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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Global: Culture can build a better world: four key issues on Africa’s G20 agenda

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ribio Nzeza Bunketi Buse, Associate Professor, University of Kinshasa

    The cultural and creative industries are a growing source of income and job creation around the world, generating tens of millions of jobs. The cultural sector is also linked to soft power, to relations between countries.

    Because of this, culture is an active part of the agenda of the G20 global economic forum. Under the presidency of South Africa in 2025, the G20 has chosen four key culture focus areas: heritage restitution; socio-economic strategies for inclusivity; digital technologies; and climate action.

    Here, as a scholar of the sector, I outline why these four priorities are relevant to both the G20 and the African continent, and to South Africa itself as the host country, in the light of current global trends and issues.

    G20 and culture

    The relationship between culture and development is increasingly emphasised. The 2022 Unesco World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – or Mondiacult – recommended that culture be a “stand-alone” sustainable development goal.

    This proposal is underlined by the UN’s Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024. The 17 sustainable development goals, adopted by the UN in 2015, are to ensure peace and prosperity for all people by 2030. They include goals like zero hunger and reduced inequalities.



    Read more:
    What is Mondiacult? 6 take-aways from the world’s biggest cultural policy gathering

    As the global order shifts, new actors from the global south are emerging as the Brics group. However, the G20 is the only forum that includes countries from both the global north and south.

    The G20, like the G7 and Brics, has a tradition of including culture among the items for discussion at ministerial level, supported by a working group.

    Under Brazil’s presidency in 2024, the G20 Culture Working Group highlighted the relationship between education and culture. This was in line with Unesco’s Framework for Culture and Arts Education. Taking over the G20 presidency, South Africa has expanded on the cultural agenda.

    Cultural heritage

    Priority 1: the safeguarding and restitution of cultural heritage to protect human rights.

    This relates to cultural property, mainly stolen during colonisation and displayed in global south museums. It’s one of the key issues in the heritage sector today.

    After years of demands by formerly colonised countries, there’s a growing list of high profile objects being sent back home. France returned 26 Dahomey Kingdom royal treasures to Benin and the saber of El Hadj Omar Tall to Senegal; 119 Benin bronzes came from the Netherlands to Nigeria. Akan cultural objects were restituted from Japan to Côte d’Ivoire.

    This global issue has particularly affected African countries. South Africa, too, knows its importance, with the repatriation of the human remains of Saartjie Baartman by France.

    The Mondiacult 2022 declaration calls the return of cultural heritage an “ethical imperative”. It’s part of the respect for cultural rights and human rights.

    For South Africa, one of the most influential countries on the continent, this is a good way to support the 2023 position of the African Union (AU) on the urgent return of this heritage. Improving the relationship between the global north and south requires this kind of debate.

    Inclusive development

    Priority 2: integrating cultural policies in socio-economic strategies to ensure inclusive, rights-based development.

    The importance of cultural goods and services in national and international trade has been highlighted many times. Statistics show they make up a healthy share of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

    A 2021 study found that the cultural and creative industries contributed 4.3% to South Africa’s GDP. At African level, they are estimated to generate US$45.35 billion in income and 15.87 million jobs. According to the 2024 UN Creative Economy Outlook, exports of creative services globally rose to $1.4 trillion in 2022, an increase of 29% since 2017. Exports of creative goods reached US$713 billion, an increase of 19%.



    Read more:
    South Africa has taken over the G20 presidency from Brazil – what lessons can it learn?

    With the development of an African Continental Free Trade Area, the AU revised its plan for action on cultural and creative industries.

    South Africa can play a leading role in this priority, having drafted a national policy paper on trade agreements involving the creative and cultural industries. The country’s Creative Industries Vision 2040 aims for an annual growth rate of 6.8% of GDP for these industries.

    However, the creative economy should be rights-based development and inclusive of local communities, young people and women. The G20 countries will need to work together to support policies that enhance sustainability and equity for creative workers. This is especially important in Africa where the creative economy is largely informal and unprotected.

    Digital technologies

    Priority 3: harnessing digital technologies for the protection and promotion of culture and sustainable economies.

    Digital technology is transforming the creative economy value chain. In my survey of the COVID era’s harsh impact on creative workers, I found that digital media, online games, music and audiovisual content were able to be resilient. Their value chains, from creator to user, don’t require high levels of face-to-face interaction, and online tools can be used effectively.

    In 2024 the UN Conference on Trade and Development reported that, in 2022, the most exported creative services globally were software services (41.3%), research and development (30.7%), advertising, market research and architecture (15.5%), audiovisual services (7.9%), information services (4%) and cultural, recreational and heritage services (0.6%).

    While digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) can be seen as a threat to creativity and intellectual property, they can also be used to promote respect for communities and creators. The development of monitoring software for collecting music rights payments is an example.

    In 2021 the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization adopted a recommendation on the ethics of AI. It proposes that AI tools be used for the benefit of the promotion, preservation, enrichment and accessibility of intangible or tangible cultural heritage. This issue is crucial because Mondiacult 2022 declared that culture is a “global public good” and the G20 must fund research and development of the most appropriate and advanced AI tools.

    Climate change

    Priority 4: the intersection of culture and climate change – shaping global responses.

    The challenges of climate change require a range of responses. Intangible cultural heritage (like oral traditions, social practices, rituals) can help to teach how ancient societies organised their relationships with nature and how they dealt with changes.

    Art, theatre, film, gaming and many other cultural forms can educate and raise awareness about this urgent issue. The African continent has a rich cultural diversity and is a potential source of many unexpected and insightful solutions.

    Keeping it relevant

    These four priorities reflect what is important on the continent. Africa will benefit from the collective efforts of the G20 countries in implementing such priorities. The presence of the AU as a permanent member of the G20 will support South Africa’s leadership and advance the continent’s cause.

    The challenge to the culture working group is to come up with relevant recommendations that can be endorsed by the G20 Ministerial Meeting. The 2024 G7 Ministerial Meeting on Culture, along with the AU and the African Development Bank, has set the tone. Their Naples Statement on culture for the sustainable development of Africa and the world notes that the G7 countries “intend to work with African governments to harness culture as a key driver of sustainable development”.

    A G20 summit on African soil cannot do less. It has all the potential it needs to support the African cultural sector in a variety of ways.

    Ribio Nzeza Bunketi Buse 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. Culture can build a better world: four key issues on Africa’s G20 agenda – https://theconversation.com/culture-can-build-a-better-world-four-key-issues-on-africas-g20-agenda-253864

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ernest Cole: the South African photographer at the centre of a powerful and heartbreaking film

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kylie Thomas, Senior Researcher and Senior Lecturer (Radical Humanities Laboratory, University College Cork), NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies

    Ernest Cole is famous for photographing the everyday realities of South Africa’s racist apartheid system. His 1967 book House of Bondage ensured his damning critique of the white minority regime was seen by the world. But its publication sent him into exile and was banned at home.

    The startling discovery of a vast archive of his work in a Swedish bank vault in 2017 has returned him to public view.

    House of Bondage was republished in 2023 and then, in 2024, celebrated Haitian film-maker Raoul Peck made Ernest Cole: Lost and Found.

    It would win the documentary prize at the Cannes Film Festival and show around the world, restoring the legacy of a photographer who died penniless in New York in 1990 at the age of 49.

    As a researcher of South African photography under apartheid, I was intrigued by how the film would convey this complex life story.

    It draws extensively on Cole’s images, made in South Africa, Europe and the US. It’s a beautiful, poetic interpretation of how his images mirrored his own experiences of oppression, displacement and the loneliness of exile.

    House of Bondage

    Cole was just 10 when the state introduced the Group Areas Act and entrenched racial segregation. He was 22 when his childhood neighbourhood of Eersterust was razed to the ground. His family was among the thousands forcibly removed to a new township.

    In his second year of high school, he elected to drop out. The state had introduced Bantu Education, designed to ensure Black children learned only enough for a life of servitude.

    Cole began to study by correspondence, taking a course with the New York Institute for Photography. By 18, he’d landed a position as a darkroom assistant at Drum magazine, working alongside German photographer Jürgen Schadeberg.

    In 1959, Cole saw a copy of French street photography pioneer Henri Cartier-Bresson’s The People of Moscow, and decided he would create a similar book to convey what it meant to live under apartheid.

    He spent six years taking the photographs that would become House of Bondage, a book that exposed the apartheid state.

    Determined to publish his images, he fled to the US in 1966, where his book appeared a year later. Acclaimed internationally, it was banned for 22 years in South Africa. Cole was prohibited from returning home and spent the next 20 years stateless.



    Read more:
    Ernest Cole: South Africa’s most famous photobook has been republished after 55 years

    He hoped to find freedom in America. Instead he felt pigeonholed as a Black photographer, dismayed at only ever being commissioned to document suffering.

    He made hundreds of photographs of people in Harlem, often drawn to scenes that were impossible in South Africa. Mixed-race couples holding hands in public, young people of different races hanging out, neon signs offering “Sex, sex, sex” rather than the “Whites only” signs of segregation he documented at home.

    Commissioned to take photos in the Deep South, he found the same suffering and racism he’d thought particular to South Africa.

    In a letter to the Norwegian government requesting an emergency travel certificate to leave the US, he wrote:

    Exposing the truth at whatever cost is one thing. But having to live a lifetime of being a chronicler of misery and injustice and callousness is another.

    A life in fragments

    For me, the most poignant moment of the film is the footage of Cole speaking in his own voice in a 1969 documentary. A slight man with a sorrowful gaze, he’s seated at a table with prints of his photos:

    I’ve been banned in absentia, but that doesn’t matter because it (his book) will stand in the future. Because I’m sure South Africa will be free.

    His youthful conviction is undercut by the presence, in his voice, of the weight of all he’s experienced. Correspondence shows Cole’s book was sent to government officials in the US and Europe, and to the United Nations, but it would take decades of resistance before apartheid fell.

    Despite his fame, and the support of leading international photographers, writers and editors, Cole’s determination was ground down by the racism he encountered everywhere he went. Although he received grants to continue his work, he descended into poverty and depression.

    By the mid-1980s he stopped taking photos – his cameras were lost, stolen, or sold, and he learned that his belongings, including negatives and prints that he’d left in a hotel storage room in New York, had been discarded. Cole was destitute and ill.

    Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he watched Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 from his hospital bed. Cole died in New York that same year. All his negatives and the work he’d made during his life in exile were thought to be lost.

    Finding Ernest Cole

    Peck’s meditative film draws on Cole’s notebooks and letters, along with research interviews, in a rather bold attempt to have him “tell his own story”. It’s a story driven by both curiosity and heartbreak, narrated by actor LaKeith Stanfield, whose rather jarring American accent gives voice to a South African experience.

    Although she’s not mentioned in the credits, Peck’s script draws heavily on interviews by Swedish curator and researcher Gunilla Knape. Her association with the Hasselblad Foundation might account for why she remains unacknowledged – the organisation is linked to the ongoing controversy over ownership of Cole’s work.



    Read more:
    Glimpses into the history of street photography in South Africa

    In 2017, Cole’s nephew, Leslie Matlaisane, received an email requesting that he travel to Sweden to discuss the return of items belonging to his uncle, discovered in a bank vault in Stockholm.

    The film includes footage of Matlaisane’s journey to Sweden and the bizarre scene that unfolds as Cole’s archive is returned without any explanation about how it came to be either lost or found, or who’d placed it there.

    The boxes included 60,000 negatives, and Cole’s notebooks and research materials for House of Bondage. An incredible trove of history has resurfaced, but as Peck’s film shows, Cole himself was irrecoverably lost in exile.

    Ernest Cole: Lost and Found is showing in Johannesburg. It can be streamed on various services.

    Kylie Thomas 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. Ernest Cole: the South African photographer at the centre of a powerful and heartbreaking film – https://theconversation.com/ernest-cole-the-south-african-photographer-at-the-centre-of-a-powerful-and-heartbreaking-film-254508

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Temporary duties imposed on engine oils and hydraulic fluids

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Temporary duties imposed on engine oils and hydraulic fluids

    The Government  has accepted the TRA’s recommendation to impose provisional duties on imports of engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the UAE.

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has today (16/04/2025) accepted the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA)’s recommendation to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following evidence of dumping that has caused injury to UK industry. These measures will be in effect for a period of up to six months. 

    A Provisional Affirmative Determination (PAD) allows temporary duties to be imposed while a full investigation is completed.  

    The investigation, which was initiated in June 2024, found on a preliminary basis that UK producers were being undercut by an average of 37% of UK sales prices, causing material injury to domestic industry. The TRA’s investigation followed an application from UK manufacturer Aztec Oils Ltd.  

    The investigation covers certain engine oils and hydraulic fluids, including passenger car motor oils, heavy-duty commercial vehicle oils, and hydraulic oils.  

    In its Provisional Affirmative Determination, the TRA has recommended provisional duties ranging from 11.60% to 24.95% for individual participating companies and countrywide rates of 49.59% for Lithuania and 59.40% for the UAE.  

    UK producers are expected to benefit from these measures by between £5 million and £55 million, depending on their ability to adjust prices in response to the duties.  

    The TRA will continue its full investigation while these provisional measures are in place.  

    Note to editors:  

    • The Trade Remedies Authority is the independent UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.   

    • The TRA is an arm’s length body of the Department for Business and Trade.   

    • Anti-dumping duties allow a country or union to act against goods which are being sold at less than their normal value – this is defined as the price for ‘like goods’ sold in the exporter’s home market.  

    • The period of investigation is from 1 April 2023 to 21 March 2024.

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    Published 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Gaza has become a mass grave for Palestinians and those helping them

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Jerusalem – As Israeli forces resume and expand their military offensive by air, ground and sea on the Gaza Strip, Palestine, forcibly displacing people and deliberately blocking essential aid, Palestinian lives are once again being systematically destroyed, warns Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). A series of deadly attacks by Israeli forces have shown a blatant disregard for the safety of humanitarian and medical workers in Gaza.

    We call on Israeli authorities to immediately lift the inhumane and deadly siege on Gaza, protect the lives of Palestinians, humanitarian and medical personnel, and for all parties to restore and sustain the ceasefire.

    “Gaza has been turned into a mass grave of Palestinians and those coming to their assistance. We are witnessing in real time the destruction and forced displacement of the entire population in Gaza,” says Amande Bazerolle, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza. “With nowhere safe for Palestinians or those trying to help them, the humanitarian response is severely struggling under the weight of insecurity and critical supply shortages, leaving people with few, if any, options for accessing care.”

    Over 50,000 people have been killed since October 2023, nearly a third of whom are children, according to the Ministry of Health. Since the resumption of hostilities on 18 March, more than 1,500 people have been killed, according to local authorities.

    According to the United Nations, at least 409 aid workers, most of whom were UNWRA staff, the main provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza, have been killed since October 2023. Eleven MSF colleagues, some while on duty, have been killed since the start of the war, including two in just the past two weeks.

    In the latest instance of a ruthless attack by Israeli forces on aid workers, the bodies of 15 emergency responders and the ambulances they were traveling in were found in a mass grave on 30 March in Rafah, southern Gaza. The group was killed by Israeli forces while trying to assist civilians caught in shelling on 23 March. Recent publicly shared evidence has shown that the workers and their vehicles were clearly marked and identifiable, challenging the initial claims given by Israeli authorities.

    “This horrific killing of aid workers is yet another example of the complete disregard shown by Israeli forces for the protection of humanitarian and medical workers. The silence and unconditional support of Israel’s closest allies further emboldens these actions,” says Claire Magone, General Director of MSF France. 

    MSF considers that only international and independent investigations can bring to light the circumstances of, and the responsibilities for, these attacks on aid workers.

    Although the situation has already been catastrophic for over 18 months, over the past three weeks, MSF has witnessed several incidents involving the killing of humanitarian and medical workers. The coordination of humanitarian movements with Israeli authorities, known as the Humanitarian Notification System, an already imperfect mechanism, has become more unreliable and is now barely affording any protection guarantees.

    Notified locations, in which humanitarians have informed Israel of their presence, such as health facilities where we work, compounds of humanitarian stakeholders, and MSF offices and guesthouses have been hit by shells or bullets. Areas near healthcare facilities have been subjected to strikes, fighting and evacuation orders.

    Medical facilities are not exempt from attacks and evacuation orders by Israeli forces. MSF teams have had to leave many facilities, while others continue operating with staff and patients trapped inside, unable to leave safely for hours at a time.

    On 7 April, MSF teams and patients found themselves trapped in the MSF field hospital in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza. Rockets were launched by Hamas in close proximity to our field hospitals in Deir Al-Balah endangering both patients and staff and leading to an evacuation order of the area by Israeli forces, who also carried out strikes near the compounds of Al-Aqsa and Nasser hospitals. We strongly denounce these actions by the warring parties and call on them to respect and protect healthcare facilities, patients and medical staff.

    Since 18 March, MSF has not been able to return to Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza where our teams were set to begin paediatric care but had to flee the field hospital, which was set up right next to the compound. MSF mobile clinics in north Gaza were suspended, and in the south, teams have been unable to return to Al-Shaboura clinic in Rafah.

    The full siege on Gaza has depleted food, fuel and medical stocks. MSF is especially facing shortages in medications for pain management and chronic illnesses, antibiotics and critical surgical materials. The lack of fuel replenishment across the Strip will lead to the inevitable suspension of activities as hospitals rely on generators for electricity to keep critical patients alive and conduct lifesaving operations.

    “Israeli authorities have deliberately blocked all aid from entering Gaza for over a month. Humanitarians have been forced to watch people suffer and die while carrying the impossible burden of providing relief with depleted supplies, all while facing the same life-threatening conditions themselves,” says Bazerolle. “There is no way they can carry out their mission under such circumstances. This is not a humanitarian failure — it is a political choice, and a deliberate assault on a people’s ability to survive, carried out with impunity.”

    Israeli authorities must end their collective punishment of Palestinians.

    We urge Israel’s allies to end their complicity and stop enabling the destruction of Palestinian lives.

    MIL OSI NGO –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: The Beginning and End of Summer Make Me Anxious

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Time to bolster ourselves for another year of climate crisis and action

    FILE PHOTO (2024): A thermal image (inset) shows surface temperatures reaching as high as 61.1℃ along Plaza Miranda and Quiapo Church. The Philippines has been experiencing severe El Niño, aggravated by the climate crisis. © Greenpeace

    I used to enjoy Holy Week—the Visita Iglesia in the day, candlelit nights, the circulating bands of door-to-door prayer squads greeted by every household with whispers and reverence. This was the 90s, the height of the long summer blackouts. Even if your family had AC, you wouldn’t have enjoyed it most nights. I remember playing in the streets. It was very hot, but not intolerable. Patintero under the moon, taguan under stars.

    This is obviously a whole lot of children’s-book nostalgia, but there must be some truth to the feeling. I bring it up because I don’t look forward to summer anymore. Now, all I can think of when the days start getting warmer is the inevitable heat stroke I’ve gotten every year since 2020, more record-breaking temperatures, the bloated Meralco bills. I don’t remember daytime ever being so white hot and skin searing that every moment outdoors in the hours around noon feels like an assault. And while we know relief will come in a few months–it will be in the form of torrential rains capable of submerging all the cars in my neighborhood.

    In other words, the beginning and end of summer gives me, an adult in my 40s, anxiety. Right now is the end of the short season of reprieve: after the storms but before the high heat–which will be lifted by a new round of typhoons and supertyphoons.

    FILE PHOTO (2020): A man rests on debris following the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, international name ‘Vamco’ in Rodriguez town in Rizal province east of Manila, Philippines. Typhoon Ulysses battered the northern Philippines with heavy rains and strong winds knocking out power in several provinces including areas in Metro Manila and leaving thousands homeless and damaged or destroyed establishments along its path as it blew west. © Basilio Sepe / Greenpeace

    It is not lost on me that I am privileged: I live in a relatively sheltered, less flood-prone area of the capital. Millions of Filipinos live in impoverished communities hit hard and often by extreme weather that causes sickness, destruction, loss of livelihood and life. For many, this relentless cycle could be interpreted as a Sisyphean ordeal—endure one disaster after another and try to rebuild, only to be met with new threats and new loss. The reality of climate change looms large, with anxiety hanging thick in the air, never far from mind.

    Do you remember Frank Nicol Melgar Marba, the teacher and public servant from Dinagat Islands? He made headlines joining a transnational climate lawsuit against a French fossil fuel company. In 2021, Super Typhoon Odette, one of the strongest recorded storms on Earth, destroyed Frank’s family home, and left them traumatized. He once told the press: “Whenever there’s news of a typhoon coming our way, my grandmother still shakes in fear.”

    Polls and studies stretching back a decade tell us this is increasingly becoming the norm. The majority of the nation is worried about the climate crisis. Many Filipinos, especially the young, are burdened by climate anxiety.

    In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) killed thousands and displaced millions in Eastern Visayas. A year later, a study found that an estimated 800,000 people in affected areas were reported to be suffering from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

    Many may still be feeling the effects to this day. Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted a poll in 2023 which determined that 8 in 10 Filipinos believe climate change poses dangers to physical and mental health. 87% say they have personally experienced climate impacts in the past three years. 81% consider climate change a threat to their mental well-being.

    It does not help that much needed climate action by world governments is sluggish and lackluster. Majority of governments are missing deadlines for crucial greenhouse gas emissions cuts. Almost half of corporations around the world abandoned pledged climate targets and got away with it scott free. Fossil fuel consumption is on the rise, which is heating the planet. The heating planet is driving more energy consumption which then prompts the release of more emissions. It feels like being alive today–facing the notion of this escalation of climate change and its consequences–comes in two flavors: 1) aware and in despair or 2) blissfully ignorant, possibly in denial.

    Despite all of this, though, the kids seem to be alright–to a degree. True to the trope (and no, please don’t bring the resilience thing into this) Filipinos, especially the youth, are powering through even the worst circumstances. Climate anxiety is translating to climate awareness, which, in the best of cases, translates to motivation to act.

    The same cadre of local and international pollsters have found that Filipino youth are some of the most eager to do their part in addressing climate change. The 2023 SWS, for instance, says 74% of respondents agree with the statement: “People like me can do something to reduce climate risks.” Another survey from 2023 said 81% of Filipino young people are aware their actions could make a positive change in improving climate policies in the country.

    FILE PHOTO (2020): Children wearing protective masks stay inside a modular tent at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, Manila evacuation center. About 22 families living in flood-prone areas in San Juan were forced to evacuate due to super typhoon Rolly, international name Goni. © Basilio Sepe / Greenpeace

    I wonder if today’s young people ever got to experience childhood summers like mine. Or were they, armed early with access to all the world’s information, too addled by early onset awareness of what we’ve done to the environment? Give them a platform, place, and opportunity to channel anxiety into something. Give them support, encouragement, solidarity. Join them. Action, especially collective action, bodes well for the planet, and can ease a little panic.

    Holy Week is for rest and fortification–mental, emotional, or spiritual–for the year ahead. It’s an opportunity to decide, in the quiet of our own company, or in the company of family and friends, on who to vote for in the coming elections, on what we can do to contribute; if it is in us to be brave, for ourselves and for others, in the midst of a crisis larger than any of our fears.

    You might want to check out Greenpeace Philippines’ petition called Courage for Climate, a drive in support of real policy and legal solutions in the pursuit of climate justice.

    Courage for Climate

    The climate crisis may seem hopeless, but now is the time for courage, not despair. Join Filipino communities taking bold action for our planet.

    Make an Act of Courage Today!

    Pocholo Goitia is a writer and environmental advocate from Quezon City.

    MIL OSI NGO –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Africa’s superfood heroes – from teff to insects – deserve more attention

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kagure Gacheche, Commissioning Editor, East Africa

    Africa is home to a rich variety of incredible indigenous crops and foods – from nutrient-dense grains and legumes to unique fruits and leafy greens. Despite their value, many of these foods are often overlooked, under-celebrated, and under-consumed in favour of imported or commercial alternatives.

    Over the years, we’ve published several articles that shine a light on these traditional foods.

    In this piece, we highlight some of those stories, celebrating the power and promise of Africa’s indigenous foods.

    Special sorghum

    Modern food systems often harm both health and the environment. These systems promote cheap, processed foods that contribute to poor nutrition and disease. At the heart of the food system’s problems is a lack of diversity. Power is consolidated in the hands of a few mega-corporations and the world relies on four main staple crops – wheat, rice, maize and soybean – to meet most food needs.

    In South Africa, for instance, healthy diets remain unaffordable for many, and traditional crops like sorghum have declined.

    Scientist Laura Pereira revealed how, once central to diets and culture, sorghum is nutritious, drought-resistant and climate-resilient. Yet, it suffers from negative stereotypes and limited market appeal.



    Read more:
    Amazing ting: South Africa must reinvigorate sorghum as a key food before it’s lost

    Bugs, bugs, bugs

    For thousands of years, people from all over the world have eaten insects. Today about 2.5 billion people – many of whom live in Africa – eat insects. To date, 470 African edible insects have been scientifically recorded. Grasshoppers and termites are among some of the favourites.

    Researchers Martin Potgieter and Bronwyn Egan have shared insights into the various ways they’re eaten across the continent. Recipes vary by region and include snacks, stews and even stuffed dates.



    Read more:
    Fried, steamed or toasted: here are the best ways to cook insects

    Powerful pulses

    Many of Africa’s local pulses – such as beans, lentils and cowpeas – are highly nutritious, affordable and climate-resilient foods. As researcher Nokuthula Vilakazi explained, they can play a vital role in addressing malnutrition and food insecurity in Africa.

    Rich in protein, fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals, pulses are especially valuable for tackling both chronic hunger and hidden hunger caused by poor diets.



    Read more:
    Why the African food basket should be full of beans and other pulses

    Championing teff

    Teff, an ancient grain from Ethiopia and Eritrea, is gaining global popularity due to its health benefits, especially being gluten-free.

    Crop expert HyeJin Lee explained that, despite teff’s resilience and importance to millions, inefficient practices and weak value chains hinder growth.



    Read more:
    Ethiopia needs to improve production of its “golden crop” Teff. Here’s how

    Kenya’s positive push

    Once viewed as outdated or poor people’s food, traditional vegetables and local foods in Kenya are now experiencing a resurgence.

    This is because traditional vegetables – like spider plant, leaf amaranth and cassava leaves – have proven to be more nutritious than commonly eaten exotics, like cabbage.

    The leaves of cassava, a major vegetable in central African nations, are rich in proteins. A single serving, or 100 grams of the leaves, can provide up to three times the recommended daily intake of vitamin A in children and adults.

    The fruit pulp of the baobab can supply as much as 10 times the amount of vitamin C as an orange, by weight.

    Botanist Patrick Maundu explained how a nationwide effort has promoted the nutritional and cultural value of indigenous foods since the mid-1990s. This initiative improved seed availability, linked farmers to markets, and helped restore pride in local food culture.



    Read more:
    Kenya’s push to promote traditional food is good for nutrition and cultural heritage

    – ref. Africa’s superfood heroes – from teff to insects – deserve more attention – https://theconversation.com/africas-superfood-heroes-from-teff-to-insects-deserve-more-attention-254396

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese commerce minister calls for efforts to expand service consumption

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, April 16 — Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has called for multiple measures to bolster service consumption, amid efforts to spur domestic demand and economic growth.

    He made the remarks in a signed article published Wednesday in Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

    Expanding service consumption is an important lever for stimulating domestic demand across the board, a task that has been identified as the top priority for 2025 in China’s government work report, according to the commerce minister.

    In recent years, service consumption has gained steam in China. Per capita service consumption expenditure in 2024 among residents rose 7.4 percent compared to the previous year, contributing 63 percent to the overall growth in per capita consumption expenditure.

    China has tailwinds to expand service consumption, driven by the unlocking of market potential, upgrading consumption structure and accelerating industry development, according to Wang.

    However, the minister cautioned that several challenges, such as the relatively low level of service industry openness, insufficient supply of high-quality services, and the room for improvement in consumption environment, still pose constrains on the sector’s expansion.

    To further stimulate service consumption, the government plans to roll out policies that support sectors such as household services and digital consumption, Wang said, adding that support will also be directed toward industries related to tourism, ultra-high-definition, the sports events economy, and traditional Chinese medicine health services.

    China will develop fiscal, tax, and financial policies to introduce targeted and practical measures, he said.

    A fresh move in this direction, China on Wednesday unveiled a work plan to boost service consumption. The plan proposes 48 specific measures across a broad spectrum of industries, covering both main service sectors as well as new forms of business and new consumption scenarios.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Second Member of San Antonio Gun Theft Ring Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in a gun theft and trafficking conspiracy.

    According to court documents, between January and October 2023, Alcapone Maximus Pena, 23, was involved in the theft of firearms and vehicles in and around the San Antonio area as well as the sale of those stolen firearms. Pena, codefendant Nathan Tyler Padilla, 27, and others repeatedly broke into vehicles which they identified as likely to have firearms and that they believed they would be able to illegally sell.

    A search of Pena’s home on Oct. 25, 2023 resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms. An additional 17 firearms were located in a separate search warrant and determined to be trafficked by Pena. During the course of the conspiracy, Pena was responsible for the knowing and illegal trafficking of 25-99 firearms. The investigation also revealed information that showed Padilla’s cell phone had been present during the theft of several seized firearms. For his work in the firearm thefts, Padilla would receive a share of the proceeds that came from the firearms’ eventual sale to third parties.

    Both Pena and Padilla were named in a seven-count indictment filed Nov. 15, 2023. Pena was charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, one count of possession of a machine gun, and one count of possession of stolen firearms. Padilla, who had been previously convicted on Aug. 16, 2023 for the offense of evading arrest/detention with a vehicle, was charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon.

    The two codefendants pleaded guilty Jan. 7, 2025. Padilla was sentenced on April 1 to 90 months in federal prison.

    “This case highlights the importance of holding individuals trafficking in firearms accountable for their actions.  Each year, thousands of guns are stolen from vehicles in the San Antonio area, and then many of these are used to commit crimes, including violent crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “We, along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, remain fully committed to investigating and prosecuting these firearm thefts as part of our commitment to public safety.”

    “This case is a great example of our unwavering commitment to protecting our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston Division. “By bringing individuals involved in gun theft and trafficking to justice, we are not only holding criminals accountable but also taking meaningful steps to reduce the kind of violent crime that threatens our neighborhoods. Our community is safer today because of the tireless efforts of our agency and our law enforcement partners.”

    The ATF investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zack Parsons prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Victims sought after series of burglaries linked to the dating app Grindr

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met Police officers are appealing for victims to come forward following a number of burglaries, thefts and fraud offences committed across London, with victims identified by criminals via the social networking and dating app Grindr.

    It’s believed approximately 50 offences have taken place between October 2024 and March this year, and officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command would like to hear from anyone who may have been targeted or has information that will assist with their investigation.

    Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Met’s hate crime lead who is overseeing the investigation, said:

    “This is a series of pre-planned offences where unsuspecting victims have been targeted, often in their own homes, resulting in high-value items being taken.

    “In the majority of cases, the suspects would arrange to meet the victims at their homes via the Grindr app, and once inside, would steal high value items including mobile phones.

    “In other reports we have received, they build a rapport with the victim while paying close attention to the pin number they enter into their phones before using distraction techniques to steal them, going on to make various digital payments and transactions.

    “Due to the volume of these offences and the serious impact on the safety of both individuals and communities, we are treating them as potential hate crimes.”

    The investigation has resulted in three arrests so far.

    A 22-year-old man from Potters Bar in Hertfordshire was arrested on Thursday, 3 April on suspicion of burglary and fraud offences. He was charged and remanded in custody.

    Two other men, aged 27 and 28 and both from Harrow, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and are on bail while the investigation continues.

    Superintendent Renowden, added:

    “Our investigation is progressing at pace, but we believe there are a number of offences that have not yet been reported to us, so I urge anyone who may have been targeted, or may have crucial information that will help us with our enquiries, to contact us as soon as possible.”

    “I understand some people may be apprehensive about getting in touch with us, but I’d like to provide reassurance that all reports will be thoroughly investigated.

    “We are working closely with our LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group and the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, GALOP, to ensure we conduct our investigation with sensitivity and care.

    “The Met Police is fully committed to ensuring all our communities in London feel safe, as well as continuing to enhance the trust and confidence LGBT+ people place in us. Organised crime has a devastating impact on society and your help will be key in helping us bring those responsible to justice.”

    If you’re a victim or have information that could assist officers with their investigation, you can contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD 5090/15APR.

    You can also remain 100 per cent anonymous and pass information onto the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting Crimestoppers-uk.org, as well as GALOP, via their national helpline on 0800 999 5428.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: SUNation Energy Announces Reverse Stock Split

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RONKONKOMA, N.Y., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SUNation Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNE) (“SUNation” or “the Company”), a leading provider of sustainable solar energy and backup power solutions for households, businesses, and municipalities, today announced that its Board of Directors approved a 200 – for 1 reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock effective 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 21, 2025.

    The Company’s common stock will continue to trade under the symbol “SUNE” and it is expected to open for trading on Nasdaq on April 21, 2025 on a post-split basis. The new CUSIP number for the common stock following the reverse stock split will be 72303P503.

    The ratio of the reverse stock split is within the range approved by shareholders at a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on April 3, 2025. The reverse stock split is primarily intended to increase the market price per share of the Company’s common stock to regain compliance with the minimum bid price required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

    Upon the effectiveness of the reverse stock split, every 200 shares of issued and outstanding Company common stock at the close of business on April 17, 2025 will be automatically combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, with no change in par value per share. The total shares outstanding stands at 672,799,910 as of April 11, 2025. The split, once effective, will result in there being approximately 3,364,000 shares outstanding immediately thereafter.

    The reverse stock split does not reduce the number of shares of the Company’s authorized common stock. No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the reverse stock split and all such fractional interests will be rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares of common stock. The reverse stock split will affect all common shareholders uniformly and will not alter any shareholder’s percentage interest in the Company’s common stock, except to the extent that the reverse stock split results in some shareholders experiencing an adjustment of a fractional share as described above.

    Shareholders holding their shares electronically in book-entry form are not required to take any action to receive the post-split shares. Shareholders holding physical share certificates will receive information from EQ Shareowner Services, the Company’s transfer agent, regarding the process for exchanging their shares of common stock. Shareholders with questions may contact the Company’s transfer agent by calling 800-401-1957.

    Additional information about the reverse stock split can be found in the Company’s definitive proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 10, 2025, which is available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

    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 –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Second leaders’ debate is a tame affair befitting a ‘deeply uninspiring’ campaign

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andy Marks, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Partnerships, Western Sydney University

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have had their second showdown of the 2025 federal election campaign. The debate, hosted by the ABC, was moderated by David Speers in the national broadcaster’s studios in Western Sydney.

    The leaders were asked a wide range of questions on topics such as negative gearing, nuclear energy and Australia’s relationships with the US and China. But the debate was kicked off on housing, which has been a major focus of the campaign over the last few days.

    So, how did it shape up, and how did it compare to the first debate a fortnight ago? Three experts give their analysis.

    Matthew Ricketson, Deakin University

    Ahead of tonight’s debate, commentators predicted it would have little impact because most people no longer get their news from television and because the election campaign has been deeply uninspiring.

    That’s partly an index of how drastically the media landscape has changed. As recently as 2010, nearly 3.4 million people tuned in to watch the debate between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, which was broadcast on all three commercial networks, as well as the ABC. That number showed evidence of widespread interest in politics.

    The number of viewers’ advance questions to the ABC tonight also illustrated keen interest, particularly on issues like the plight of potentially lifelong renters in an overheated housing market and the urgent need to tackle climate change.

    The second leaders’ debate didn’t become heated or hostile. Both the prime minister and the opposition leader stayed relentlessly on-message.

    As is well known, Albanese is no Cicero, but he was well prepared and generally clear. He was stronger on housing than his opponent, but clearly did not want to get trapped predicting energy prices again, as he had during the 2022 campaign.

    Dutton was also clear when he focused on the issue at hand. His strongest line was one he used at least three times: are you better off now than you were three years ago? It is a line used by US President Donald Trump during his successful campaign last year.

    But it was on Trump that Dutton tied himself in knots, asserting he would be able to get a deal done with Trump when virtually no one else has and then saying he did not know him. Huh?

    He was also defensive when pressed on his nuclear policy and he was all over the shop on climate change.

    Befitting the current election campaign, there were meme-able moments on offer for both. Dutton got out his line about Albanese having a problem with the truth. But he coughed up his own when he admitted making a mistake in saying Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had “publicly announced” Russia had asked his country for a base for its aircraft.

    Michelle Cull, Western Sydney University

    After both leaders finished their opening statements in good spirits, the debate quickly turned to housing. As suggested by host David Speers, both parties have “put forward ideas that a lot of experts and economists are warning will only push up prices even more”.

    So, could the leaders explain how their plans will make housing more affordable in five or ten years?

    Albanese said his party had a plan for both demand and supply. He mentioned the Building Australia’s Future Fund to build more public housing, Build to Rent scheme to increase the private rental supply, and the 5% deposit for first home buyers. He also made note of the 100,000 homes that would be allocated only to first home buyers.

    Dutton blamed Albanese for the current housing crisis. He promoted the Coalition’s plans to allow first home buyers access up to $50,000 of their superannuation to buy a home and a planned $5 billion infrastructure fund to free up to 500,000 new home lots. Reducing immigration and foreign ownership also rated a mention.

    Dutton explained the most important part of the Coalition’s plan was to allow first home buyers a tax deduction for interest on the first $650,000 of their mortgage. When questioned about this favouring higher income earners, Dutton quickly responded that the average taxpayer would save around $11,000 a year.

    Talking tax, this provided the perfect opportunity for Speers to pose the question that many viewers wanted to ask – why are both parties not willing to review the tax breaks for investors and the capital gains tax discount?

    Dutton jumped at the chance to challenge Albanese about the modelling on negative gearing conducted by Treasury for the government last year. Albanese replied Treasury was just doing their job and looking at ideas.

    The host reminded both leaders that they themselves are property investors. When pressed about possibly placing limits on the number of properties held by investors, Dutton argued there should be no limit as we need the rentals.

    Talking rentals, Dutton said renters’ rights were up to the states, while Albanese said his party has delivered the Renter’s Rights Program and increased rental assistance.

    Andy Marks, Western Sydney University

    For the second leaders’ debate, the ABC’s new Parramatta digs, Studio 91, felt more like the legendary New York dance club, Studio 54. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stuck to their steps while the host, “DJ” David Speers, tried to disrupt their rhythm.

    Dutton opened with the Reaganesque classic, asking viewers: “Are you better off than you were three years ago?”. Albanese countered by saying Australians have done the “hard work” over the past three years, then adding, “there’s much more work to do”.

    Dutton wanted to talk about renters. Labor’s policies, he argued, would “drive up the cost of rents”. Albanese held out, preferring to talk first home buyers. “We need to give people a fair crack”, he said.

    Dutton retorted, we need to “give young Australians a go”. A “crack” or a “go”. Both options have “hit” written all over them.

    Speers then changed tunes, turning to the old election stalwart, spending versus revenue.

    “We have improved the bottom line”, Albanese assured viewers. That claim “defies the reality”, Dutton responded. Speers asked Dutton, “Where do you cut?”. No answer. Speers then quizzed Albanese. “When will power bills come down?” No answer.

    “I’m friends with Keir Starmer”, Albanese suddenly volunteered, cautioning against the Coalition’s nuclear energy plans. The UK prime minister, Albanese said, regrets his country’s nuclear adventures.

    Crossing the Atlantic, Dutton remarked, the Coalition has an “incredible relationship” with the Trump administration. The government’s current ambassador, Kevin Rudd, “can’t get a phone call with the president”, he said. The former ambassador, Joe Hockey, “used to play golf with him.”

    The second leaders’ debate traversed the dance floor to the golf course, but got no closer to differing visions for the country.

    In a rare moment of harmony, Albanese and Dutton concurred: both sides of government have failed Indigenous Australians. No debate there.

    Michelle Cull is an FCPA member of CPA Australia, member of the Financial Advice Association Australia and President Elect of the Academy of Financial Services in the United States. Michelle is an academic member of UniSuper’s Consultative Committee. Michelle co-founded the Western Sydney University Tax Clinic which has received funding from the Australian Taxation Office as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. Michelle has previously volunteered as Chair of the Macarthur Advisory Council for the Salvation Army Australia.

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

    – ref. Second leaders’ debate is a tame affair befitting a ‘deeply uninspiring’ campaign – https://theconversation.com/second-leaders-debate-is-a-tame-affair-befitting-a-deeply-uninspiring-campaign-254466

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: there were a couple of ‘moments’ in second Albanese-Dutton encounter

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Two “moments” stuck out in Wednesday’s leaders’ debate, the second head-to-head of the campaign.

    Peter Dutton cut his losses over his faux pas this week when he wrongly named Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto as having said there had been a Russian approach to base aircraft in Papua.

    So that was a mistake, ABC moderator David Speers asked. “It was a mistake.”

    The other “moment” was in a discussion about negative gearing, when Anthony Albanese denied the government had sought modelling on that. The public service “certainly wasn’t commissioned by us to do so”. In fact, we know Treasurer Jim Chalmers asked Treasury to do it.

    That enabled Dutton to repeat a favourite Coalition line. “This prime minister has a problem with the truth.” (Albanese has given grist for this line by his denial earlier in the campaign that he fell off a stage, when the footage contradicted him.)

    While the leaders were predictably well-rehearsed across the broad sweep of issues, they could not prevent their weak spots being put on display.

    Albanese struggled with something that has not been canvassed enough.Wasn’t there a case for more means testing of some of the big spending the government has undertaken?

    Then of course there was the perennially unanswerable question: when will power prices come down? The PM squirmed.

    Dutton left us no more informed about what a Coalition government would cut to finance his programs, although he did concede, when asked whether cuts to the public service would be enough to cover all his spending, “The short answer is no”.

    On climate change, the opposition leader looked awkward, when asked what seemed simple questions, such as whether the impact of climate change was getting worse. That’s a judgement he’d prefer to leave to others, “because I’m not a scientist”.

    Aware that he is paying a political cost by being painted as Trump-lite, Dutton dodged when asked whether he trusted Trump. “I don’t know Donald Trump” was his lame response (although he continues to declare himself confident of being able to get a deal on tariffs with him).

    Albanese, for his part, said he had “no reason not to trust him”.

    The PM reconfirmed that in tariff discussions with the US, Australia’s critical minerals were on the table, but lacked clarity when pressed on what precisely was Australia’s proposed critical minerals reserve.

    The two leaders were at one on being behind AUKUS (just like they are on not touching negative gearing) despite increasing criticism of the agreement in Australia.

    Housing was thoroughly canvassed but without taking us much further. It now seems it is the politicians against the experts, many of whom are sceptical of much of both sides’ offerings.

    Speers’ raising the issue of renters was a reminder that the housing issue in this campaign – at least as it’s being argued by the main parties – has been firmly focused on promoting ownership. The plight of renters has been the bailiwick of the Greens.

    Asked about the one big reform change they’d like to be remembered for, Albanese nominated affordable child care.

    Dutton went to a more ambitious level, nominating energy, which was, he said, “the economy”, an inevitably more contestable area than childcare. This opened the usual claims and counter-claims about nuclear.

    For those who want to hear the next round of the leaders’ duelling, they will meet again on April 27 on commercial TV.

    Business signals post-election fight on gender-based undervaluation of work

    The Albanese government has made reducing the gender pay gap one of its signature issues. Among other initiatives, its legislation in 2022 required the Fair Work Commission to take into account the need to achieve gender equality.

    The commission’s expert panel for pay equity has been investigating five areas: pharmacists, health workers, social and community services employees, dental assistants, and child care workers.

    On Wednesday its results were released, finding gender-based undervaluation of work in all these areas and proposing pay rises up to 35%.

    There is an immediate determination for pharmacists, who will receive a 14.1% pay rise phased in over three years. In the other areas, a process of further hearings will commence.

    The government reacted cautiously. The bill for the wages of many workers in the care sector falls on to the public purse.

    A Labor spokesperson said: “A re-elected Albanese Government will engage positively with the Commission consistent with the principles set out in our submission [to the expert panel] , including our obligation to manage any changes in a fiscally and economically responsible manner”.

    The Australian Industry Group declared “many employers will struggle to meet the scale of the increased costs proposed”.

    “Industry will be  anxiously awaiting  the response of the major sides of politics  to the decision and what concrete commitments will be made to assist employers in grappling  with its implications.”

    The last thing the government wants to make on this before the election is a “concrete commitment”.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Election Diary: there were a couple of ‘moments’ in second Albanese-Dutton encounter – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-there-were-a-couple-of-moments-in-second-albanese-dutton-encounter-254586

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Giving cash to families in poor, rural communities can help bring down child marriage rates – new research

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sudarno Sumarto, Visiting Professor at the Center for International Development, Harvard Kennedy School

    Child marriages remain common in many regions of the world. AP Photo/Victoria Milko

    Providing cash transfers to low-income families can reduce child marriage rates among girls living in rural communities.

    That is what we found in a recent study looking at the impact of social assistance programs that gave money to families in Indonesia.

    In 2006, the government of Indonesia started to roll out the Program Keluarga Harapan, or Family Hope Program. It consisted of a cash transfer to poor families on condition that they send children to school and that expectant mothers show up for prenatal health care appointments. The monthly stipends equate to about 40% of total monthly household expenditures in their communities.

    Today, the program supports about 10 million households annually and is considered the second-largest such program in lower- and middle-income countries worldwide.

    We analyzed data from Indonesia’s poverty-targeting database, which is used to select program beneficiaries based on their income.

    Our sample comprised about 1 million girls ages 14 to 17, drawn from all villages where the program operated from 2012 to 2014.

    We compared girls who live in households just above and just below the wealth eligibility cutoff for the program. Essentially, this strategy assumes that these households are very similar, but some get the money while other’s don’t.

    We found that the program reduced the incidence of child marriages by about 3.5 percentage points, from 8.7 to 5.2.

    Why it matters

    About 650 million girls alive today were married as children.

    Though most countries have instituted laws prohibiting marriages under the age of 18, child marriages remain common in many regions of the world.

    The continued existence of child marriage is worrisome for several reasons. Research has linked child marriage to higher infant and maternal mortality, a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases, more exposure to domestic violence, reduced decision-making power inside marriage, lower educational attainment and worse health and labor market outcomes.

    Since child marriage rates tend to be higher among poorer households, many researchers have argued that income constraints are a main reason why poor households marry off their daughters at very young ages.

    Consequently, researchers have explored whether policies that address poverty, including through measures such as giving people cash, can help reduce child marriages.

    Previous studies have faced certain empirical challenges as either the cash transfer programs under investigation were set up by NGOs or researchers themselves, thereby providing little insights on the effectiveness of actual government policies, or included sample sizes that were too small.

    Our study is among the first to provide large-scale evidence of a cash-transfer program’s success drawn from a conventional, government-implemented social assistance program.

    It is also worth briefly commenting on the political context in which social assistance programs are typically embedded. In Indonesia, as everywhere in the world, social assistance programs are regularly under scrutiny for their sizable costs to the government and taxpayer.

    Our study suggests that these programs can generate positive benefits well beyond their principal target outcomes, such as tackling poverty or children’s health and education – which should be considered when discussing the cost-effectiveness of such programs.

    What’s next

    Because cash transfers also affect other areas such as health and education, it isn’t known the exact pathway in which they reduce child marriages – that is to say, it could be that being in better health and getting more years of education can reduce the chances that a girl will marry.

    For example, girls with better access to education can earn higher pay and therefore may not feel the same pressure to marry early. And boys who spend more time in school may move to cities for higher-paying jobs. In that case, fewer single men are around in rural areas, leading to delays in local marriages.

    We plan to stay in touch with the Indonesian government regarding its attempts to further bring down child marriage rates. Likewise, we plan to conduct follow-up studies with the specific social assistance program Program Keluarga Harapan and other government programs to study their effects.

    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. Giving cash to families in poor, rural communities can help bring down child marriage rates – new research – https://theconversation.com/giving-cash-to-families-in-poor-rural-communities-can-help-bring-down-child-marriage-rates-new-research-251888

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Reshma Ramachandran, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Yale University

    Mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services are continuing as the agency makes good on its intention, announced on March 27, 2025, to shrink its workforce by 20,000 people. Among workers dismissed in early April were several teams responsible for fulfilling requests for access to previously unreleased government data, information and records under a federal law known as the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA.

    At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the offices that fulfill such requests have been eliminated, according to press reports. In 2024 alone, CDC received 1,800 requests for access to public records. At the Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health, which together responded to almost 14,000 requests in 2024, multiple teams of FOIA staff were fired. FOIA offices at other HHS agencies were affected, too.

    Most people may never file a public records request with a federal agency. But the fact that anyone is allowed by law to do so enables the public to hold government accountable and has catalyzed important government reforms. FOIA requests at federal health agencies have been particularly consequential. They have pushed companies to take unsafe drugs off the market, led to reforms that prevent unnecessary delays in communicating public health risks, and prompted policies that lower prices and improve access to taxpayer-funded health technologies.

    I am a health services researcher who studies the effects of public health regulation, and I have observed how the transparency enabled by FOIA can benefit patients, clinicians and researchers. Although HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that federal public health agencies will embrace “radical transparency”, closure of these offices suggests otherwise.

    What is an FOIA public records request?

    The Freedom of Information Act was passed in 1966 to increase government transparency in response to a rise in government secrecy during the Cold War.

    Anyone can request documents from the federal government through FOIA.

    The law requires agencies within the federal government’s executive branch to proactively publish certain procedural and other materials and to publicly disclose certain types of information. It also requires the federal government to disclose any documents that don’t fall into those categories in response to a written request, as long as they are not exempt due to issues of national security, foreign policy or business interests.

    Any member of the public, citizen or not, can file a FOIA request.

    Notably, private companies are the top requesters. They use FOIA to gain competitive advantage, support litigation and become familiar with regulations and policies that affect their business model. The next most frequent requesters are everyday people. After them come law firms, which are often supporting private companies, followed by the news media and nonprofit organizations.

    What can FOIA requests to federal health agencies reveal?

    FOIA requests to HHS agencies have led to significant shifts in public health regulation and policy.

    In one example from the early 2000s, researchers and media outlets filed FOIA requests to the FDA related to a drug called Vioxx, or rofecoxib. The drug, manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Merck, was approved by the FDA as a supposedly safer alternative for osteoarthritis pain. But the documents revealed that Merck had significantly downplayed the drug’s increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.

    Information disclosed through these requests prompted congressional investigations that led to new laws requiring companies to report results of all clinical trials in a public online database – including when trials show that treatments have no meaningful benefit or are unsafe.

    The new laws also authorized the FDA to require companies to conduct additional safety studies after a drug’s approval. This means the agency can take faster action to prevent patient harm by adding warnings to drug labels, issuing warnings of potential harms directly to doctors or withdrawing unsafe treatments entirely.

    Importantly, FOIA enables ongoing oversight. In 2021, my colleagues and I published an investigation that used FOIA to determine whether the FDA and NIH were enforcing those clinical trial transparency laws. We found that companies had failed to update thousands of clinical trials in the database with their results, and that the FDA and NIH were doing little to compel them. Using the FOIA data as evidence, we successfully petitioned the FDA to step up its enforcement and to publicly list the companies that were still not complying.

    There are countless other examples of how stakeholders have used FOIA to hold the government accountable. FOIA requests filed by lawyers, news outlets and citizens of Flint, Michigan, in 2016 revealed that state and local public health officials withheld information about the contamination of the city’s drinking water. Their secrecy potentially delayed response measures that could have prevented a recurrent disease outbreak.

    Flint residents protest outside the Michigan State Capitol in January 2016.
    Shannon Nobles/Amsterdam News via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, FOIA requests to HHS agencies filed by news outlets and nonprofit organizations revealed that despite billions of taxpayer dollars and other resources invested into COVID-19 vaccine development, the U.S. government had waived away their ability to take future action and not negotiated terms to ensure affordable access if companies later hiked up prices.

    What now for FOIA at HHS?

    The sudden dismissal of FOIA teams at the CDC, FDA, NIH and other federal public health agencies will limit these agencies’ ability to respond to new and ongoing requests as required by law. This will worsen an already hefty FOIA backlog at HHS agencies.

    Cuts to FOIA staff also hinder the public from using this law to examine and potentially challenge recent agency actions under the new administration. On April 5, 2025, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed several FOIA requests on the involvement of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, in disbanding the FOIA team and on the CDC’s reported suppression in March of an expert assessment of the Texas measles outbreak.

    Based on the automated response – which read that FOIA staff had been placed on administrative leave and could not respond to requests – the group filed a lawsuit challenging the FOIA office closure, arguing that it violates the Freedom of Information Act and other administrative law.

    Limited staff capacity may also curtail agencies’ ability to proactively disclose information, such as data on drug efficacy and safety posted by the FDA. Patients and clinicians access such information to make decisions about using and prescribing medications.

    HHS representatives have stated that they will resume FOIA processing, centralizing the various agency offices under HHS in a more streamlined approach. Whether such an office with significantly diminished capacity and a lack of agency-specific expertise will be able to effectively and efficiently respond to the over 50,000 requests for records received annually remains unclear.

    A pattern of barriers to public input and accountability

    FOIA is far from a perfect tool for achieving transparency in how the government regulates health and biomedical research and policy. In fact, at least at the FDA, FOIA is costly and inefficient – partly, as my colleagues and I have written, because of the agency’s self-imposed, burdensome protocols. But without an enforceable replacement strategy, it is the only tool available to the public.

    The Trump administration has taken several other steps to reduce transparency of federal public health agencies, leaving the public with limited formal avenues outside of the courts to weigh in on agency actions.

    On March 3, 2025, HHS rescinded a long-standing policy requiring it to solicit public comments on regulations related to public property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts. Advisory committee meetings where agencies convene independent experts to provide recommendations and where public stakeholders can provide input have been canceled or postponed.

    Additionally, the newly formed Make America Healthy Again Commission led by Kennedy has met behind closed doors and without prior public notice, attended only by select, aligned members. It remains unclear if future meetings will be public.

    Not only is closure of FOIA offices across HHS agencies yet another blow to government transparency, but it also prevents the public from holding agencies accountable and pushing for changes that improve health.

    Reshma Ramachandran receives research funding support from Arnold Ventures and previously received research funding support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Stavros Niarchos Foundation. She serves on the board of directors in unpaid capacity for the non-profit organization, Doctors for America.

    – ref. The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability – https://theconversation.com/the-sudden-dismissal-of-public-records-staff-at-health-agencies-threatens-government-accountability-254024

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: 200 years ago, France extorted Haiti in one of history’s greatest heists – and Haitians want reparations

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Marlene L. Daut, Professor of French and African American Studies, Yale University

    A French propaganda engraving from 1825 depicts King Charles X bestowing freedom on a Black man kneeling before him in chains. ‘S.M. Charles X, le bien-aimé, reconnaissant l’indépendance de St. Domingue,’ 1825, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Cabinet des Estampes, CC BY-SA

    In 2002, Haiti’s former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide argued that France should pay his country $US22 billion.

    The reason? In 1825, France extracted a huge indemnity from the young nation, in exchange for recognition of its independence.

    April 17, 2025, marks the 200th anniversary of that indemnity agreement. On Jan. 1 of this year, the now-former president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, Leslie Voltaire, reminded France of this call when he requested that France “repay the debt of independence and reparations for slavery.” In March, tennis star Naomi Osaka, who is of Haitian descent, added her voice to the chorus in a tweet wondering when France would pay Haiti back.

    As a scholar of 19th-century Haitian history and culture, I’ve dedicated a significant portion of my research to exploring Haiti’s particularly strong legal case for restitution from France.

    The story begins with the Haitian Revolution.

    France instituted slavery in the colony of Saint-Domingue on the western third of the island of Hispaniola – today’s Haiti – in the 17th century. In the late 18th century, the enslaved population rebelled and eventually declared independence. In the 19th century, the French demanded compensation for the former enslavers of the Haitian people, rather than the other way around.

    Just as the legacy of slavery in the United States has created a gross economic disparity between Black and white Americans, the tax on its freedom that France forced Haiti to pay – referred to as an “indemnity” at the time – severely damaged the newly independent country’s ability to prosper.

    The cost of independence

    Haiti officially declared its independence from France on Jan. 1, 1804. In October 1806, following the assassination of Haiti’s first head of state, the country was split into two, with Alexandre Pétion ruling in the south and Henry Christophe ruling in the north.

    Despite the fact that both Haiti rulers were veterans of the Haitian Revolution, the French had never quite given up on reconquering their former colony.

    In 1814, King Louis XVIII, restored as king after the overthrow of Napoléon earlier that year, sent three commissioners to Haiti to assess the willingness of the country’s rulers to surrender. Christophe, crowned king in 1811, remained obstinate in the face of France’s exposed plan to bring back slavery. Threatening war, the most prominent member of Christophe’s cabinet, Baron de Vastey, insisted,“ Our independence will be guaranteed by the tips of our bayonets!”

    In contrast, Pétion, the ruler of the south, was willing to negotiate, hoping that the country might be able to pay France for recognition of its independence.

    In 1803, Napoléon had sold Louisiana to the United States for US$15 million. Using this number as his compass, Pétion proposed paying the same amount. Unwilling to compromise with those he viewed as “runaway slaves,” Louis XVIII rejected the offer.

    Pétion died suddenly in 1818, but Jean-Pierre Boyer, his successor, kept up the negotiations. Talks, however, continued to stall due to Christophe’s stubborn opposition.

    “Any indemnification of the ex-colonists,” Christophe’s government stated, was “inadmissible.”

    Once Christophe died in October 1820, Boyer was able to reunify the two sides of the country. However, even with the obstacle of Christophe gone, Boyer repeatedly failed to successfully negotiate France’s recognition of independence. Determined to gain at least suzerainty over the island – which would have made Haiti a protectorate of France – Louis XVIII rebuked the two commissioners Boyer sent to Paris in 1824 to try to negotiate an indemnity in exchange for recognition.

    On April 17, 1825, Charles X, brother to Louis XVIII and the new French king, performed a sudden about-face. Charles X issued a decree stating that France would recognize Haitian independence but only at the price of 150 million francs – or nearly twice the 80 million francs the U.S. had paid for the Louisiana territory.

    Baron de Mackau, whom Charles X sent to deliver the ordinance, arrived in Haiti in July, accompanied by a squadron of 14 brigs of war carrying more than 500 cannons.

    His instructions stated that his “mission” was “not a negotiation.” It was not diplomacy either. It was extortion.

    Amid the threat of violent war and a looming economic blockade, on July 11, 1825, Boyer signed the fatal document, which stated, “The present inhabitants of the French part of St. Domingue shall pay … in five equal installments … the sum of 150,000,000 francs, destined to indemnify the former colonists.”

    French prosperity built on Haitian poverty

    Newspaper articles from the period reveal that the French king knew the Haitian government was hardly capable of making these payments, as the amount was nearly six times Haiti’s total annual revenue. The rest of the world seemed to agree that the agreement was absurd. One British journalist noted that the “enormous price” constituted a “sum which few states in Europe could bear to sacrifice.”

    Forced to borrow 30 million francs from French banks to make the first two payments, it was hardly a surprise to anyone when Haiti defaulted soon thereafter. Still, a subsequent French king sent another expedition in 1838 with 12 warships to force the Haitian president’s hand. The 1838 revision, inaccurately labeled “Traité d’Amitié” – or “Treaty of Friendship” – reduced the outstanding amount owed to 60 million francs, but the Haitian government was once again ordered to take out crushing loans to pay the balance.

    It was the Haitian people who suffered the brunt of the consequences of France’s theft. Boyer levied draconian taxes in order to pay back the loans. And while Christophe had been busy developing a national school system during his reign, under Boyer, and all subsequent presidents, such projects had to be put on hold. Moreover, researchers have found that the independence debt and the resulting drain on the Haitian treasury were directly responsible not only for the underfunding of education in 20th-century Haiti, but also for the lack of health care and the country’s inability to develop public infrastructure.

    A 2022 analysis by The New York Times, furthermore, revealed that Haitians ended up paying more than 112 million francs over seven decades, or $560 million – estimated between $22 billion and $44 billion in today’s dollars. Recognizing the gravity of this scandal, French economist Thomas Piketty has argued that France should repay at least $28 billion to Haiti in restitution.

    A debt that’s both moral and material

    Former French presidents, from Jacques Chirac to Nicolas Sarkozy to François Hollande, have a history of punishing, skirting or downplaying Haitian demands for recompense.

    In May 2015, when Hollande became only France’s second head of state to visit Haiti, he admitted that his country needed to “settle the debt.” Later, realizing he had unwittingly provided fuel for the legal claims already prepared by attorney Ira Kurzban on behalf of the Haitian people, Hollande clarified that he meant France’s debt was merely “moral.”

    To deny that the consequences of slavery were also material is to deny French history itself. France belatedly abolished slavery in 1848 in its remaining colonies of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion and French Guyana, which are still territories of France today. Afterward, the French government demonstrated once again its understanding of slavery’s relationship to economics when it financially compensated the former “owners” of enslaved people.

    The resulting racial wealth gap is no metaphor. In metropolitan France, 14.1% of the population lives below the poverty line. In Martinique and Guadeloupe, in contrast, where more than 80% of the population is of African descent, the poverty rates are 38% and 46%, respectively. The poverty rate in Haiti is even more dire at 59%. And whereas the gross domestic product per capita – the best measure of a country’s standard of living – is $44,690 in France, it’s a mere $1,693 in Haiti.

    These discrepancies can be viewed as the concrete consequences of stolen labor from generations of Africans and their descendants.

    In recent years, French academics have begun to increasingly contribute to the conversation about the longitudinal harms the indemnity brought to Haiti. Yet what effectively amounts to a statement of “no comment” has historically been the only response from France’s current government under President Emmanuel Macron.

    Yet if recent reports prove accurate, on the bicentennial of the indemnity “agreement,” Macron plans to issue a “landmark statement” about France’s “colonial legacy,” along with several “memory initiatives,” designed to “keep the memory of slavery alive throughout the national territory, as in Haiti.”

    But to me, the only initiative from France that would matter would be one detailing how it plans to provide economic recompense to Haitians.

    This is an updated version of an article originally published on June 30, 2020.

    Marlene L. Daut 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. 200 years ago, France extorted Haiti in one of history’s greatest heists – and Haitians want reparations – https://theconversation.com/200-years-ago-france-extorted-haiti-in-one-of-historys-greatest-heists-and-haitians-want-reparations-254550

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Miami researchers are testing a textured seawall designed to hold back water and create a home for marine organisms

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sara Pezeshk, Postdoctoral Fellow in Architecture, Florida International University

    A rendering of BIOCAP tiles installed along a seawall at Morningside Park in Miami.
     Sara Pezeshk, CC BY-SA

    Morningside Park, a beloved neighborhood park in Miami with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, will soon pilot an innovative approach to coastal resilience.

    BIOCAP tiles, a 3D-printed modular system designed to support marine life and reduce wave impact along urban seawalls, will be installed on the existing seawall there in spring 2025. BIOCAP stands for Biodiversity Improvement by Optimizing Coastal Adaptation and Performance.

    Developed by our team of architects and marine biologists at Florida International University, the uniquely textured prototype tiles are designed to test a new approach for helping cities such as Miami adapt to rising sea levels while simultaneously restoring ecological balance along their shorelines.

    The project receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

    Ecological costs of traditional seawalls

    Seawalls have long served as a primary defense against coastal erosion and storm surges. Typically constructed of concrete and ranging from 6 to 10 feet in height, they are built along shorelines to block waves from eroding the land and flooding nearby urban areas.

    However, they often come at an ecological cost. Seawalls disrupt natural shoreline dynamics and can [wipe out the complex habitat zones] that marine life relies on.

    Marine organisms are crucial in maintaining coastal water quality by filtering excess nutrients, pollutants and suspended particles. A single adult oyster can filter 20-50 gallons of water daily, removing nitrogen, phosphorus and solids that would otherwise fuel harmful algal blooms. These blooms deplete oxygen levels and damage marine ecosystems.

    Filter-feeding organisms also reduce turbidity, which is the cloudiness of water caused by suspended sediment and particles. Less water turbidity means more light can penetrate, which benefits seagrasses that require sunlight for photosynthesis. These seagrasses convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and energy-rich sugars while providing essential food and habitat for diverse marine species.

    A robotic 3D printer extrudes concrete in layered, intricate channels.
    Sara Pezeshk, CC BY-SA

    Swirling shapes, shaded grooves

    Unlike the flat, lifeless surfaces of typical concrete seawalls, each BIOCAP tile is designed with shaded grooves, crevices and small, water-holding pockets. These textured features mimic natural shoreline conditions and create tiny homes for barnacles, oysters, sponges and other marine organisms that filter and improve water quality.

    The tile’s swirling surface patterns increase the overall surface area, offering more space for colonization. The shaded recesses are intended to help regulate temperature by providing cooler, more stable microenvironments. This thermal buffering can support marine life in the face of rising water temperatures and more frequent heat events driven by climate change.

    Another potential benefit of the tiles is reducing the impact of waves.

    When waves hit a natural shoreline, their energy is gradually absorbed by irregular surfaces, tide pools and vegetation. In contrast, when waves strike vertical concrete seawalls, the energy is reflected back into the water rather than absorbed. This wave reflection – the bouncing back of wave energy – can amplify wave action, increase erosion at the base of the wall and create more hazardous conditions during storms.

    The textured surfaces of the BIOCAP tiles are designed to help diffuse wave energy by mimicking the natural dissipation found on undisturbed shorelines.

    The design of BIOCAP takes cues from nature. The tile shapes are based on how water interacts with different surfaces at high tide and low tide. Concave tiles, which curve inward, and convex tiles, which curve outward, are installed at different levels along the seawall. The goal is to deflect waves away from the seawall, reduce direct impact and help minimize erosion and turbulence around the wall’s foundation.

    A collection of 3D-printed concrete BIOCAP tiles.
    Sara Pezeshk, CC BY-SA

    How we will measure success

    After the BIOCAP tiles are installed, we plan to assess how the seawall redesign enhances biodiversity, improves water quality and reduces wave energy. This two-year pilot phase will help assess the long-term value of ecologically designed infrastructure.

    To evaluate biodiversity, we will use underwater cameras to capture time-lapse imagery of the marine life that colonizes the tile surfaces. These observations will aid in documenting species diversity and habitat use over time.

    To assess water quality, we have developed a specialized prototype tile with sensors that can measure pH, dissolved oxygen levels, salinity, turbidity and temperature in real time. This data will provide insight into how the tiles affect local water conditions.

    Finally, to measure wave attenuation and the reduction of wave force, we will mount pressure sensors on both the BIOCAP tiles and the adjacent traditional seawall sections. This comparison will allow us to quantify differences in wave energy across varying tidal conditions and storm events.

    As coastal cities confront the dual challenges of increasing threats from climate change and environmental degradation, the BIOCAP project offers what we hope will be an example of a resilient, nature-based solution that benefits both humans and the environment.

    In the coming year, we’ll be watching with hope as the new BIOCAP tiles begin to welcome marine life, offering a glimpse into how nature might reclaim and thrive along our urban shorelines.

    Read more of our stories about South Florida.

    Shahin Vassigh receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency

    Sara Pezeshk 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. Miami researchers are testing a textured seawall designed to hold back water and create a home for marine organisms – https://theconversation.com/miami-researchers-are-testing-a-textured-seawall-designed-to-hold-back-water-and-create-a-home-for-marine-organisms-252488

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Railways were essential to carrying out the Holocaust – decades later, corporate reckoning continues

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sarah Federman, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution, Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego

    Liliane Lelaidier-Marton stands in front of the kind of car her parents were forced into in Drancy, France, when deported to their deaths. Sarah Federman

    The Holocaust could not have happened without the railways.

    Preeminent Holocaust scholar Raul Hilberg underscored that almost everyone murdered at a camp arrived by train, including Jews, political prisoners and other “undesirables.” Since the 1990s, groups of survivors have asked European railway companies to acknowledge and atone for their critical role – a reminder that war, genocide and other atrocities cannot occur without corporate participation.

    One long-running attempt met a setback on Feb. 21, 2025, when the U.S. Supreme Court threw out an appeals court ruling in favor of survivors seeking atonement from Hungary’s state railways. The lower court held that plaintiffs could sue the company over looting during the deportation of 440,000 Jews, most of whom were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The Supreme Court disagreed, however, saying the case did not warrant an exception to law protecting foreign governments from being sued in U.S. courts.

    SS personnel select Hungarian Jews for life or death after their arrival at Auschwitz.
    Bernhard Walter/Yad Vashem via Wikimedia Commons

    Even without legal rulings, however, survivors have sometimes mobilized enough public support to force rail companies to confront their complicity.

    I wrote a book about one such case: the French national railways’ multiple roles in World War II, and the company’s 30-year struggle to make amends. I dug through archives and legal documents and spoke to over 120 experts – including historians, legislators, executives and more than 90 Holocaust survivors – about what obligations, if any, they believe railways have today.

    The French national railways’ wartime activities and slow roll to accountability helped me better understand and articulate productive ways that companies can respond to demands for atonement decades or more after the events.

    The author stands with Daniel Urbejtel, one of the youngest people who survived deportation to Auschwitz.
    Sarah Federman

    Multiple wartime roles

    The French railway company, known as the SNCF, played more than one role during the war. Depending on which facts you focus on, you can see the company as a victim, hero or perpetrator.

    With roughly 500,000 employees at the time, the company found itself in the crosshairs of the Nazi occupation. When France capitulated to Germany on June 22, 1940, the country was divided into occupied and free zones, and the French national railways were put under German command.

    Unlike companies such as Hugo Boss, which made Nazi uniforms, the SNCF did not financially profit from the occupation. To the contrary, Germans rarely paid the rail company the full amounts due. Machines were destroyed, an estimated 24,000 railway workers were sent to forced labor, and 2,229 railway workers were murdered.

    After the war, the acts of the brave railway workers came to light. Some slowed trains so deportees could jump off; some found other ways to facilitate escapes. Near the city of Lille, some SNCF workers helped save dozens of Jewish children. Most importantly, some workers coordinated with the French Resistance on D-Day, sabotaging trains to prevent German armaments from reaching the Normandy beaches and fighting off the Allies.

    After the war, the SNCF amplified heroic stories with the help of the French government, using a film, pamphlets and other means.

    ‘La Bataille du Rail,’ a 1946 film about French railway workers during the war.

    These stories are true – even if those workers made up less than 1% of the workforce. Surely, some stories were never told. But even if we double or triple the number, such resistance was an exception, not the rule.

    Senior executives reported on acts of sabotage and did little to save their own Jewish colleagues. In fact, Vichy France – the wartime collaborationist government – put the head of the SNCF, Pierre-Eugene Fournier, in charge of liquidating Jewish businesses. He did so efficiently and complained only about German interference.

    French Jews are forced into a train during deportations in Marseille in January 1943.
    Wolfgang Vennemann/German Federal Archives via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    The SNCF transported approximately 76,000 Jewish deportees in merchandise cars to the German border, where a Nazi train driver carried them on to their deaths. While it’s possible the company didn’t understand the mass murder occurring at Auschwitz or other camps, drivers knew they carried unwilling passengers crammed together with little food, water or air in extreme weather without stopping. The deportation trains continued for two months after D-Day.

    Push for justice

    Yet SNCF’S image as part of the Resistance lived on in France until the 1990s, when survivors first approached the company for atonement. SNCF escaped legal liability, but public pressure forced the company to respond. Though it never financially compensated victims directly, the SNCF did commission an independent study, opened its archive to the public, made statements of regret and contributed to Holocaust commemoration and education.

    A couple married for over 50 years discovered that their fathers were deported on the same train.
    Sarah Federman

    The conversation then moved beyond French borders. In 2014, after Holocaust survivors protested the SNCF’s bids for contracts in the U.S., French and American ambassadors hammered out a US$60 million fund to compensate survivors who were not covered by other programs.

    The SNCF’s journey toward accountability encouraged debates involving rail companies in the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary, which had also transported hundreds of thousands of people to their deaths.

    In 2019, Holocaust survivor Salo Muller successfully lobbied the Dutch state-owned railways for an apology and compensation for deportees. The company gave €15,000 – about $16,500 – to each survivor who had been forced to pay for their own ticket to be transported in horrific conditions to death camps. In the case of deceased survivors, the railway offered half that amount to heirs.

    Not about the money

    Liliane Lelaidier-Marton in front of a memorial at Drancy, France, where her father was deported.
    Sarah Federman

    In 2012, historian Michael Marrus invited me to join him at Corporate Liability for Human Rights Violations, a conference at the University of Tel Aviv. There, he slapped his hands on the table and all but shouted to his senior colleagues, “It’s not about the money!”

    Judicial rulings and financial payouts make headlines and create important precedents. But my interviews with survivors confirmed the spirit of Marrus’ words: “People want to set the record straight, to tell the story, and to have their history constitute a warning.”

    Liliane Lelaidier-Marton took me to the Shoah Memorial in Drancy, France, where her parents had been interned before deportation. She appreciated the memorials and visitor center, which acknowledge her loss and their suffering. Renée Fauguet-Zejgman and I went to a ceremony in Paris together so she could read her murdered father’s name – an opportunity sponsored, in part, by the SNCF. Daniel Urbejtel, one of the youngest to survive Auschwitz, didn’t hold on to special anger against the railways. But when I told him about their statement of regret and funding of memorial sites, he said, “I’m glad that they did that.”

    Renée Fauguet-Zejgman points to her father’s name on a memorial in Paris.
    Sarah Federman

    Leo Bretholz, who jumped out of an SNCF train bound for Auschwitz, wanted a verbal acknowledgment of the harm and an apology along with compensation. Stanley Kalmanovitz, who received over $200,000 from the 2014 settlement for his deportation to Auschwitz, told me, “The money came at a good time in my life … but this is not a settlement of conscience.” He knew the railway company was trying to win U.S. contracts and saw the money as a way to get survivors out of the way.

    Motivations aside, Kalmanovitz wondered what people today expect from the SNCF workers during the war. He said, “What was the French railroad supposed to do? Someone has a gun at your head, what do you do? You take the bullet? Then, if everyone takes a bullet, who’s left?”

    Historians only know of one French train driver who defied orders to drive his train. Léon Bronchart refused to drive a train filled with either German soldiers or political prisoners. He lost his bonus and title, but not his life.

    While a number of survivors I spoke with wanted SNCF to atone, others expressed misgivings about holding today’s company accountable for the actions of its predecessors.

    Thousands of Jews around Paris were arrested in July 1942, including more than 4,000 children. Most were later deported to Auschwitz.
    Antoine Gyori/Sygma via Getty Images

    Restoring dignity

    Today, some companies are trying to address their connections to mass atrocities: not only the Holocaust, but also other genocides, the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and even ecological destruction.

    I encourage companies, institutions and ambassadors to focus on addressing harm, rather than on calculating their institution’s percentage of guilt or complicity. These difficult – if not impossible – calculations distract institutions from supporting the innocent people grappling with the aftermath and from preventing future harm.

    While money matters, people also want their dignity restored and suffering acknowledged – and companies can do this work without lawsuits prompting them. When they do it on their own, stakeholders see their efforts as evidence of a moral conscience rather than an economic necessity.

    This look back encourages stakeholders to consider how today’s corporate actions may be judged in the years ahead. Will future generations celebrate or condone their use of natural resources, labor practices or any participation in the deportations of their day?

    Sarah Federman received funding from the Fondation pour la Memorial de la Shoah to conduct research on the SNCF in France. During her time as a doctoral student, George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution awarded Federman the Presidential Scholarship in support of this research.

    – ref. Railways were essential to carrying out the Holocaust – decades later, corporate reckoning continues – https://theconversation.com/railways-were-essential-to-carrying-out-the-holocaust-decades-later-corporate-reckoning-continues-250008

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Dark energy may have once been ‘springier’ than it is today − DESI cosmologists explain what their collaboration’s new measurement says about the universe’s history

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By David Weinberg, Professor of Astronomy, The Ohio State University

    The Mayall 4-meter Telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory houses the DESI instrument. KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Marenfeld

    Gravity pulls us to earth, a lesson you learn viscerally the first time you fall. Isaac Newton described gravity as a universal attractive force, one that holds the Moon in orbit around the Earth, the planets in orbit around the Sun, and the Sun in orbit around the center of our galaxy.

    In the 1990s, astronomers made the astonishing discovery that the expansion of the universe has sped up over the past 5 billion years, which implies that gravity can push as well as pull.

    Einstein’s theory of general relativity explains gravity as a consequence of curved space-time, where it allows for both attraction and repulsion. However, producing gravitational repulsion requires a new form of energy with exotic physical properties, often referred to as “dark energy.”

    New results from a large survey of the universe, announced in March 2025, are challenging the conventional picture of dark energy.

    Dark energy and cosmic expansion

    The simplest explanation for cosmic acceleration assumes a form of energy that fills apparently empty space and stays constant over time, instead of diluting as the universe expands.

    In fact, quantum mechanics predicts that “empty” space is filled with particles that flare briefly into and out of existence. At first glance, it seems like this effect could explain a constant dark energy, but no simple estimates of the effect’s magnitude line up with actual observations. Nonetheless, constant dark energy is a simple assumption that has proven successful in explaining many cosmological measurements.

    Today’s standard cosmological model incorporates this kind of constant dark energy. It also incorporates atoms and dark matter, which exert the attractive gravity that resists dark energy’s repulsion.

    New dark energy measurements

    The new measurements from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, or DESI, collaboration, which we are affiliated with, pose the sharpest challenge yet to this standard model.

    Relative to the constant dark energy predictions, the new DESI measurements suggest that the universe was expanding slightly faster a few billion years ago – by 1% to 3% – before relaxing to the expansion rate predicted today. One explanation for this temporary speed up is that the “springiness” of dark energy – a combination of energy and pressure that determines its repulsive effect – was higher in the past. The springiness then declined as the universe expanded further.

    Astronomers can measure the history of the universe from our vantage point in the present because light travels at a finite speed. So, we see distant objects as they were in the past. Cosmic expansion stretches the wavelength of light – a phenomenon known as redshift. A precise measurement of an object’s light can reveal the size of the universe at the time the light was emitted.

    The new DESI results are based on measuring the redshifts of more than 14 million galaxies, creating a three-dimensional map that spans 12 billion years of cosmic history. To determine the distances light traveled across this map, DESI measured a subtle feature imprinted on the clustering of these galaxies by acoustic waves that traveled through the early universe.

    An exciting result

    DESI’s evidence for evolving dark energy comes from combining its own distance and redshift measurements with other measurements of the average density of matter in the universe. The higher the density of matter, the more strongly it can pull against dark energy’s expansive push. The matter density measurements come from the European-led Planck space mission, which mapped structure in the cosmic microwave background.

    The combination of DESI and Planck data favors evolving dark energy, instead of constant dark energy, with a statistical significance of 3.1 standard deviations. This result has only a 1 in 500 chance of occurring randomly.

    Despite the long odds, physicists consider such a finding to be solid but not overwhelming evidence, in part because even the most careful experimenters may underestimate uncertainties in their measurements.

    To strengthen the statistical case, DESI scientists added measurements of cosmic distances made by the Dark Energy Survey collaboration, which applied a different measurement technique based on the brightness of light from supernova explosions.

    The combination of DESI, Planck and Dark Energy Survey supernovae favors the evolving dark energy model by odds of 40,000 to 1. However, other supernova surveys give results that agree more with constant dark energy, so most cosmologists aren’t yet ready to abandon the standard cosmological model.

    Even if DESI’s findings hold up, they still can’t say what dark energy is. But they can provide much stronger clues than cosmologists had before.

    The DESI-based model implies that dark energy changed its properties surprisingly quickly. Dark energy began to lose its repulsive strength at about the same time it became the dominant form of energy in the cosmos.

    Extrapolating to the past, this model also implies that dark energy once had an extraordinary springiness, at a level that no simple theory of a dark energy field can explain. As future data sharpens these measurements, the findings could point us in a weird new direction – perhaps even challenging Einstein’s theory of gravity itself.

    In the model that fits the DESI data, the density of dark energy goes up and then declines, shown as a blue curve, instead of staying constant as assumed in the standard cosmological model, indicated by the horizontal dotted line. In either case, the density of atoms and dark matter dilutes as the universe expands, shown as a red curve, and today it is only about half that of dark energy. The repulsive effect of dark energy began to exceed the attractive effect of matter when the universe was about 8 billion years old, marked as ‘acceleration begins.’
    David Weinberg

    An ambitious experiment

    DESI is an extremely ambitious undertaking and an example of “big science” at its best. The instrument itself is mounted on the 4-meter Mayall Telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. It uses 5,000 optical fibers mounted on tiny robotic positioners that guide the light from individual galaxies to scientific instruments that dissect that light and record the data for measuring redshifts.

    Every 15 minutes, the telescope shifts to a new area of the sky, and the robots move the fibers to point to 5,000 new galaxy locations. After five years of design and construction, DESI has operated continuously since 2021.

    A close-up of the DESI focal plane showing a few of the 5,000 fiber positioners. The white spots inside the bluish circles are the optical fibers that guide the light collected from distant galaxies to the spectrographs about 40 meters away.
    Dr. Claire Poppett, DESI Collaboration

    Led by the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, DESI is a collaboration of over 900 scientists at 70 institutions around the world. At our university alone, more than 20 faculty, students, postdocs and research staff have worked on DESI over the past decade.

    This work includes contributions to building and installing spectrographs, which measure the properties of light, as well as writing software to record data, leading instrument operations, observing and troubleshooting at the telescope, designing galaxy and quasar surveys, creating catalogs for statistical analysis, testing measurement techniques with computer simulations, interpreting results and writing papers – all in tight communication with our collaborators.

    If the evidence for evolving dark energy holds up — and despite our instinctive caution, we think it has a good chance of doing so — it will join a list of remarkable 21st-century discoveries achieved with large U.S. national investments.

    These discoveries include the first detection of gravitational waves by the National Science Foundation-funded Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, LIGO, and the spectacular measurements of galaxies and exoplanet atmospheres by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

    These achievements show what the support of science by U.S. taxpayers and dedicated, creative researchers across the globe can accomplish.

    David Weinberg receives funding from the National Science Foundation and NASA that supports his dark energy research.

    Ashley Ross receives funding from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to support his work on DESI and NASA to support work on related experiments.

    Klaus Honscheid receives funding from Department of Energy.

    Paul Martini receives funding from the Department of Energy.

    – ref. Dark energy may have once been ‘springier’ than it is today − DESI cosmologists explain what their collaboration’s new measurement says about the universe’s history – https://theconversation.com/dark-energy-may-have-once-been-springier-than-it-is-today-desi-cosmologists-explain-what-their-collaborations-new-measurement-says-about-the-universes-history-253067

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Fortinet Releases its 2024 Sustainability Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — News Summary

    Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today released its 2024 Sustainability Report, outlining the company’s approach, key commitments, and progress on the sustainability topics that matter most to the company and its stakeholders.

    “As digital transformation accelerates, cybersecurity is more critical than ever to safeguarding businesses, the global economy and society at large,” said Michael Xie, Founder, President and CTO at Fortinet. “Fortinet is committed to having our products, services, and people contribute to building a more secure and sustainable society–from improving the environmental impact of our products through energy efficiency and more sustainable packaging, to our commitment to closing the cybersecurity skills gap by training 1 million individuals by 2026. We are proud of the progress we’ve made and remain committed to integrating sustainability across all aspects of our operations.”

    As cybersecurity continues to play a leading role in enabling a sustainable digital future, Fortinet remains committed to protecting people, businesses, and communities worldwide while operating responsibly and minimizing its environmental footprint.

    Highlights from the Fortinet 2024 Sustainability Report include:

    • Driving innovation and responsible technology to secure the digital world: With nearly 1,400 patents issued and more than 450 pending, Fortinet continues to pioneer AI-powered security solutions, collaborating with organizations such as University of California (UC) Berkeley, the World Economic Forum, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to advance AI use in cybersecurity. In 2024, Fortinet also became one of the early signatory of CISA’s Secure by Design pledge, reinforcing its commitment to security at every stage of the product lifecycle.
    • Strengthening global efforts to combat cybercrime: In 2024, Fortinet deepened its engagement with numerous global organizations dedicated to halting cybercrime, supporting major initiatives such as INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti and the World Economic Forum Cybercrime Atlas Project. These collaborative efforts in 2024 contributed to over 1,000 arrests, the dismantling of 134,000+ malicious networks, and the recovering of $44 million USD.
    • Accelerating climate action with near-term, science-based targets: In 2024, Fortinet’s near-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. These climate near-term targets include scopes 1 and 2 emissions, aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory to limit global warming, as well as scope 3 targets focused on supplier and customer engagement to drive emission reductions across the value chain.
    • Improving product energy efficiency and sustainable packaging: In 2024, Fortinet introduced new FortiGate models that are, on average, 61% more energy efficient than previous generations. Additionally, the company expanded its efforts to minimize environmental impact by launching 22 FSC-certified packaging models, prioritizing plastic-free packaging across 86 top-selling products, and avoiding 387 metric tons of CO2e emissions, including 77 metric tons of plastic reduction.
    • Addressing the cybersecurity skills gap and expanding access to education: Since 2022, Fortinet has trained more than 630,000 individuals in cybersecurity through the Fortinet Training Institute initiatives. In 2024, Fortinet joined the European Commission’s Cybersecurity Skills Academy, committing to train 75,000 people in the EU by 2027. Fortinet also contributed to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework, helping to shape global best practices for sustainable cybersecurity talent development.
    • Upholding strong business ethics and information security practices: In 2024, 100% of Fortinet’s top contract manufacturers (covering 90% of spend) and distributors completed business ethics and compliance training. Fortinet expanded its ISO 27001/17/18 certifications and its SOC2 Type II examinations, achieving 81 information security certifications and examinations strengthening data protection and privacy measures.

    Industry Recognition for Responsible Business Practices
    Fortinet’s continued progress in sustainability and responsible business practices has been recognized through multiple industry accolades, including:

    • Inclusion in the 2024 Dow Jones Best-in-Class World and North America Indices for the third consecutive year, reflecting its leadership in corporate responsibility.
    • An improved CDP Climate Change rating, moving from a B- to a B score, reflecting strengthened climate action and transparency.
    • Recognition as a 2024 “Best Company to Work For” by Glassdoor and a “Great Place to Work,” underscoring Fortinet’s commitment to fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive.
    • Recognized as No. 7 on Forbes’ Most Trusted Companies in America 2025 list—and the most trusted U.S.-based cybersecurity company.

    Fortinet’s 2024 Sustainability Report references the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, Sustainability Accountability Standards Board (SASB) Standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The report details Fortinet’s progress and metrics across the following eight priority issues: innovation and responsible technology; cybercrime disruption; climate change; product environmental impacts; inclusion and belonging; cybersecurity skills gap; business ethics; and information security and data privacy.

    Additional Resources

    About Fortinet
    Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere our customers need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including Computer Emergency Response Teams (“CERTS”), government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

    Copyright © 2025 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAgent, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiCNP, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCSPM, FortiCWP, FortiDAST, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiDLP, FortiEdge, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFlex FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiGuest, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPAM, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPoint, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiScanner, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiSRA, FortiStack, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM, FortiXDR and Lacework FortiCNAPP. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

    Media Contact: Investor Contact: Analyst Contact:
    Stephanie Lira
    Fortinet, Inc.
    408-235-7700
    pr@fortinet.com     		 Aaron Ovadia
    Fortinet, Inc.
    408-235-7700
    investors@fortinet.com    		 Brian Greenberg
    Fortinet, Inc.
    408-235-7700
    analystrelations@fortinet.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: FFB Bancorp Announces First Quarter 2025 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FRESNO, Calif., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FFB Bancorp (the “Company”) (OTCQX: FFBB), the parent company of FFB Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $8.10 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 4% from the $7.79 million, or $2.46 per diluted share, reported for the first quarter of 2024. The Bank reported $9.72 million, or $3.05 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2024. All results are unaudited.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights: As of, or for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2024:

    • Pre-tax, pre-provision income increased 10% to $12.01 million.
    • Net income increased 4% to $8.10 million.
    • Return on average equity (“ROAE”) was 18.83%.
    • Return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 2.14%.
    • Net interest margin expanded 20 basis points to 5.35% from 5.15%.
    • Operating revenue (net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, plus non-interest income) increased 21% to $28.48 million.
    • Total assets increased 12% to $1.56 billion.
    • Total portfolio of loans increased 18% to $1.09 billion.
    • Total deposits increased 10% to $1.32 billion.
    • Shareholder equity increased 26% to $174.71 million.
    • Book value per common share increased 27% to $55.52.
    • The Company’s tangible common equity ratio was 11.20%, while the Bank’s regulatory leverage capital ratio was 14.66%, and the total risk-based capital ratio was 21.09% at March 31, 2025.

    “In spite of the general market headwinds, and the constant noise surrounding potential policy changes, our first quarter 2025 results still came in quite strong because the team was able to stay focused on the basics,” said Steve Miller, President & CEO. “The loan portfolio increased $21 million, deposits grew $36 million, and total assets grew $56 million. In addition, we were able to record strong earnings while improving our book value per common share through our strategic share repurchase program.”

    “During the quarter we have made consistent progress on the matters outlined in our consent order, although ultimate compliance will be determined by our regulators. The team has been diligent in working with our regulators to complete the necessary steps to meet consent order timelines. We have confidence we can continue to address these items going forward.”

    Linda Emtman and Miles Mahoney Join Board of Directors of FFB Bancorp and FFB Bank:

    Linda Emtman and Miles Mahoney have been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Company and Bank, expanding the number of directors for both boards to 11 from 9.

    Ms. Emtman was a Principal in Financial Services at Ernst & Young in San Francisco until her retirement. She is on the executive leadership team of the American Heart Association, and an Ambassador at the Bay Area Cor Vitae Society. Ms. Emtman is a graduate of the University of Washington where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and completed her Master Deal Maker certification at the Wharton School.

    Mr. Mahoney is the President of U2 Science Labs, Inc, an advanced analytics and data science platform, in Orange County and the Founder and Managing Partner of Irish Acquisitions, Inc. He has served as a board member of a number of different organizations over a 15-year period. Mr. Mahoney is a graduate of Montana State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Finance and completed his MBA at the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business.

    “We are delighted to welcome Linda and Miles to our Company’s Board of Directors and look forward to working with them as we pursue our mission to grow our franchise. They bring a wealth of experience and a broad depth of knowledge that will help propel us forward for future success,” said Mark Saleh, Chairman of the Boards. “Recently, one of our founding board members, Al Smith, passed away. He was instrumental in the early development of our brand. His commitment to the bank and creative ideas will be missed.”

    Update on Stock Repurchase Program:

    On January 22, 2025, the Company announced that it had authorized a plan to utilize up to $15.0 million of capital to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31, 2025, the Company has repurchased 41,915 shares, at an average price of $81.60, totaling $3.42 million. This represents approximately 1.78% of total shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2025.

    Under the terms of the repurchase plan, the Company may repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time, through December 31, 2025, in open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases under the plan may also be made pursuant to a trading plan under Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which would permit shares to be repurchased by the Company when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so because of self-imposed trading blackout periods or other regulatory restrictions. The timing, manner, price and exact amount of any repurchases by the Company will be determined at the Company’s discretion and depend on various factors including the performance of the Company’s stock price, general market and economic conditions, applicable legal and regulatory requirements, availability of funds, and other relevant factors. Through December 31, 2025, the repurchase plan may be discontinued, suspended or restarted at any time.

    Results of Operations

    Quarter ended March 31, 2025:

    Operating revenue, consisting of net interest income before the provision for credit losses and non-interest income, increased 21% to $28.48 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $23.61 million for the first quarter a year ago, and increased 1% from $28.25 million from the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, increased 17% to $18.90 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $16.14 million for the same quarter a year ago, and remained consistent with the $18.81 million reported last quarter. “The increase in net interest income compared to prior year was primarily driven by loan portfolio growth,” said Bhavneet Gill, Chief Financial Officer. “We have also seen some relief in funding costs as a result of the FOMC rate cuts from the second half of 2024.”

    The Company’s net interest margin (“NIM”) increased by 20 basis points to 5.35% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 5.15% for the first quarter of 2024, and increased 11 basis points from 5.24% for the preceding quarter. “Our yield on earning assets increased 8 basis points in the first quarter primarily from changes within the loan portfolio. Additionally, the expansion of NIM was buoyed by a 4 basis point decrease in the cost to fund earning assets as average non-interest bearing deposits increased $11.68 million quarter-over-quarter,” noted Gill.

    The yield on earning assets was 6.31% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 6.15% for the first quarter a year ago, and 6.24% for the previous quarter. The cost to fund earning assets decreased to 0.96% for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 1.00% for the previous quarter, and 1.00% for the same quarter a year earlier.

    Total non-interest income was $9.58 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $7.47 million for the first quarter of 2024, and $9.44 million for the previous quarter. The increase in non-interest income, from the first quarter of 2024, was driven by higher merchant services revenue and a reduction in loss on sale of investments, partially offset by lower gain on sale of loans revenue. The quarter-over-quarter increase in non-interest income was attributed to higher merchant services revenue due to seasonal activity, partially offset by a reduction in the gain on sale of loans revenue.

    Merchant services revenue increased 30% to $7.86 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $6.07 million from the first quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to higher volume across all merchant business lines and higher gross revenue related to FFB Payments. Merchant services revenue increased from $7.56 million when compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 as a result of an increase in processing volume during the quarter, primarily due to seasonal activity. First quarter 2025 ISO Partner Sponsorship volumes include $2.78 billion in volume for the ISO partners being exited in the second quarter of 2025. First quarter 2025 ISO Partner Sponsorship revenue includes $990,000 in revenue from the ISO partners being exited in the second quarter of 2025. “These ISO exits were the right decision to help ensure we are aligned with our partners in regard to best in class oversight. We anticipate replacing this volume and revenue through growth in FFB Payments and with our remaining ISO partners as we move forward,” said Miller.

    Merchant ISO Processing Volumes (in thousands)
    Source Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
    ISO Partner Sponsorship $ 5,007,998   $ 4,891,643   $ 4,556,868   $ 4,391,365   $ 3,763,289  
    FFB Payments- Sub-ISO Merchants   21,551     22,950     24,661     24,414     19,370  
    FFB Payments – Direct Merchants   97,095     91,133     64,512     76,059     77,349  
    Total volume $ 5,126,644   $ 5,005,726   $ 4,646,041   $ 4,491,838   $ 3,860,008  
    Merchant ISO Processing Revenues (in thousands)
    Source of Revenue Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
    Net Revenue*:          
    ISO Partner Sponsorship $ 2,410   $ 2,535   $ 2,284   $ 2,156   $ 2,183  
               
    Gross Revenue:          
    FFB Payments- Sub-ISO Merchants   745     764     810     795     672  
    FFB Payments – Direct Merchants   4,709     4,262     2,476     3,117     3,213  
        5,454     5,026     3,286     3,912     3,885  
    Gross Expense:          
    FFB Payments- Sub-ISO Merchants   616     638     723     675     518  
    FFB Payments – Direct Merchants   2,558     2,511     1,766     1,989     1,842  
        3,174     3,149     2,489     2,664     2,360  
    Net Revenue:          
    FFB Payments- Sub-ISO Merchants   129     126     87     120     154  
    FFB Payments – Direct Merchants   2,151     1,751     710     1,128     1,371  
    FFB Payments Net Revenue   2,280     1,877     797     1,248     1,525  
    Net Merchant Services Income: $ 4,690   $ 4,412   $ 3,081   $ 3,404   $ 3,708  
     
    *ISO Partnership Sponsorship is recognized net of expense in Merchant Services Income. FFB Payments revenues are recognized gross in Merchant Services Income and Merchant Services expenses are recognized in Non-Interest Expense.
     

    Total deposit fee income increased 7% to $849,000 for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $796,000 for the first quarter of 2024, and decreased 1% from $856,000 for the previous quarter.

    There was a $261,000 gain on sale of loans during the first quarter of 2025, compared to a gain on sale of loans of $451,000 during the first quarter 2024, and a gain on sale of loans of $929,000 in the previous quarter. There was no loss on sale of investments during the first quarter of 2025, compared to a $373,000 loss during the first quarter of 2024, and a $482,000 loss in the previous quarter.

    Non-interest expense increased 30% to $16.47 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $12.70 million for the first quarter 2024, and increased 24% from $13.27 million from the previous quarter. The increases on a year-over-year and quarterly comparison were driven by increases in salaries and employee benefits expense.

    Salaries and employee benefits increased 22% to $8.06 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $6.58 million for the first quarter 2024. Total salaries and employee benefits increased 56% from $5.18 million in the previous quarter. The quarterly increase in salaries and employee benefits expense is partially attributed to $1.96 million in non-recurring reductions to performance bonus and ESOP accruals recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024. The balance of the increase was primarily the result of expense associated with full-time employees hired in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. Full-time employees increased to 175 at March 31, 2025, compared to 147 full-time employees a year earlier, and 168 full-time employees from the previous quarter.

    “Over the last few quarters, we’ve made intentional investments in people and technology to ensure that the bank can efficiently scale moving forward, and specifically to support our payment ecosystem, product development, regional expansion, and compliance/risk management initiatives. We continue to see elevated legal, audit, and technology related expenses mostly related to addressing the Consent Order,” said Miller.

    Occupancy and equipment expenses decreased 8% from a year ago, representing 2% of non-interest expense, and decreased 14% from the preceding quarter. Merchant operating expense totaled $3.17 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $2.36 million for the first quarter of 2024 and $3.15 million for the preceding quarter. The change in merchant operating expense is attributed to fluctuations in volume and revenue for the FFB Payments lines of business. Merchant operating expenses include interchange fees, chargebacks, partnership fees, and other card brand fees.

    Other operating expense increased 45% or $1.51 million to $4.88 million from a year earlier and increased 8% or $351,000 from the previous quarter. The year-over-year increase was driven by increases of $252,000 in data and software related expense, $355,000 in professional fees, $262,000 in marketing expense, $111,000 in regulatory assessment expense, and $321,000 in operational losses. The increase in data and software expense and professional fees, which include legal, audit, and consulting fees, are primarily due to actions taken to enhance the Company’s AML/CFT, compliance, and merchant services programs.

    The efficiency ratio was 57.83% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 52.96% for the same quarter a year ago, and 46.19% for the preceding quarter. The efficiency ratio can fluctuate period over period based on changes in merchant services’ gross revenues and associated expenses. The Company also calculates an adjusted efficiency ratio where the merchant services’ gross expense, which is included in non-interest expense, is netted against merchant services’ revenue in non-interest income. The adjusted efficiency ratio was 52.54% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 47.82% for the same quarter a year ago, and 39.57% for the previous quarter.

    Balance Sheet Review

    Total assets increased 12% to $1.56 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $1.40 billion at March 31, 2024, and increased 4% compared to December 31, 2024.

    The total portfolio of loans increased 18%, or $165.66 million, to $1.09 billion, compared to $926.78 million at March 31, 2024, and increased $21.36 million, from $1.07 billion at December 31, 2024.

    Commercial real estate loans increased 28% year-over-year to $696.63 million, representing 64% of total loans at March 31, 2025. The CRE portfolio includes approximately $282.54 million in multi-family loans originated by the Southern California team that the Company may consider selling at some point in the future for liquidity and concentration management. The multi-family portfolio includes $84.52 million in short-term bridge loans for transitional projects of multi-family properties. The short-term bridge loans are conservatively underwritten with minimum DSCR and liquidity requirements. The bank continues to market our bridge loan product in a more measured approach, keeping to our conservative underwriting standards. The real estate construction and land development loan portfolio decreased 84% from a year ago to $12.65 million, representing 1% of total loans, while residential RE 1-4 family loans totaled $17.15 million, or 2% of loans, at March 31, 2025.

    The commercial and industrial (C&I) portfolio increased 16% to $260.06 million, at March 31, 2025, compared to $224.55 million a year earlier, and decreased 3% from $267.95 million at December 31, 2024. C&I loans represented 24% of total loans at March 31, 2025. Agriculture loans represented 10% of the loan portfolio at March 31, 2025. At March 31, 2025, the SBA, USDA, and other government agencies guaranteed loans totaled $61.37 million, or 5.6% of the loan portfolio.

    Investment securities totaled $313.83 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $328.91 million a year earlier, and decreased $8.36 million from $322.19 million at December 31, 2024. The investment portfolio consists of mortgage-backed and municipal securities, both tax exempt and taxable, treasury securities as well as other domestic debt. At March 31, 2025, the Company had a net unrealized loss position on its investment securities portfolio of $24.50 million, compared to a net unrealized loss of $25.89 million at December 31, 2024. The Company’s investment securities portfolio had an effective duration of 5.61 years at March 31, 2025, compared to 5.32 years at December 31, 2024.

    Total deposits increased 10%, or $119.85 million, to $1.32 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $1.20 billion from a year earlier, and increased $36.00 million from $1.28 billion at December 31, 2024. The quarter-over-quarter increase in deposit balances is primarily attributed to an increase in interest bearing checking accounts. Non-interest bearing demand deposits increased 10% to $825.40 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $751.64 million at March 31, 2024, and decreased $3.10 million from $828.51 million at December 31, 2024. Non-interest bearing demand deposits represented 63% of total deposits at March 31, 2025.

    Included in non-interest bearing deposits are $89.98 million from ISO partners for merchant reserves, $135.48 million from ISO partners for settlement, and $9.63 million in ISO partner operating accounts. These deposits represent 28.5% of non-interest bearing deposits and 17.8% of total deposits. Included in the $235.09 million in ISO partner deposits as of March 31, 2025 are $137.82 million in deposits for ISO partners being exited in the second quarter of 2025. The Bank plans to replace these non-interest bearing deposits with growth from new Bank customers in its markets and from the existing ISO partners it will continue to support. In the short-term, the new deposit growth will likely be made up of a higher percentage of interest bearing deposits.

    There was $10.00 million in short-term borrowings at March 31, 2025, compared to no borrowings at December 31, 2024, or March 31, 2024. The Company primarily utilizes FHLB advances and the Federal Reserve discount window for short-term borrowings. The following table summarizes the Company’s primary and secondary sources of liquidity which were available at March 31, 2025:

    Liquidity Source (in thousands) March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024
         
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 103,071   $ 63,415  
    Unpledged investment securities, fair value   104,732     118,957  
    FHLB advance capacity   338,036     304,077  
                 
    Federal Reserve discount window capacity   130,590     166,475  
    Correspondent bank unsecured lines of credit   70,000     91,500  
      $ 746,429   $ 744,424  
     

    The total primary and secondary liquidity of $746.43 million at March 31, 2025 represents an increase of $2.0 million in primary and secondary liquidity quarter-over-quarter. On-balance sheet cash and cash equivalents increased as a result of deposit growth in the quarter.

    Shareholders’ equity increased 26% to $174.71 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $138.72 million from a year ago, and grew 4% from $168.39 million at December 31, 2024. Book value per common share increased 27% to $55.52, at March 31, 2025, compared to $43.69 at March 31, 2024, and increased 5% from $53.02 at December 31, 2024. The tangible common equity ratio was 11.20% at March 31, 2025, compared to 9.94% a year earlier, and 11.20% at December 31, 2024. Additionally, book value improved as a result of quarterly net income and a reduction in shares outstanding.

    At the Bank level, unrealized losses and gains reflected in AOCI are not included in regulatory capital. As a result, Tier-1 capital at the Bank for regulatory purposes was $226.64 million at quarter end excluding the unrealized loss. The regulatory leverage capital ratio was 14.66% for the current quarter, while the total risk-based capital ratio was 21.09%, exceeding regulatory minimums to be considered well-capitalized.

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets increased to $15.37 million, or 0.98% of total assets, at March 31, 2025, compared to $9.89 million, or 0.66% of total assets, from the preceding quarter. Of the $15.37 million nonperforming loans, $11.37 million are covered by SBA guarantees. Total delinquent loans increased to $19.12 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $8.32 million at December 31, 2024.

    Past due loans 30-60 days were $17.53 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $4.89 million at December 31, 2024, and $3.22 million at March 31, 2024. This increase in 30-60 days past due loans is the result of three multi-family loans, which are real estate secured, totaling $11.55 million to a related group of borrowers. There were $1.54 million past due loans from 60-90 days at March 31, 2025, compared to $2.45 million at December 31, 2024 and $1.95 million in past due loans from 60-90 days a year earlier. Past due loans 90+ days at quarter end totaled $46,000 at March 31, 2025, compared to $1.33 million, at March 31, 2024. Of the $19.12 million in past due loans at March 31, 2025, $2.75 million were purchased government guaranteed loans, which are guaranteed by the SBA for the full payment of the principal plus interest.

    Delinquent Loan Summary Organic Purchased Govt.
    Guaranteed    		 Total
    (in thousands)
           
    Delinquent accruing loans 30-59 days $ 16,147   $ 1,386   $ 17,533  
    Delinquent accruing loans 60-89 days   218     1,319     1,537  
    Delinquent accruing loans 90+ days   —     46     46  
    Total delinquent accruing loans $ 16,365   $ 2,751   $ 19,116  
           
    Non-Accrual Loan Summary Organic Purchased Govt.
    Guaranteed    		 Total
    (in thousands)
           
    Loans on non-accrual $ 15,366   $ —   $ 15,366  
    Non-accrual loans with SBA guarantees   11,371     —     11,371  
    Net Bank exposure to non-accrual loans $ 3,995   $ —   $ 3,995  
     

    There was a $1.16 million provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $378,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter a year ago, and a $1.67 million provision for credit losses booked in the fourth quarter of 2024. The provision recorded during the first quarter of 2025 is the result of loan portfolio growth and a $5.47 million increase in non-accrual loans which were individually evaluated in the allowance for credit losses. The increase in non-accrual loans was primarily related to SBA loans.

    “We watch the SBA portfolio very closely since rates have increased so rapidly over the last two years, putting pressure on borrowers. A majority of the loans within the portfolio are floating rate loans tied to WSJ Prime and reset quarterly. Borrowers saw a 50bps reduction in their rates on January 1, 2025 and additional rate relief is expected during the second half of 2025,” added Miller. “The ratio of allowance for credit losses to the total, non-guaranteed, loan portfolio was 1.25%, as of March 31, 2025, and our total non-guaranteed exposure on these SBA loans is $42.80 million spread over 222 loans.”

    “We incurred net charge offs of $167,000 during the current quarter, compared to $4,000 in net recoveries in the first quarter a year ago, and $1.29 million in net charge offs in the previous quarter,” said Miller. “Our loan portfolio increased 18% from a year ago with commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans representing 64% of the total loan portfolio. Within the CRE portfolio, there are $52.45 million in loans for CRE office as shown in the table below. Since the majority of our CRE office exposure is concentrated in the Central Valley, we are experiencing less volatility than city center CRE markets. Our credit metrics remain strong as we continue to maintain conservative underwriting standards.”

    (in thousands) CRE Office Exposure of March 31, 2025
    Region Owner-Occupied Non-Owner Occupied Total
    Central Valley $ 27,314   $ 13,544   $ 40,858  
    Southern California   2,271     352     2,623  
    Other California   4,492     3,948     8,440  
    Total California   34,077     17,844     51,921  
    Out of California   —     527     527  
    Total CRE Office $ 34,077   $ 18,371   $ 52,448  
     

    The ratio of allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.18% at March 31, 2025, compared to 1.12% a year earlier and 1.10% at December 31, 2024. The Company individually evaluates non-accrual loans in the allowance for credit losses which has resulted in carrying a higher level of reserve.

    About FFB Bancorp

    FFB Bancorp, formerly Communities First Financial Corporation, a bank holding company established in 2014, is the parent company of FFB Bank, founded in 2005 in Fresno, California. As a leading SBA Lender in California’s Central Valley and one of the few direct acquiring banks in the United States, FFB Bank offers clients a range of personal and business checking accounts, payment processes, and loan programs. Among the Bank’s awards and accomplishments, it was ranked #1 on American Banker’s list of the Top 20 Publicly Traded Banks under $2 Billion in Assets for 2024. For 2025, the Bank was also ranked by S&P Global as the #34 best performing community bank under $3 billion in assets. The Company has also received recognition as part of the OTCQX Best 50 Companies for 2019, 2023, and 2024. For additional information, you can visit the Company’s website at www.ffb.bank or by contacting a representative at 559-439-0200.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This earnings release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. The forward-looking statements are based on managements’ expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to effectively execute its business plans; the impact of the Consent Order on our financial condition and results of operations; changes in general economic and financial market conditions; changes in interest rates; and, in particular, actions taken by the Federal Reserve to try and control inflation; changes in the competitive environment; continuing consolidation in the financial services industry; new litigation or changes in existing litigation; losses, customer bankruptcy, claims and assessments; changes in banking regulations or other regulatory or legislative requirements affecting the Company’s business; international developments; and changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect events or circumstances after today, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    Member FDIC

    Select Financial Information and Ratios For the Quarter Ended:
    March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
    BALANCE SHEET- ENDING BALANCES:          
    Total assets $ 1,560,376     $ 1,504,128     $ 1,395,095  
    Total portfolio loans   1,092,441       1,071,079       926,781  
    Investment securities   313,826       322,186       328,906  
    Total deposits   1,320,381       1,284,377       1,200,529  
    Shareholders equity, net   174,711       168,392       138,716  
               
    INCOME STATEMENT DATA          
    Operating revenue   28,476       28,247       23,610  
    Operating expense   16,467       13,270       12,701  
    Pre-tax, pre-provision income   12,009       14,977       10,909  
    Net income after tax   8,098       9,718       7,790  
               
    SHARE DATA          
    Basic earnings per share $ 2.56     $ 3.06     $ 2.46  
    Fully diluted EPS $ 2.55     $ 3.05     $ 2.46  
    Book value per common share $ 55.52     $ 53.02     $ 43.69  
    Common shares outstanding   3,146,727       3,175,817       3,175,048  
    Fully diluted shares   3,175,178       3,189,949       3,170,981  
    FFBB – Stock price $ 76.50     $ 97.97     $ 82.99  
               
    RATIOS          
    Return on average assets   2.14 %     2.53 %     2.32 %
    Return on average equity   18.83 %     23.11 %     23.27 %
    Efficiency ratio   57.83 %     46.19 %     52.96 %
    Adjusted efficiency ratio   52.54 %     39.57 %     47.82 %
    Yield on earning assets   6.31 %     6.24 %     6.15 %
    Yield on investment securities   4.36 %     4.34 %     4.47 %
    Yield on portfolio loans   6.81 %     6.95 %     6.68 %
    Cost to fund earning assets   0.96 %     1.00 %     1.00 %
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits   2.60 %     2.69 %     2.57 %
    Net Interest Margin   5.35 %     5.24 %     5.15 %
    Equity to assets   11.20 %     11.20 %     9.94 %
    Net loan to deposit ratio   82.74 %     83.39 %     77.20 %
    Full time equivalent employees   175       168       147  
               
    BALANCE SHEET- AVERAGES          
    Total assets   1,531,573       1,529,439       1,347,625  
    Total portfolio loans   1,076,848       1,038,215       925,561  
    Investment securities   325,699       333,135       315,820  
    Total deposits   1,300,550       1,299,069       1,149,117  
    Shareholders equity, net   174,410       167,268       134,621  
                           
    Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
    (in thousands)    
    ASSETS          
    Cash and due from banks $ 83,033     $ 43,905     $ 37,360  
    Interest bearing deposits in banks   20,038       19,510       53,556  
    CDs in other banks   1,724       1,723       1,693  
    Investment securities   313,826       322,186       328,906  
    Loans held for sale   —       —       —  
               
    Construction & land development   12,649       26,522       77,318  
    Residential RE 1-4 family   17,146       16,846       16,114  
    Commercial real estate   696,625       669,285       545,358  
    Agriculture   104,616       90,017       63,281  
    Commercial and industrial   260,063       267,948       224,551  
    Consumer and other   1,342       461       159  
    Portfolio loans   1,092,441       1,071,079       926,781  
    Deferred fees & discounts   (3,946 )     (4,200 )     (4,181 )
    Allowance for credit losses   (12,913 )     (11,834 )     (10,407 )
    Loans, net   1,075,582       1,055,045       912,193  
               
    Non-marketable equity investments   8,890       8,891       7,357  
    Cash value of life insurance   12,496       12,402       12,119  
    Accrued interest and other assets   44,787       40,466       41,911  
    Total assets $ 1,560,376     $ 1,504,128     $ 1,395,095  
               
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
    Non-interest bearing deposits $ 825,404     $ 828,508     $ 751,636  
    Interest checking   109,555       62,034       54,659  
    Savings   54,686       55,219       52,090  
    Money market   218,940       212,322       220,559  
    Certificates of deposits   111,796       126,294       121,585  
    Total deposits   1,320,381       1,284,377       1,200,529  
    Short-term borrowings   10,000       —       —  
    Long-term debt   38,046       38,007       39,638  
    Other liabilities   17,238       13,352       16,212  
    Total liabilities   1,385,665       1,335,736       1,256,379  
               
    Common stock   35,693       38,436       36,910  
    Retained earnings   156,235       148,138       121,780  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (17,217 )     (18,182 )     (19,974 )
    Shareholders’ equity   174,711       168,392       138,716  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,560,376     $ 1,504,128     $ 1,395,095  
    Consolidated Income Statement (unaudited) Quarter ended:
    (in thousands) March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
               
    INTEREST INCOME:          
    Loan interest income $ 18,069   $ 18,131     $ 15,372  
    Investment income   3,499     3,631       3,512  
    Int. on fed funds & CDs in other banks   574     504       255  
    Dividends from non-marketable equity   132     137       129  
    Total interest income   22,274     22,403       19,268  
               
    INTEREST EXPENSE:          
    Int. on deposits   2,891     3,115       2,518  
    Int. on short-term borrowings   31     12       149  
    Int. on long-term debt   451     464       464  
    Total interest expense   3,373     3,591       3,131  
    Net interest income   18,901     18,812       16,137  
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES   1,164     1,671       378  
    Net interest income after provision   17,737     17,141       15,759  
               
    NON-INTEREST INCOME:          
    Total deposit fee income   849     856       796  
    Debit / credit card interchange income   191     196       167  
    Merchant services income   7,864     7,562       6,068  
    Gain on sale of loans   261     929       451  
    Loss (gain) on sale of investments   —     (482 )     (373 )
    Other operating income   410     374       364  
    Total non-interest income   9,575     9,435       7,473  
               
    NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:          
    Salaries & employee benefits   8,056     5,177       6,582  
    Occupancy expense   353     411       383  
    Merchant services operating expense   3,174     3,149       2,360  
    Other operating expense   4,884     4,533       3,376  
    Total non-interest expense   16,467     13,270       12,701  
               
    Income before provision for income tax   10,845     13,306       10,531  
    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES   2,747     3,588       2,741  
    Net income $ 8,098   $ 9,718     $ 7,790  
    ASSET QUALITY March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
    (in thousands)    
    Delinquent accruing loans 30-60 days $ 17,533     $ 4,886     $ 3,220  
    Delinquent accruing loans 60-90 days   1,537       2,449       1,950  
    Delinquent accruing loans 90+ days   46       987       1,332  
    Total delinquent accruing loans $ 19,116     $ 8,322     $ 6,502  
               
    Loans on non-accrual $ 15,366     $ 9,894     $ 7,156  
    Other real estate owned   —       —       —  
    Nonperforming assets $ 15,366     $ 9,894     $ 7,156  
               
    Delinquent 30-60 / Total Loans   1.60 %     0.46 %     0.35 %
    Delinquent 60-90 / Total Loans   0.14 %     0.23 %     0.21 %
    Delinquent 90+ / Total Loans   — %     0.09 %     0.14 %
    Delinquent Loans / Total Loans   1.75 %     0.78 %     0.70 %
    Non-accrual / Total Loans   1.41 %     0.92 %     0.77 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.98 %     0.66 %     0.51 %
               
    Year-to-date charge-off activity          
    Charge-offs $ 167     $ 1,287     $ —  
    Recoveries   —       35       4  
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) $ 167     $ 1,252     $ (4 )
    Annualized net loan losses to average loans   0.06 %     0.12 %     — %
               
    CREDIT LOSS RESERVE RATIOS:          
    Allowance for credit losses $ 12,913     $ 11,834     $ 10,407  
               
    Total loans $ 1,092,441     $ 1,071,079     $ 926,781  
    Purchased govt. guaranteed loans $ 16,081     $ 16,323     $ 19,642  
    Originated govt. guaranteed loans $ 45,285     $ 42,737     $ 38,228  
               
    ACL / Total loans   1.18 %     1.10 %     1.12 %
    ACL / Loans less 100% govt. gte. loans (purchased)   1.20 %     1.12 %     1.15 %
    ACL / Loans less all govt. guaranteed loans   1.25 %     1.17 %     1.20 %
    ACL / Total assets   0.83 %     0.79 %     0.75 %
    SELECT FINANCIAL TREND INFORMATION For the Quarter Ended:
    March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 September 30, 2024 June 30, 2024 Mar. 31, 2024
    BALANCE SHEET- PERIOD END          
    Total assets $ 1,560,376   $ 1,504,128   $ 1,512,241   $ 1,443,723   $ 1,395,095  
    Loans held for sale   —     —     —     —     —  
    Loans held for investment   1,092,441     1,071,079     998,222     969,764     926,781  
    Investment securities   313,826     322,186     345,428     345,491     328,906  
               
    Non-interest bearing deposits   825,404     828,508     826,708     731,030     751,636  
    Interest bearing deposits   494,977     455,869     460,241     437,927     448,893  
    Total deposits   1,320,381     1,284,377     1,286,949     1,168,957     1,200,529  
    Short-term borrowings   10,000     —     —     68,000     —  
    Long-term debt   38,046     38,007     37,967     39,678     39,638  
               
    Total equity   191,928     186,574     176,350     167,286     158,690  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (17,217 )   (18,182 )   (12,715 )   (18,646 )   (19,974 )
    Shareholders’ equity   174,711     168,392     163,635     148,640     138,716  
               
    QUARTERLY INCOME STATEMENT          
    Interest income $ 22,274   $ 22,403   $ 21,404   $ 20,887   $ 19,268  
    Interest expense   3,373     3,591     3,617     3,581     3,131  
    Net interest income   18,901     18,812     17,787     17,306     16,137  
    Non-interest income   9,575     9,435     7,616     7,423     7,473  
    Gross revenue   28,476     28,247     25,403     24,729     23,610  
               
    Provision for credit losses   1,164     1,671     762     291     378  
               
    Non-interest expense   16,467     13,270     12,735     13,285     12,701  
    Net income before tax   10,845     13,306     11,906     11,153     10,531  
    Tax provision   2,747     3,588     3,343     3,077     2,741  
    Net income after tax   8,098     9,718     8,563     8,076     7,790  
               
    BALANCE SHEET- AVERAGE BALANCE          
    Total assets $ 1,531,573   $ 1,529,439   $ 1,477,259   $ 1,704,255   $ 1,347,604  
    Loans held for sale   —     —     —     —     —  
    Loans held for investment   1,076,848     1,038,215     982,152     954,871     925,561  
    Investment securities   325,699     333,135     343,096     334,416     315,820  
               
    Non-interest bearing deposits   850,426     838,748     822,200     758,977     755,603  
    Interest bearing deposits   450,124     460,321     432,143     440,147     393,514  
    Total deposits   1,300,550     1,299,069     1,254,343     1,199,124     1,149,117  
    Short-term borrowings   2,856     951     —     10,053     9,562  
    Long-term debt   38,028     37,989     39,479     39,660     39,620  
               
    Shareholders’ equity   174,410     167,268     161,363     141,881     134,621  
                                   

    Contact: Steve Miller – President & CEO
    Bhavneet Gill – EVP & CFO
    (559) 439-0200

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: MiddleGround Capital Hires Private Equity Industry Veteran Jonathan La as Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEXINGTON, Ky., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MiddleGround Capital (“MiddleGround”), an operationally focused private equity firm that makes control investments in North American and European headquartered middle-market B2B industrial and specialty distribution companies, today announced that it has hired Jonathan La as Chief Financial Officer. He reports to Christopher Speight, Partner, and works in MiddleGround’s New York office. He began the position in February 2025.

    In this role, Jonathan is responsible for all aspects of the firm’s financial operations, as well as for accurate and timely financial reporting. Additionally, he leads the Accounting and Fund Accounting teams for all of MiddleGround’s U.S. and European offices. Jonathan joins MiddleGround Capital with 25 years of experience in the private equity industry, including serving for 17 years at Monomoy Capital Partners as Director of Finance. He was involved in all aspects of financial planning, treasury functions and tax structuring, and implemented new ERP and budgeting systems to increase efficiency and reporting capabilities.

    “Having worked with Jonathan for many years at Monomoy, I can say that MiddleGround is very fortunate to have such an experienced financial expert on board,” said John Stewart, Founding and Managing Partner of MiddleGround. “His expertise in middle market private investment accounting practices is second to none, and his help in building efficient reporting structures and processes will be a great asset for our stakeholders.”

    Prior to Monomoy, Jonathan worked at Evercore Partners, where he helped transition the books and records of the private equity funds in-house for IPOs. Before that, he was at BISYS, a private equity fund administrator, managing various private equity funds, fund of funds and hedge funds clients. He began his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP in their private equity audit practice.

    “MiddleGround’s focus on continual improvement and operational excellence across its platform investments makes it a true innovator in the private equity space,” said Jonathan. “I’m very excited to help further those efforts from a financial, accounting, and tax perspective.”

    Jonathan graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and is a CPA.

    About MiddleGround Capital
    MiddleGround Capital is a private equity firm based in Lexington, Kentucky with over $3.85 billion of assets under management. MiddleGround makes control equity investments in middle market B2B industrial and specialty distribution businesses. MiddleGround works with its portfolio companies to create value through a hands-on operational approach and partners with its management teams to support long-term growth strategies. For more information, please visit: https://middleground.com/.

    MiddleGround Capital Media Contacts
    Doug Allen/Maya Hanowitz
    Dukas Linden Public Relations
    MiddleGround@dlpr.com
    +1 (646) 722-6530

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Plumas Bancorp Reports First Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RENO, Nev., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Plumas Bancorp (Nasdaq: PLBC), the parent company of Plumas Bank (the “Bank”), today announced first quarter earnings of $7.2 million or $1.21 per share, up from $6.3 million or $1.06 per share during the first quarter of 2024. Diluted earnings per share was $1.20 during the three months ended March 31, 2025, up from $1.05 per share during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Return on average assets was 1.79% during the current quarter, up from 1.55% during the first quarter of 2024. Return on average equity was 16.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, down from 16.4% during the first quarter of 2024.

    Net-interest income increased by $1.1 million from $17.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, to $18.5 million during the current quarter. The provision for credit losses decreased from $821 thousand during the first quarter of 2024 to $250 thousand during the current quarter.

    Non-interest income increased by $1.1 million from $2.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 to $3.2 million during the first quarter of 2025 related to a legal settlement totaling $1.1 million. This settlement related to the Dixie Fire in August of 2021 which swept through the town of Greenville, California. The fire caused severe damage to the Greenville area, including the telecommunications infrastructure which adversely affected our ability to service our customers in this area during the last few years.

    Non-interest expense increased by $1.1 million from $10.4 million during the first quarter of 2024 to $11.5 million during the current quarter. Of this amount, $569 thousand relates to costs associated with our pending acquisition of Cornerstone Community Bancorp. We signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cornerstone Community Bancorp on January 28, 2025. Merger transaction costs that facilitate the merger are not deductible for income tax purposes. Of the $569 thousand in merger related costs, $562 thousand is estimated to be not deductible for state and federal income tax.

    The provision for income taxes increased by $731 thousand from $2.1 million, 25.4% of pre-tax income, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 to $2.9 million, or 28.5% of pre-tax income, during the current quarter.

    Balance sheet Highlights
    March 31, 2025 compared to March 31, 2024

    • Gross loans increased by $35 million, or 3.5%, to $1.0 billion.
    • Total deposits increased by $73 million, or 5.6% to $1.4 billion.
    • Borrowings decreased by $105 million, or 87.5% to $15 million.
    • Total equity increased by $26 million, or 16.2% to $187.6 million.
    • Book value per share increased by $4.29, or 15.7% to $31.68.

    President’s Comments

    Andrew J. Ryback, director, president, and chief executive officer of Plumas Bancorp and Plumas Bank, described the first quarter accomplishments, saying, “The highlight of this quarter is the announcement of our definitive merger agreement with Cornerstone Community Bancorp, a partnership that will result in a combined company with over $2.3 billion in assets, $2.0 billion in deposits, and $1.5 billion in loans. This merger reinforces our commitment to serving Northern California and Western Nevada, creating enhanced opportunities for our clients, shareholders, and team members.

    Through this merger, we unite Cornerstone Community Bank’s local expertise and strong practices with Plumas Bank’s innovative technology and business solutions. Together, we are positioned to expand our footprint and strengthen our offerings, ensuring sustained value for the communities we serve. With projected earnings accretion and a focused integration process, we are confident in our ability to deliver long-term growth and success.”

    Mr. Ryback noted additional developments during the quarter, saying, “Piper Sandler added Plumas to its independent research coverage, boosting Plumas’ visibility among investors and enhancing market confidence. With coverage from Raymond James and Stephens, too, we expect fair market valuation as all three firms previously released ‘Buy’ recommendations for PLBC stock.”

    Mr. Ryback concluded, “I want to express my gratitude to our shareholders, employees, and partners for their support during this transformative time. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our dedication to fostering growth, innovation, and community impact, while maintaining the exceptional financial results and service excellence that define Plumas Bancorp.”

    Loans, Deposits, Investments and Cash

    Gross loans increased by $34.5 million, or 3.5%, from $976 million at March 31, 2024, to $1.0 billion at March 31, 2025. Increases of $98 million in commercial real estate loans and $1 million in equity lines of credit were partially offset by decreases of $31 million in automobile loans, $18 million in construction loans, $11 million in agricultural loans and $4 million in commercial loans.

    On March 31, 2025, approximately 77% of the Company’s loan portfolio was comprised of variable rate loans. The rates of interest charged on variable rate loans are set at specific increments in relation to the Company’s lending rate or other indexes such as the published prime interest rate or U.S. Treasury rates and vary with changes in these indexes. The frequency at which variable rate loans reprice can vary from one day to several years. Most of our commercial real estate portfolio reprices every five years. Loans indexed to the prime interest rate were approximately 16% of the Company’s loan portfolio; these loans reprice within one day to three months of a change in the prime rate.

    Total deposits increased by $73 million to $1.4 billion at March 31, 2025. The increase in deposits includes increases of $10 million in demand deposits and $76 million in money market accounts. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases of $5 million in savings deposits and $8 million in time deposits. We attribute much of the increase in money market accounts to higher rate public entity deposits. At December 31, 2025, 49% of the Company’s deposits were in the form of non-interest-bearing demand deposits. The Company has no brokered deposits.

    Investment securities totaled $447 million at March 31, 2025 and 2024. The Bank’s investment security portfolio consists of debt securities issued by US Government agencies, US Government sponsored agencies and municipalities. Cash and due from banks decreased by $41 million from $128 million at March 31, 2024, to $87 million at March 31, 2025.

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets (which are comprised of nonperforming loans, other real estate owned (“OREO”) and repossessed vehicle holdings) at March 31, 2025, were $3.8 million, down from $6.0 million at March 31, 2024. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased to 0.23% at March 31, 2025, down from 0.37% at March 31, 2024. OREO decreased by $266 thousand from $357 thousand at March 31, 2024, to $91 thousand at March 31, 2025. Nonperforming loans were $3.7 million at March 31, 2025, and $5.6 million at March 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 0.36% at March 31, 2025, down from 0.57% at March 31, 2024.

    During the first quarter of 2025 we recorded a provision for credit losses of $250 thousand consisting of a provision for credit losses on loans of $250 thousand. This compares to a provision for credit losses of $821 thousand consisting of a provision for credit losses on loans of $900 thousand and a decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments of $79 thousand during the first quarter of 2024.

    Net charge-offs totaled $127 thousand and $610 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The allowance for credit losses totaled $13.3 million at March 31, 2025, and $13.2 million at March 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.32% at March 31, 2025, and 1.35% at March 31, 2024.

    The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands).

    Allowance for Credit Losses   March 31, 2025     March 31, 2024
    Balance, beginning of period $ 13,196     $ 12,867  
    Provision charged to operations   250       900  
    Losses charged to allowance   (312 )     (680 )
    Recoveries   185       70  
    Balance, end of period $ 13,319     $ 13,157  
    Reserve for Unfunded
    Commitments    		  

    March 31, 2025

    		      

    March 31, 2024
    Balance, beginning of period $ 620     $ 799  
    Provision charged to operations   –       (79 )
    Balance, end of period $ 620     $ 720  


    Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP)

    At March 31, 2024, the Company had outstanding borrowings under BTFP totaling $105 million. All BTFP borrowings were paid off during 2024. Interest expense recognized on the BTFP borrowings for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $1.2 million.

    Shareholders’ Equity

    Total shareholders’ equity increased by $26.1 million from $162 million at March 31, 2024, to $188 million at March 31, 2025. The $26.1 million includes earnings during the twelve-month period totaling $29.5 million, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.1 million and stock option activity totaling $1.0 million. These items were partially offset by the payment of cash dividends totaling $6.5 million.

    Liquidity

    The Company manages its liquidity to provide the ability to generate funds to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals (both anticipated and unanticipated), fund customers’ borrowing needs and satisfy maturity of short-term borrowings. The Company’s liquidity needs are managed using assets or liabilities, or both. On the asset side, in addition to cash and due from banks, the Company maintains an investment portfolio which includes unpledged U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities that are classified as available-for-sale. On the liability side, liquidity needs are managed by offering competitive rates on deposit products and the use of established credit lines.

    The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB) and can borrow up to $251 million from the FHLB secured by commercial and residential mortgage loans with carrying values totaling $441 million. The Company is also eligible to borrow at the FRB Discount Window. At March 31, 2025 the Company could borrow up to $115 million at the Discount Window secured by investment securities with a fair value of $119 million. In addition to its FHLB borrowing line and the Discount Window, the Company has unsecured short-term borrowing agreements with two of its correspondent banks in the amounts of $50 million and $20 million. There were no outstanding borrowings to the FHLB, FRB Discount Window or the correspondent banks at March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2024.

    Customer deposits are the Company’s primary source of funds. Total deposits increased by $73 million to $1.4 billion at March 31, 2025. Deposits are held in various forms with varying maturities. The Company estimates that it has approximately $510 million in uninsured deposits which includes uninsured deposits of Plumas Bancorp. Of this amount, $190 million represents deposits that are collateralized such as deposits of states, municipalities and tribal accounts.

    The Company’s securities portfolio, Discount Window advances, FHLB advances, and cash and due from banks serve as the primary sources of liquidity, providing adequate funding for loans during periods of high loan demand. During periods of decreased lending, funds obtained from the maturing or sale of investments, loan payments, and new deposits are invested in short-term earning assets, such as cash held at the FRB and investment securities, to serve as a source of funding for future loan growth. Management believes that the Company’s available sources of funds, including borrowings, will provide adequate liquidity for its operations in the foreseeable future.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Driven mostly by growth in the loan portfolio and the repayment of the BTFP borrowings, net interest income increased by $1.1 million from $17.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, to $18.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase in net interest income includes an increase of $564 thousand in interest income and a decline of $518 thousand in interest expense.

    Interest and fees on loans increased by $804 thousand related both to an increase in average balance and an increase in yield. Average loan balances increased by $48 million, while the average yield on loans increased by 8 basis points from 6.09% during the first quarter of 2024 to 6.17% during the current quarter. The average prime interest rate decreased from 8.5% during the first quarter of 2024 to 7.5% during the current quarter. Approximately 16% of the Company’s loans are tied to the prime interest rate and most of these reprice within one to three months with a change in prime. The negative effect of the decrease in prime was offset by an increase in average yield on the bank’s fixed rate portfolio which includes growth in fixed rate SBA loans which totaled $74 million at March 31, 2025, and $47 million at March 31, 2024. The weighted average rate earned on this portfolio at March 31, 2025, was 8.3%.

    Interest on investment securities increased by $114 thousand related to an increase in yield on investment securities of 44 basis points to 4.12%. The increase in investment yields is consistent with the partial restructuring of the investment portfolio during the first quarter of 2024. The effect of this increase in yield was mostly offset by a decline of $36 million in average investment securities.

    Interest on cash balances decreased by $354 thousand related to a decline in average balance of $14 million and a decrease in average rate paid on cash balances of 105 basis points from 5.57% during the first quarter of 2024 to 4.52% during the current quarter. This decline in yield was mostly related to a decline in rate paid on balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB). The average rate earned on FRB balances decreased from 5.40% during the first quarter of 2024 to 4.40% during the current quarter.

    Interest expense decreased by $518 thousand, mostly related to the repayment of the BTFP borrowings as discussed earlier. The average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased from 1.33% during the 2024 quarter to 1.14% in 2025 related mainly to the decrease in these borrowings.

    Interest paid on deposits increased by $710 thousand and is broken down by product type as follows: money market accounts – $770 thousand and savings deposits – $26 thousand. The increase in interest paid on money market accounts mostly relates to an increase in public entity balances. Interest on time deposits declined by $86 thousand related to a decline in average balance of $3 million and a decline in rate paid of 27 basis points. During the second half of 2024 and continuing into 2025, we have offered a premium rate on large balances of public entities in our service area, matching the rate they could earn from the California local agency investment fund. This has led to a significant increase in these balances and an increase in the overall rate paid on money market accounts. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.75% during the first quarter of 2024 to 1.11% during the current quarter.

    Net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2025, increased 33bp to 4.95%, up from 4.62% for the same period in 2024.

    Non-Interest Income/Expense

    During the three months ended March 31, 2025, non-interest income totaled $3.2 million, an increase of $1.1 million from the three months ended March 31, 2024. The largest component of this increase was the $1.1 million settlement related to the Dixie Fire as discussed earlier.

    During the three months ended March 31, 2025, total non-interest expense increased by $1.1 million from $10.4 million during the first quarter of 2024 to $11.5 million during the current quarter. The largest components of this increase were merger related expenses of $569 thousand. Salary and benefit expense increased by $514 thousand which includes an increase in salary expense of $269 thousand related primarily to merit and promotional salary increases. Related mostly to an increase in pre-tax income, bonus expense increased by $216 thousand. A decrease in deferred loan origination fees of $97 thousand was offset by a decline in commission expense of $137 thousand. Both items mostly relate to a decline in SBA loan production during the comparison quarters. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $324 thousand from $1.7 million during the first quarter of 2024 to $2.0 million during the current quarter related to an increase of $338 thousand in rent expense related to the February 2024 sales/leaseback transaction.

    Plumas Bancorp is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. Plumas Bancorp’s principal subsidiary is Plumas Bank, which was founded in 1980. Plumas Bank is a full-service community bank headquartered in Quincy, California. The bank operates fifteen branches: thirteen located in the California counties of Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, and Sutter and two branches located in Nevada in the counties of Carson City and Washoe. The bank also operates two loan production offices located in Auburn, California and Klamath Falls, Oregon. Plumas Bank offers a wide range of financial and investment services to consumers and businesses and has received nationwide Preferred Lender status with the United States Small Business Administration. For more information on Plumas Bancorp and Plumas Bank, please visit our website at www.plumasbank.com.

    This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Plumas Bancorp intends for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Future events are difficult to predict, and the expectations described above are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely.

    Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this news release. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to successfully execute its business plans and achieve its objectives; changes in general economic and financial market conditions, either nationally or locally in areas in which the Company conducts its operations; changes in interest rates; continuing consolidation in the financial services industry; new litigation or changes in existing litigation; increased competitive challenges and expanding product and pricing pressures among financial institutions; legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the Company’s operations or business; loss of key personnel; and changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies.

    Contact: Jamie Huynh
    Investor Relations
    Plumas Bancorp
    5525 Kietzke Lane Ste. 100
    Reno, NV 89511
    775.786.0907 x8908
    investorrelations@plumasbank.com

    PLUMAS BANCORP
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
      As of March 31,      
      2025   2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    ASSETS              
    Cash and due from banks $ 87,327   $ 128,231   $ (40,904)   (31.9)%
    Investment securities 447,293   447,445   (152)   (0.0)%
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses 1,000,651   966,141   34,510   3.6%
    Premises and equipment, net 12,349   12,960   (611)   (4.7)%
    Right-of-use assets 24,003   25,295   (1,292)   (5.1)%
    Bank owned life insurance 16,628   16,206   422   2.6%
    Real estate acquired through foreclosure 91   357   (266)   (74.5)%
    Goodwill 5,502   5,502   –   0.0%
    Accrued interest receivable and other assets 39,448   38,196   1,252   3.3%
    Total assets $ 1,633,292   $ 1,640,333   $ (7,041)   (0.4)%
                   
    LIABILITIES AND              
       SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
    Deposits $ 1,373,061   $ 1,299,688   $ 73,373   5.6%
    Lease liabilities 24,523   25,424   (901)   (3.5)%
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 33,105   33,730   (625)   (1.9)%
    Borrowings 15,000   120,000   (105,000)   (87.5)%
    Total liabilities 1,445,689   1,478,842   (33,153)   (2.2)%
    Common stock 29,454   28,492   962   3.4%
    Retained earnings 179,411   156,414   22,997   14.7%
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (21,262)   (23,415)   2,153   9.2%
    Shareholders’ equity 187,603   161,491   26,112   16.2%
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,633,292   $ 1,640,333   $ (7,041)   (0.4)%
                   
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                   
    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025   2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
                   
    Interest income $ 20,590   $ 20,026   $ 564   2.8%
    Interest expense 2,051   2,569   (518)   -20.2%
    Net interest income before provision for credit losses 18,539   17,457   1,082   6.2%
    Provision for credit losses 250   821   (571)   (69.5)%
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses 18,289   16,636   1,653   9.9%
    Non-interest income 3,213   2,140   1,073   50.1%
    Non-interest expense 11,466   10,397   1,069   10.3%
    Income before income taxes 10,036   8,379   1,657   19.8%
    Provision for income taxes 2,856   2,125   731   34.4%
    Net income $ 7,180   $ 6,254   $ 926   14.8%
                   
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.21   $ 1.06   $ 0.15   14.2%
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.20   $ 1.05   $ 0.15   14.3%
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                       
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      3/31/2025   12/31/2024     3/31/2024     12/31/2024   12/31/2023
    EARNINGS PER SHARE                        
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.21     $ 1.31     $ 1.06     $ 4.85     $ 5.08  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.20     $ 1.29     $ 1.05     $ 4.80     $ 5.02  
    Weighted average shares outstanding   5,911       5,900       5,887       5,895       5,863  
    Weighted average diluted shares outstanding   6,002       5,995       5,946       5,968       5,934  
    Cash dividends paid per share 1 $ 0.30     $ 0.27     $ 0.27     $ 1.08     $ 1.00  
                             
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS (annualized for the three months)                
    Return on average assets   1.79 %     1.87 %     1.55 %     1.74 %     1.88 %
    Return on average equity   16.0 %     17.1 %     16.4 %     17.2 %     23.4 %
    Yield on earning assets   5.50 %     5.50 %     5.30 %     5.49 %     5.03 %
    Rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities   1.14 %     1.27 %     1.33 %     1.39 %     0.67 %
    Net interest margin   4.95 %     4.90 %     4.62 %     4.79 %     4.71 %
    Noninterest income to average assets   0.80 %     0.53 %     0.53 %     0.53 %     0.68 %
    Noninterest expense to average assets   2.85 %     2.57 %     2.57 %     2.56 %     2.36 %
    Efficiency ratio 2   52.7 %     50.4 %     53.1 %     51.3 %     46.6 %
                       
      3/31/2025   3/31/2024   12/31/2024   12/31/2023   12/31/2022
    CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS AND DATA                  
    Allowance for credit losses $ 13,319   $ 13,157   $ 13,196   $ 12,867     $ 10,717  
    Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans   1.32     1.35     1.30     1.34 %     1.18 %
    Nonperforming loans $ 3,686   $ 5,610   $ 4,105   $ 4,820     $ 1,172  
    Nonperforming assets $ 3,787   $ 6,000   $ 4,307   $ 5,315     $ 1,190  
    Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans   0.36     0.57     0.40     0.50 %     0.13 %
    Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets   0.23     0.37     0.27     0.33 %     0.07 %
    Year-to-date net charge-offs $ 127   $ 610   $ 1,046   $ 954     $ 935  
    Year-to-date net charge-offs as a percentage of average   0.05     0.25     0.11     0.10 %     0.11 %
    loans (annualized)        
                       
    CAPITAL AND OTHER DATA                  
    Common shares outstanding at end of period   5,922     5,896     5,903     5,872       5,850  
    Shareholders’ equity $ 187,603   $ 161,491   $ 177,899   $ 147,317     $ 119,004  
    Book value per common share $ 31.68   $ 27.39   $ 30.14   $ 25.09     $ 20.34  
    Tangible common equity3 $ 181,354   $ 155,048   $ 171,606   $ 140,823     $ 112,273  
    Tangible book value per common share4 $ 30.62   $ 26.30   $ 29.07   $ 23.98     $ 19.19  
    Tangible common equity to total assets   11.1     9.5     10.6     8.7 %     6.9 %
    Gross loans to deposits   73.6     75.1     74.1     71.9 %     62.6 %
                       
    PLUMAS BANK REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS              
    Tier 1 Leverage Ratio   12.3     11.0     11.9     10.8 %     9.2 %
    Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio   17.8     16.1     17.3     15.7 %     14.7 %
    Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio   17.8     16.1     17.3     15.7 %     14.7 %
    Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio   19.0     17.4     18.5     16.9 %     15.7 %
     
    (1) The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share on February 17, 2025 and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share on February 15, 2024, May 15, 2024, August 15, 2024 and November 15, 2024 and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share on February 15, 2023, May 15, 2023, August 15, 2023 and November 15, 2023.
    (2) Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and total noninterest income).
    (3) Tangible common equity is defined as common equity less core deposit intangibles and goodwill.
    (4) Tangible common book value per share is defined as tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding.
             
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                           
    The following table presents for the three-month periods indicated the distribution of consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity.
                           
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Three Months Ended
      3/31/2025   3/31/2024
      Average       Yield/   Average       Yield/
      Balance   Interest   Rate   Balance   Interest   Rate
    Interest-earning assets:                      
    Loans (2) (3) $ 1,011,968   $ 15,396   6.17 %   $ 964,132   $ 14,592   6.09 %
    Investment securities   369,126     3,927   4.31 %     371,792     3,605   3.90 %
    Non-taxable investment securities (1)   74,883     583   3.16 %     108,175     791   2.94 %
    Interest-bearing deposits   61,409     684   4.52 %     75,005     1,038   5.57 %
    Total interest-earning assets   1,517,386     20,590   5.50 %     1,519,104     20,026   5.30 %
    Cash and due from banks   26,477             26,586        
    Other assets   86,335             80,508        
    Total assets $ 1,630,198           $ 1,626,198        
                           
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Money market deposits   279,184     1,145   1.66 %     211,183     375   0.71 %
    Savings deposits   323,449     206   0.26 %     335,565     180   0.22 %
    Time deposits   88,386     545   2.50 %     91,501     631   2.77 %
    Total deposits   691,019     1,896   1.11 %     638,249     1,186   0.75 %
    Borrowings   15,000     145   3.92 %     114,342     1,367   4.81 %
    Other interest-bearing liabilities   21,190     10   0.19 %     21,713     16   0.30 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   727,209     2,051   1.14 %     774,304     2,569   1.33 %
    Non-interest-bearing deposits   682,495             673,789        
    Other liabilities   38,096             24,440        
    Shareholders’ equity   182,398             153,665        
    Total liabilities & equity $ 1,630,198           $ 1,626,198        
    Cost of funding interest-earning assets (4)         0.55 %           0.68 %
    Net interest income and margin (5)     $ 18,539   4.95 %       $ 17,457   4.62 %
                           
    (1) Not computed on a tax-equivalent basis.                      
    (2) Average nonaccrual loan balances of $3.8 million for 2025 and $5.6 million for 2024 are included in average loan balances for computational purposes.  
    (3) Net costs included in loan interest income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $275 thousand and $344 thousand, respectively.  
    (4) Total annualized interest expense divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    (5) Annualized net interest income divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Three Months Ended        
      March 31,        
        2025     2024     Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Service charges on deposit accounts   705     715       (10 )   (1.4 )%
    Interchange income $ 690   $ 739       (49 )   (6.6 )%
    Loan servicing fees   186     213       (27 )   (12.7 )%
    FHLB Dividends   137     137       –     – %
    Earnings on life insurance policies   109     96       13     13.5 %
    Gain on sale of buildings   –     19,854       (19,854 )   (100.0 )%
    Loss on sale of investment securities   –     (19,826 )     19,826     100.0 %
    Other   1,386     212       1,174     553.8 %
    Total non-interest income $ 3,213   $ 2,140     $ 1,073     50.1 %
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Three Months Ended        
      March 31,        
        2025     2024     Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Salaries and employee benefits $ 5,880   $ 5,366     $ 514     9.6 %
    Occupancy and equipment   2,014     1,690       324     19.2 %
    Outside service fees   1,263     1,132       131     11.6 %
    Merger and acquisition expenses   569     –       569     100.0 %
    Advertising and shareholder relations   262     244       18     7.4 %
    Professional fees   229     439       (210 )   (47.8 )%
    Armored car and courier   217     203       14     6.9 %
    Deposit insurance   182     187       (5 )   (2.7 )%
    Telephone and data communication   174     222       (48 )   (21.6 )%
    Director compensation and expense   167     167       –     – %
    Business development   167     153       14     9.2 %
    Loan collection expenses   72     104       (32 )   (30.8 )%
    Amortization of Core Deposit Intangible   44     51       (7 )   (13.7 )%
    Other   226     439       (213 )   (48.5 )%
    Total non-interest expense $ 11,466   $ 10,397     $ 1,069     10.3 %
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP  
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     (Dollars in thousands)  
    (Unaudited)  
                     
    The following table shows the distribution of loans by type at March 31, 2025 and 2024.  
                     
          Percent of       Percent of  
          Loans in Each       Loans in Each  
      Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to  
      of Period   Total Loans   of Period   Total Loans  
      3/31/2025   3/31/2025   3/31/2024   3/31/2024  
    Commercial $ 77,745   7.7 %   $ 82,136   8.4 %  
    Agricultural   112,018   11.1 %     123,239   12.6 %  
    Real estate – residential   11,606   1.1 %     11,872   1.2 %  
    Real estate – commercial   660,926   65.4 %     562,870   57.7 %  
    Real estate – construction & land   46,730   4.6 %     64,547   6.6 %  
    Equity Lines of Credit   38,634   3.8 %     37,196   3.8 %  
    Auto   58,295   5.8 %     89,399   9.2 %  
    Other   4,769   0.5 %     4,953   0.5 %  
    Total Gross Loans $ 1,010,723   100 %   $ 976,212   100 %  
                     
       
    The following table shows the distribution of Commercial Real Estate loans at March 31, 2025 and 2024.  
                     
          Percent of       Percent of  
          Loans in Each       Loans in Each  
      Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to  
      of Period   Total Loans   of Period   Total Loans  
      3/31/25   3/31/25   3/31/24   3/31/24  
    Owner occupied $ 295,593   44.7 %   $ 194,954   34.6 %  
    Investor   365,333   55.3 %     367,916   65.4 %  
    Total real estate – commercial $ 660,926   100 %   $ 562,870   100 %  
                     
                     
    The following table shows the distribution of deposits by type at March 31, 2025 and 2024.  
                     
          Percent of       Percent of  
          Deposits in Each     Deposits in Each  
      Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to  
      of Period   Total Deposits   of Period   Total Deposits  
      3/31/2025   3/31/2025   3/31/2024   3/31/2024  
    Non-interest bearing $ 676,461   49.3 %   $ 665,975   51.2 %  
    Money Market   290,125   21.1 %     214,257   16.5 %  
    Savings   323,496   23.6 %     328,781   25.3 %  
    Time   82,979   6.0 %     90,675   7.0 %  
    Total Deposits $ 1,373,061   100 %   $ 1,299,688   100 %  
                     

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: 96% of Enterprises are Expanding Use of AI Agents, According to Latest Data from Cloudera

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, released the findings of its latest survey report, “The Future of Enterprise AI Agents.” The survey polled nearly 1,500 enterprise IT leaders across 14 countries to understand their adoption patterns, use cases, and sentiments around AI agents. Results show an overwhelming 96% of respondents have plans to expand their use of AI agents in the next 12 months, with half aiming for significant, organization-wide expansion. The applications for this deployment include performance optimization bots (66%), security monitoring agents (63%), and development assistants (62%).

    For business and IT leaders alike, agentic AI marks a new frontier—moving beyond traditional automation to systems that can reason, act, and adapt in real-time. When implemented effectively, these intelligent agents unlock operational agility, drive cost savings, and dramatically improve customer engagement. As a result, AI agents are quickly becoming a key source of competitive advantage, with 83% of organizations stating that investing in them is crucial to maintaining their edge in the market.

    In addition to the benefits of the technology, Cloudera’s survey answered some of the biggest questions around agentic AI, including:

    • How widely is this being adopted? Adoption is already underway. A majority (57%) of enterprise IT leaders report they’ve implemented AI agents in the past two years—21% in just the last year—signaling rapid momentum that’s only expected to grow.
    • How are organizations deploying agents? Two-thirds (66%) are building agents on enterprise AI infrastructure platforms, while 60% are leveraging agentic capabilities embedded in existing core applications. This hybrid approach reflects a clear preference for scalable, secure, and close-to-data deployments.
    • What’s getting in the way? The top three barriers are data privacy (53%), integration with legacy systems (40%), and high implementation costs (39%). These pain points all stem from a common root: the need for robust, unified data management and governance.
    • Where should companies begin? Start with a contained, high-impact project—such as an internal IT support agent. These “fast-to-value” use cases help teams prove ROI, build internal confidence, and lay the foundation for broader, scaled deployments.

    “AI agents have moved beyond experimentation—they’re now delivering real automation, efficiency, and business results. We’re seeing enterprises run hundreds of models in production, all demanding high-fidelity, well-managed data to drive better outcomes,” said Abhas Ricky, Chief Strategy Officer, Cloudera. “In 2025, agentic AI is taking center stage, building on the momentum of generative AI but with even greater operational impact. Cloudera is enabling this transformation through a robust Enterprise AI Ecosystem, helping global organizations design secure, scalable, and integrated AI workflows that turn data into action.”

    Cloudera’s report also addresses what enterprises are actually doing with AI agents. The top use cases vary by industry, shaped by the specific needs and priorities of each sector:

    • Finance & Insurance: Fraud detection (56%), risk assessment (44%), and investment advisory (38%) are the leading use cases. AI agents are flagging suspicious transactions in real time, simulating market scenarios to evaluate risk, and supporting advisors with personalized investment suggestions.
    • Manufacturing: Top applications include process automation (49%), supply chain optimization (48%), and quality control (47%). Agents are monitoring production lines to catch defects early, rerouting logistics to avoid delays, and streamlining repetitive tasks to improve efficiency.
    • Healthcare: Appointment scheduling (51%), diagnostic assistance (50%), and medical records processing (47%) are the most common use cases. AI agents are reducing admin burden by coordinating schedules, surfacing relevant EMR data, and helping clinicians identify conditions in imaging data.
    • Telecommunications: The telecoms industry is seeing substantial innovation fueled by AI. Customer support bots (49%), customer experience agents (44%), and security monitoring agents (49%) are key deployments. Agents are resolving service issues instantly, flagging at-risk customers using behavior data, and protecting networks from emerging threats.

    To download the full report, click here.

    About Cloudera
    Cloudera is a hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI. With 100x more data under management than other cloud-only vendors, Cloudera empowers global enterprises to transform data of all types, on any public or private cloud, into valuable, trusted insights. Our open data lakehouse delivers scalable and secure data management with portable cloud-native analytics, enabling customers to bring GenAI models to their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring responsible, reliable AI deployments. The world’s largest brands in financial services, insurance, media, manufacturing, and government rely on Cloudera to use their data to solve what once seemed impossible—today and in the future. 

    To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact
    Jess Hohn-Cabana
    cloudera@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Fire safety measures have been tightened in Moscow’s natural areas

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The capital has stepped up control over compliance with fire safety rules in green areas. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “In connection with the onset of the fire-hazardous period, control over compliance with fire safety rules in green areas has been strengthened, and additional measures have been taken to prevent possible wildfires. Firefighters and rescuers of the capital’s garrison are conducting enhanced patrols to identify cases of unauthorized burning of garbage and grass burning,” noted Petr Biryukov.

    In the Troitsky and Novomoskovsky administrative districts, comprehensive work is being carried out to prevent natural fires. In particular, fire-prevention and mineralized strips are being arranged, and double plowing of areas near residential buildings is being carried out.

    Additionally, water intake sites for aircraft are being examined, approaches to reservoirs and piers are being equipped, and helicopter pads are being prepared. In addition, control over the removal of garbage and dry grass, as well as the cutting down of hazardous trees, has been strengthened.

    Much attention is paid to preventive measures: explanatory talks are held with city residents, and leaflets with recommendations on compliance with fire safety measures are distributed.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152678073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Seniors Win Awards for Landscape Architecture Projects

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Two students in the UConn landscape architecture program won awards from the Connecticut chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (CTASLA) for their community-centered ideas.

    Brendan Pugmire ‘25 (CAHNR) and Matthew Bacon ‘25 (CAHNR) were the winners of the 2025 CTASLA Honor Award and Merit Award, respectively.

    “It’s very special,” Pugmire says. “It’s very validating to all of the hard work I put into this project to have it recognized at a professional level by my peers.”

    Both Pugmire and Bacon developed their projects as part of their junior-year coursework.

    “We’re excited and proud of them for achieving these awards, for being recognized,” Jill Desimini, director and associate professor of landscape architecture, says. “We have a growing collaboration with the Connecticut Chapter of the ASLA, and it just highlights the caliber of student work, of teaching, and the types of projects we’ve been able to achieve.”

    The landscape architecture program is part of the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

    Pugmire’s project titled “Rooted in Time” introduces features to the 180-year-old Brookside Farm in East Lyme to revitalize the site, developed as part of his Design III course with Mariana Fragomeni, assistant professor of landscape architecture.

    “The thing about historic restoration is that most projects were not made with modern-day technology and features,” Pugmire says. “So, for me it was about trying to find the happy medium between historic preservation and the modern functionality we see with newer landscapes.”

    Pugmire’s design includes an orchard that would revive the farm’s history of growing apples.

    It also develops the Brookside Barn into a historical attraction with exhibits of antique farming equipment and other artifacts.

    The third element of “Rooted in Time” is a tea garden and kitchen where visitors would pick edible plants like hibiscus, beebalm, and lavender to make fresh teas.

    “All of these plants are either native or cultivated,” Pugmire says. “So, they still add to the local ecology.”

    Developed as part of his Design III course with Mariana Fragomeni, assistant professor of landscape architecture, Brendan Pugmire ’25 (CAHNR) revitalizes an 180-year-old farm in East Lyme, CT. (Contributed photo)

    The plan for the garden includes plants that would bloom in multiple seasons and trees to offer year-round appeal.

    Bacon’s project “Pollinator Pathways” presents a plan to use part of the Northeast Science Quad on the UConn Storrs campus as a biodiverse native pollinator garden.

    “I wanted to create something that looked very natural and attracted pollinators,” Bacon says.

    This project was completed as part of his Planting Design class with Sohyun Park, associate professor of landscape architecture.

    Given that there is a laboratory less than a foot below the ground, this limited what plants Bacon could use in his design. The site is also largely in the shade, leading Bacon to choose native plants that could tolerate both less-than-ideal conditions like indigo, ferns, poppies, and grasses.

    Bacon chose specific plants to attract pollinators as well, like milkweed for monarchs, and other plants for hummingbirds, bees, and beetles.

    “This is the first project that I’ve done that is this style of planting and really going super in-depth with plant species, so it was cool to get recognition for that,” Bacon says.

    The site plan also includes bird houses and “pollinator hotels” for bees, benches, and a rain garden.

    Any student or first-year graduate attending UConn or living in Connecticut is eligible to enter the contest. UConn students have won these awards in the past, Desimini says. Developing plans for real-world projects in the community is a cornerstone of the nationally accredited landscape architecture program. It provides students with unique experience that helps them hit the ground running in the job market.

    Students can also enter their projects for national awards.

    “We hope that this will build the confidence of our students and that more students will apply for awards and recognition in the future,” Desimini says. “We feel really good about their projects and the curriculum.”

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Fostering Sustainable Landscapes at the Urban-Rural Interface.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Online Dashboard Offers Look at Violent Deaths in Connecticut – When, Where, and How

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A new online tool from the UConn ARMS Center aims to help policymakers and frontline workers in their efforts to reduce the number of violent deaths in Connecticut, demonstrating that over time, violent death is a statewide phenomenon.

    The Violent Mortality Dashboard, which was launched in mid-March, shows that between 2020 and 2024 hundreds of violent deaths, classified as homicides and suicides, were recorded in Connecticut – with a high of 205 and 204 in New Haven and Hartford, respectively, and a low of two in places like Franklin, Norfolk, and Somers.

    “We have a tendency to say violent death is something that happens over there in a different community, but we can see that over time most of our state experiences some kind of violent death,” says Kerri Raissian, director of UConn ARMS and an associate professor in the UConn School of Public Policy. “Hopefully this dashboard will help providers figure out where and how they can provide their services most effectively.”

    Years in the making, the dashboard allows users to manipulate the data for their purposes, whether that means looking at things like gun-related vs. non-gun-related violent deaths, number of cases vs. rate per 100,000, veteran vs. civilian status, even the number of hometown deaths vs. deaths happening elsewhere.

    Raissian says that information on when, where, and how much violent death is in Connecticut has been hard to come by until now. Previously, users would have had to access the Connecticut Violent Death Reporting System, which offers details on trends but doesn’t always break information into smaller bites like the new dashboard – though data may be available by request from the state Department of Public Health.

    And while UConn ARMS (Advancing Research, Methods, and Scholarship in Gun Injury Prevention) focuses its work on gun-related deaths and injuries, Raissian says she and her team recognized the importance of the dashboard providing a full picture of violent deaths, whether gun-related or not.

    After all, the needs of each dashboard user are just as unique as the needs of each Connecticut community.

    “We might define frontline workers as doctors, social workers, mental health providers, colleges and schools,” Raissian says. “Whoever they are, this dashboard can help them see violence is a statewide problem that we all have an interest in solving and reducing.”

    UConn ARMS used the state Department of Public Health’s Data Request Form for Non-Confidential Data to access the information from the State Office of Vital Records, she explains. Using details from death certificates and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, researchers were able to discern demographics and filter out nonviolent deaths caused by things like car accidents and natural causes.

    The dashboard, funded solely by UConn ARMS, will be updated twice a year.

    Raissian notes the dashboard does not include accidental gun deaths, like the death of Ethan Song in Guilford in 2018 which admittedly happened two years before the capture period.

    That was intentional, she says, for two reasons: 1. These deaths are rare in Connecticut, and 2. They most often involve children. So, to protect a young person’s confidentiality, the team agreed to keep them off the dashboard.

    Their omission is in no way meant to signal that these deaths do not deserve careful policy intervention, Raissian says, underscoring that Connecticut’s secure storage laws are a model for the nation.

    Nonetheless, the dashboard provides some interesting facts about violent deaths in Connecticut. For instance, homicide deaths went down in 2024, but suicide deaths went up sharply, and this seems to be driven by changes in gun homicides and gun suicides.

    “I don’t think we understand why,” Raissian says. “That’s a new finding and that’s one of the benefits of this dashboard – we’ll be able to get data into the hands of policymakers that much sooner. But in order to understand something, we must first discover it.”

    In addition to frontline workers, UConn ARMS hopes legislators will use the dashboard in their deliberations. It’s been distributed to all members of the Public Health, Judiciary, and Health and Human Services committees.

    Raissian says that according to the dashboard there appears to be more gun-related homicide victims dying at the hospital as opposed to dying at a crime scene. That could mean people are getting to the hospital quicker, which might equate to there being more opportunities to intervene.

    “Guns only account for about 30% of suicides in Connecticut,” she says, giving another example of novel stats from the dashboard. “That’s a nontrivial chunk of suicides, but most are perpetrated by something other than guns in Connecticut. I don’t yet know how getting that information to more people – as certainly suicide prevention providers already know that – can be used, but I hope it will.”

    She continues, “While violent deaths may not happen in every community every year, when we look at the cumulative effects, we can see it touches all of us. The actual goal of all this is to not have these violent deaths at all. Maybe one day these maps can fade away.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: CRH to Expand Metro Atlanta Footprint

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that CRH, the leading provider of building materials solutions, plans to create more than 300 new jobs in metro Atlanta and invest $1.7 million in a new Finance & Accounting Shared Services Center (SSC) in Fulton County. The new SSC will support CRH’s Americas Materials Solutions business that is also headquartered in Atlanta.

    “CRH’s latest investment in Georgia is more proof that our state’s collaborative approach to economic development works for both prospective job creators and those already operating in our state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As we continue to foster a business-friendly environment, these investments create high-quality jobs for hardworking Georgians. We look forward to CRH’s continued success in the No. 1 state for business.”

    CRH’s Americas Materials Solutions business provides aggregates, asphalt, paving, ready mixed concrete, and construction services and is the leading integrated building materials solutions provider in North America.

    “It is an exciting time for CRH’s Americas Materials Solutions business as we support our ongoing growth by establishing a world-class Finance & Accounting Shared Services Center in metro Atlanta. The new SSC will enable further integration of our finance and accounting operations, creating additional efficiencies that will help CRH deliver better for our customers across North America,” said Rob Dinkins, Chief Financial Officer, CRH Americas Materials Solutions. “Access to leading talent, infrastructure, and support from the State and local community made it clear that this location would be a key enabler for the project’s success.”

    The new Shared Services Center (SSC) will be located at 1120 Sanctuary Parkway in Roswell. Hiring for roles is currently underway, including in finance and accounting, with plans for the facility to be fully staffed by 2029. To learn more about CRH, including where interested individuals can apply for jobs, visit www.crhamericas.com/careers.

    “Roswell provides an ideal environment for companies like CRH to flourish, and their decision to expand their operations here is a testament to the strength of our community and our dedication to economic growth,” said Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson. “Our city is not only a prime destination for businesses but also a thriving home for families, thanks to our top-tier schools, safe neighborhoods, scenic parks, and strong sense of community. We are proud to welcome CRH to Roswell and look forward to all of the opportunities they will bring to our city.”

    “We’re excited to welcome CRH’s expansion in Fulton County,” said Chairman Robb Pitts, Fulton County Board of Commissioners. “This multimillion-dollar investment, creating more than 300 jobs, highlights our skilled workforce and innovation-driven ecosystem, cementing Fulton County as a top destination for tech leaders.”

    “CRH has chosen a great location to make a significant investment,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “Many global businesses find success with shared service hubs in metro Atlanta, thanks in part to our large and growing talent pool in finance and technology. With operations in 28 countries, CRH’s presence in Metro Atlanta underscores our region’s international diversity and strong global appeal.” 

    Assistant Director of Statewide Projects Elizabeth McLean represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this project in partnership with the City of Roswell, Select Fulton, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Georgia Power.

    “Once the new Shared Services Center is at full operations, CRH will employ more than 1,400 people in Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Wilson. “Georgia’s universities and colleges, along with metro Atlanta’s appeal to young talent, gives companies a leg up in hiring for long-term jobs. Congratulations to CRH for its continued investment in Georgia, and thank you to the partners who have built a community where talent wants to live and work.”

    About CRH

    CRH is the leading provider of building materials solutions that build, connect, and improve our world. Employing c.79,800 people at c.3,816 operating locations in 28 countries, CRH has market leadership positions in both North America and Europe. As the essential partner for transportation and critical utility infrastructure projects, complex non-residential construction, and outdoor living solutions, CRH’s unique offering of materials, products, and value-added services helps to deliver a more resilient and sustainable built environment. The company is ranked among sector leaders by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating agencies. A Fortune 500 company, CRH’s shares are listed on the NYSE and LSE. For more information visit: www.crh.com.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Antigonish — Antigonish County District RCMP charge New Glasgow Regional Police officer with sexual assault

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Antigonish County District RCMP has charged a man in relation to a sexual assault that occurred in Antigonish in 2007.

    In June 2024, Antigonish County District RCMP received a report of a sexual assault that had occurred during the summer of 2007. Investigators learned that the woman was sexually assaulted by a man at an event at a private home. She was a youth at the time of the assault.

    In April 2025, Cpl. Kyle Lesko, 38, of the New Glasgow Regional Police was served with a court summons for one count of Sexual Assault. His first court appearance is scheduled for May 21, 2025, at Antigonish Provincial Court. Lesko was initially arrested in January and released pending further investigation.

    Lesko was a serving member of the Trenton Police Force in 2007 and was off-duty at the time of the assault.

    The investigation is ongoing and continues to be led by Antigonish County District RCMP.

    The RCMP takes all allegations of sexual violence seriously. If you are experiencing, or have experienced, sexual violence, including sexual assault, you are not alone. The RCMP adopts a trauma-informed approach and survivors can contact investigators and discuss an incident before deciding to further participate in the investigation and court process. Survivor supports are available, including through the RCMP Victim Services program.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Launches Recruitment Drive to Build Full-Scale KRONOS MMR Reactors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NANO Nuclear Aims to Expand Engineering and Project Development Team to Support U.S. and Canadian KRONOS MMR Energy System Reactor Construction and Licensing Efforts

    New York, N.Y., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or the “Company”) is launching a recruitment initiative focused on the Midwest region to support its ambitious plans to construct, demonstrate and gain regulatory approval for full-scale KRONOS MMR Energy Systems in both the United States and Canada.

    NANO Nuclear’s plans to extend its technical and project execution team are critical in the Company’s transition from design to ultimate commercial deployment of the proprietary, stationary KRONOS microreactor. In tandem with upcoming geological characterization work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) site, this workforce build-out will consolidate the expertise and provide the personnel necessary to complete the construction permit application and begin construction of the first KRONOS prototype on the UIUC campus shortly thereafter.

    Rendering of the KRONOS MMRTMEnergy System

    “As we prepare to break ground on the KRONOS reactor prototype at UIUC, it’s time to scale our team to match our vision,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “This is a call to the best and brightest in nuclear and energy innovation in the Midwest region—we’re building a reactor, and we need you on the team.”

    Now Hiring Across All Core Disciplines

    NANO Nuclear is actively recruiting top talent across a variety of critical disciplines for the KRONOS MMR project. Open positions include:

    • Nuclear Engineers – Fuel & materials, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, safety, and licensing
    • Mechanical Engineers – design, structural, CAD, balance of plant
    • Electrical Engineers – Instrumentation & control (I&C), power electronics, transmission
    • Civil Engineers & Geotechnical Experts – Site layout, structural foundations, drilling operations
    • Project Managers & Construction Specialists – Full-cycle oversight from permitting through commissioning
    • QA/QC Professionals – Nuclear-grade standards, documentation, and supplier oversight
    • Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Experts – NRC and CNSC compliance and filings
    • Skilled Technicians – Fabrication, assembly, testing, and field support

    Applicants with previous experience in nuclear R&D, DOE national labs, SMR or MMR programs, or international reactor development are especially encouraged to apply.

    “Our collaboration with UIUC will be a critical operations hub for our KRONOS reactor development effort,” said Jay Yu, Founder, Chairman and President of NANO Nuclear. “It will house the growing team that’s building not only our U.S. research reactor, but also laying the foundation for our demonstration reactor deployment in Canada, which will open the path for eventual commercial rollout in both the U.S. and Canada.”

    Canadian Reactor Construction Also in Focus

    In parallel with the UIUC research reactor, Nano Nuclear is actively preparing to construct a KRONOS demonstration reactor in Canada, where it will enter the licensing process under Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) oversight. The effort will establish a second fully licensed KRONOS unit, positioning NANO Nuclear to efficiently move its microreactor technology through construction, demonstration, regulatory licensing and eventual commercialization across North America.

    “Canada represents an incredible opportunity for clean, reliable microreactor deployment,” added Florent Heidet, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear. “By expanding our team and bringing additional talents onboard, we ensure we have the capacity to deliver simultaneous full-scale projects in two countries, each with independent regulatory pathways and future market potential.”

    Join the Team Shaping the Future of Nuclear Energy

    NANO Nuclear is a company that doesn’t just imagine the future—it’s engineering it, constructing it and moving towards regulatory licensing for it. With multiple microreactor project in progress, fuel qualification methodology already accepted by the NRC, and strategic partnerships underway, NANO Nuclear is one of the most active and ambitious advanced nuclear developers in the world.

    “This recruitment drive is about finding those who want to be part of history,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “If you want to help build the next generation of nuclear reactors from the ground up—this is your chance.”

    How to Apply

    Interested candidates can view open positions, including details regarding salary ranges and benefit offerings, and apply directly at:

    https://nanonuclearenergy.com/careers

    For inquiries, please contact:
    Email: careers@nanonuclearenergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR™Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
    NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statement relate to the NANO Nuclear’s recruitment drive and its development, demonstration, licensing and commercial plans, each as described herein. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    • NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: iRhythm Technologies Releases 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report That Demonstrates Ongoing Commitment to Culture of Quality and Sustainability

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRTC), a leading digital health care company focused on creating trusted solutions that detect, predict, and prevent disease, today announced that it has published its 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive future.

    “iRhythm’s core mission is to create a better world for patients by delivering better health and better insights through our trusted solutions and innovative technologies,” said Sumi Shrishrimal, iRhythm’s Chief Risk Officer and leader of Sustainability and Impact. “We accomplish this by being a responsible, ethical, and inclusive company dedicated to the highest standards of quality and excellence across our business as we execute upon our long-term strategic growth plan. I am so proud of the work our teams do every day, and our 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report reflects how we make cardiac monitoring more accessible, how we enable providers to better detect and prevent disease, and how we impact our communities as a global company.”

    The 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report details sustainability accomplishments across four key pillars:

    • Quality and Sustainable Technology Innovation highlights include enhancing our quality systems, improving our customers’ experience through Electronic Health Record (EHR) integration and innovative product launches, securing a strategic licensing agreement to advance connected patient care, and forming an Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) Governance Steering Committee to address AI risks and opportunities in alignment with the company’s strategic goals
    • Access and Health Equity highlights include expanding globally by launching commercially in four European countries (Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland) and receiving regulatory approval from the Japanese Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency for the Zio® 14-day, long-term continuous ECG monitoring system
    • Workforce and Inclusion highlights include refreshing our core values to define the workplace culture we would like to shape going forward, revising our code of conduct to provide employees with resources and guidance needed to operate with unquestionable integrity, and introducing new recognition opportunities to celebrate employees who elevate the company’s values through their work
    • Environmental Impact highlights include completing inventory of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, achieving 89.5% landfill waste diversion across our operations, obtaining ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems Certification, completing a life cycle analysis (LCA) of our products, and being named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Greenest Companies for 2025

    For more information about iRhythm’s corporate sustainability efforts, please visit our Corporate Sustainability page here.

    About iRhythm Technologies
    iRhythm is a leading digital health care company that creates trusted solutions that detect, predict, and prevent disease. Combining wearable biosensors and cloud-based data analytics with powerful proprietary algorithms, iRhythm distills data from millions of heartbeats into clinically actionable information. Through a relentless focus on patient care, iRhythm’s vision is to deliver better data, better insights, and better health for all. To learn more, please visit https://www.irhythmtech.com/.

    Investor Contact
    Stephanie Zhadkevich
    investors@irhythmtech.com

    Media Contact
    Kassandra Perry
    irhythm@highwirepr.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 17, 2025
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