has given me fresh ideas to take back to my colleagues. I hope this conversation continues.”

    Those involved shared their own experiences and methods for supporting residents affected by hoarding with the aim to learn from each other and improve support services.

    Dr Jan Sheldon, chief executive of St Martins Housing Trust, said:
    “Whilst we and our partners have made great strides forward supporting people with hording behaviours over the last few years there is always more to learn. The international exchange of knowledge and experience is always important, we have much to learn from each other. It is critical that our work in this area continues to build upon our understanding and practical implementation of the Psychological Informed Environment (PIE) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC)”

    The visit, which took place earlier this month, highlights the city council’s commitment to learning from global best practice to improve lives locally, especially for residents facing complex housing and health needs. The timing of this visit helps to shine a spotlight on ‘UK Hoarding Awareness Week’ which runs from 12–16 May. Please follow our posts on social media for more updates.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: MAGFAST Raises More Than $10 Million Across Multiple Offerings on Netcapital

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Second Largest Total Amount Raised under Reg CF in Consumer Packaged Goods Industry per KingsCrowd

    BOSTON, MA, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Netcapital Inc. (Nasdaq: NCPL, NCPLW) (the “Company”), a digital private capital markets ecosystem, today announced that MAGFAST, a charging device company, has raised more than $10 million through multiple offerings on the Netcapital funding portal platform.

    MAGFAST’s offering is available for a limited time on Netcapital.com. Investors can review offering details, risks, and disclosures by visiting https://netcapital.com/companies/magfast?utm_source=press-release&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=magfast+press+release+4-25

    About MAGFAST

    MAGFAST designs and markets a suite of charging products for phones, tablets, and other personal electronics. The company’s modular system of wireless and wired chargers is aimed at improving convenience for everyday use at home and on the go. To date, MAGFAST has raised over $10 million through equity offerings and continues to expand its product offerings with an innovative system of charging products.

    About Netcapital Inc.

    Netcapital Inc. is a fintech company with a scalable technology platform that allows private companies to raise capital online and provides private equity investment opportunities to investors. The Company’s consulting group, Netcapital Advisors, provides marketing and strategic advice and takes equity positions in select companies. The Company’s funding portal, Netcapital Funding Portal, Inc. is registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a registered national securities association. The Company’s broker-dealer, Netcapital Securities Inc., is also registered with the SEC and is a member of FINRA.

    Forward Looking Statements

    The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

    Investor Contact

    800-460-0815 
    ir@netcapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Medallion Financial Corp. to Report 2025 First Quarter Results on Wednesday, April 30, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Medallion Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: MFIN, the “Company”), a specialty finance company that originates and services loans in various consumer and commercial industries, as well as loan products and services offered through fintech strategic partners, announced today that it will report its results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, after the market closes on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

    CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

    A conference call to discuss the financial results will be held the next morning, May 1, 2025.

    How to Participate

    • Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
    • Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern time
    • U.S. dial-in number: (833) 816-1412
    • International dial-in number: (412) 317-0504
    • Live webcast: Link to Webcast of 1Q25 Earnings Call

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

    Replay Information

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

    The conference call replay will be available following the end of the call through Thursday, May 8.

    • U.S. dial-in number: (844) 512-2921
    • International dial-in number: (412) 317-6671
    • Passcode: 1019 8552

    INDIVIDUAL MEETING INFORMATION

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

    About Medallion Financial Corp.

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

    Company Contact:

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Wall Street caught between a rock and a hard place as tensions between US and China rise

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Johannes Petry, CSGR Research Fellow, University of Warwick

    American investment bank JP Morgan’s logo on its Hong Kong office. Tada Images / Shutterstock

    The trade war between China and the US has spiralled into unchartered territory. On April 10, the Trump administration imposed a tariff of 125% on all Chinese imports. China called the actions unfair and responded with similar measures.

    Within the broader debate around unravelling economic ties between the US and China, where economic interdependence has increasingly been viewed as a threat to US national security, this escalation raises questions about whether global finance is also reducing its presence in China.

    After all, the risks of financial connectivity with China have been discussed prominently by US policymakers in recent years. And many financial analysts have spent much of the past year discussing whether China has become “uninvestable” due to rising geopolitical tensions.

    However, as I show in a recently published study, most global financial firms have continued to expand their presence in Chinese markets over the last decade, even as tensions have intensified.

    Crucially, they have done so on China’s terms, operating within a system that prioritises government oversight and policy goals over liberal market norms. This pragmatic accommodation is quietly reshaping the global financial order.

    China’s capital markets, which have historically been sealed off from the rest of the world, have been opening up in recent decades. This has prompted global financial firms to expand their footprint in China.

    Investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan have taken full ownership of local joint ventures. And asset managers like BlackRock or Invesco have established fund management operations on the Chinese mainland.

    Yet China has not liberalised in the way many in the west expected. Rather than conforming to global norms of open, lightly regulated markets, China’s financial system remains largely guided by the state.

    Markets there operate within a framework shaped by the policy priorities of the central government, capital controls remain in place, and foreign firms are expected to play by a different set of rules than they would in New York or London.

    Foreign investors have been allowed to buy into mainland markets, but through infrastructure that limits capital outflows and preserves regulatory oversight.

    Rather than adapting China to the global financial order, Wall Street has accommodated China’s distinct model. The motivation behind this is clear: China is simply too big to ignore.

    Take China’s pension system as an example. Whereas pension assets in the US amount to 136.2% of GDP in 2019, in China these only amounted to 1.6%. The growth potential in this market is enormous, representing a trillion-dollar opportunity for global firms.

    Consequently, index providers such as MSCI, FTSE Russell, and S&P Dow Jones – key gatekeepers of global investment – have included Chinese stocks and bonds in major benchmark indices.

    These decisions, taken between 2017 and 2020, effectively declared Chinese markets “investment grade” for institutional investors around the world. This has helped legitimise China’s market model within the architecture of global finance.

    America strikes back

    In recent years, Washington has sought to curtail US financial exposure to China through a growing set of measures. These include investment restrictions, entity blacklists, and forced delisting for Chinese firms on US stock exchanges. Such actions signal a broader effort to use finance as a tool of strategic leverage.

    The moves have had some effect. Some US institutional investors and pension funds have declared China “uninvestable”, and are reducing their exposure. American investments in China have roughly halved since their US$1.4 trillion (£1.1 trillion) peak in 2020.

    But attributing this solely to geopolitical pressure overlooks another key factor: China’s underwhelming market performance. A protracted property crisis, a government crackdown on tech companies, and a weak post-pandemic economic recovery have made Chinese markets less attractive to investors in purely financial terms.

    More strategically oriented investors from Asia, Europe and the Middle East have invested more into Chinese markets, filling gaps left by US investors. Sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East, especially, have engaged in more long-term investments as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with China.

    And at the same time, many western financial firms have doubled down on their presence in China, expanding their onshore footprint. Since 2020, institutions like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and BlackRock have opened new offices, increased their staff, acquired new licences and bought out their joint venture partners to operate independently as investment banks, asset managers or futures brokers.

    It has become more difficult to invest foreign capital in China. But western financial firms are positioning themselves to tap into China’s huge domestic capital pools and capture its long-term growth opportunities – even as they tread carefully around geopolitical sensitivities.

    Fragmenting financial order

    It is too early to predict the long-term effects of the current geopolitical tensions. But Wall Street is trying to placate both sides. On the one hand, it is adapting to capital markets with Chinese characteristics. And on the other, it is trying not to antagonise an increasingly interventionist America.

    However, while holding its breath amid further escalation and having scaled back some of its activities, Wall Street has not left China. It is instead learning how to work within the constraints of a system shaped by a different set of priorities.

    This does not necessarily signal a new global consensus. But it does suggest that the liberal financial order, once defined by Anglo-American norms, is becoming more pluralistic. China’s rise is showing that alternative models – where the state retains a strong hand in markets – can coexist with, and even shape, global finance.

    As tensions between the US and China continue to rise, financial firms are learning to navigate a world in which existing relationships between states and markets are being reconfigured. This process may well define the future of global finance.

    Johannes Petry receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the German Research Foundation (DFG).

    – ref. Wall Street caught between a rock and a hard place as tensions between US and China rise – https://theconversation.com/wall-street-caught-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place-as-tensions-between-us-and-china-rise-254490

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How petrostates succeeded in watering down the world’s plan to cut shipping emissions

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Christiaan De Beukelaer, Senior Lecturer in Culture & Climate, The University of Melbourne

    The UN’s International Maritime Organization has just agreed to start charging ships for the greenhouse gases they emit. After decades of ineffective incremental tweaks to shipping emissions, the breakthrough came on April 11 at a summit in London. It makes shipping the first industry subject to a worldwide – and legally binding – emissions price.

    The positive spin is that getting any sort of deal is a major win for multilateral climate action, especially considering two strong headwinds.

    From within the meeting, there was sustained opposition to ambitious action from Saudi Arabia and other petrostates, as well as from China and Brazil. Second, the US had already disengaged from negotiations. Even so, from outside the meeting, the US administration’s tariff war and explicit threat to retaliate against states supporting a shipping pricing regime could have affected talks far more than they did.

    But we’re not sure that this agreement can be considered a success. While there is little traditional climate change denial at the IMO, “mitigation denial” is alive and kicking. Mitigation denial means making lofty promises, often in line with scientific evidence, but not adopting concrete measures able to deliver on these targets. This is exactly what petrostates pushed the IMO to do last week.

    Ultimately, the IMO has well and truly failed the most climate vulnerable, by favouring a more gradual and less certain transition to low-carbon shipping. It’s even effectively making these countries pay the price.

    What are the measures?

    The IMO agreement introduces a global fuel standard for shipping, with financial penalties for ships that don’t meet emissions targets. This is effectively a carbon-trading scheme.

    It sets two targets, both of which get tougher every year: a “base” level and a stricter “direct compliance” level. Ships that miss the direct target have to buy “remedial units”, and more expensive ones if they also fail the base level. Ships that go beyond their targets earn “surplus units”, which they can trade or save for up to two years.

    In practice, this means that the companies and countries that can invest in new technologies will earn a double dividend: they won’t pay for emissions and they will receive rewards for using low-emission fuels.

    At the same time, countries and shipping companies lacking the means to invest will effectively subsidise those early movers by paying penalties that reward them. Hardly any revenues will be available for the promised “just and equitable” transition that would ensure no country is left behind. No wonder nearly all delegates from vulnerable Pacific nations abstained from the vote at the IMO.

    For a typical ship burning heavy fuel oil in 2028, it works out at around US$25 (£19) per tonne of greenhouse gas. That’s far lower than needed to drive a rapid transition to cleaner fuels. We also still don’t know exactly how the money raised will be used.

    Delegates also agreed to update the IMO’s “carbon intensity” policy, which now requires ships to be 21.5% more fuel efficient by 2030 compared to 2019. This is a modest 2.5% improvement per year.

    Pacific island states and the UK were among those arguing for bigger cuts (up to 47%). China pushed for 15% and the EU proposed the surprisingly low 23%. The final result of 21.5% is a bad compromise that does not reflect scientific recommendations on meeting the IMO’s goals or what is possible with available technology.

    Climate action at the IMO

    This geopolitical struggle goes back decades. Following the adoption of the Kyoto protocol (a precursor of the Paris agreement) in 1997, the UN tasked the IMO with reducing shipping emissions. After two decades of little progress, in 2018 the IMO eventually set a weak target to cut emissions by 50% from 2008 levels. In 2023, that goal was strengthened to net-zero emissions “by or around 2050”, with interim targets of 20-30% cuts by 2030 and 70-80% by 2040.



    Read more:
    Why the shipping industry’s increased climate ambition spells the end for its fossil fuel use

    Most importantly, the 2023 strategy also committed to adopting legally binding measures in April 2025 to deliver on these targets. This has now happened.

    In light of that history, the new measures do constitute progress. However, their success has to be judged on whether they can actually meet the IMO’s targets.

    The 2030 goal is especially important as climate damage is proportional to cumulative emissions over time, so it’s important to cut emissions as soon as possible. If the shipping sector misses its 2030 target, it may have emitted too much carbon to still make a fair contribution to the Paris agreement.

    Academics at UCL have analysed the new IMO agreement. Unfortunately, they calculated the new policies will only deliver a 10% reduction by 2030 – that’s not even close to the 20% goal the IMO set, let alone the “strive” target of 30%.

    Mitigation denial?

    At the IMO’s closing meeting, Harry Conway, chair of its Marine Environment Protection Committee, held up a glass of water and remarked that at the start of the week, the glass was empty, now the glass is half full.

    As political spin, that image might work. But when it comes to setting a clear and ambitious path forward, the measures fall well short.

    The 2023 strategy committed nations to “strive” to deliver 30% emissions cuts by 2030. Last week’s meeting might yield 10%. Another reason why Pacific delegates abstained from voting. There is a lot more striving – and delivering – to be done.

    A credible pathway to reach net-zero by 2050 is now at risk. Strong pushback by the US, Saudi Arabia, China and Brazil, and weak leadership from the EU all played a role. Even adopting these modest measures – which requires a vote in October – and specifying operational “guidelines” afterwards will be an uphill battle.

    Christiaan De Beukelaer receives funding from the ClimateWorks Foundation.

    Simon Bullock is a member of the Institute for Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)

    – ref. How petrostates succeeded in watering down the world’s plan to cut shipping emissions – https://theconversation.com/how-petrostates-succeeded-in-watering-down-the-worlds-plan-to-cut-shipping-emissions-254638

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke T.D. secures Government approval to publish the Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill General Scheme Minister James Browne to publish new planning guidance

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    17th April 2025

    When:  17th April – 17th April 2028

    Minister Peter Burke has secured Cabinet approval to publish the General Scheme of the new Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill.  The legislation will introduce a register for all Short Term Lets (STLs) in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026, ensuring compliance with the new EU Short Term Rental Regulation which was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024.

    Minister for Housing James Browne has also secured approval from Government to publish a National Planning Statement on Short Term Letting, in order to give greater clarity to the sector with regards planning in advance of the commencement of the new legislation.

    Minister Burke said

    “This is a very important piece of legislation that will enable the introduction of new regulatory controls for the Short-Term Letting sector. The self-catering and wider short-term letting sector is an important element of the Irish tourism ecosystem and for the first time, we will have up to date and accurate data on the numbers and spread of this accommodation. Tourism is of critical importance to the Irish economy, providing 228,000 jobs and €6 billion income to our economy in 2024.   The long-term development of the tourism sector requires that an appropriate balance is achieved between the short-term letting sector and long-term housing market, and the wider needs of local communities, both economically and socially.”

    Minister went on to say

    “I am aware of the genuine concerns regarding the impacts on rural tourism and local economies of removing a significant cohort of STL properties from the tourism and other short-term letting market and I continue to engage with the sector in this regard. However, meeting local housing need across Ireland is a critically important consideration and Government must use every lever available to assist in providing homes for our people”.

    The new STL register will be available online and will provide a full picture of the stock of registered tourist accommodation across the state. Hosts offering STL accommodation for periods up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland and hold a valid registration number that must be displayed when advertising their STL property.

    The EU STR Regulation and Ireland’s new registration requirements for STLs will both come into full force on 20 May 2026. Fáilte Ireland will apply the enforcement mechanisms provided for in the legislation in respect of non-compliant STL hosts by means of Fixed Payment Notices and/or summary proceedings in the District Court.

    The STLT Bill also provides for the introduction of an administrative sanction procedure (ASP) for infringements by online short-term rental platforms of their obligations under the STR Regulation. This will enable the State to impose large financial penalties (a maximum of 2% of turnover) to enforce compliance where necessary.

    Minister Burke will appoint an independent panel to determine the level of financial sanction to be imposed.

    The Cabinet also approved, for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D., the drafting of new planning guidance and any necessary legislative changes to implement the new Planning Guidelines in the form of a National Planning Statement on short-term letting. That Planning Statement is an important input in balancing local housing, tourism and economic needs and will provide the necessary clarity to the STL sector on the planning requirements around STL properties. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will publish these guidelines in advance of the final enactment of the STLT Bill.

    Minister Browne said:

    “In advance of commencement of the legislation, I will be publishing new planning guidance to give greater clarity to the short term letting sector and to allow those in tourism to plan accordingly. This guidance will seek to recognise the needs of tourism and those who visit Ireland, while also acting on the urgent aim of this Government to increase domestic rental supply. This new Housing policy is to generally preclude new planning permissions for Short term lets in cities and towns with a Census population in excess of 10,000 persons, or as may be set by Regulations, and to enable local authorities have discretion to develop policies for other locations having regard to relevant local criteria to be set out in the guidance. At present, all STL properties based in rent pressure zones are required to have appropriate planning permission in instances where a secondary property is being rented out for more than 90 days per year.  If you rent out a room in your principal private residence, planning permission is generally not required.”

    Minister Burke and his Department will consider the full implications for the Tourism sector as we await the planning clarification from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: APAC deal activity dips 4% in Q1 2025 as slowdown in some key markets offsets gains in India and Japan, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    APAC deal activity dips 4% in Q1 2025 as slowdown in some key markets offsets gains in India and Japan, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has witnessed a 4% year-on-year (YoY) decline in deal volume* during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, driven primarily by a slowdown in venture capital (VC) activity. Despite the overall dip, the region showcased mixed dynamics, with India and Japan reporting double-digit growth in deal volume, offsetting notable contractions in China, Australia, South Korea, and Singapore, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that the total number of VC deals announced in the APAC region YoY fell by more than 10%. In contrast, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal volume registered a YoY growth of around 1% while the number of private equity deals were up by around 4%.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The APAC deal landscape presents a mixed picture reflecting both resilience and challenges across different markets within the region. While the overall deal volume has seen a slight YoY decline in Q1 2025, certain countries have exhibited notable growth showcasing their potential even in a challenging environment.”

    China, traditionally a powerhouse in the APAC deal landscape, experienced a notable YoY decline with deal volume dropping by approximately 18%. Australia, South Korea and Singapore also experienced fall in deal activity during the review period.

    Conversely, India emerged as a bright spot, with deal volume increasing by more than 14% during Q1 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. Japan also showcased a remarkable growth, with deal volume surging by around 27% YoY.

    Bose concludes: “The diverging trends in deal activity across APAC underscore the shifting investor sentiment and evolving macroeconomic dynamics. As capital allocation becomes more selective, regional agility and policy stability will be the key determinants of future deal momentum.”

    *Coverage includes mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity and venture financing deals.

    Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: China’s tech self-reliance accelerates amid sanctions, reshaping global innovation landscape, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    China’s tech self-reliance accelerates amid sanctions, reshaping global innovation landscape, says GlobalData

    Posted in Strategic Intelligence

    Geopolitical tensions and domestic challenges are accelerating China’s push toward technological self-sufficiency. As US sanctions intensify, China is doubling down on innovation across artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, and 5G. Strategic investments in critical minerals, digital infrastructure, and automation are positioning China to lead the next industrial revolution, reshaping global supply chains and creating a parallel tech ecosystem independent of Western influence, observes GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest Strategic Intelligence report, “China Tech,” discusses the issue of whether China will lead the world into the Fourth Industrial Revolution by 2030, spurred towards greater self-reliance by the imposition of increasingly stringent US tariffs and sanctions. It looks at how things may play out for China in 14 of the key next-generation technology markets, namely semiconductors, 5G, robotics, consumer electronics, electric vehicles and energy storage, space technology, military technology, high-performance computing, biotechnology, alternative energy, autonomous vehicles, AI, smart cities, and internet platforms

    Isabel Al-Dhahir, Principal Analyst, Strategic Intelligence at GlobalData, comments: “One of China’s most prescient early moves was its upstream investment in mining and processing various critical minerals. This strategic decision has allowed the country to secure a pivotal position in global supply chains. China has seen consolidation of its midstream and downstream capabilities through investment into end-use products and the build-out of digital infrastructure to support the evolution of emerging technologies”.

    Beyond the influence of US restrictions, China’s technological landscape has been significantly molded by internal factors, particularly its aging demographics and contracting workforce. In response, China has championed using robots to mitigate the impact of these demographic challenges. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) reports that, as of 2023, China boasts 470 robots per 10,000 workers—a figure that has doubled since 2019, placing it third in the global rankings, just behind South Korea and Singapore. Both of these nations are similarly grappling with the implications of aging populations.

    Al-Dhahir continues: “AI and robotics are central to China’s growth strategy. China is the world’s manufacturing hub but faces rising labor costs and a shrinking labor force. Japan dominates the robotics supply-side market. However, China has articulated objectives to strengthen its home-grown R&D.”

    Another item high on China’s agenda is the further development and deployment of 5G networks and, by the late decade, the creation of almost zero-latency 6G wireless networks. This vision includes deploying a vast number of connected devices enhanced by real-time sensor data, leading to the creation of ultra-smart cities and digital ecosystems.

    Al-Dhahir concludes: “China is engaged in every significant technological frontier of the 21st century. The attempts to impede its advancement have, paradoxically, only hastened its progress. For some time, China has sought to expand its influence across developing markets, financing infrastructure projects and making recipient countries dependent on its technologies. This trend will likely continue, with further fragmentation of global supply chains and even the creation of separate technospheres with competing standards.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM, University of Pennsylvania Partner to Harness Innovation for Global Migration Challenges

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Berlin/Philadelphia 17 April 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Penn Development Research Initiative (PDRI/DevLab@Penn) at the University of Pennsylvania today announced a new partnership aimed at leveraging data and technology to address pressing global migration issues. This collaboration will focus on innovative approaches to data analysis, using cutting-edge tools to enhance understanding of migration dynamics and inform effective solutions. 

    IOM and PDRI/DevLab@Penn will combine their extensive expertise in data and research methodologies. By integrating advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, the institutions aim to improve the analysis of global migration trends and provide actionable insights. 

    “Through this exciting new partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, IOM will be able to harness innovative technologies to act quickly and in more targeted ways. Combatting smuggling and trafficking and anticipating displacement before it happens are just some of the ways we can put these advanced technologies to use,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope.  

    “Our research is so much better when we have partners like IOM. We have jointly developed an ambitious learning agenda that aims to tackle human trafficking networks, the impact of climate on migration at a granular scale, and the use of machine learning to forecast forced displacement. We are extremely excited to be working with IOM,” said Erik Wibbels, Co-director of PDRI/DevLab@Penn. 

    This partnership will help develop global datasets and new techniques to evaluate the impact of migration policies and programs. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of ethical practices in data collection and analysis, and as it adheres to strict privacy and legal frameworks, the collaboration aims to balance the need for actionable insights with safeguarding human rights. 

    The partnership will be formally launched on Friday, April 18 at an event hosted by Perry World House, IOM, and PDRI/DevLab@Penn as part of the Perry World House conference, “From Migrant to Mainstay: Safeguarding Human Rights after the Journey”.  
     

    Register to the event launch here. 

    Note to Editors: 

    About IOM’s commitment to data: 

    IOM is dedicated to advancing the collection, analysis, and dissemination of migration data to improve policy-making and humanitarian response. IOM is the pre-eminent source of migration and displacement data worldwide. Learn more:  https://www.iom.int/migration-data  

    About PDRI/DevLab@Penn: 

     PDRI/DevLab@Penn, housed at the University of Pennsylvania, is a leading hub of innovation in the application of AI and machine learning for international development. Its mission is to advance research and foster impactful programming worldwide. Learn more: https://pdri-devlab.upenn.edu/about-us/ 

    For more information, please contact: 

    In Berlin: Andi Armia Pratiwi, IOM, Email: apratiwi@iom.int 

    In Washington: Stacey Cohan, IOM, Email: scohan@iom.int  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Electrify Expo Spotlights 5 Key E-Bike Trends Driving Growth into 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Electrify Expo, North America’s largest electric vehicle (EV) and technology festival, is seeing major shifts in e-bike consumer trends as it gears up for another record-breaking year. With e-bike adoption accelerating even amidst a volatile market, the festival’s position as the intersection between a demo experience and a sales transaction, Electrify Expo is in a unique position to forecast important shifts and trends that can help E-bike manufacturers, dealers and retailers adapt to changing market conditions.

    Garnering over 100,000 thousand e-bike demo rides in 2024, brands that exhibit at Electrify Expo experience real-time feedback and sales tractions unlike anywhere else.

    “As the largest electric vehicle festival in North America, we’re seeing firsthand how consumer behavior is shaping the future of e-bikes,” said BJ Birtwell, Founder and CEO of Electrify Expo. “Each season, Electrify Expo drives thousands of e-bike sales in the U.S. because we provide consumers with an immersive, hands-on demo experience that directly influences their purchase decisions.”

    Fat Tire E-Bikes are Leading the Charge
    Fat tire e-bikes have surged in popularity, appealing to riders looking for versatility and stability. These models are particularly well-suited for all-terrain adventures, including sand, snow, gravel and rough trails. Consumers are drawn to their ability to handle diverse conditions while providing a smoother and more comfortable ride. At Electrify Expo, these bikes have consistently attracted large crowds, with many first-time buyers opting for fat tire models due to their durability and ease of use.

    Cargo Bikes Replacing Cars For Some Shoppers With Short Commutes
    More urban commuters are making the switch from traditional vehicles to cargo e-bikes, a trend that continues to grow among Electrify Expo attendees. These bikes are becoming an essential transportation solution for families and city dwellers looking to reduce car dependency. Whether used for school drop-offs, grocery runs, or short commutes, cargo e-bikes offer a practical, eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to cars. With the rise of bike-friendly infrastructure in cities, this category is expected to see even greater adoption into 2025.

    Class 2 E-Bikes are in High Demand
    Consumers are increasingly seeking e-bikes that offer more than just pedal assist, fueling the demand for Class 2 e-bikes equipped with throttle control. These bikes provide riders with the flexibility to either pedal or engage the throttle for an effortless ride. Particularly popular among first-time buyers, Class 2 e-bikes appeal to those who want a more accessible and user-friendly option. Electrify Expo has seen a noticeable uptick in test rides and purchases of Class 2 models, demonstrating their growing market dominance.

    The $1,500 – $3,000 Price Sweet Spot
    Affordability remains a key factor in consumer purchasing decisions, and the $1,000 – $3,000 price range has become the sweet spot for first-time e-bike buyers. This segment balances cost with high-quality components, offering consumers reliability without breaking the bank. At Electrify Expo, this price range has consistently driven strong sales, as many attendees prefer to test ride multiple models before making a purchase. With ongoing advancements in battery technology and motor efficiency, brands operating in this space are expected to see continued growth into 2025.

    “We started GhostCat Bikes with a simple goal: to deliver high-performance e-bikes at a best-value price point—between $2,000 and $3,000—without compromising on performance, quality or customer service,” said Kevin Michaud, founder of GhostCat. “We’re proud to open the door to a broader market, making premium e-biking accessible for more people to enjoy.”

    Market Consolidation in the E-Bike Industry
    The e-bike market is experiencing a wave of consolidation, with larger brands acquiring smaller competitors and increasing their market share. As the industry matures, dominant players are emerging, leading to a more streamlined market with fewer but stronger competitors. This trend is creating opportunities for well-established brands to expand their reach while making it more challenging for smaller startups to compete. Electrify Expo provides a crucial platform for both emerging and established brands to showcase their products and gain visibility in an evolving industry.

    Electrify Expo invites e-bike manufacturers, retailers, and industry innovators to demonstrate their latest products at upcoming events. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the movement that’s electrifying the future of mobility.

    For exhibitor opportunities and more information, visit www.electrifyexpo.com.

    Electrify Expo’s 2025 tour schedule:

    • March 22-23: Orlando, FL
    • April 12-13: Phoenix, AZ
    • June 21-22: Los Angeles, CA
    • July 12-13: Seattle, WA
    • August 23-24: San Francisco, CA
    • September 13-14: Chicago, IL **new city
    • October 17-19: New York, NY
    • November 8-9: Dallas, TX **new city

    Media interested in attending may request credentials by emailing ee@skyya.com.

    About Electrify Expo
    Electrify Expo is North America’s largest electric vehicle (EV) and technology festival, where consumers come to shop and experience all things electric. The festival showcases the industry’s leading brands and exciting startups through hands-on activations, demos and experiences spanning EVs, micromobility, solar energy, charging solutions, powersports, automotive aftermarket, and connected home technology, providing attendees with immersive learning opportunities and memorable interactions. From high-powered demo courses to engaging education zones, Electrify Expo offers a unique festival vibe for consumers to reshape what they think they know about EVs. In 2025, Electrify Expo’s nationwide tour will visit Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. To stay up to date on the latest news and announcements from Electrify Expo, visit www.electrifyexpo.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

    Media Contact
    Skyya PR
    ee@skyya.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/43510df0-7cc9-4a4a-b11b-f568aa5f6d16

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK backs businesses to trade carbon credits and unlock finance

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK backs businesses to trade carbon credits and unlock finance

    British businesses and organisations better supported to trade carbon credits as part of new work to establish the UK as the global hub for green finance.

    • Britain is back in the business of climate leadership, leading a new growth market and cementing UK as the green finance capital of the world
    • voluntary carbon and nature markets to unlock new revenue streams for UK businesses delivering on Plan for Change
    • UK work will boost opportunities for businesses at home and abroad to unlock private finance for the climate crisis

    British businesses and organisations will be better supported to trade carbon credits as part of new work to establish the UK as the global hub for green finance – driving growth and investment while tackling the climate crisis through the Plan for Change.

    Today the government has launched plans to strengthen voluntary carbon and nature markets which can help leverage the finance needed to address the scale of the climate emergency whilst diversifying revenue streams for British businesses.

    These markets support the trading of carbon credits, where a business can reduce their emissions by investing in environmentally friendly projects such as deploying electric vehicles, reducing deforestation, removing carbon dioxide through carbon dioxide or planting trees.

    Currently these markets are not realising their full potential, with a lack of clarity among businesses and organisations on how they can be used, and some poor practice impacting their effectiveness in delivering meaningful climate action and economic growth. There have been widespread calls from businesses and organisations for greater clarity in how to use these markets as part of their plans to reach net zero.

    In response, the UK is establishing a global framework to build trust and confidence in carbon and nature credit trading, with a set of principles to guide and support businesses on how to use carbon credits that provide environmental benefits. This includes making clear what a good credit is, ensuring they are delivering environmental benefits and encouraging businesses to fully disclose what they are being used for in annual sustainability reporting.

    These markets are estimated to be worth up to $250 billion by 2050 for carbon markets, and $69 billion for nature markets, under the right conditions. By increasing confidence in these markets, British businesses – including farmers and land managers –  will be well positioned to seize the economic rewards by creating new revenue streams and investment opportunities. 

    These plans will further strengthen the UK as the green finance capital of the world – leading the way in a new growth market, unlocking private finance for climate change and backing businesses on the clean energy transition.  

    Positive climate action can lead to significant growth opportunities for UK businesses with the UK seeing £43.7 billion of private investment into UK’s clean energy industries since July. Recent figures from the CBI shows that the net zero economy grew 3 times faster than the economy as a whole last year, with employment in the sector up by over 10%.

    Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said:

    Building up trust in carbon and nature markets is crucial to their success in driving meaningful climate action and real, lasting change for the environment. 

    The UK is determined to spearhead global efforts to raise integrity in these markets so they can channel the finance needed to tackle the climate crisis and speed up the global clean energy transition.

    These principles will cement the UK as the global hub for green finance and carbon markets. This is an opportunity to deliver on the climate crisis and drive investment and growth in the UK as part of our Plan for Change.

    Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

    Nature underpins everything. Voluntary carbon and nature markets will be an important tool to crowd in private finance to protect our precious peatlands, important habitats and rare species.

    It is why increasing trust in these markets will ensure that they benefit both people and our planet, ensuring money flows towards genuine environmental improvement projects and creates new sources of finance for farmers and land managers in the UK.

    Carbon credits are tradable units that represent the reduction or removal of greenhouse gases emissions from the atmosphere. One credit typically represents one metric tonne of CO2 or its equivalent. Companies or individuals purchase these credits from project developers who have generated them through activities like reforestation, cleaner energy, or other emission reduction projects. By buying the credits, they are financing projects that would not otherwise happen, in addition to steps that they are taking to reduce their own emissions.

    Mark Kenber, Executive Director, Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) said:

    Businesses need clarity and confidence to invest in voluntary carbon and nature markets that help meet global climate goals. This consultation from the UK government plays a vital role in delivering this.  

    VCMI welcomes the proposal to recognise our Claims Code as international best practice, as well as the global leadership shown by the UK’s proposal to incentivise greater action by companies to address their unabated Scope 3 emissions through the inclusion of our forthcoming Scope 3 Action Code of Practice. The Code of Practice will enable companies to go further, faster and with integrity on climate action.

    The proposals in the consultation align with the UK government’s new approach to ensure regulation supports growth. The consultation explores the recommendation in the recently published Corry Review to launch a Nature Market Accelerator to bring coherence to nature markets and accelerate investment. 

    The consultation will be live for 12 weeks, seeking responses from industry organisations and the public:

    Voluntary carbon and nature markets: raising integrity

    Onel Masardule, Co-Chair, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Engagement Forum, Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) said:

    For the voluntary carbon market to succeed, it must respect the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and make us true partners – rather than just stakeholders – in the market. ICVCM’s The Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) define what high integrity carbon credits should look like: ensuring that new carbon projects have robust social and environmental safeguards, operate with the free, prior and informed consent and are transparent about how they share benefits. I welcome the UK government’s proposal to endorse the use of CCP-labelled credits and encourage other governments to do the same. This will provide clarity on what high integrity means to enable the market to scale to accelerate climate action and deliver positive environmental and social outcomes at the local level.

    Notes to editors

    The 6 integrity principles being consulted on are: 

    • suppliers should ensure credits meet recognised high integrity criteria that ensure credits deliver environmental benefits  
    • buyers should measure and disclose the planned use of credits as part of sustainability reporting 
    • users should consider how credits feed into wider transition plans that align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement 
    • claims involving the use of credits should accurately communicate an organisation or product’s overall environmental impact, including by using appropriate and accurate terminology 
    • market participants should cooperate with others to support the growth of high integrity markets
    • credits should only be used in addition to ambitious climate action within value chains

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Low-income families saved £886,000 on water bills through Portsmouth City Council and Southern Water partnership

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Around £886,000 is set to be cut from the bills of the most vulnerable people in Portsmouth, thanks to a partnership between Portsmouth City Council and Southern Water.

    The council has provided Southern Water with the details of just over 5,000 residents on low incomes or in receipt of benefits who have been found to be eligible for a discount on their bills, as part of a data sharing agreement to save people money.

    All Portsmouth customers who qualify for the cheaper Essentials tariff payment scheme will automatically be moved across. They will have their bills reduced by an average of £177 a year, and Southern Water will be writing to those who have been switched.

    The tariff is designed to help customers who are struggling to pay by providing a discount of at least 45% for low-income households in receipt of Council Tax Support.

    It’s part of Portsmouth City Council’s ongoing work to support residents with the cost of living, which includes:

    • Awarding £245,200 to 1,414 low-income pensioner households through our one-off Portsmouth Older Persons’ Energy Payment scheme
    • Hardship payments for daily costs like food and energy bills through the UK Government-funded Household Support Fund, which is extended for another 12 months.
    • The local Council Tax Support Scheme for households eligible for a discount
    • Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme, currently running over Easter, and extended by another 12 months
    • The council’s cost of living hub and phone number, offering free money advice for all
    • Switched on Portsmouth providing free energy and money saving advice

    Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:

    “We are committed to exploring every avenue possible to save Portsmouth residents money, because rising costs continue to impact people’s quality of life.

    “Through this proactive partnership with Southern Water, we have been able to help another 5,000 save a collective £886,000, which is a really significant individual saving.

    “We will be offering more one-off payment schemes to help the most vulnerable to pay for bills and food, and I would urge anyone who needs advice and support around money to call our cost of living hub.”

    Nicky Chitty, Southern Water’s affordability and vulnerability lead, said:

    “We are delighted to be working together with colleagues at Portsmouth so that no households miss out on the support they may be entitled to.

    “By joining our Essentials tariff, these customers will automatically receive a minimum discount of 45% off their bills.”

    The council will continue to pass on the details of any residents that may be eligible for the Essentials tariff to Southern Water.

    The partnership is subject to strict rules around personal data and security and the information shared is solely for the purpose of benefiting eligible residents.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –