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  • MIL-OSI: Development of Global Drone Operational Integration Expected to Spur Investment for U.S. Drone Manufacturing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla. , March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Shifting governmental policies are benefiting U.S. Drone Manufactures. AUVSI, an industry insider reported: “Programs focused on U.S.-made drone acquisition incentives, specifically grants, would signal to investors the market opportunity for U.S. drones, stimulating investment into U.S. drone and component manufacturing. According to a 2019 survey by Droneresponders, 92% of first responders in the U.S. are using drones made by China. This is a direct consequence of China subsidizing the drones, driving down costs, and a program to donate DJI drones to first responders. The Droneresponders survey also noted that 88% of first responder agencies would prefer to use U.S. drones; however, cost is a major factor in being able to transition away from the subsidized Chinese drones to market-based U.S. drones. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) programs that enable the use of drones for infrastructure inspection, such as the Every Day Counts (EDC) program, should incentivize the use of U.S. manufactured drones. It said that Congress should enact a new program designed to help industrial inspection companies engaged in critical infrastructure inspection transition from using Chinese drones to U.S.-made programs, which could reflect, in part, the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program as mentioned above for first responders.” Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX), Unusual Machines (NYSE: UMAC).

    AUVSI continued: “Again, the program should be funded appropriately to ensure that critical infrastructure owners and operators can begin to replace and upgrade drone fleets and U.S. domestic drone manufacturing can meet demand in terms of both production capability and drone reliability and capability.  The DoD must work with industry to overcome the acquisition challenges to get capable tools into the hands of warfighters faster, ensuring a strong U.S. industry for defense and commercial missions. The U.S. is falling behind other nations in the global effort to safely and efficiently integrate drones – which perform many lifesaving and critical industrial missions – into the airspace. Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must take steps to streamline approval processes and minimize the bureaucratic barriers to successful integration. Congress can assist by giving the FAA additional tools, authorities, and resources to accomplish this mission. Such tools should include mechanisms to help the FAA implement 2023 FAA Reauthorization efforts/mandates. Making progress on drone operational integration will spur investment into the drone industry, including manufacturing and workforce development in the United States.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone Benefits from New Chinese Tariffs Also Helping its Commercial and Defense Customer Markets – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces an update on its US-based ZenaDrone subsidiary’s Arizona and Taiwan manufacturing supply chain strategy in light of the current economic changes and tariffs announced by the current US Administration. ZenaDrone will continue to source and manufacture drone cameras, sensors and other related components at its Taiwan-based Spider Vision Sensors company to reduce its supply chain risk and ensure NDAA-compliant parts for its US Defense-destined drone products, which will be manufactured in Arizona. The company also benefits from recent announcements doubling tariffs on Chinese imports including drones and parts from 10% to 20% which will negatively impact many US drone companies and customers given the drone industry dominance of China.

    “The current administration’s focus on strengthening US manufacturing and reducing reliance on Chinese drone imports is a game-changer for American companies like ours. With increased tariffs on Chinese drones and components, and new incentives for domestic production, we are well positioned to expand our operations to manufacture in Arizona, also creating more high-quality American jobs. Since we’ve already initiated sourcing of our component parts from Taiwan instead of China, we can avoid supply chain disruptions while benefiting from potential US manufacturing tax breaks. We believe this makes our drones more competitive for both government and commercial markets,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    “This also puts us ahead of domestic competitors who may be facing challenges with supply chain instability and less access to cutting-edge technologies. By leveraging Taiwan’s capabilities and our focus on security and compliance, we’re poised to meet increasing defense demand while minimizing operational risks,” added Dr. Passley.

    The Spider Vision Sensors Taiwan office opened in November 2024 to manufacture drone cameras, sensors, electronics, and components, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), thermal, infrared, and multi-spectral sensors, and circuit boards to incorporate into ZenaDrone’s finished products. Having in-house manufactured sensors and components will enable ZenaDrone to maintain a steady supply to fulfill customer drone order needs at its Sharjah, UAE manufacturing facilities as well as its future Arizona-based drone manufacturing facilities for US military-destined “Made in America” drones.

    Taiwan was selected due to its size and skills as an electronics hub, and the availability of low-cost alternative components versus those from China. Spider Vision Sensors will ensure ZenaDrone’s products and supply chain are compliant with the US NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) requirements necessary to do business with the US Military. This along with the Green UAS (Uncrewed Arial System) and the Blue UAS are important certifications ensuring cybersecurity and country of origin compliance for drone companies, which the company has stated it plans to achieve. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently announced that its Black Widow drone and FlightWave Edge 130 were included on the list of 23 platforms and 14 unique components and capabilities selected as winners of the Blue UAS Refresh. The platforms will undergo National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) verification and cyber security review with the ultimate goal of joining the Blue UAS List.

    Over the coming months, the Blue UAS List and Blue UAS Framework will expand with new additions. The inclusion of the Black Widow and Edge 130 as winners of the Refresh further validates Red Cat’s commitment to delivering NDAA-compliant unmanned systems for defense and government applications.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), recently announced it has fulfilled the previously announced order for 60 RedEdge-P Multispectral Sensors from an East Asian value-added reseller (VAR).

    AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “Following the successful on-time completion of this, our largest sensor sale in AgEagle history, we look forward to building on this significant momentum. The achievement underscores our commitment to impeccable execution and reliability and further represents a landmark milestone in our strategic growth plan for 2025 and beyond. We look forward to continuing to enhance and scale our high-value intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance product offerings to military and commercial operations worldwide to effectively position AgEagle for long-term shareholder value creation.”

    RedEdge-P Multispectral Sensors are NDAA compliant, high-resolution multispectral and RGB sensor featuring a high-resolution panchromatic band for pan-sharpened output resolutions of 2 cm / 0.8 in at 60 m / 200 ft. Its five narrow multispectral bands with scientific-grade filters make it the perfect camera for calculating multiple vegetation indices and composites.

    L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) and Shield AI will collaborate on a demonstration to enable an electronic warfare (EW) operation with AI-enabled unmanned systems that will sense, adapt and act while simultaneously executing physical and electromagnetic movements.

    L3Harris and Shield AI Team for Breakthrough in Autonomy – At the core of this effort is L3Harris’ Distributed Spectrum Collaboration and Operations, or DiSCO™, a software-defined Electromagnetic Battle Management ecosystem that can detect, collect and analyze known and unknown threat signals within minutes. This specific collaboration pairs DiSCO with Shield AI’s Hivemind.

    Unusual Machines (NYSE: UMAC), a leading provider of NDAA-compliant drone components, has recently secured Red Cat Holdings as a customer for motors. This marks the company’s first partnership to develop motors built to a U.S. drone producer’s specific requirements. Red Cat will use three motor variants from Unusual Machines for one of its platforms designed for government and commercial applications.

    Red Cat has placed its initial order, marking a significant milestone in Unusual Machines’ efforts to become a Tier 1 supplier of drone motors for American manufacturers. The motors will be among the first produced in Unusual Machines’ U.S.-based manufacturing facility, which is currently under development. In the interim, production will take place in a partnered facility that we believe will result in a seamless supply chain transition. Unusual Machines expects to begin delivering on Red Cat’s first order by the end of March.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER:  FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty four hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected”, “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:
    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: GreyOrange to Showcase AI-powered Warehouse Orchestration at ProMat 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GreyOrange Inc., a global leader in software for robotics-led warehouse automation, invites ProMat attendees to experience the future of intelligent warehouse orchestration firsthand. From March 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago, visitors to booths N8101 and N8107 will witness how GreyMatter, the company’s AI-powered orchestration platform, seamlessly integrates with a diverse fleet of partner robots to optimize fulfillment efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

    “As supply chains face rising complexity and labor shortages, businesses need solutions that increase throughput, reduce costs, and deliver real-time adaptability,” said Akash Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of GreyOrange. “At ProMat, attendees will see our vendor-agnostic GreyMatter platform in action—coordinating multiple robotic systems with AI-driven intelligence to transform warehouse efficiency.”

    Experience AI-powered warehouse orchestration in action. GreyOrange will offer live demonstrations that showcase end-to-end fulfillment orchestration:

    • GreyMatter Software Experience – Attendees can interact with real-time warehouse simulations, tracing an order’s journey from inbound receiving to outbound shipping, while seeing how AI dynamically optimizes tasks.
    • GreyMatter driven orchestration of Rack-to-Person (RTP) and Tote-to-Person (TTP) Hybrid Picking – Maximizes storage density 4-5x, handling diverse product sizes with seamless fulfillment from both mobile storage units (MSUs) and totes at a single station.
    • GreyMatter powered Relay Pick AS/RS Solution – Showcasing high-speed automated storage and retrieval, using synchronized tote movement for enhanced throughput and adaptability.
    • Orchestration of Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) Forklifts using GreyMatter – Demonstrating plug-and-play automation for case picking, deep storage, cross-docks, and forward-pick zones across multiple warehouse levels.

    Discover the power of AI-driven fulfillment orchestration by visiting GreyOrange at booths N8101 and N8107. Attendees can also schedule a private demo or meeting by visiting https://www.greyorange.com/event/promat-march-17-20-2025/.

    To learn more about GreyMatter and GreyOrange’s partner AMRs, visit www.greyorange.com.

    About GreyOrange
    GreyOrange Inc. is at the forefront of AI-driven robotics systems, transforming distribution and fulfillment centers worldwide. Its emphasis on orchestration, innovation, and customer satisfaction marks a new era in efficient, responsive supply chain solutions. The company’s solutions offer a competitive advantage by increasing productivity, empowering growth and scale, mitigating labor challenges, reducing risk and time to market, and creating better experiences for customers and employees. Founded in 2012, GreyOrange is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with offices and partners across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.greyorange.com.

    Media Contact
    Leah R H Robinson, APR
    LeadCoverage
    leah@leadcoverage.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0e55b77c-b42b-44f7-ae5e-5e758833840b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Death by firing squad set to resume in the US – but no matter the method, all means of execution come with a troubling history

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Austin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science, Amherst College

    The firing squad chair in which Brad Sigmon will be strapped before three volunteers shoot him dead. South Carolina Department of Corrections via AP

    Barring any late developments, the U.S. is set to see its first execution by firing squad in 15 years on March 7, 2025.

    Photos released by the South Carolina Department of Corrections suggest that the prisoner, Brad Sigmon, will be strapped to a metal seat in the same small death chamber that has been the location of the state’s other executions by means of the electric chair and lethal injection. Sigmon, who was sentenced to death in 2002 for the brutal killing of his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat, chose death by firing squad over other forms of execution under a 2021 law that allows inmates that option.

    According to the state’s firing squad protocol, the condemned man will have a hood put over his head and a target placed on his heart. Three volunteers will then shoot him from a distance of 15 feet. They will stand behind a wall with a small opening.

    But this method of execution has raised concern over the safety of observers of the execution. Meanwhile, others object to the use of a firing squad as a relic of a brutal past not fitting for modern times.

    As someone who has studied execution methods in the U.S., I see the resumption of death by firing squad as part of a morbid search for “better” execution methods. It comes amid concern over botched lethal injection attempts and a scarcity of the drugs needed to carry out such executions.

    In 2020, the first Trump administration expanded how federal execution can be carried out to include ghoulish methods such as hanging, the electric chair, gas chamber and, indeed, the firing squad.

    But revisiting all methods reveals a checkered history. Each has, at one time or other, been touted as humane only to be sidelined because its use was found to be gruesome and offensive. Given that history, there are questions over whether the resumption of death by firing squad can serve any purpose other than continuing a death penalty system deemed to be a cruel outlier among modern societies.

    The noose and the chair

    Let’s start with hanging.

    Hanging was the execution method of choice throughout most of American history, and it was used in America’s last public execution in 1936, when Rainey Bethea was put to death in Owensboro, Kentucky. When done correctly, the noose killed by severing the spinal column, causing near instantaneous death.

    A large crowd watches as attendants adjust a black hood over Rainey Bethea in 1936.
    AP File Photo

    But, all too often, hanging resulted in a slow death by strangulation and sometimes even a beheading. Given this gruesome record and hanging’s association with the lynching of mainly Black men, by the end of the 19th century the search for other execution methods began in earnest.

    The first of those alternatives was the electric chair. At the time it was adopted, it was regarded as a truly modern instrument of death, a technological marvel in the business of state killing. Hailed by penal reformers as a humane alternative to hanging, the electric chair was first authorized in 1888 by New York state following the report of a commission that concluded: “The most potent agent known for the destruction of human life is electricity. … The velocity of the electric current is so great that the brain is paralyzed; it is indeed dead before the nerves can communicate a sense of shock.”

    Yet, right from the start, electrocution’s potency was a problem. Its first use in the 1890 execution of convicted murderer William Kemmler was horribly botched. Reports of the execution say that “after 2 minutes the execution chamber filled with the smell of burning flesh.” Newspapers called the execution a “historic bungle” and “disgusting, sickening and inhuman.”

    In spite of the Kemmler debacle, the electric chair quickly became popular, being seen as more efficient and less brutal than hanging. From the start of the 20th century until the 1980s, the number of death sentences carried out by this method far outstripped those of any other method.

    But electrocutions continued to go wrong, and eventually several dramatic botched executions in Florida helped turn the tide. Included were two executions – one in 1990, the other in 1997 – in which the condemned inmates caught fire.

    The gas chamber

    By the start of the 21st century, states all over the country were abandoning the electric chair. As Justice Carol W. Hunstein of the Supreme Court of Georgia explained, “Death by electrocution, with its specter of excruciating pain and its certainty of cooked brains and blistered bodies,” was no longer compatible with contemporary standards of decency.

    A gas chamber at San Quentin prison from 1959.
    AP Photo/Clarence Hamm

    One alternative to electrocution was the gas chamber, but it too has its own history of problems. First adopted in Nevada in 1922, executions using lethal gas were to take place while the condemned slept. Death row inmates were supposed to be housed in airtight, leak-proof prison cells, separate from other prisoners. On the day of the execution, valves would be opened that would fill the chamber with gas, killing the prisoner painlessly.

    This plan was soon abandoned because officials decided it would be impractical to implement it, and states constructed special gas chambers fitted with pipes, exhaust fans and glass windows on the front and back walls for witness viewing. But deaths by lethal gas were never pretty or easy to watch.

    Inmates regularly fought against breathing the gas as it entered the chamber. They convulsed, jerked, coughed, twisted and turned blue for several minutes before they died.

    Far from solving the problems associated with hangings or electrocutions, lethal gas introduced its own set of horrors to the institution of capital punishment. In fact, by the end of the 20th century, 5% of executions by lethal gas had been botched.

    As a result, states used gas as the sole method of execution only from 1924 to 1977, and it was last used in 1999. By then, the gas chamber had become a relic of the past because of its inability to deliver on its promise to be “swift and painless” and its association with the Nazi use of gas to kill millions during the Holocaust.

    Lethal injection

    Lethal injection was first considered by the state of New York in the late 1880s when it convened a blue ribbon commission to study alternatives to hanging. During deliberations, Dr. Julius Mount Bleyer invited the commission to envision a future in which a person condemned to death “could be executed on his bed in his cell with a 6-gram injection of sulfate of morphine.”

    But it wasn’t until 1977 that Oklahoma became the first state to introduce the method.

    Right from the start, administering lethal injections proved to be a complex procedure that was difficult to get right. In fact, during the first use of lethal injection by Texas in 1982, the team responsible repeatedly failed to insert an IV into a vein in the condemned man’s arm, splattering blood onto the sheet covering his body.

    Part of the problem is that medical ethics do not allow doctors to take part in choosing the drugs or administering them. In the place of doctors, prison officials are responsible for the lethal injection procedure. In addition, dosages of the drugs used are standardized rather than tailored to the needs of particular inmates as they would be in a medical procedure.

    Despite the effort to medicalize executions, the history of lethal injection has been anything but smooth, sterile and predictable. In fact, my research reveals that of the 1,054 executions carried out from 1982 to 2010 using the standard three-drug lethal injection protocol, more than 7% were botched.

    And as states, faced with a scarcity of the drugs needed, have experimented in finding new ingredients, my research shows that botched executions have occurred as much as 20% of the time.

    The firing squad

    Finally, the firing squad. Of all of America’s methods of execution, it has been least often used. From 1900 to 2010, only 35 of America’s 8,776 executions were carried out using this method, and since 1976 just three people have faced a firing squad, with the last one carried out in Utah in 2010.

    The execution chamber at Utah State Prison used in the United States’ last firing squad execution.
    AP Photo/Trent Nelson

    Critics point out that because death by guns evokes images of raw, frontier justice in a society awash in gun violence, this method mimicked something that the law wished to discourage. Nonetheless, Utah revived the firing squad in 2015 due to challenges to the state’s lethal injection protocol.

    While it has some contemporary proponents who claim it is the least cruel of all execution methods, the history of the firing squad is marked by gruesome mistakes when marksmen missed their target. In the 1951 execution of Eliseo Mares, for example, four executioners all shot into the wrong side of his chest, and he died slowly from blood loss.

    A cruel history, revived

    While authorities in South Carolina allow for death by firing squad, it cannot erase the cruelty that marks the method’s history – nor that of other means of execution.

    That history stands as a reminder of America’s failed quest to find a method of execution that is safe, reliable and humane.

    This article contains sections previous published in The Conversation articles from Dec. 4, 2020 and Nov. 30, 2022.

    Austin Sarat 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. Death by firing squad set to resume in the US – but no matter the method, all means of execution come with a troubling history – https://theconversation.com/death-by-firing-squad-set-to-resume-in-the-us-but-no-matter-the-method-all-means-of-execution-come-with-a-troubling-history-251579

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Progress Opens Applications for its 2025 Women in STEM Scholarship Series

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Empowering future women leaders in STEM, the scholarship series supports students in the U.S., Bulgaria and India on their journey to shape computer science, software engineering, IT or related fields

    BURLINGTON, Mass., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS), the trusted provider of AI-powered digital experience and infrastructure software, today announced that applications are now open for the 2025 Progress Women in STEM Scholarship Series in celebration of International Women’s Day. Established in 2019, the program supports students in the United States, Bulgaria and India—regions where Progress has a significant presence.

    “At Progress, we recognize the critical role education plays in fostering innovation and shaping the future of the STEM industry,” said Yogesh Gupta, CEO, Progress. “Through this scholarship series, we are honored to support the academic journeys of outstanding young women who will help lead the next wave of technological advancements in STEM.”

    Mary Székely Scholarship for Women in STEM (U.S.)
    Honoring the legacy of Progress co-founder and pioneering software engineer Mary Székely (pronounced: “See-kay”), this renewable $10,000 scholarship supports women residing in Massachusetts—home to Progress’ global headquarters—who are enrolling in or completing their first year of an undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering, IT or computer information systems. Candidates should embody Mary Székely’s values of hard work, integrity and a passion for learning and mentorship.

    Women in STEM Scholarship Program (Bulgaria)
    This program awards two annual scholarships of BGN 3,000 each (approximately $1,700) to women in their second, third or fourth year of study in computer science, software engineering, IT or related fields at an accredited Bulgarian university.

    Akanksha Scholarship for Women in STEM (India)
    Meaning “aspire” in Sanskrit, the Akanksha Scholarship is a renewable award of up to INR 1,50,000 (approximately $2,000) annually. It is available to women in India pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science, computer information systems, software engineering or IT, who demonstrate resilience, ambition and a commitment to progress.

    A Legacy of Innovation and Social Impact
    The Progress Women in STEM Scholarship Series is part of the Progress for Tomorrow Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. Past scholarship recipients have exemplified innovation and the passion to give back to society, including a student leveraging AI to address affordable housing challenges, an innovator merging technology with art and sustainability and a technologist dedicated to enhancing global health outcomes through cutting-edge solutions.

    Application Details
    All applications must be submitted by April 11, 2025. For eligibility requirements and application details, visit the Progress website.

    About Progress   
    Progress (Nasdaq: PRGS) empowers organizations to achieve transformational success in the face of disruptive change. Our software enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible AI-powered applications and digital experiences with agility and ease. Customers get a trusted provider in Progress, with the products, expertise and vision they need to succeed. Over 4 million developers and technologists at hundreds of thousands of enterprises depend on Progress. Learn more at www.progress.com.  

    Progress is a trademark or registered trademark of Progress Software Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. 

    Press Contacts:            
    Kim Baker           
    Progress         
    +1-800-477-6473           
    pr@progress.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ASUS Announces New “Design You Can Feel” Exhibition for Milan Design Week

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced that, following last year’s success at the London Design Festival, it is bringing an all-new Design You Can Feel exhibition to Milan Design Week 2025.

    Taking place in a historic 1920s gallery in the heart of Milan, the exhibition will build on the success of last year’s Design You Can Feel exhibition during the London Design Festival (LDF). Also titled Design You Can Feel, it will explore the themes of materiality, craftsmanship, and artificial intelligence (AI) to explain the design thinking behind ASUS products, including the latest ASUS Zenbook laptops. The exhibition will also feature an interactive installation by Studio INI.

    Exhibition to showcase design thinking behind ASUS products

    The installation will speak to the design thinking behind many ASUS products by combining sophisticated technology and engineering with material exploration and artistic expression. The exhibition will also showcase these products and the design stories behind them via playful interactive exhibits.

    A highlight of the event will be the ASUS Zenbook laptops – thin and light ultra-portable premium laptops that feature advanced AI tools and are clad in the proprietary ASUS material Ceraluminum™, which combines the lightness of metal with the resilience of ceramics.

    Zenbook’s design approach is grounded in the ideas of Inspired, Immersive, Intuitive, Quiet, and Secure – qualities that are not only seen but felt. This holistic approach to design, which prioritizes both functionality and the user’s emotional connection to the device, is at the heart of the Design You Can Feel exhibition.

    Additionally, the exhibition will showcase other ASUS models, including ProArt, Adol, Vivobook, and ROG ACRONYM laptops, with a hands-on area for visitors to experience them firsthand.

    ASUS Zenbook Ceraluminum™ Limited Edition: A Tribute to Nature

    The Milan exhibition will also debut four limited editions of the ASUS Zenbook laptop featuring special Ceraluminum chassis that draw from natural landscapes. The Ceraluminum Limited Edition collection is inspired by Earth’s most breathtaking landscapes, each representing the raw power and beauty that shape our world. From laptops to sleeves and packaging, each finish is a reminder of the ASUS commitment—not just to design, but to a philosophy—to create tools that are as enduring as the landscapes that inspire them.

    Ceraluminum is a high-tech ceramic that is an industry-first innovation. ASUS invested four years into finetuning the precise colors, texture, and hardness. No pigment is added throughout the entire process, the distinct colors and porosity are precisely controlled by electric current, voltage, and mineral formula. As a result, it offers unmatched scratch resistance and longevity, with a unique look that pays homage to the natural world that inspired its creation.

    Additionally, Ceraluminum is a more sustainable material that is less hazardous to the environment, substituting the acids traditionally employed for aluminum anodization for a new higher voltage method that uses pure water. The process eliminates organic compounds, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals from the wastewater, resulting in 100% recyclable material.

    To learn more about Ceraluminum, please see here:

    https://youtu.be/z1T3HgeX8qU?si=HAHkQM_ZD1try4CX

    https://youtu.be/9cypFEe7-Fg?si=wYXdEVcukQibJ3Nd

    Studio INI to create bespoke installation

    The themes of the exhibition will be encapsulated by a specially commissioned installation by Studio INI, an experimental design and research studio. The installation will combine design, technology, and engineering with artistic expression to create a kinetic, biomimetic sculpture that reacts to visitors’ presence.

    Key to the experience is the stimulation of the senses. Visitors will be invited to touch the installation, encountering the tactility of the ASUS Ceraluminum material. Sensors will track these interactions, with the data used to create AI-generated representations of visitors’ real-world behavior.

    Full details will be announced in the coming months.

    Design You Can Feel exhibition world tour

    The Milan exhibition is the third Design You Can Feel exhibition, following events in Shanghai and London that showcased material innovation, craftsmanship, and AI. The Milan exhibition will expand on the themes of the previous exhibition at the biggest and most influential design event in the world.

    The latest Design You Can Feel exhibition will run from April 8 – 13, 2025.

    It will be open to the public at Galleria Meravigli in Milan. For more information, please see https://www.asus.com/ca-en/content/zenbook/

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    More on ASUS at the Milan Design Week: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/content/zenbook/

    ASUS Zenbook: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-home/zenbook/

    ASUS ProArt: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/proart/

    ASUS Vivobook: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-home/vivobook/

    ASUS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asus/posts/

    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com

    ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/

    ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca

    ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube

    ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

    About ASUS

    ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f14c07d-b5f0-49c5-9827-edd06c1f4f30

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Rate Issues First Jumbo RMBS Securitization of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rate, a leader in fintech mortgage solutions, has successfully completed its first Jumbo RMBS securitization of 2025, a $366 million issuance with a 6.375% Gross Weighted Average Coupon (GWAC). Wells Fargo Securities served as the structuring lead, with Goldman Sachs as co-lead and BMO Capital Markets Corp. and JP Morgan as co-managers.

    “For investors evaluating new issue deals, RATE 2025-J1 stands out as a compelling opportunity in the primary market,” said Allison Burkholder, Managing Director of Non-Agency RMBS Trading at Rate. “Since reviving our securitization platform in 2024, we’ve remained committed to providing some of the cleanest, highest-quality collateral available.”

    This securitization reinforces Rate’s leadership in the Jumbo RMBS market and underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering premium investment opportunities.

    “I am incredibly proud of our team’s dedication in re-launching our securitization program in 2024,” said Victor Ciardelli, CEO of Rate. “Our vision is to build the #1 non-agency securitization program in the country, powered by our cutting-edge digital origination platform. This initiative enables us to offer industry-leading rates on Jumbo loans for our loan officers and referral partners.”

    Ciardelli added, “Our digital origination platform not only reduces the cost of origination but also ensures the highest-quality Jumbo loan production in the industry. The success we’ve achieved is a testament to our relentless focus on innovation and excellence—laying the foundation for continued growth in 2025 and beyond.”

    “When you analyze this deal, you’ll see that the average interest rate is approximately 0.125% to 0.500% lower than other Jumbo deals in the market,” said Jeremy Collett, Rate’s Chief Capital Markets Officer. “This reflects our commitment to lowering borrowing costs for customers through our groundbreaking technology.”

    Looking ahead, Rate plans to expand its securitization pipeline in 2025. “We anticipate a modest increase in Jumbo originations this year and expect to bring four to five securitizations to market,” said Burkholder.

    About Rate
    Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, Rate has over 850 branches across all 50 states and Washington D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Rate has helped more than 2 million homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates, and delivering unparalleled customer service. Honors and awards include Best Mortgage Lender for First-Time Homebuyers by NerdWallet for 2023; HousingWire’s Tech100 award for the company’s industry-leading FlashClose℠ digital mortgage platform in 2020, MyAccount in 2022, and Language Access Program in 2023; the most Scotsman Guide Top Originators for 11 consecutive years; Chicago Agent Magazine’s Lender of the Year for seven consecutive years; and Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces list for seven straight years. Visit rate.com for more information.

    Media Contact

    press@rate.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Shift in Governmental Policies Incentivizing U.S. Manufacturing for Drone Manufacturers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – From the perspective of U.S. competitiveness and security, incentivizing U.S. leadership in the drone industry ― the focal point of a new era of aviation ― represents a strategic imperative in a market long characterized by state-subsidized companies based in China. AUVSI, an industry insider reported: “that it believes it is essential to advance security and competitiveness in a thoughtful way that respects existing investments while building toward a more secure, sustainable future that puts U.S. interests ― including security, the economy, and overarching values ― first. U.S. drone manufacturers and their component supply chain have struggled to compete against foreign subsidized competition, which hinders the availability of American-made UAS on the market and impedes workforce growth and investment. Accordingly, the U.S. government must foster a more competitive and fair playing field for U.S.-based drone manufacturers. AUVSI is advocating for specific proposals that would generate demand for U.S.-made drones and supply-side measures that level the playing field for U.S. drone and component manufacturers against subsidized competition and dumping practices.” Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO).

    AUVSI continued: “Bolstering new drone manufacturing capabilities and the associated workforce will require infrastructure and capital expenditures. Providing tax incentives and other mechanisms to spur that spending would accelerate growth and development that would have otherwise been delayed or denied. Manufacturer tax credits for the production and sale of certain UAS equipment and components produced and sold in the U.S. would benefit the industry and its competitiveness and would decrease reliance on subsidized, foreign drones. This has worked in other industries. According to the Financial Times, U.S. manufacturing commitments doubled ― to more than $200 billion, creating 82,000 jobs ― based on the success of tax incentive programs for other industries, including solar panels, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and other clean technologies. In taking action to level the playing field and promote competition, the U.S. government should coordinate activities with allied and partner nations to create a stronger, more secure supply chain.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone Benefits from New Chinese Tariffs Also Helping its Commercial and Defense Customer Markets – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces an update on its US-based ZenaDrone subsidiary’s Arizona and Taiwan manufacturing supply chain strategy in light of the current economic changes and tariffs announced by the current US Administration. ZenaDrone will continue to source and manufacture drone cameras, sensors and other related components at its Taiwan-based Spider Vision Sensors company to reduce its supply chain risk and ensure NDAA-compliant parts for its US Defense-destined drone products, which will be manufactured in Arizona. The company also benefits from recent announcements doubling tariffs on Chinese imports including drones and parts from 10% to 20% which will negatively impact many US drone companies and customers given the drone industry dominance of China.

    “The current administration’s focus on strengthening US manufacturing and reducing reliance on Chinese drone imports is a game-changer for American companies like ours. With increased tariffs on Chinese drones and components, and new incentives for domestic production, we are well-positioned to expand our operations to manufacture in Arizona, also creating more high-quality American jobs. Since we’ve already initiated sourcing of our component parts from Taiwan instead of China, we can avoid supply chain disruptions while benefiting from potential US manufacturing tax breaks. We believe this makes our drones more competitive for both government and commercial markets,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    “This also puts us ahead of domestic competitors who may be facing challenges with supply chain instability and less access to cutting-edge technologies. By leveraging Taiwan’s capabilities and our focus on security and compliance, we’re poised to meet increasing defense demand while minimizing operational risks,” added Dr. Passley.

    The Spider Vision Sensors Taiwan office opened in November 2024 to manufacture drone cameras, sensors, electronics, and components, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), thermal, infrared, and multi-spectral sensors, and circuit boards to incorporate into ZenaDrone’s finished products. Having in-house manufactured sensors and components will enable ZenaDrone to maintain a steady supply to fulfill customer drone order needs at its Sharjah, UAE manufacturing facilities as well as its future Arizona-based drone manufacturing facilities for US military-destined “Made in America” drones.

    Taiwan was selected due to its size and skills as an electronics hub, and the availability of low-cost alternative components versus those from China. Spider Vision Sensors will ensure ZenaDrone’s products and supply chain are compliant with the US NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) requirements necessary to do business with the US Military. This along with the Green UAS (Uncrewed Arial System) and the Blue UAS are important certifications ensuring cybersecurity and country of origin compliance for drone companies which the company has stated it plans to achieve. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, recently announced a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (“JAC Motors”) and Hefei Guoxian Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Guoxian Holdings”). Under this agreement, cooperation will focus on establishing a joint venture in Hefei to invest in the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing base for low-altitude aircraft. The facility will integrate advanced technology, standardization, and automation to produce intelligent and pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (“eVTOL”).

    The strategic cooperation signing ceremony was attended by key officials including Fei Yuan, Standing Committee Member of Hefei Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of Hefei; Xingchu Xiang, Chairman, and General Manager of JAC Motors; Xingke Yin, Vice General Manager of JAC Motors; Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of EHang; and Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang. They were joined by other distinguished guests in witnessing the signing of the strategic cooperation agreement, marking a new milestone in the high-quality development of China’s low-altitude economy ecosystem.

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently reported financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended January 25, 2025. Third Quarter Highlights Were:

    Record funded backlog of $763.5 million as of January 25, 2025

    Third quarter revenue of $167.6 million down 10% year-over-year

    Third quarter net loss of $(1.8) million and non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $21.8 million

    “We faced a number of short-term challenges in the third quarter, including the unprecedented high winds and fires in Southern California, which impacted our ability to meet our goals,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Nevertheless, we made significant progress towards executing our long-term growth strategy and building resiliency for the future.”

    Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) and RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., recently announced an approximate 50/50 partnership for the establishment of a U.S.-based merchant supplier of solid rocket motors (SRMs) and other energetics. The new joint venture, named Prometheus Energetics (“Prometheus”), is set to be headquartered on an approximate 500-acre site near the United States Navy and Army facility in Crane, Indiana.

    Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos Defense, said, “We believe Prometheus, once up and running at full rate production, will be a step function catalyst in value creation for Kratos’ stakeholders and the U.S. defense industrial base, similar to Kratos’ recent MACH-TB contract award—the largest single-award contract in Kratos history. Like other major Kratos investments such as Oriole, Zeus, and Erinyes, Prometheus responds to a critical need to strengthen the U.S. Industrial Base and will also provide tens of thousands of SRMs and casted warheads supporting both America’s most reliable partner in the Middle East and United States national security related demand from a true SRM and energetics merchant supplier.”

    ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO) recently announced that it has successfully achieved regulatory compliance with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its SafeAir systems. This milestone marks a step forward for the company, solidifying its position as a trusted provider of safety solutions in the rapidly expanding drone market.

    ParaZero secured EASA compliance for its SafeAir systems. The Company announced last week that its system is integrated with the DJI Matrice 350, DJI Mavic 3T, and DJI Mavic 3E, and has successfully achieved CE Class C5 compliance. This achievement marks a significant advancement in drone safety and regulatory readiness, particularly within the European market.

    The CE Class C5 certification is crucial for compliance with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations, especially for operators navigating the complex Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) process. By meeting these stringent requirements, ParaZero’s SafeAir systems simplify the regulatory pathway for drone operators, enabling them to conduct missions in an urban environment, with greater confidence, efficiency, and safety.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty four hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance Plc Amends the Terms and Conditions of Medium Term Notes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    6 March 2025 at 4:00 pm (EET)

    Municipality Finance Plc Amends the Terms and Conditions of Medium Term Notes

    Municipality Finance Plc amends the terms and conditions pertaining to EUR 10 million medium term notes issued on 11 February 2025 (ISIN: XS2999632172). With the amendments, the notes are in new global note form and accordingly are intended to be held in a manner which would allow Eurosystem eligibility in other respects, the terms and conditions of the notes remain unchanged. The amended and restated final terms are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    Holders of the notes have approved the amendments. The notes have been admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the State of Finland. The Group’s balance sheet is over EUR 53 billion.

    MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. Our customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, joint county authorities, corporate entities under the control of the above-mentioned organisations, and affordable social housing. Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: www.munifin.fi

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: DOGE threat: How government data would give an AI company extraordinary power

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Allison Stanger, Distinguished Endowed Professor, Middlebury

    Elon Musk has simultaneous control of DOGE and his AI company xAI. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

    The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has secured unprecedented access to at least seven sensitive federal databases, including those of the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration. This access has sparked fears about cybersecurity vulnerabilities and privacy violations. Another concern has received far less attention: the potential use of the data to train a private company’s artificial intelligence systems.

    The White House press secretary said government data that DOGE has collected isn’t being used to train Musk’s AI models, despite Elon Musk’s control over DOGE. However, evidence has emerged that DOGE personnel simultaneously hold positions with at least one of Musk’s companies.

    At the Federal Aviation Administration, SpaceX employees have government email addresses. This dual employment creates a conduit for federal data to potentially be siphoned to Musk-owned enterprises, including xAI. The company’s latest Grok AI chatbot model conspicuously refuses to give a clear denial about using such data.

    As a political scientist and technologist who is intimately acquainted with public sources of government data, I believe this potential transmission of government data to private companies presents far greater privacy and power implications than most reporting identifies. A private entity with the capacity to develop artificial intelligence technologies could use government data to leapfrog its competitors and wield massive influence over society.

    Value of government data for AI

    For AI developers, government databases represent something akin to finding the Holy Grail. While companies such as OpenAI, Google and xAI currently rely on information scraped from the public internet, nonpublic government repositories offer something much more valuable: verified records of actual human behavior across entire populations.

    This isn’t merely more data – it’s fundamentally different data. Social media posts and web browsing histories show curated or intended behaviors, but government databases capture real decisions and their consequences. For example, Medicare records reveal health care choices and outcomes. IRS and Treasury data reveal financial decisions and long-term impacts. And federal employment and education statistics reveal education paths and career trajectories.

    What makes this data particularly valuable for AI training is its longitudinal nature and reliability. Unlike the disordered information available online, government records follow standardized protocols, undergo regular audits and must meet legal requirements for accuracy. Every Social Security payment, Medicare claim and federal grant creates a verified data point about real-world behavior. This data exists nowhere else with such breadth and authenticity in the U.S.

    Most critically, government databases track entire populations over time, not just digitally active users. They include people who never use social media, don’t shop online, or actively avoid digital services. For an AI company, this would mean training systems on the actual diversity of human experience rather than just the digital reflections people cast online.

    A security guard prevented U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., from entering an EPA building on Feb. 6, 2025, to see DOGE staff working there.
    Al Drago/Getty Images

    The technical advantage

    Current AI systems face fundamental limitations that no amount of data scraped from the internet can overcome. When ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini make mistakes, it’s often because they’ve been trained on information that might be popular but isn’t necessarily true. They can tell you what people say about a policy’s effects, but they can’t track those effects across populations and years.

    Government data could change this equation. Imagine training an AI system not just on opinions about health care but on actual treatment outcomes across millions of patients. Consider the difference between learning from social media discussions about economic policies and analyzing their real impacts across different communities and demographics over decades.

    A large, state-of-the-art, or frontier, model trained on comprehensive government data could understand the actual relationships between policies and outcomes. It could track unintended consequences across different population segments, model complex societal systems with real-world validation and predict the impacts of proposed changes based on historical evidence. For companies seeking to build next-generation AI systems, access to this data would create an almost insurmountable advantage.

    Control of critical systems

    A company like xAI could do far more with models trained on government data than building better chatbots or content generators. Such systems could fundamentally transform – and potentially control – how people understand and manage complex societal systems. While some of these capabilities could be beneficial under the control of accountable public agencies, I believe they pose a threat in the hands of a single private company.

    Medicare and Medicaid databases contain records of treatments, outcomes and costs across diverse populations over decades. A frontier model trained on new government data could identify treatment patterns that succeed where others fail, and so dominate the health care industry. Such a model could understand how different interventions affect various populations over time, accounting for factors such as geographic location, socioeconomic status and concurrent conditions.

    A company wielding the model could influence health care policy by demonstrating superior predictive capabilities and market population-level insights to pharmaceutical companies and insurers.

    Treasury data represents perhaps the most valuable prize. Government financial databases contain granular details about how money flows through the economy. This includes real-time transaction data across federal payment systems, complete records of tax payments and refunds, detailed patterns of benefit distributions, and government contractor payments with performance metrics.

    An AI company with access to this data could develop extraordinary capabilities for economic forecasting and market prediction. It could model the cascading effects of regulatory changes, predict economic vulnerabilities before they become crises, and optimize investment strategies with precision impossible through traditional methods.

    Elon Musk’s xAI company is well financed.

    Infrastructure and urban systems

    Government databases contain information about critical infrastructure usage patterns, maintenance histories, emergency response times and development impacts. Every federal grant, infrastructure inspection and emergency response creates a data point that could help train AI to better understand how cities and regions function.

    The power lies in the potential interconnectedness of this data. An AI system trained on government infrastructure records would understand how transportation patterns affect energy use, how housing policies affect emergency response times, and how infrastructure investments influence economic development across regions.

    A private company with exclusive access would gain unique insight into the physical and economic arteries of American society. This could allow the company to develop “smart city” systems that city governments would become dependent on, effectively privatizing aspects of urban governance. When combined with real-time data from private sources, the predictive capabilities would far exceed what any current system can achieve.

    Absolute data corrupts absolutely

    A company such as xAI, with Musk’s resources and preferential access through DOGE, could surmount technical and political obstacles far more easily than competitors. Recent advances in machine learning have also reduced the burdens of preparing data for the algorithms to process, making government data a veritable gold mine – one that rightfully belongs to the American people.

    The threat of a private company accessing government data transcends individual privacy concerns. Even with personal identifiers removed, an AI system that analyzes patterns across millions of government records could enable surprising capabilities for making predictions and influencing behavior at the population level. The threat is AI systems that leverage government data to influence society, including electoral outcomes.

    Since information is power, concentrating unprecedented data in the hands of a private entity with an explicit political agenda represents a profound challenge to the republic. I believe that the question is whether the American people can stand up to the potentially democracy-shattering corruption such a concentration would enable. If not, Americans should prepare to become digital subjects rather than human citizens.

    Allison Stanger receives funding from the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University.

    – ref. DOGE threat: How government data would give an AI company extraordinary power – https://theconversation.com/doge-threat-how-government-data-would-give-an-ai-company-extraordinary-power-250907

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How 18F transformed government technology − and why its elimination matters

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kayla Schwoerer, Assistant Professor of Public Administration & Policy, University at Albany, State University of New York

    18F was a group of technology hotshots within the GSA. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    Healthcare.gov, the government health insurance marketplace website, launched in October 2013 only to buckle under the weight of just 2,000 simultaneous users. As millions of Americans stared at error messages and frozen screens, a political crisis unfolded, but so did a new era of government technology.

    The result was 18F, an in-house digital services consulting agency that brought Silicon Valley expertise to government, challenging decades of outdated procurement practices and introducing a radical new approach to building digital public services.

    Founded on March 19, 2014, by Presidential Innovation Fellows, 18F was housed within the Technology Transformation Services department of the General Services Administration, or GSA. The name 18F was derived from the address of GSA headquarters: 1800 F Street. On March 1, 2025, just a few weeks shy of 18F’s 11th anniversary, the Trump administration eliminated the agency and laid off its staff.

    As a researcher who studies public administration and technology, I have observed the transformational role 18F played in government digital services. The unit’s elimination raises the question of what the future of those services will look like.

    Impact of 18F

    18F served a unique role as an in-house digital consultancy for the U.S. government, drawing on innovative strategies to improve public service through technology. Within 18F, teams consisting of designers, software engineers, strategists and product managers worked together with federal, state and local agencies to not only fix technical problems but to build, buy and share technology that helped to modernize and improve the public’s experience with government services.

    Over nearly 11 years, 18F built an impressive portfolio of successful digital projects that transformed how people interact with the U.S. government. Even if the average person is unfamiliar with 18F, the odds are quite high that they have at least encountered one of its many products or services.

    18F staff describe the group’s mission and work.

    For example, 18F supported the Internal Revenue Service in creating IRS Direct File, a free online tax filing tool that provides taxpayers with a simplified filing process. As of today, IRS Direct File is available in 25 states and is expected to serve 30 million eligible taxpayers during the 2025 tax filing season.

    18F has been pivotal in modernizing and securing digital systems to help create more streamlined and secure user experiences for the public. For instance, Login.gov is a secure single sign-on platform that simplifies access to multiple government services for users.

    Perhaps the most notable of 18F’s modernization efforts that touches nearly every aspect of government today is the U.S. Web Design System. The comprehensive design system was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Digital Service in 2015. It helps support dozens of agencies and makes nearly 200 websites more accessible and responsive to user needs.

    How 18F worked

    What set 18F apart was its approach. Rather than spending years on giant information technology contracts that often failed to deliver, 18F championed agile development. Agile and lean methodologies have been popular in Silicon Valley startups and software companies for decades due to their flexibility and focus on rapid iteration.

    By applying agile development principles, 18F focused on breaking down large projects into manageable pieces with incremental improvements based on frequent user feedback. This approach allowed continuous adaptation spurred by user feedback and changing requirements while reducing risk.

    Another cornerstone of 18F’s innovative approach was its focus on user-centered design. By focusing on the needs of the people who actually used government services, 18F was able to go beyond merely satisfying technical requirements to design digital products that were more accessible and user-friendly. The idea was to understand the end users and the problems they encountered in order to effectively design products and solutions that addressed their needs. It also aimed to provide a consistent user experience and earn the users’ trust in the services.

    By prioritizing open-source development and collaboration, 18F also helped to make government IT more affordable. Making project code transparent meant that agencies could reuse the code and reduce the cost of duplicate development efforts across agencies and levels of government.

    18F also had a hand in helping agencies develop their own technology capacity, whether by teaching them how to build software using open-source development and agile methodologies or by teaching agencies how to hire and oversee technology vendors themselves. This model was especially beneficial for state and local agencies following 18F’s expansion in 2016 to provide services to state and local government agencies that receive federal funding.

    End of an era

    The elimination of 18F marks the end of an era, raising concerns about both current and future technology projects. As of now, there does not appear to be a succession plan, leaving many federal agencies without ongoing support for their digital transformation efforts. Critics also argue that the loss of 18F means the loss of significant technical expertise within the government.

    These changes come at a time when agencies are experiencing substantial personnel shifts, rendering digital services potentially even more critical. As agencies brace for more personnel cuts, the public may need to rely more on digital services to fill the gap amid growing staffing shortages.

    Since the news was announced, current and former 18F team members as well as advocates of the unit have taken to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, and LinkedIn, to share stories of its successes, honor its legacy and share 18F resources.

    Kayla Schwoerer 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. How 18F transformed government technology − and why its elimination matters – https://theconversation.com/how-18f-transformed-government-technology-and-why-its-elimination-matters-251333

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – March 6, 2025 – 2:00 PM

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

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on March 6, 2025.
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

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

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
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    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WhIa1seDdo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Announces Presidential Delegation to Turin, Italy to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    President Donald J. Trump today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Turin, Italy to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, on March 7, 2025.
    Mrs. Usha Vance, Second Lady of the United States, will lead the delegation.
    Members of the Presidential Delegation:
    Mr. Shawn Crowley, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., U.S. Embassy to Italy and San Marino
    T.H. Trent Michael Morse, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel 
    Mr. Riley M. Barnes, Senior Bureau Official of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State 
    Mr. Douglass Benning, Consul General, U.S. Consulate Milan, Italy 
    Mrs. Rachel Campos-Duffy, FOX News Host and wife of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation
    Mr. Boris Epshteyn, Senior Counsel and Senior Advisor to President Donald J. Trump
    Mr. Richard Walters, Partner at FGS Global

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call goes out for Mancunians to claim £200 to pay heating bills

    Source: City of Manchester

    More than a quarter of a million pounds aimed at supporting people experiencing fuel poverty has been claimed across Manchester, with a final call for people to come and make a claim.*

    At the end of 2024 the Council announced a Winter Hardship Fund for eligible residents which would allow them to claim up to £200 to help cover the cost of energy bills. 

    To date, the Council has used its full allocation of this fund, distributing £263,000 to more than 1,000 households. 

    This fund has been the latest initiative of the Council’s in its bid to alleviate the worst of the cost-of-living crisis. Over the past two years the Council has spent millions of pounds rolling out a wide range of schemes aimed at helping people who have been hit the hardest. 

    Ranging from providing meals for school-age children, to helping pay fuel bills, to connecting people electronically, we want to make sure that people know that two years on, help is still available. 

    To date the Council has: 

    • Directed more than £1m of supplies to community foodbanks and groups since 2022, spending an additional £155,000 on food-related support for residents 

    • Distributed more than 2,000 phones, laptops or computers to people who may be digitally excluded, as well as providing more than 7,000 SIM cards since 2020. 

    • Made £1.9m in grant payments to nearly 1,200 residents to help them stay in their homes; an additional 2,359 discretionary payments have been made during 2023-24. 

    • The Holiday Activity Fund, which provides free activities as well as a free meal to children during the holidays as seen more than 24,000 children attend during half terms and summer holidays. 

    While there is still a lot more that can be done, the Council hopes that this shows that there is always support available for people who need it and that help is often just a phone call away. 

    Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “The response to our Winter Hardship Fund has been overwhelming, and it just goes to show how important it was that we launched this initiative. 

    “Even though we have helped more than 2,000 people and spent more than £250,000 I would still ask people who have not already done so to get in touch with us to claim money which could make a significant impact to help pay their bills. 

    “This also goes to demonstrate the value in the range of other support and assistance that we have been providing since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis. These have been a difficult number of years and it has been hard to see the depth of its impact. However, as a Council we have been resolute in finding ways to help people and mitigate the worst of its effects. 

    “Help is there and for anyone struggling I would urge them to call our cost-of-living support line on 0800 023 2692.” 

     

    Useful Information:

    *For people to be eligible to make a claim on the Hardship Fund they must: 

    Be aged 66 or over on 23 September 2024 and will not receive a winter fuel payment from the department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
    Not be in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit from the Council. If you receive either and are aged 66 or over on 23 September 2024, you will be sent a payment automatically by the Council and do not need to complete this form.
    Live within the area covered by Manchester City Council. If you aren’t sure, you can check your postcode.
     

    Breakdown of Winter Hardship Fund spend: 

    We have paid 1,268 under 80 households £150 payments = £190,200  

    We have paid 364 80+ households £200 payments = £72,800  

    Total 1,632 payments = £263k 

    From the launch of the scheme on 18 November 2024 to the 23rd Feb 2025 we have received a total of 2,294 applications. 

     

    Cost of Living Advice Line: 0800 023 2692, free to call, line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, January 2025

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $131.4 billion in January, up $33.3 billion from $98.1 billion in December, revised.

    U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit
    Deficit: $131.4 Billion  +34.0%°
    Exports: $269.8 Billion  +1.2%°
    Imports: $401.2 Billion  +10.0%°

    Next release: Thursday, April 3, 2025

    (°) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable. Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changes

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, March 6, 2025

    Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)

    January exports were $269.8 billion, $3.3 billion more than December exports. January imports were $401.2 billion, $36.6 billion more than December imports.

    The January increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $33.5 billion to $156.8 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.2 billion to $25.4 billion.

    Year-over-year, the goods and services deficit increased $64.5 billion, or 96.5 percent, from January 2024. Exports increased $10.6 billion or 4.1 percent. Imports increased $75.2 billion or 23.1 percent.

    Three-Month Moving Averages (exhibit 2)

    The average goods and services deficit increased $19.2 billion to $102.6 billion for the three months ending in January.

    • Average exports increased $1.2 billion to $270.0 billion in January.
    • Average imports increased $20.4 billion to $372.5 billion in January.

    Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit increased $37.1 billion from the three months ending in January 2024.

    • Average exports increased $11.4 billion from January 2024.
    • Average imports increased $48.5 billion from January 2024.

    Exports (exhibits 3, 6, and 7)

    Exports of goods increased $2.7 billion to $172.8 billion in January.

      Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $2.8 billion.

    • Capital goods increased $4.2 billion.
      • Civilian aircraft increased $1.1 billion.
      • Semiconductors increased $0.7 billion.
      • Computers increased $0.5 billion.
      • Civilian aircraft engines increased $0.5 billion.
    • Consumer goods increased $1.7 billion.
      • Pharmaceutical preparations increased $0.8 billion.
      • Jewelry increased $0.6 billion.
    • Other goods decreased $1.3 billion. (See the “Notice” for more information.)
    • Foods, feeds, and beverages decreased $1.0 billion.
      • Soybeans decreased $0.8 billion.

      Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.1 billion.

    Exports of services increased $0.6 billion to $97.0 billion in January.

    • Financial services increased $0.2 billion.
    • Telecommunications, computer, and information services increased $0.1 billion.
    • Other business services increased $0.1 billion.
    • Transport increased $0.1 billion.
    • Maintenance and repair services increased $0.1 billion.
    • Government goods and services decreased $0.3 billion.

    Imports (exhibits 4, 6, and 8)

    Imports of goods increased $36.2 billion to $329.5 billion in January.

      Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $36.2 billion.

    • Industrial supplies and materials increased $23.1 billion.
      • Finished metal shapes increased $20.5 billion.
    • Consumer goods increased $6.0 billion.
      • Pharmaceutical preparations increased $5.2 billion.
      • Cell phones and other household goods increased $1.2 billion.
    • Capital goods increased $4.6 billion.
      • Computers increased $3.0 billion.
      • Computer accessories increased $1.2 billion.
      • Telecommunications equipment increased $1.1 billion.

      Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.1 billion.

    Imports of services increased $0.4 billion to $71.7 billion in January.

    • Charges for the use of intellectual property increased $0.2 billion.
    • Other business services increased $0.1 billion.
    • Travel decreased $0.1 billion.

    Real Goods in 2017 Dollars – Census Basis (exhibit 11)

    The real goods deficit increased $30.8 billion, or 27.5 percent, to $142.9 billion in January, compared to a 27.4 percent increase in the nominal deficit.

    • Real exports of goods increased $0.6 billion, or 0.4 percent, to $142.3 billion, compared to a 1.6 percent increase in nominal exports.
    • Real imports of goods increased $31.4 billion, or 12.4 percent, to $285.2 billion, compared to a 12.5 percent increase in nominal imports.

    Revisions

    Exports and imports of goods and services were revised for July through December 2024 to incorporate more comprehensive and updated quarterly and monthly data. In addition to these revisions, seasonally adjusted data for all months of 2024 were revised so that the totals of the seasonally adjusted months equal the annual totals.

    Revisions to December exports

    • Exports of goods were revised down $0.1 billion.
    • Exports of services were revised up $0.1 billion.

    Revisions to December imports

    • Imports of goods were revised up $0.2 billion.
    • Imports of services were revised down $0.6 billion.

    Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Monthly – Census Basis (exhibit 19)

    The January figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Netherlands ($4.3), South and Central America ($4.3), Belgium ($0.6), and Brazil ($0.6). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($29.7), European Union ($25.5), Switzerland ($22.8), Mexico ($15.5), Ireland ($12.4), Vietnam ($11.9), Canada ($11.3), Germany ($7.6), Taiwan ($7.5), Japan ($7.4), South Korea ($5.4), India ($4.2), Italy ($3.5), Malaysia ($2.5), Australia ($2.0), Hong Kong ($1.4), France ($1.0), Singapore ($1.0), Israel ($0.6), United Kingdom ($0.5), and Saudi Arabia ($0.1).

    • The deficit with Switzerland increased $9.8 billion to $22.8 billion in January. Exports increased $0.6 billion to $1.8 billion and imports increased $10.3 billion to $24.6 billion.
    • The deficit with Ireland increased $6.2 billion to $12.4 billion in January. Exports increased less than $0.1 billion to $1.2 billion and imports increased $6.2 billion to $13.6 billion.
    • The surplus with South and Central America increased $0.7 billion to $4.3 billion in January. Exports increased $0.3 billion to $18.0 billion and imports decreased $0.5 billion to $13.7 billion.

    Goods and Services by Selected Countries and Areas: Quarterly – Balance of Payments Basis (exhibit 20)

    Statistics on trade in goods and services by country and area are only available quarterly, with a one-month lag. With this release, fourth-quarter figures are now available.

    The fourth-quarter figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with South and Central America ($19.1), Netherlands ($18.6), Australia ($7.1), Singapore ($7.0), Brazil ($7.0), United Kingdom ($4.9), Hong Kong ($4.3), Saudi Arabia ($3.4), and Belgium ($1.5). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($68.8), Mexico ($48.0), European Union ($38.5), Vietnam ($32.7), Germany ($21.1), Taiwan ($18.9), Japan ($17.0), Switzerland ($15.7), India ($13.2), South Korea ($12.5), Italy ($11.1), Canada ($10.5), Ireland ($7.8), Malaysia ($7.4), France ($4.5), and Israel ($2.1).

    • The deficit with Switzerland increased $12.1 billion to $15.7 billion in the fourth quarter. Exports decreased $1.6 billion to $18.8 billion and imports increased $10.6 billion to $34.5 billion.
    • The deficit with India increased $3.4 billion to $13.2 billion in the fourth quarter. Exports decreased $0.2 billion to $20.6 billion and imports increased $3.2 billion to $33.8 billion.
    • The deficit with the European Union decreased $5.8 billion to $38.5 billion in the fourth quarter. Exports decreased $0.9 billion to $164.8 billion and imports decreased $6.7 billion to $203.3 billion.

    All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis unless otherwise specified. Additional statistics, including not seasonally adjusted statistics and details for goods on a Census basis, are available in exhibits 1-20b of this release. For information on data sources, definitions, and revision procedures, see the explanatory notes in this release. The full release can be found at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/index.html or www.bea.gov/data/intl-trade-investment/international-trade-goods-and-services. The full schedule is available in the Census Bureau’s Economic Briefing Room at www.census.gov/economic-indicators/ or on BEA’s website at www.bea.gov/news/schedule.

    Next release: April 3, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
    U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, February 2025

    Notice

    Impact of Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Release of CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)

    The CBSA introduced a new accounting system (CARM) on October 21, 2024. As a result, importers in Canada have experienced delays in filing shipment information. These delays affected the compilation of statistics on U.S. exports of goods to Canada for September 2024 through January 2025, which are derived from data compiled by Canada through the United States – Canada Data Exchange. A dollar estimate of the filing backlog is included in estimates for late receipts and, following the U.S. Census Bureau’s customary practice for late receipt estimates, is included in the export end-use category “Other goods” as well as in exports to Canada. This estimate will be replaced with the actual transactions reported by the Harmonized System classification in June 2025 with the release of “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, Annual Revision.” Until then, please refer to the supplemental spreadsheet “CARM Exports to Canada Corrections,” which provides a breakdown of the late receipts by 1-digit end-use category for statistics through 2024. This spreadsheet will be updated as late export transactions are received to reflect reassignments from the initial “Other goods” category to the appropriate 1-digit end-use category. Any 2025 impacts will be revised in June 2026.

    If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division, International Trade Macro Analysis Branch, on 800-549-0595, option 4, or at eid.international.trade.data@census.gov.

    Upcoming Changes to the Real (Chained-Dollar) Series

    Effective with the release of the February 2025 statistics on April 3, 2025, the Census Bureau will continue to use the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes to calculate the chained-dollar series (exhibits 10 and 11). The BLS will be implementing changes to the indexes with the release of the February 2025 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes on March 18, 2025. The changes to the indexes could impact the chained-dollar values. Please refer to the BLS notice for additional information on the Upcoming Change to Data Source for Import and Export Price Indexes: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

    If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Statistical Methods Division, International Trade Statistical Methods Branch, on 301-763-3080.

    Upcoming Updates to Goods and Services

    With the releases of the “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services” report (FT-900) and the FT-900 Annual Revision on June 5, 2025, statistics on trade in goods, on both a Census basis and a balance of payments (BOP) basis, will be revised beginning with 2020 and statistics on trade in services will be revised beginning with 1999. The revised statistics for goods on a BOP basis and for services will also be included in the “U.S. International Transactions, 1st Quarter 2025 and Annual Update” report and in the international transactions interactive database, both to be released by BEA on June 24, 2025.

    Revised statistics on trade in goods will reflect:

    • Corrections and adjustments to previously published not seasonally adjusted statistics for goods on a Census basis.
    • End-use reclassifications of several commodities.
    • Recalculated seasonal and trading-day adjustments.
    • Newly available and revised source data on BOP adjustments, which are adjustments that BEA applies to goods on a Census basis to convert them to a BOP basis. See the “Goods (balance of payments basis)” section in the explanatory notes for more information.

    Revised statistics on trade in services will reflect:

    • Newly available and revised source data, primarily from BEA surveys of international services.
    • Corrections and adjustments to previously published not seasonally adjusted statistics.
    • Recalculated seasonal adjustments.
    • Revised temporal distributions of quarterly source data to monthly statistics. See the “Services” section in the explanatory notes for more information.

    A preview of BEA’s 2025 annual update of the International Transactions Accounts will be available in the Survey of Current Business in April 2025.

    If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division, International Trade Macro Analysis Branch, on (800) 549-0595, option 4, or at eid.international.trade.data@census.gov or BEA, Balance of Payments Division, at InternationalAccounts@bea.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev met with a detachment of volunteer civil servants from the Far Eastern regions who returned from the North-Eastern Military District

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting with a detachment of volunteer state civil servants who returned home after fulfilling their duty to defend the Motherland.

    March 6, 2025

    Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev held a meeting with a group of volunteers – state civil servants who returned home after fulfilling their duty to defend the Motherland.

    The detachment was formed six months ago. It included 27 people: employees of the office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and nine regions of the Far Eastern Federal District (Buryatia – 2, Yakutia – 4, Transbaikalia – 3, Kamchatka – 2, Primorye – 2, Khabarovsk Krai – 1, Sakhalin Oblast – 3, Jewish Autonomous Oblast – 2, Chukotka – 3). The volunteers worked in two directions (Kursk and Donetsk), carried out reconnaissance of the forces and assets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on various modifications of UAVs. All volunteers were awarded the medals of the Ministry of Defense “Participant of the Northern Military District”, and the members of the Kursk group (21 people) were additionally awarded the medal “Defender of the Kursk Region”.

    “I want to thank you for the decision you made to go into the combat zone. I know that many of you carried out tasks that risked your lives, and did them well. I am sure that the memory of your work will remain for a long time. This will help you perceive life differently, perceive the work that we do together differently. Understand more how necessary it is. Maybe you will be a little tougher. This is also normal. All this will remain in the memory of Russia and in the memory of your families. In any case, today you can confidently say that you are not just ready to defend the Motherland, but you defended it. So thank you. I bow to you all. You know that we are preparing new groups. And it will be like this until we win. Until Russia wins. We will make every effort to bring this victory closer,” said Yuri Trutnev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister reported that the Patriotic priority development area has been created to modernize and expand production facilities that manufacture military and dual-use products. “Such support is already being provided to 26 Far Eastern enterprises that manufacture FPV drones, aircraft-type UAVs, electronic warfare and reconnaissance equipment, sights, snow and swamp vehicles, hemostatic tourniquets, bulletproof vests and other products. Last year, together with the commanders of units participating in the special military operation, the tactical and technical characteristics of the manufactured products were determined. All products are tested for compliance with current conditions at the front and supplied to units of the Eastern Military District. In 2023–2024, 22.5 thousand products have already been sent to the special military operation zone, another 13 thousand products are being prepared for shipment, 27 thousand products will be manufactured and supplied by the end of the first quarter of 2025,” Yuri Trutnev specified.

    The volunteers received letters of gratitude from the Deputy Prime Minister for their service to the Motherland, their courage and personal example of selfless fulfillment of military duty during the special military operation. And in turn, they thanked Yuri Trutnev, the office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Far Eastern Federal District, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and all Far Eastern regions for their assistance and support, and also handed over to the Deputy Prime Minister a captured drone of the Ukrainian Armed Forces that they shot down and a Victory Banner signed by all members of the detachment.

    “In April last year, Yuri Petrovich Trutnev set the task of forming a third detachment of Far Eastern civil servants to provide assistance in the SVO zone. It took about five months to select personnel and form the detachment. And this coincided with the enemy’s attack on the Kursk region. Therefore, we carried out our main task there. The detachment consisted of 27 federal employees. We left for the Kursk region in mid-August. And for six months we carried out combat missions in the SVO zone. I believe that the detachment has fully completed the tasks assigned to it, and now it has returned to its regular civilian jobs in full force. In my opinion, when the Motherland has problems, especially military ones, any man, regardless of his official position, is obliged to take up arms and stand up to defend the Fatherland. And an official has double responsibility. He is a civil servant. The state gave him a job, a salary, a position in society. “And his first duty is to come to the defense of the Motherland, if necessary,” noted Mikhail Kagan, a member of the detachment, commander of the aerial reconnaissance group, and deputy plenipotentiary representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Two Nord Security products integrated with ConnectWise through the Invent program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nord Security, a provider of advanced cybersecurity solutions, announces that its product NordLayer, a toggle-ready network security platform for business, has successfully integrated with ConnectWise, the world’s leading software company dedicated to the success of IT solution providers, completing all necessary security certifications. NordLayer is Nord Security’s second product to integrate with ConnectWise fully — the first product, NordPass, a next-generation password manager, was integrated in early 2024.

    This collaboration through the ConnectWise Invent program will integrate NordLayer license usage reports to offer MSPs hassle-free organization billing as it has done with NordPass. The integration allows MSPs to:

    • Import and map the companies already in ConnectWise PSA to NordLayer and NordPass.
    • Automatically synchronize monthly subscription usage data for each mapped company with ConnectWise PSA agreements.
    • Streamline billing and invoicing processes by reconciling them with real-time usage data, eliminating the need for manual data entry.

    The ConnectWise Invent program is a robust and secure integration program for third-party software providers seeking to merge their solutions with groundbreaking software from ConnectWise. The program strives to support managed service providers (MSPs) globally in growing their businesses by harnessing the power of innovative technologies and by fostering mutual productivity, including Tier 1 integration support from ConnectWise. To directly integrate with ConnectWise APIs and platform through the Invent program, integrators must pass an independent security review that ensures their integration is safe and secure.

    With this integration, Nord Security demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a seamless and efficient experience. Now, partners can more easily onboard new organizations to NordLayer and NordPass by syncing them from ConnectWise PSA.

    “We’re excited to have Nord Security join our certified integration program, ConnectWise Invent,” said Chris Timms, EVP of Ecosystems at ConnectWise. “We anticipate positive impacts on our partners’ businesses from these two certified integrations and look forward to future integrations from this collaboration.”

    “From the beginning, our focus has been on small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), which naturally positions us to prioritize MSPs as key partners. We are dedicated to delivering convenient solutions that simplify and enhance the daily operations of our partners,” says Justas Morkunas, chief commercial officer for B2B at Nord Security. “ConnectWise is a trusted tool for so many MSPs, and integrating it with Nord Security Business Suite means a smoother and more efficient experience. This partnership further reinforces Nord Security’s commitment to empowering MSPs with seamless and efficient tools to secure businesses.”

    For more information on NordLayer and NordPass visit https://marketplace.connectwise.com/vendors/nord-security/nordlayer/ and https://marketplace.connectwise.com/nordpass.

    About ConnectWise Invent (Certified Integrations Program)
    The ConnectWise Invent program offers vendors the opportunity to collaborate with the ConnectWise API team to scope, develop, secure, and certify their integrations, providing MSPs with peace of mind and full integration support. To learn more and to enroll in the Invent program as a third-party integrator, contact Invent@ConnectWise.com.

    This application uses the ConnectWise API but is not a ConnectWise product or service and is licensed separately from ConnectWise products and services. The term ‘ConnectWise’ is a trademark of ConnectWise, LLC.

    About Nord Security
    Nord Security is home to advanced cybersecurity solutions that share the Nord brand and values, including the world’s most advanced VPN service NordVPN, the next-generation password manager NordPass, the file encryption tool NordLocker, threat exposure management platform NordStellar, the toggle-ready network security platform for business NordLayer, an all-around identity theft protection service NordProtect and Saily, an eSIM service. Established in 2012, Nord Security’s products are now acknowledged by the most influential tech sites and IT security specialists. More information: nordsecurity.com.

    About ConnectWise
    ConnectWise is the world’s leading software company dedicated to the success of IT solution providers (TSPs) through unmatched software, services, community, and marketplace of integrations. ConnectWise offers an innovative, integrated, and security-centric platform—Asio™—which provides unmatched flexibility that fuels profitable, long-term growth for partners. ConnectWise enables TSPs to drive business efficiency with automation, IT documentation, and data management capabilities and increase revenue with remote monitoring, cybersecurity, and backup and disaster recovery technologies. For more information, visit connectwise.com.

    Contact:
    skirmante@nordsec.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK supports Ukraine in its aim to ensure Russia cannot attack it again: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The UK supports Ukraine in its aim to ensure Russia cannot attack it again: UK statement to the OSCE

    Ambassador Holland dismisses Russian disinformation and underlines the UK’s support to Ukraine in its aim to ensure Russia cannot attack it again.

    Thank you, Mister Chair.  It will not surprise you or anyone else here to hear from me today a restatement of UK commitment to Ukraine. There has been a lot of nonsense spoken in this room about the UK’s position over recent weeks. The actions taken by the UK Prime Minister over the last week, including at the London Summit, make very clear how wrong any suggestion that the UK wants to prolong the war in Ukraine actually is.

    But the UK believes that the legal and political commitments that we signed up to after the Second World War mean something. These commitments, including the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris, form a framework for our stability. They clearly state how we should expect countries to behave towards each other and to our citizens. Fundamentals such as sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right to choose alliances are not negotiable – or suspendible when inconvenient. For 80 years, when we have lived up to them, they have kept us all safe from unintended conflict in Europe, even during the Cold War.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is therefore not just an unacceptable act of aggression, wrong in absolute terms and brutal and indiscriminate in the way it has been conducted. Although that is all true.  It is also a dangerous repudiation of the framework of principles and commitments that keep us safe. And to allow such aggression to be rewarded is a terrible example to set.  It would encourage more of the same behaviour, in this part of the world and elsewhere.

    We have heard a lot about what the Russian state wants over the last few weeks.  But for peace, when it comes, to be lasting, Ukraine needs to be confident that the Russian aggression cannot happen again.  The UK does not like war.  We do not like our friends being at war.  We do not seek to prolong war. But we do support Ukraine in its aim to ensure Russia cannot attack it again and will continue to support Ukraine until it believes the peace on offer is one which guarantees its security in a sustainable way.  That means they must be able to negotiate from a position of strength. This has always been the UK’s position, before and during this unnecessary war. Ukraine is a sovereign country that can decide its own future without interference from other countries.

    Mister Chair, as ever Russia is producing a blizzard of disinformation to distract us from the facts. The facts are that Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation, that tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides have died unnecessarily and that this could stop tomorrow if Russia made the right choices and lived up to its commitments.

    Mister Chair, the UK’s position is simple to understand. Aggression should not be rewarded.  The principles we have all signed up should be protected. A peace should be sustainable. And Ukraine should be free to determine its own future.  That is a strategic vision worth holding out for.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kerbside textiles recycling proves a hit in Oxford 

    Source: City of Oxford

    Oxford’s new kerbside textile recycling service has had an outstanding start.

    The first set of figures showing a strong public response. Launched in January, the free collection service allows residents to recycle their old textiles conveniently from home. 

    In just the first month of operation, the scheme collected an impressive 1,771kg of textiles through door-to-door collections, while the new textile bring bank at Rose Hill Community Centre added another 310kg.  

    Additionally, 510kg of pillows and duvets were collected, ensuring that these materials were given a second life instead of ending up in landfill. These items are weighed separately as they are processed differently.

    The scheme provides all Oxford residents with an easy way to recycle unwanted textiles, supporting efforts to reduce household waste, deter fly-tipping, and protect the environment. 

    A partnership for sustainability 

    The textile recycling service is operated in partnership with ODS and Recycling Solutions, a family-run company that collaborates with charities and local authorities across the UK. In Oxford, Recycling Solutions supports the Thames Valley Air Ambulance by raising funds through the sale of second-hand clothing. 

    Reducing waste and supporting communities 

    Textiles currently account for approximately 3% of household waste, with over a million tonnes going to landfill nationally each year. This new service ensures that, in Oxford, textiles are sustainably reused or repurposed, reducing environmental impact while also providing affordable clothing worldwide. 

    How the service works 

    Residents can arrange a kerbside collection through Recycling Solutions, who will provide details on when and where to leave items. Weekly collections are scheduled based on residents’ locations in Oxford. For more information and to book a collection, visit the Recycling Textiles webpage.  

    Items accepted include: 

    • clothing and shoes 

    • duvets, pillows, cushions, blankets, towels  

    • handbags 

    • wellington boots 

    Items not accepted include: 

    • rugs and mats. 

    All items must be clean and dry before collection. 

    Comment 

    “This new recycling service has really taken off and started to make a significant difference in only a short space of time. 

    “We had to close the on-street bring banks some time ago as they were becoming a target for fly-tippers. Now, together with our partners ODS and Recycling Solutions, we’re filling the recycling gap and at the same time providing a much-needed income stream for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.” 
    Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies 

    Additional recycling options 

    Residents can also drop off textiles at a new 24/7 recycling bank at Rose Hill Community Centre or take them to Redbridge Household Waste Recycling Centre.  

    Usable textiles can be donated to charity shops, shared with friends or family, sold in second-hand marketplaces, or repurposed creatively at home. 

    A free and inclusive service 

    The kerbside textile recycling service is completely free for Oxford residents, with no minimum amount required for collection. 

    An ethical recycling approach 

    Recycling Solutions ensure that collected clothing is ethically reused or recycled. High-quality items are sold to second-hand traders, primarily in Ukraine, while ‘end-of-life’ garments are repurposed into industrial materials, insulation, and new fibres.  

    The company follows a zero-waste policy, with proceeds benefiting Thames Valley Air Ambulance. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Artificial intelligence: rooting out bias and stereotypes

    Source: United Nations 4

    Women

    As online tools using various forms of artificial intelligence become increasingly common, calls are growing for more action to ensure that they do not create or perpetuate stereotypes and gender bias.

    During High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly in September, the topic of AI was the focus of several side-events featuring industry experts and UN officials.

    In a session entitled “Paving new Pathways for Women in Tech”, Mita Hosali, the Deputy Director of the UN’s News and Media Division, spoke to Sarah Steinberg, Head of Global Public Policy Partnerships at LinkedIn, Tami Bhaumik, Vice President of Civility and Partnerships for Roblox, and Hélène Molinier, Senior Advisor on Digital Cooperation at UN Women.

    Soundcloud

    Ms. Hosali began by describing the lack of female representation in the tech world: overall, around a quarter of those working in the industry are women, dropping to about 11 per cent at the executive level. Women make up just 18 per cent of AI researchers.

    Data analysis by the LinkedIn platform, responded Ms. Steinberg, shows that women are not only under-represented, but their numbers are actually declining in terms of hiring rates.

    “When it comes to the industries and the fields that are really driving the future – STEM, the green economy, AI – we see women significantly underrepresented and not making sufficient progress in closing that gap”, she warned.

    Ms. Steinberg added that, in her view, AI will create new forms of employment, but “we have to be aware of the fact that it’s going to reshape the jobs and skills that we already have”: in the shorter term, she declared, “women are at a greater risk of losing their jobs than men, due to the introduction of AI tools in the wider economy”.

    © ADB/Ariel Javellana

    Girls attend a science class at a school in Indonesia.

    Giving a voice to the marginalized

    Roblox, an online platform for the creation of games and experiences, boasts almost 80 million daily active users. Ms. Bhaumik expressed optimism about the future, and the promise of generative AI in democratizing opportunities for women and girls, and marginalized individuals.

    Roblox, she said, can help to “level-set gender equality, making sure those voices who are very, very faint in the background really come to the forefront”.

    Hélène Molinier addressed the issue of bias in the development of AI systems, which can have serious real- world consequences. Many products, she said, contain bias, in areas ranging from image generation to chat bot moderation. She reminded the audience that the decision to put these products on the market despite their flaws, remains the responsibility of humans.

    Bridging the AI divide

    In another side-event, Ms. Hosali interviewed Amandeep Singh Gill, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, on the issue of effective guardrails for AI, and how to ensure that they strike the right balance between providing protection and allowing innovation to flourish.

    Existing UN norms, said Mr. Singh, such as international treaties and commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals, are useful guides. However, another concern is the lack of representation in the Global South, in terms of infrastructure and talent.

    Mr. Singh called for efforts to bridge the AI divide to be focused on three areas: ensuring that legislators and decision-makers understand the importance of the technology as a public good; providing local researchers and innovators with the necessary data to enable them to build homegrown solutions; and international cooperation in terms of sharing models that have worked in other places.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Student Club Bringing Free Medical Clinic to Willimantic This Weekend

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    More than 200 UConn student volunteers will join together with teams of medical, dental, and vision care providers this Saturday and Sunday as the University’s Medical Clinic Club, in partnership with the nonprofit Remote Area Medical, takes over Windham Middle School in Willimantic to offer a free pop-up health care clinic to area residents.

    Patient parking will open at midnight on Saturday, March 8, for the clinic, with doors opening at 6:00 a.m. as services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis – at no cost – with doors closing once the day’s capacity is reached.

    Parking starts again at midnight on Sunday, March 9, with doors opening at 6:00 a.m. and the two-day clinic ending once it again reaches capacity.

    Patients should plan to attend as early as possible to ensure they’re able to be seen. All services are free and open to the general public. No identification is required, and Spanish-language interpreters and providers will be on-site and readily available for both days.

    This weekend’s free clinic marks the second occasion that the Medical Clinic Club has organized this event to offer no-cost care to those in need in the greater Willimantic area alongside Remote Area Medical, or RAM, which helps run the clinics.

    The first clinic, held in March 2024 and led by UConn alum Brooke DiVasto ’24 (CLAS), saw more than 400 volunteers provide more than $150,000 in free health care services to 212 patients over two days, according to Cameron Costa ’26 (CLAS), a physiology and neurobiology major at UConn Storrs and the club’s current president and community host group lead.

    “We’re all just super excited, because it’s nice to see the impact of an initiative,” Costa says. “Having that first year under our belts, we were able to meet these patients. A lot of us were able to hear their stories, hear how infrequently they were able to get medical care, and seeing that impact really gives us the drive and passion to keep doing this work.”

    The student-driven clinic, Costa says, is led by a nine-person organizing team that spends the better part of the year planning, organizing, and fundraising to support the effort.

    Over the past 12 months, the club has raised more than $30,000 in private donations and through a GoFundMe campaign as well as through grants used to help fund the clinic. They’ve been aided in their efforts by their fiduciary partner, Access Agency, and by financial support from Undergraduate Student Government and through a Co-op Legacy Fellowship Program – Change Grant from the University’s Office of Undergraduate Research.

    The Change Grant, Costa explains, was used to outfit a new Resource Hallway for the clinic, where patients will have access to nonperishable food items, personal care items, and other supplies they can take home with them after receiving care – an addition to this year’s clinic that the student organizers are excited to be able to offer to those who attend.

    “We’ve got diapers and baby food, baby formula,” Costa says. “Hygiene products, things like hairbrushes, nail clippers, toothbrushes and toothpaste. We’ve got a lot of different nonperishable food options, like pasta and rice, but also soups and vegetables and stews. We did a book sorting event at the Mansfield Public Library, alongside the Friends of the Mansfield Library, and we got a lot of books from them that we thought would be good for the elementary-to-middle school level, study books for parents or kids to take with them. We’ve got some emergency options, like emergency thermal blankets, winter hats and gloves – because it’s still a little bit cold out. We cast a very wide net on the items we wanted to have in the hallway.”

    While volunteer registration for this year’s clinic has closed – response from the UConn community was enthusiastic, and the club met its volunteer goals weeks ago, Costa says – the club is already organizing for next year and beyond.

    UConn students interested in joining in the effort are encouraged to connect with the club through UContact in order to receive the most up-to-date information on volunteer opportunities, to become an active member, or to learn more about the club’s work. UConn students interested in volunteering for the next clinic are urged to sign up early, Costa says.

    This year, club members also plan to expand the scope of their work, Costa explains, to help those who attend this weekend’s clinic find the care they need beyond the actual clinic days.

    “A big thing about us is that it’s not just free care for this one day – follow-up care is super important,” he says. “After the clinic, all of our volunteers will come together for two nights to call back all of these patients to help them organize follow-up care. We’ve already worked with some local medical, dental, and vision offices that are in the area and are open to new patients, open to patients who may not have insurance, or open to patients that maybe have Medicare or Medicaid.

    “So, it definitely a big job, and it’s a lot of work, but it’s very meaningful work, and we’re all really happy and grateful that we have support to do this.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – “Insecurity prevails in Bukavu where not a night goes by without three or four bodies found on the street”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “Not a night goes by in Bukavu without finding three or four bodies on the street. Bodies also emerge from the lake,” report local church sources in Bukavu, the capital of the Congolese province of South Kivu (in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo), which fell into the hands of the M23 rebel movement in mid-February (see Fides, 17/2/2025). Our sources, who have requested anonymity for security reasons, describe a city where the law of the strongest prevails. “Criminal gangs are still active, but they do not usually kill…. Small or large thefts are committed by these gangs, but the major looting is carried out with impunity by the M23 and its allies: a bank was emptied and three cassiterite deposits were looted”.It is also noted that “the looting that the city experienced before Sunday, February 16, the day of the official entry of the M23, was not only due to young people who found the weapons left behind by the fleeing soldiers of the regular Congolese army (FARDC). The M23 had already entered the city on Friday, February 14, and the major looting in the Kadutu market, accompanied by devastation, took place on Saturday, February 15”.The report also shows how the looting by the occupiers is taking place on a large scale: “The last known theft of minerals took place in the night of Thursday to Friday, February 27-28, in the Nguba district: 34 already sealed barrels of cassiterite ready for sale were rolled into large buses and loaded in the middle of the night after tying up two guards and beating and abducting two others, who were only released on Sunday. On the radio, the new authorities called on the population to report the looting. ‘To whom?’ asked a dejected operator of the plant.” “But when armed bandits attack and people call the M23 soldiers, they come and ruthlessly shoot everyone they meet in the area, even if it is only eight in the evening. They shoot to kill, they say they have no bullets to waste. On March 4, the Red Cross buried some of the victims of the February 27 attacks in the Bagira cemetery (see Fides, 27/2/2025), other bodies were recovered by the families. The new authorities gave an envelope of money to the families of those killed, but they say they have little money because the war is expensive”. “There are hardly any cars on the road, apart from taxis and old cars. The better ones have either already been taken over by the M23 or are kept hidden. If you are driving a Land Cruiser, they can easily stop you and ask for the keys. Cars are sent to Rwanda, just like looted minerals. So if there was any need for proof in whose name this war is being fought…” The insecurity has practically brought social life in Bukavu to a standstill. The sources report that “classes in schools have not resumed because parents are afraid to let their children leave the house; moreover, they would not know how to pay the quarterly fees in the face of increasing misery. And: who will pay the teachers’ salaries? The journalists have been told what to do: sing the glory of the occupiers, not to spread information from Kinshasa, but only their information, no longer speak of ‘occupied zones’ but of ‘liberated zones’, no ‘press Union’, they themselves will give the journalists an ID, each media outlet will have to declare its location”. “And on the streets, a cloak of sadness lies over everyone, which is very unusual for the Congolese people,” conclude our sources. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 6/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/HONG KONG – PIME missionary Giosuè Bonzi leaves Hong Kong: Sixty years of commitment to people with disabilities

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 6 March 2025

    Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Father Giosuè Bonzi of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), an Italian missionary from Bergamo, has left Hong Kong and his physically and mentally disabled children and young people at the age of 85 and returned to his home in Lombardy. With the appreciation and affection of Hong Kong Catholics and non-Catholics, who were equally moved and sad, Father Bonzi returned to Italy in mid-February after 60 years of missionary work in Hong Kong. His children and young people accompanied him to the airport to say goodbye.According to “KungKaoPo”, the weekly newsletter of the Diocese of Hong Kong, Father Bonzi has won everyone over with his unconditional love and tireless spiritual commitment to the weakest in society. His work has also been recognized by the civil authorities, who have awarded him various honors over the past decades, an important sign of recognition for the valuable service of the missionary and his collaborators. He, who arrived in Hong Kong in 1967, barely a year after his ordination, acknowledges the praise with the modest words: “What did I do in Hong Kong? Nothing special,”.Father Bonzi founded “Fu Hong Society”, and throughout his life he worked for the weakest of Hong Kong’s highly technological and developed society, welcoming them into his centers for the disabled, about fifty in number. In the days of farewell, the missionary took part in masses and celebrations organized by various communities to express their gratitude and love for this man who will leave a legacy of compassion, faith and dedication, but above all the gift of hope for the last.Father Giosuè Bonzi, a native of San Giovanni in Bianco in the province of Bergamo, was born in 1940. He entered the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) and was ordained a priest in 1966. His mother would have liked to see him become a diocesan priest, perhaps as a parish priest in one of the churches in the surrounding area. Instead, he was immediately sent to the mission in Hong Kong, where he worked first in the education field as director of an institute and then in the health field as chaplain of the “Caritas Medical Centre” hospital. For several years he was director of pastoral care for people with disabilities.According to the website of the “Fu Hong Society”, after more than half a century of existence, the Society, founded in 1977, currently has more than 70 service units divided into different categories and programs, providing rehabilitation services to more than 4,000 people with disabilities, including people with intellectual disabilities, autism disorders and people with physical disabilities. In addition to inpatient care, the Catholic organization also offers programs for outpatient rehabilitation, professional training and community support for people with disabilities. The founder of the society himself has always lived with disabled children, to whom he dedicated his life in the name of Christ’s charity. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 6/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. butane exports reached a new record in 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    March 6, 2025

    The United States is exporting record volumes of normal butane as global demand for liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) surges. U.S. normal butane exports averaged nearly 500,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2024, a 12% increase from the previous year, and have increased every year since 2006.

    Butane is used residentially and commercially as a fuel, primarily for cooking. It’s also used as a gasoline blendstock during the winter and as a base chemical to make rubbers and plastics. Butane can also be converted to isobutane through isomerization, a key process for producing high octane gasoline components.

    Butane is similar to propane; both are considered LPGs. LPGs are byproducts of natural gas processing and crude oil refining. U.S. LPG production has grown rapidly with the increase in natural gas production, especially in liquids-rich regions such as the Eagle Ford in Texas and the Marcellus and Utica in the Northeast. Echoing trends in the propane market, higher production of butane has led to lower prices in the United States relative to global benchmarks in East Asia and the Middle East, increasing global demand for U.S. butane.

    The United States is the largest butane exporter in the world, with most exports bound for Asia and Africa. Butane has a higher boiling point than propane, so butane is less expensive to store and transport in warmer climates than propane. In 2024, 41% of U.S. butane exports went to Asia and 36% went to Africa. The top Asian importers were Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea, while Morocco and Egypt took in the most U.S. butane in Africa. These five countries account for more than half of the United States’ butane exports.

    Generally, butane demand has grown along with petrochemical demand. However, in many developing markets, governments have subsidized butane as a replacement for other fuels, such as wood or charcoal, because it is a cleaner indoor burning fuel for uses such as cooking or heating. Morocco, for example, has subsidized butane since the 1940s (although the government started phasing subsidies out in April 2024). Indonesia and India also have LPG subsidies in place.

    Data source: Bloomberg L.P. and Argus

    Low U.S. butane spot prices relative to other global benchmark spot prices led to a consistently wide price spread throughout 2023 and 2024, incentivizing more butane shipments from the United States than from other countries. However, the U.S. Gulf Coast butane’s discount to East Asia and Saudi Arabia decreased at the end of 2024, after butane prices rose in the United States at a faster rate than in other regions. Despite the decreasing price spread in the second half of 2024, U.S. exports remained high, averaging 12% more than the same period in 2023.

    Principal contributor: Josh Eiermann

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NAVCENT Hosts Mental Health Campaign at NSA Bahrain

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    MANAMA, Bahrain— Mental health providers, chaplains, counselors, and support service groups aboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain gathered to kick off the 2025 Mental Health Campaign, March 4.

    The five-session campaign, hosted by the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Religious Ministries Team, features topics including learning the resources, best practices for navigating mental health, building the human connection, creating positive environments, and effective leadership.

    The first session covered learning the resources, allowing participants to connect with counselors from Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Bahrain, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Bahrain mental health professionals, Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLC), and other embedded mental health officers and licensed social workers supporting the installation.

    “The overall goal of the event is to help leadership continue to develop a deliberate mental health strengthening strategy through the information promulgated in alignment with CNO’s [Chief of Naval Operations] Quality of Service initiative, while building collaboration between the Bahrain mental health entities,” said Cmdr. Devon Foster, NAVCENT/ U.S. 5th Fleet deputy chaplain. “There are more than 20 designated caregivers on island consisting of chaplains, MFLCs, LSWs [licensed social workers], psychologists, as well as the professional doctors and nurses at Serene Hospital. This was all about learning the resources from the Navy’s Mental Health Playbook and Roadmap. While our services as providers can overlap, our session shows how each caregiver cares and provides unique amenities within their portfolio.”

    NSA Bahrain’s mental health roadmap outlines key resources available on the installation for personnel seeking support, ranging from connecting with friends, family, and chains of command, to seeking support from providers through outpatient care off-base.

    During the event, Capt. Jorge Brito, NAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet force surgeon, discussed the importance of brain health, emphasizing risk factors, and ways to promote healthy brain function. The presentation included an interactive activity which allowed participants the opportunity to brainstorm ways they thought individuals could improve brain health through implementing or abstaining from certain factors. The exercise validated some beliefs, and challenged common misconceptions about brain health.

    The Mental Health Campaign will continue with Session 2, covering best practices for navigating mental health.

    “By understanding these services each person can seek assistance from one or more of these professional to meet their needs,” said Foster. “If the help can best be served through another provider, the person will be referred to whomever can give them the care they need.”

    NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and coalition maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by providing security for ships, aircraft and tenants on board NSA Bahrain and assigned detachments. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family with honor, courage and commitment.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Light Beer Continues Rapid National Retailer Rollout Momentum with Multi-Case Placement Throughout Balls Food Stores, a Leader in the Kansas City Metro Market for Over 100 Years 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nashville, TN, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), proudly reports that American Rebel Premium Light Lager Beer (“Rebel Light”) continues the ongoing rollout with Balls Food Stores (ballsfoods.com) under the Price Chopper, Hen House, Sun Fresh Market and Payless Discount Foods brands throughout the Kansas City metro market area.

    • American Rebel Light Beer Multi-Case Product Displays to Feature 12oz cases and our 16oz Stand Tall, Stand Proud, Be Loud Premium Light Lager.
    • American Rebel Light Beer is a Premium Domestic Light Lager with a crisp, clean and bold taste. Rebel Light Beer is all natural, with no added supplements.
    • Balls Food Stores Customers will be able to enter the “Scan to Win Promotion” With a Chance to Win an American Rebel Collectible Safe.

    Three Price Chopper (pricechopper.com) and two Hen House (henhouse.com) grocery store locations will have the collectible American Rebel safe on display to promote the American Rebel Light Beer Scan to Win promotion. Other participating locations will have a QR code in a display to enter to win the safe. All participating locations will have plenty of Rebel Light Beer stocked around the safe or the contest display.

    “We’ve had tremendous success in Tennessee with the Scan to Win promotion and when I brought the idea to David Ball, CEO of Balls Food Stores, he loved it and wanted to roll it out in all of his Kansas City area locations,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “Price Chopper is the official grocery store of the Kansas City Chiefs and their focus on fresh foods and local partnerships made them a perfect fit for supporting Rebel Light. My family has deep roots in the Kansas City area just like David’s family does. David’s grandfather, Sidney Ball, and his grandmother, Mollie Ball, started a small neighborhood grocery store on the corner of 16th and Stewart in Kansas City, Kansas in 1923. My dad, Bud Ross, started Kustom Electronics in Chanute, Kansas, in 1964. Balls Food Stores under the Price Chopper and Hen House brands and Rebel Light are a perfect match.”

    “I love what American Rebel stands for and I’m very excited to support this great product,” said David Ball, CEO Balls Food Stores (ballsfoods.com). “Andy’s energy and passion for his product is contagious and my job is sharing that energy and passion with our 3,000+ amazing teammates that are a part of the Balls Food Stores family. Our grocery store, as my grandfather said decades ago, is only as good as the people who work there. We are very blessed to have dedicated teammates who have created a great culture in our stores for our customers. And I think our customers will love Rebel Light!”

    “I wasn’t surprised that David Ball understood what American Rebel was all about,” said Andy Ross. “David is a true patriot and an American Rebel!”

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a premium domestic light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Balls Food Stores

    Balls Food Stores have come a long way since opening their first store in 1923. Today Balls Food Stores currently run 26 stores under the Price Chopper, Hen House, Sun Fresh Market, and Payless Discount Foods brands that spread throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. Balls Foods’ ongoing commitment to fresh foods, partnering with local suppliers and outstanding customer service has enabled the company to not only grow, but thrive. For more information, visit ballsfoods.com.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    Media Inquiries:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@Precisionpr.co
    917-280-7329

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of placements in Balls Food Stores, benefits of the Scan to Win program, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com
    info@americanrebel.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Kaltura to Host 2025 Investor Event

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kaltura (Nasdaq: KLTR), the Video Experience Cloud, today announced that it will host its 2025 Investor Event on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. The event will feature executive presentations outlining the Company’s business, strategic vision, product innovation, and financial performance, and showcasing Kaltura’s AI-infused Video Experiences platform. 

    The day’s session will include presentations from key members of Kaltura’s leadership team including Co-Founder, Chairman, President and CEO Ron Yekutiel, Chief Product & Engineering Officer Einav Azaria, Chief Revenue Officer Liad Eshkar, Chief Customer Officer Natan Israeli, and Chief Financial Officer John Doherty. In addition to presentations from management, the event will feature a customer panel discussion and question-and-answer sessions.

    The Investor Event will commence at 9:30 am ET and conclude at approximately 12:30 pm ET. A live webcast of the presentations will be hosted on the Kaltura platform. To register please visit Kaltura’s investor relations website at https://investors.kaltura.com/news-and-events/events, In addition, a replay will be available following the event.

    About Kaltura
    Kaltura’s mission is to create and power AI-infused hyper-personalized video experiences that boost customer and employee engagement and success. Kaltura’s Video Experience Cloud includes a platform for enterprise and TV content management and a wide array of Gen AI-infused video-first products, including Video Portals, LMS and CMS Video Extensions, Virtual Events and Webinars, Virtual Classrooms, and TV Streaming Applications. Kaltura engages millions of end-users at home, at work, and at school, boosting both customer and employee experiences, including marketing, sales, and customer success; teaching, learning, training and certification; communication and collaboration; and entertainment, and monetization. For more information, visit www.corp.kaltura.com.

    Investor Contacts:
    Kaltura, Inc.
    John Doherty
    Chief Financial Officer
    IR@Kaltura.com

    Sapphire Investor Relations, LLC
    Erica Mannion and Michael Funari
    IR@Kaltura.com
    +1 617 542 6180

    Media Contacts:
    Kaltura, Inc.
    Nohar Zmora
    SVP, Head of Marketing
    pr.team@kaltura.com

    Headline Media
    Raanan Loew
    raanan@headline.media
    +1 347 897 9276

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aterian Sets Date for Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2024 Earnings Announcement & Investor Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUMMIT, N.J., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) (“Aterian” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled consumer products company, today announced that it will issue its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024 on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 after the close of the stock market. The Company will host a corresponding conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET that day to discuss the results.

    Investors interested in participating in the live call can dial:

    • (800) 715-9871 (Domestic)
    • (646) 307-1963 (International)
      Passcode: 3432648

    Participants may also access the call through a live webcast at https://ir.aterian.io. The archived online replay will be available for a limited time after the call in the investors section of the Aterian corporate website.

    About Aterian, Inc.
    Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) is a technology-enabled consumer products company that builds and acquires leading e-commerce brands with top selling consumer products, in multiple categories, including home and kitchen appliances, health and wellness and air quality devices. The Company sells across the world’s largest online marketplaces with a focus on Amazon, Walmart and Target in the U.S. and on its own direct to consumer websites. Our primary brands include Squatty Potty, hOmeLabs, Mueller Living, PurSteam, Healing Solutions and Photo Paper Direct. To learn more about Aterian and its brands, visit aterian.io

    Contact: 
    The Equity Group

    Devin Sullivan
    Managing Director
    dsullivan@equityny.com

    Conor Rodriguez
    Associate
    crodriguez@equityny.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: GTA Project Gas Leak – BP Oil Company in the Dock

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Dakar, [06 March 2025] – Greenpeace Africa expresses its deep concern and outrage over the gas leak detected at the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) field, operated by BP off the coast of Senegal and Mauritania.  

    Although BP has acknowledged the incident,  the company’s assertions regarding a “low flow” and “negligible” impact fail to obscure the significant risks that offshore hydrocarbon extraction presents to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. 

    “BP is once again demonstrating its utter disregard for marine life and coastal communities. This leak from the GTA field cannot be considered an accident, it is simply the predictable result of an industry that puts its profits before our fragile ecosystems and the survival of local populations,” says Dr. Aliou Ba, Oceans Campaigns Lead at Greenpeace Africa.  

    The GTA field is home to the largest deep-water coral reef, a unique ecosystem in the world. ” A single spill can wipe out decades of marine biodiversity, contaminate food webs and destroy the habitat of hundreds of species. The impacts will extend far beyond the drilling areas, affecting species migration, marine reproduction and the ecological balance of the entire coastal region of Mauritania and Senegal.”

    We are also calling out  the paternalism and the total lack of transparency shown by BP in its communication with local populations. The company must stop procrastinating and immediately publish independent data on the true extent of this leak and the measures taken to address it.  

    “BP’s statement is more than an ethical breach, it is a denial of basic human rights. Local communities have an inalienable right to information on the risks that threaten their environment and their survival.” insists Dr. Aliou Ba.  

    Greenpeace Africa calls on the governments of Senegal and Mauritania to insist on complete transparency from BP and to establish robust systems for monitoring and mitigating environmental risks associated with gas extraction. In fact, “a nation’s sovereignty is defined by its capacity to safeguard its citizens and their rights. It is crucial for the authorities to take action and ensure BP is held accountable.”

    Faced with the threat of yet another ecological disaster orchestrated by the oil companies, Greenpeace Africa will remain vigilant and continue to demand justice for the environment as well as for the affected communities.

    Press contacts: Luchelle Feukeng – Communications and Storytelling Manager
    Mail: [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint statement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin: 6 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Joint statement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin: 6 March 2025

    Joint statement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin following UK-Ireland Summit.

    UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement

    1. This Joint Statement represents the starting point for a strengthened relationship between the UK and Ireland, informed by our co-guarantorship of the Good Friday Agreement, and to be taken forward through an ambitious programme of co-operation between our two countries through to 2030.

    2. The time has come to commit anew to delivering on the promise of our unique partnership to the benefit of current and future generations living across these islands. 

    3. Our renewed programme of co-operation will be taken forward in a spirit of respect and affinity, and by a shared ambition to reach the potential of our partnership across our islands, recognising that, in a changing world beyond our shores, the benefits and significance of a stronger and more settled relationship between our two countries have never been greater.

    The UK and Ireland working together at home and across the globe

    1. In a challenging geo-political and international security environment, Ireland and the UK confirm our commitment to the global multilateral system and international law as the foundations on which all our international engagement and partnerships are built.

    2. Building on these foundations, we will work together to strengthen international institutions for peace, promote conflict prevention, peace-building, sustainable development and climate action internationally.  Today, we have agreed in particular to collaborate on a strategic approach to the United Nations’ Peacebuilding Architecture Review and the World Bank’s Fragility, Conflict, Violence (FCV) Strategy. We also agree to collaborate on the Women, Peace and Security agenda and to pilot a joint lesson-sharing from the Northern Ireland peace process in an agreed priority country.

    3. We will support this intensification of our co-operation on foreign and security policy issues through annual political consultations.

    4. Continuing to ensure the safety and security of the people who live in Ireland and the United Kingdom is a priority we share.

    5. National resilience remains a priority for both of us.  We will strengthen co-operation and information sharing on emergency planning to best protect our peoples across these islands. 

    6. We will strengthen our co-operation in the area of maritime security, with a particular focus on critical undersea infrastructure, which will require greater international co-operation, including closer co-operation between Ireland and the UK.

    7. We value our good working relationship at an operational level on cyber security and will continue to co-operate to ensure that the sharing of information and best practices contribute to higher levels of cyber security across both countries. We will also work to develop approaches that benefit both countries particularly in the areas of skills development, cyber hygiene awareness and research projects.

    8. Since 2015, the UK and Ireland have cooperated on defence on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding. We will pursue implementation of all aspects of that agreement, particularly in the areas of military training and education. To reflect the rebuilding and strengthening of our partnership, today we agree to review and update the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence by our next Summit in this series.

    9. We will continue to develop these areas of work, including through our structured security dialogue at senior official level.

    10. We will strengthen existing co-operation on criminal, civil and family law matters and exchange expertise on justice systems challenges, as well as collaborating on the rule of law and its promotion overseas. We will continue to work together to tackle threats to safety online.

    Ensuring a strategic and efficient approach to our shared maritime space to mobilise investment, support a healthy marine environment and provide clean energy for our islands

    1. We recognise the critical importance of the Celtic and Irish Seas and are committed to working together to harness their potential by deepening co-operation on offshore energy and interconnection, to help ensure our collective energy security as part of the green transition to net zero.

    2. Our countries are uniquely linked, not least through shared energy infrastructure and the Single Electricity Market (SEM) on the island of Ireland. This means we share common long-term challenges, including the need for secure, competitive, and sustainable sources of energy.

    3. We welcome recent progress on closer working between our countries in this regard, including through our two bilateral Memoranda of Understanding, and the opportunity for more formal co-operation between British and Irish system operators (EirGrid, Gas Networks Ireland, National Energy System Operator and National Gas).

    4. In order to meet our ambitious decarbonisation targets, we have agreed today to work together to mobilise investment into strategic infrastructure in the Irish and Celtic Seas by establishing frameworks to guide private investment and removing barriers to trade and investment.

    5. In this regard, we have agreed that our respective maritime policy, licensing and regulatory bodies will work together to establish co-operation in relation to data collection and usage, to continue to improve the management of the maritime area in the Irish and Celtic Seas through robust marine planning that includes a clear focus on our shared marine environment.

    6. We have also agreed to undertake new joint initiatives on mapping the sea basin to improve interoperability and resilience in UK and Irish waters, and to deepen existing co-operation on maritime decarbonisation, including on our joint efforts to establish green maritime corridors. 

    7. We will also broaden our existing Energy transition MoU to include industrial decarbonisation; knowledge sharing and exchanging best practices around retrofitting of homes and Community Benefit Funds; as well as formalising a staff exchange programme between UK and Ireland energy departments and agencies.

    8. Due to its geography, engineering expertise and interconnection to both Ireland and Great Britain, Northern Ireland can benefit from and be at the forefront of the clean energy transition. Co-operation between governments on infrastructure development will be key in both enabling Northern Ireland to have a renewable generation capacity of 3,550 MW by 2030 in order to deliver the target of 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources, as well as supporting the Northern Ireland Executive’s ambition for 1GW of offshore wind from 2030 and Ireland’s ambition of at least 5GW of offshore wind by 2030, including through developing and supporting an all-island supply chain.

    9. Through our continuing co-operation we can act coherently and strategically, developing and sharing research and technical innovation to address our shared challenges, which in turn will deliver significant economic and social benefits to communities across our islands.

    Agile, open economies working together to attract investment, innovate from knowledge and accelerate growth

    1. The UK and Ireland are particularly close economic partners with a bilateral trade relationship worth approximately 100 billion euros annually. Ireland is the UK’s 6th largest trading partner and the UK is Ireland’s second largest trading partner and we are committed to building on these ties in order to attract new investment and accelerate economic growth across our two countries.

    2. Today we welcome substantial new investment announcements across a range of sectors including Digital, AI and Technology that are testimony to continued confidence in our economies and to the importance of our business and trading bilateral relationship. These commitments to invest will bring new jobs and opportunities to local communities and help drive up economic growth.

    3. The UK and Ireland have a longstanding partnership in sharing knowledge and experience in progressing infrastructure projects, and we share an ambition to accelerate the delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure to drive economic growth, enable new forms of economic activity, accelerate the transition to Net Zero by 2050, and support the delivery of housing and high-quality public services over the next decade.  Our countries and businesses are investing heavily in achieving this ambition but also face common challenges, including in relation to capacity and productivity. We have strong existing collaborations in the transport, housing and energy sectors, and today have agreed a new Framework for Co-operation to support infrastructure delivery to deepen these partnerships and extend them to further areas of mutual interest, including digital and modern methods of construction technologies.

    4. Today, we also reaffirm our support to small business in both countries and commit to working together to establish an SME Dialogue focused on sharing good practices in nurturing growth and productivity amongst SMEs to maximise commercial opportunities.

    5. We will also establish an Economic Security Exchange to share good practices and experiences, and develop common understandings in key areas for the economic security and prosperity of our two nations.

    6. The UK and Ireland share a close bilateral relationship in science, innovation and technology and commit to building on this through our collaboration within the current Horizon European Research and Innovation Framework Programme, including encouraging national contact points to work closely together. We agree to convene regular meetings between UKRI and Research Ireland to discuss issues of mutual interest and monitor and identify multilateral and bilateral opportunities.

    7. In early 2024, we launched the research Co-Centre for Climate, Biodiversity & Water, seeking to deliver solutions to the pressing challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity decline, and water degradation; and the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, seeking to drive societal and political change in food system transformation and transition to climate neutrality by 2050. Following the launch of these Co-Centres, UKRI and Research Ireland will work together and with the Northern Ireland Executive to monitor progress and identify future opportunities to bring together researchers and innovators across the UK and Ireland.

    Developing the deep ties between our people and cultures

    1. We recognise the unique ability of arts, culture and sport to forge and foster ties between people across these islands. 

    2. We value the extraordinary influence and contribution of British and Irish cultures and heritages to the artistic and cultural wealth of the public realm and creative industries and institutions in both our countries. In recognition of this, today, we agree to establish a strategic partnership to deepen and amplify co-operation between our leading cultural institutions and to support wider public engagement with the contemporary culture and heritage of both our countries. Over the coming five years, this will comprise a range of measures to support collaborations in programming, professional exchange, research and policy, and an annual joint meeting of our leading cultural institutions each autumn.

    3. We look forward to our joint hosting of the EURO2028 Men’s Football Championship and the 2030 T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup and will work to ensure that both tournaments are enjoyed across these islands. We will explore future co-hosting opportunities in the area of sports.

    4. We recognise that to reach the potential of our partnership across these islands, we need to understand and respond to the aspirations and views of young people. Today, we have agreed to establish an Ireland-UK Youth Forum to bring together young people across these islands on an annual basis to discuss issues of importance to them and to make recommendations about how they can be addressed for consideration by both our governments.

    5. In order to build stronger connectivity amongst our children and young people, we will also encourage greater co-operation and contact between our schools and education systems. This will include areas such as early years learning and provision, social mobility, opportunity and inclusion; special education provision; curriculum and assessment reform; teacher professional development; and integrated education.

    6. We will promote greater understanding of educational opportunities for full-time students through improved knowledge, guidance and information using higher education entrance systems.

    7. The uniquely rich and dynamic connections between people across these islands are supported and made possible by our long-standing Common Travel Area arrangement.  We remain firmly committed to working together to protect the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area. Recognising also the importance of the Common Travel Area in facilitating the daily lives of citizens across these islands, we will work together to minimise barriers to work or travel for those who benefit from it.

    8. Underpinning our co-operation is our shared ambition of a more reconciled, peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland.  In progressing our co-operation across the board, we will ensure that our partnership includes and benefits Northern Ireland. We commit to ensure the successful delivery of the 2021-2027 PeacePlus programme and are agreed in principle to a successor programme.

    9. We agree to establish a UK-Ireland 2030 Steering Group led by the UK Cabinet Office and Department of the Taoiseach in order to take forward the range of commitments we are making today. Together we will ensure this complements the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and their crucial role at the heart of our essential and unique relationship.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Eurovision legacy lives on in Liverpool

    Source: City of Liverpool

    A new study has revealed how the Liverpool City Region is continuing to reap the rewards of hosting Eurovision 2023, with repeat visitors bringing an additional £11.1m to the local economy over the past year alone.

    This is in addition to the £54.8m generated during the event itself, which saw Liverpool shine under the global spotlight as 162 million viewers worldwide tuned in. But the true impact of Eurovision goes beyond just numbers; it has helped power Liverpool City Region’s record-breaking visitor economy, which is now worth an estimated £6.25bn.

    Hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine was more than just a music event; it was a statement of solidarity, resilience, and global leadership. As the world grapples with ongoing challenges, Liverpool City Region has emerged as a city that doesn’t just watch history unfold but plays a part in shaping it.

    The ‘Eurovision effect’ has reinforced the Liverpool City Region’s position as a premier global destination, attracting record-breaking tourism. It continues to stage major events like EURO 2028, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, The Open Golf Championship and the World Boxing Championships, and solidifying its reputation as a cultural and economic powerhouse.

    Despite not ranking in the top 100 cities globally by population, Liverpool sits among the top 10 most recognised non-capital cities worldwide. The Eurovision effect has only strengthened that status, elevating the city’s brand on the international stage and proving that Liverpool continues to punch well above its weight when it comes to cultural influence.

    Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said:

    “Eurovision wasn’t just a music competition—it was a statement of solidarity with Ukraine and a testament to Liverpool’s global influence. We didn’t just host an event—we embraced a cause.

    “One year on, the Eurovision effect continues to deliver—boosting our economy, creating jobs, and securing our city region’s position as a place that welcomes the world. But the real legacy of Eurovision isn’t just financial—it’s the pride, unity, and lasting international partnerships we’ve built.

    “At a time when global events remind us of the importance of standing together, Liverpool proved that culture isn’t just entertainment—it’s soft power in action. Our doors remain open to the world, and Eurovision was just the beginning.”

    Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, added:

    “Liverpool’s hosting of Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine redefined the competition.

     “Not only was it our ambition to stage the most successful-ever contest – which we achieved in spades – but from the outset we wanted to make sure there was a lasting legacy of the event, which would continue to benefit Liverpool for years to come.

     “This latest report shows in black and white the value of hosting major events. For ten days in May 2023, Liverpool shone under the global spotlight, making it a destination people wanted to return to time and time again, or visit for the first time. In turn, that boosts our local economy, supports jobs and brings vital footfall to our culture and leisure industries.

    “And of course, seeing what a show this City can put on attracts other opportunities, and securing the likes of Radio 1’s Big Weekend and the World Boxing Championships can undoubtedly be attributed to the Eurovision-effect.

     “The City Council has spent more than 20 years investing and building its cultural credentials, understanding the true value of soft power and how transformational it can be, and we look forward to the next phase of our journey which will see us working with all of our neighbouring boroughs to make the City Region an enviable cultural capital.”

    Liverpool’s Director of Culture, Claire McColgan CBE, who is also Assistant Director – Culture for the Liverpool City Region, said:

    “Evaluation and learning is always at the heart of everything we do as it informs and shapes future events. Eurovision 2023 remains a standout event for this city and we’re still hugely proud or how we worked in partnership with the BBC, the Government, and of course the people of Ukraine, to deliver what is quite rightly regarded as the most successful competitions in the event’s history. These relationships continue to grow and strengthen, helping to cement Liverpool’s reputation as a global leader in major event delivery.

    “As the UK’s first UN Accelerator City, legacy will take centre stage once again this year, as we commit to introducing environmental innovation where possible in our creative sector, and in doing so ensuring that our major events leave a lasting legacy for our communities.”

    The research, commissioned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council, highlights several key findings:

    • Repeat visitors: 54,417 people who attended Eurovision events returned to Liverpool, making a total of 72,454 additional trips.
    • Financial impact: These return visits generated £11.1m, adding to the £54.8m impact during the event itself.
    • Cultural value: The event delivered an estimated £4.6m in cultural benefits to domestic attendees.
    • Global reputation: Eurovision put Liverpool on the map for major international events, leading to record-breaking visitor numbers in 2023 and a £6.25bn tourism economy—£600m above projected figures.
    • Pride and community impact: Over 95% of Liverpool City Region residents said they were proud of Liverpool’s role as host, reinforcing the event’s lasting social value.

    Eurovision was just the beginning. Liverpool City Region has established itself as a major global events capital, and with an ever-growing £6.25bn visitor economy, it is ready to welcome the next wave of world-class events, partnerships, and opportunities.

    The city that staged Eurovision for Ukraine is now preparing to host the world—again and again.

    Read the full report here.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –