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  • MIL-OSI: NB Private Equity Partners Announces Transaction in Own Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, ITALY, DENMARK, JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES, OR TO ANY NATIONAL OF SUCH JURISDICTIONS

    St Peter Port, Guernsey   24 March 2025

    NB Private Equity Partners (“NBPE” or the “Company”) today announces details of Class A Shares bought back pursuant to general authority granted by shareholders of the Company on 12 June 2024 and the share buy-back agreement with Jefferies International Limited.

    Transaction on London Stock Exchange

    Date of purchase of Shares 21 March 2025
    Number of Shares purchased 12,594 Class A Shares
    Highest price/lowest price paid £15.36 / £15.14
    ISIN for the Shares GG00B1ZBD492

    All Class A Shares bought back will be cancelled. Following the cancellation, the number of outstanding Class A Shares is 45,839,264‬. The Company also has 3,150,408 Class A shares held in treasury. For reporting purposes under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules the market should use the figure of 45,839,264 voting rights when determining if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company.

    For further information, please contact:

    NBPE Investor Relations        +44 20 3214 9002
    Luke Mason        NBPrivateMarketsIR@nb.com

    Kaso Legg Communications        +44 (0)20 3882 6644

    Charles Gorman        nbpe@kl-communications.com
    Luke Dampier
    Charlotte Francis

    About NB Private Equity Partners Limited
    NBPE invests in direct private equity investments alongside market leading private equity firms globally. NB Alternatives Advisers LLC (the “Investment Manager”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, is responsible for sourcing, execution and management of NBPE. The vast majority of direct investments are made with no management fee / no carried interest payable to third-party GPs, offering greater fee efficiency than other listed private equity companies. NBPE seeks capital appreciation through growth in net asset value over time while paying a bi-annual dividend.

    LEI number: 213800UJH93NH8IOFQ77

    About Neuberger Berman

    Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with 2,800+ employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $500+ billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger Berman’s investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. UNPRI named the firm a Leader, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in environmental, social and governance practices. Neuberger Berman has been named by Pensions & Investments as the #1 or #2 Best Place to Work in Money Management for each of the last ten years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information. Data as of December 31, 2024, unless noted otherwise.

    This press release appears as a matter of record only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any security.

    NBPE is established as a closed-end investment company domiciled in Guernsey. NBPE has received the necessary consent of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. The value of investments may fluctuate. Results achieved in the past are no guarantee of future results. This document is not intended to constitute legal, tax or accounting advice or investment recommendations. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decision. Statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and beliefs of NBPE’s investment manager. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Additionally, this document contains “forward-looking statements.” Actual events or results or the actual performance of NBPE may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such targets or forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Unveils New Refrigerator Lineup Equipped With Screens and Enhanced AI Vision Inside Feature

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today announced the global rollout of its latest lineup of smart refrigerators, reinforcing the “Screens Everywhere” vision introduced at CES 2025. This expansion includes the introduction of the 9-inch AI Home screen1 on the 4-Door, 4-Door French Door and Side-by-Side refrigerators, as well as an enhanced Family Hub screen on select French Door and Side-by-Side models. An enhanced AI Vision Inside2 feature is integrated on select 4-Door and 4-Door French Door models, refining food identification and streamlining meal planning to ensure a more intuitive kitchen experience for users.
     
    “By offering a wide array of refrigerator options across type and also screen sizes, we are expanding choices to meet diverse household requirements,” says Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head of the R&D Team for Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “Consumers can enjoy greater flexibility in choosing fridge designs while benefiting from the AI-powered smart home experience Samsung provides.”
     
     
    A Smarter Way To Manage Food, Home, Family Communication and Entertainment
    Samsung’s new refrigerators incorporate the intuitive 9” AI Home screen and 32” or 21.5” Family Hub screens, which are designed to enhance four key areas of daily life: Food, Home, Family Communication and Entertainment. The first category, food, is especially powered by the upgraded AI Vision Inside, which adds four more food items to the list of recognizable types for a total of 37. Furthermore, adding on to fresh food items, AI Vision Inside can now also recognize processed food items. Refrigerators with the enhanced AI Vision Inside will recognize and recommend users to save processed food items that have been placed inside multiple times, allowing up to 50 items to be saved with designated names.3 Based on the improved food list, the screen will provide tailored recipe recommendations and meal planning,4 making home cooking more seamless and personalized.
     
    Beyond food, the screens also enhance smart home connectivity. The latest advancements provide deeper integration into the smart home ecosystem, making the refrigerator a central hub capable of controlling connected appliances throughout the entire home. With the integration of Map View, users can monitor and control Samsung appliances and even third-party smart home devices5 like lights and smart plugs. There’s also SmartThings Energy,6 which helps users track and optimize their energy consumption, facilitating greater efficiency in everyday life. The intuitive display provides users with access to a great deal of information about their home, with users also being able to issue voice commands through Bixby.7
     
    The new Daily Board feature keeps everyone informed and connected. Placed at the heart of the home, the refrigerator screen delivers real-time updates throughout the day — whether it’s the morning weather and schedule before heading to work, or daily energy consumption reports in the evening. Users can also easily access their schedules through voice commands and receive tailored responses. By recognizing each family member’s voice and replying accordingly, Bixby will serve as both a helpful assistant for the entire household and for each person individually.8 Additional family-focused features include a shared gallery for storing precious memories and a calendar to help with daily planning.
     
    Samsung’s latest refrigerators also redefine entertainment in the kitchen, allowing users to stay engaged while cooking or spending time with family. With Spotify integration, users can listen to their favorite music or podcasts directly from their fridge.9 SmartView Mirroring enables seamless screen sharing from smartphones or Samsung TVs, and the dedicated gallery feature lets families display their favorite photos, adding a personal touch to the kitchen.
     
     
    The Next Generation of Refrigeration

    The 4-Door Refrigerator is designed to meet the needs of modern households with its innovative features.10 The 9” AI Home applied on select models allows the refrigerator to integrate seamlessly with the smart home ecosystem. Models that incorporate Hybrid Cooling technology11 keep produce fresh for even longer, while also allowing extra space12 by utilizing a peltier module that is compact in size for cooling. By utilizing the conventional compressor and the Peltier module together, AI Hybrid Cooling is capable of providing additional cooling whenever necessary, such as when the internal temperature increases or when AI predicts a potential rise.13 When users put in a large amount of groceries after shopping or open the door multiple times in the summer, the Peltier module will assist the compressor to maintain a consistent internal temperature.
     
    The 4-Door Refrigerator also comes in Kitchen Fit design, allowing agile installation that requires only a tiny gap of just 4mm from the sides and 20mm from the top. Also, the refrigerator’s doors have been enhanced with SpaceMax insulation technology that uses less amount of high-efficiency insulation, increasing the space in the doors by 56% compared to previous models equaling 10L in capacity.14 Users can also enjoy convenience with the wide opening door that opens more than 90 degrees, and the food showcase to store frequently used items.
     

     
    The 4-Door French Door Refrigerator, launching in North America, is available in various configurations, including a 32” Family Hub and a 9” AI Home. This flexibility allows users to choose the best fit for their kitchen. The Auto Open Door15 feature ensures hassle-free accessibility with just a gentle tap, making it accessible to everyone in all kinds of situations to effortlessly access the inside of the fridge. It also has a Beverage Center that includes a water dispenser and a 1.4L Auto-Fill Water Pitcher that is dishwasher safe16 and BPA free.17 Apart from ensuring that fresh, filtered water is always available, the pitcher also allows users to infuse their water with fruits and herbs.
     

     
    The Side-by-Side Refrigerator also offers multiple screen options, including the 21.5” Family Hub and 9” AI Home.18 The model, featuring an Auto Open Door that opens up widely makes it simpler to reach stored items,19 is designed for users who prioritize easy access and organization. Select European models are equipped with Hybrid Cooling technology — as seen in the 4-Door refrigerator — to maintain freshness by preventing temperature fluctuations.
     
    All three types of refrigerators come with the AI Energy Mode feature, allowing users to reduce energy consumption by up to an additional 10%.20 Users can choose to activate the mode always or when electricity bills are expected to exceed the preset target.
     
    With these latest innovative solutions, Samsung continues to push the boundaries of the connected kitchen, transforming the refrigerator into an intelligent hub that enhances food management, smart home integration and entertainment. By seamlessly blending AI-enabled convenience with energy efficiency, Samsung is redefining how users interact with their appliances and bringing the future of the smart home to life.
     
     
    1 A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required to access the AI Home, our network-based service, including apps, and other smart features available through your refrigerator. You may need to use a separate device e.g. your laptop/desktop or mobile device, to create/log into a Samsung Account. If you choose not to log-in, you will not be able to enjoy any features available on the AI Home, such as the services available on the SmartThings App and the phone call features. Recipe recommendations and Bixby accessible through the AI Home utilize AI (based on deep learning models, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy). To access your AI recipe recommendations, click on the ‘Food’ service within the SmartThings App in the AI Home menu.2 Available on select T-Type and French Door refrigerator models. As of April 2025, AI Vision Inside can recognize 37 food items like fresh fruits and veggies. If the food is not recognizable, it may be listed as an unknown item. AI Vision Inside cannot identify or list any food items in the fridge door bins or freezer. It recognizes food items based on deep learning models, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy.3 Processed foods are limited to those that keep a certain packaged form. AI Home recommends to save the item after it has been input more than 4 times during 30 days.4 Requires login to the Samsung account. The recommendations and meal plans may not fit personal preferences in some cases.5 A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. Third-party devices must by SmartThings compatible.6 Available on Android and iOS devices. All devices should be connected to Wi-Fi or other wireless network, and registered with a single Samsung Account. The energy usage and estimated cost shown in SmartThings Energy may differ from your actual usage and cost. Availability may vary by country, region, service provider, network environment, or device, and may change without notice.7 Bixby is Samsung’s brand of Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant. Its service availability may vary depending on the country, language, and dialect.8 Available starting from 2025 May through over-the-network update. Customized answering is available on select usage cases such as accessing Calendar, Gallery, Find my Phone.9 Available in all countries excluding China, Qatar, Yemen, Russia, Sudan10 Available in North America, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East in 2025. Available screen sizes may vary.11 Available on select models of the 4-Door refrigerator in 2025.12 Based on internal testing, compared to existing Samsung RF9000D model (RF65DG9H*-Global, RF23DB99*-NA/LATAM)13 The Peltier element is a semiconductor-based component that cools using just electricity, without refrigerant. It operates when either the temperature in the refrigerator rises above the normal range or AI predicts that the temperature will rise in 5 minutes due to a long period of food storage or cleaning, based on an analysis of the user’s refrigerator opening and closing pattern.14 Based on internal testing, compared to Samsung RF60DB9KF*** model launched in Korea. The capacity may vary by models, region, and feature specifications.15 An automatic closing function is not available. The actual angle that the doors open may vary due to the installation circumstances and usage conditions, like storing heavy items in the door bins. The user may need to adjust how the refrigerator is installed if the doors don’t open properly. The touch sensors can be turned on/off from the display or SmartThings app and the default setting is ‘Off’. The Auto Open Door function may be activated inadvertently by contact with any body part or by a child or pet.16 Tested for 125 cycles in accordance with the “Mechanical dishwashing resistance of utensils” test method (BS EN 12875-1:2005) and certified as dishwasher safe by SGS.17 Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are often used in food and beverage containers, and has been linked with possible adverse health effects.18 Available in Europe, Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).19 You can select the door opening level using the SmartThings App (SmartThings is available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required). The ‘Wide-open’ option automatically opens the door by an angle of 80 degrees or more, but the door does not close automatically. The ‘Semi-open’ option reduces the force required to open the door, and automatically closes the door after a certain period of time if the door is left open. The actual angle that the doors open may vary due to the installation circumstances and usage conditions, like storing heavy items in the door bins.20 The test results are based on a comparison of the factory setting temperature when using AI Energy mode and without using AI Energy mode. Results may vary depending on the usage conditions and patterns. AI Energy Mode can be activated in SmartThings Energy, which is available on Android and iOS devices. SmartThings Energy requires Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 60

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 60
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    315 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Eastern Arkansas
    Southwest Kentucky
    Missouri Bootheel
    Northern Mississippi
    Western and Middle Tennessee

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 315 PM until
    1100 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms are expected to intensify this afternoon
    over eastern Arkansas and spread eastward across the watch area
    through the evening. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main
    concern with these storms. However, sufficient low level shear will
    pose some risk of a few tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 65 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 65 miles west southwest of Memphis TN
    to 45 miles southeast of Clarksville TN. For a complete depiction of
    the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 25030.

    …Hart

    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 60
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    315 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Eastern Arkansas
    Southwest Kentucky
    Missouri Bootheel
    Northern Mississippi
    Western and Middle Tennessee

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 315 PM until
    1100 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms are expected to intensify this afternoon
    over eastern Arkansas and spread eastward across the watch area
    through the evening. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main
    concern with these storms. However, sufficient low level shear will
    pose some risk of a few tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 65 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 65 miles west southwest of Memphis TN
    to 45 miles southeast of Clarksville TN. For a complete depiction of
    the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 25030.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW0
    WW 60 TORNADO AR KY MO MS TN 232015Z – 240400Z
    AXIS..65 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    65WSW MEM/MEMPHIS TN/ – 45SE CKV/CLARKSVILLE TN/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 55NM N/S /56E LIT – 8W BNA/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25030.

    LAT…LON 35629104 37098685 35218685 33739104

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU0.

    Watch 60 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (80%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: AI empowers China’s agriculture to harvest smarter future

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

    BEIJING, March 23 — Inside a smart greenhouse in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, two robots, swiftly zipping through ridges between fields, were taking patrol training. With their high-definition cameras, these robots can snap real-time shots of crops’ growth and send images straight to the cloud.

    “After integrating with the DeepSeek large model, our team trained the robots through tens of thousands of images to improve their pest identification accuracy, which has exceeded 80 percent,” said Wu Yuanqing, the robots’ developer.

    Once the accuracy is improved, these robots can help farmers increase their decision-making precision in planting and efficiency of agricultural production, Wu added.

    The rise of AI-powered agriculture in China highlights the government’s continued efforts to modernize its agricultural sector to accelerate rural revitalization, which profoundly impacts the lives of over 460 million people in rural areas.

    The Chinese government has introduced multiple policies to promote smart agriculture development for years. In this document for 2025, Chinese policymakers have, for the first time, identified the development of “new quality productive forces in agriculture” as a top priority.

    The document underscores the need to increase support for smart agriculture and calls for expanding the use of technologies such as AI, big data and low-altitude systems in agricultural production.

    Maoming, a well-known lychee-growing city in south China’s Guangdong Province, is a premium example of how age-old practices meet with cutting-edge technologies to create a smarter, more efficient, precision-driven local industry.

    In February, the city completed deploying the DeepSeek model into its local AI assistant platform, integrating more than five million data points, including a lychee disease prevention database and detailed local meteorological records.

    So far, 69 sets of 5G-powered Internet of Things sensors have been installed across 20 lychee-growing towns in Maoming, according to Xu Hong, an official with Maoming’s agricultural and rural affairs bureau. These facilities monitor everything from soil moisture to air temperature, generating real-time insights that allow farmers to anticipate and mitigate risks before adverse weather takes a toll.

    Farmers in Maoming also dived into learning and applying AI technologies in lychee cultivation. Zhang Xianfeng, a local farmer, has recently turned to an AI-powered assistant for guidance as persistent wet and chilly weather threatened Zhang’s lychee. Within seconds, the system provided a tailored management plan for her.

    “In the past, we relied entirely on experience to determine the flowering period of crops. Fertilizers were applied by instinct, and we often reacted too late to disease outbreaks,” Zhang said. “Now, solutions provided by AI help us tackle these challenges immediately and accurately.”

    Fueled by a surging demand, AI in agriculture has expanded rapidly. In 2021, China’s “AI plus Agriculture” market was valued at approximately 68.5 billion yuan (about 9.55 billion U.S. dollars). That figure is projected to exceed 90 billion yuan by 2024, marking an average annual compound growth rate of around 10 percent, according to the Qianzhan Industry Research Institute, a Chinese think tank.

    While still in the early stages, experts are optimistic about AI’s future in agriculture. “AI holds great potential in precision farming, pest identification and control, automated agricultural machinery, and supply chain optimization,” said Li Zhan, a professor at Southwest Jiaotong University.

    Li noted that domestic AI technologies like DeepSeek will significantly enhance agricultural production efficiency, resource management accuracy, and product quality safety, driving the intelligent and sustainable development of agriculture.

    However, challenges still remain. Issues such as inconsistent data collection, privacy concerns, and limited farmer adoption continue to curtail the full potential of AI in this field.

    More efforts are needed to strengthen infrastructure in rural areas to lower the barriers to AI access, said Liu Jingjing, a researcher at a research center under China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

    Liu stressed that it is vital to cultivate more AI talents to facilitate the integration of new technologies into agricultural practices.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference – Buangor, Victoria

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    CATHERINE KING – MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: […] Well, we’re here in Buangor today, but we’re announcing the Victorian recipients of the Level Crossing Upgrade program. There are 32 projects right the way across the state, the state of Victoria, all of them in regional Victoria, because we know across Australia, there’s over 23,000 level crossings, and it’s where this interacts with trains and cars and trucks together, we know they are the areas where people are at their most vulnerable. Train drivers and passengers are at their most vulnerable, and we want to make those safer. So today, the 32 regional level crossings across Victoria, $54 million a shared commitment between the Allan and Albanese Labor governments. The projects are funded under this program are the sort of lower cost but high priority areas. They’ve been chosen because there is a higher likelihood of an accident occurring, we know we’re seeing more frequency of train services. Thank you very much to the Victorian Government for that.

    Across Ararat and Pyrenees council areas, there are eight sites receiving over $14 million in funding. And as I said, there’s, such as some of them are passive already, and they’ll be receiving boom gates and also signalling approaches as well. And this is a really important program that we’ve been rolling out across the country, and it’s great to be able to do that here today.

    I’m also in Victoria, announcing the recipients of the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. This is a program where we’ve increased money to local councils to ensure that they are able to build some of the more costly roads, but really to upgrade those. And there are roads across, again, regional Victoria, from Swan Hill to Leongatha and two projects in Yarriambiack, which is a terrific community, and also one in the greater Shepparton area, as well as two projects that you’ll see in the Budget on budget night across the Princes Highway, both in Lakes Entrance and Beaconsfield. Again, that Safer Local Roads is all part of the Labor Government’s commitment to actually increasing funding for regional roads.

    What we’ve done since we’ve came to office is we’ve increased, doubled Roads to Recovery funding for every single Council, not just select councils using colour coded spreadsheets, every council is receiving double the amount of money. We’ve reversed the cuts to road maintenance funding. It was pretty shocking to me when we came to office that the Liberal Party had cut road maintenance funding for our national highways, and that was a significant cut. We have not only re-indexed the road maintenance funding, but we’ve backdated it to make sure we actually filled the hole that that cut had left. So you’re seeing that work, then you’ve seen the Safer Local Roads program, the Level Crossing Upgrade program, and as well, as I said, The Black Spot Road program. So there’s been significantly more money put into those things. All of that really directed to improving our regional country roads. I’ll hand over to Martha and see if we’ve got any questions.

    MARTHA HAYLETT – VICTORIAN MEMBER FOR RIPON: Perfect. Thank you so much, Minister King, and thank you for being here in Buangor today. To have $14 million just across the Ararat and Pyrenees Shires is huge for our region. So, we know that we’re adding more weekend services on the Ararat line. We’re increasing that frequency of trains, and we need to make sure that the safety of the level crossings and the pedestrian crossings are much safer. So, the fact that we’re going to have boom gates and much higher safety is a win, not just for the people on the trains, but also people driving on our rural and regional roads. So, this is what we also can achieve when we have a genuine partner in Canberra. And it’s fantastic to be working with the Albanese Labor Government on this project. So, this has had some state government funding as well, and we’ve been able to do this together. So, it’s a big, big win for our region, and we’ll just make our roads and our rail even safer.

    JOURNALIST: Catherine, this isn’t the first announcement along here. There’s three projects underway in Beaufort at the moment, so you’re spending a fair bit of money on this particular line.

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, well, again, really important. We know, particularly, you know, we want to get upgrades and improvements to rail and the passenger experience, but particularly, we also want to make sure it’s safer for regional communities. We know that level crossings are the one place where you do have that interaction between, if you’re a truck driver – their workplace, if you’re a train driver – the train driver’s workplace, and we know we see too many regional Australians injured, or lose their lives in level rail crossing accidents. As I said, there’s 23,000 of them across the country. We can’t remove all of them. We just simply can’t. It would be too costly to do that, but what we can do is make all of them safer, and that means better signalling, better opportunities for people to know when a train is coming. And on this particular area, when we’ve seen increase in trains frequency, increase in passenger numbers using rail, we’ve really got to do something, and they’ve been chosen to make sure you know these are the areas where the most accidents likely to happen.

    JOURNALIST: Are all of these dedicated crossings getting boom gates?

    CATHERINE KING: It’ll be a mix. So some, some will have just signalling in the way that you’ve seen in this passive crossing here. Some will have the boom gates put in. But each of them are substantial commitments. Most of them are in the over the $1 million mark. So, there’s quite a substantial amount you can do for that.

    JOURNALIST: Is some of the money for signalling as well?

    CATHERINE KING: Some of it is for what you do, you put on the track. There’s a, I don’t know the name of it, but it says it provides the opportunity for signal to then connect to the light. So it’s actually a box that goes on the train, but the engineers and people who know trains will tell you about what that looks like. It’s called an axel something or other [laughs]

    JOURNALIST: I don’t know either. [all laugh] Is this something the state government’s been wanting to work in partnership for a while?

    CATHERINE KING: Yes, so in particular, here in Victoria, we have a lot of level crossings. It’s been a, you know, his history of our fabulous rail that we have in the state of Victoria means that we’ve got substantial number of level rail crossings. I don’t know if we’ve got more than any other state. I’d have to check that fact. But I certainly think, you know, the history of our state sees that happen. So the Victorian Government has helped us choose the sites they know, obviously the frequency of their passenger and freight services and other roads that are busy as well. So this has been a true partnership between the two of us to really get these crossings improved. So 32 of them. We’ve still got more to do, but that’s a pretty good batch for Ararat and Pyrenees Shires.

    JOURNALIST: And when’s this likely to be rolled out Catherine?

    CATHERINE KING: So the money’s available now. The projects have been identified, so it’ll be rolled out this year.

    JOURNALIST: Yeah, and Martha, you’d be very happy with the new timetables out, with extra trains?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: Exactly! And we’ve got some later night services as well. And it’s going to be really, a real benefit for especially those weekend passengers, uh, they’ll be able to go, go down to Melbourne, go see a show, see some of the footy, and then come back to Ararat. So I want to thank everyone locally in our at who contacted me and pushed me on that one, and we’ve been able to get some, some good wins on that.

    JOURNALIST: Was there much public feedback?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: A lot! Yeah, so,

    JOURNALIST: I tried to help…

    MARTHA HAYLETT: And from the Ararat Advocate! So a lot of people contacting me, calling me, emailing me, and they still are. So there’s lots of happy feedback about the fact that we’ve got some later night services on the weekend.

    JOURNALIST: And I think the timetable comes in, you know, about a month’s time, doesn’t it?

    MARTHA HAYLETT: Yes, exactly, yeah. So it’ll kick in very soon, mid next month, and be fantastic. So we’ve got two additional services on each day. So really, technically eight, eight extra services on that…

    JOURNALIST: So I can hear a train coming.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rome-Area Fentanyl Dealer Receives Federal Prison Sentence

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROME, Ga. – Deaja Simone Clemons has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl.                                                                                                                                        

    “Clemons admits to selling thousands of fentanyl pills at a time that the illegal distribution and use of this drug continues to ravage communities within and outside our district,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “Our Office is grateful for the collaboration among our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners which makes it possible to combat the threat of drug traffickers like Clemons.”

    “Illicit drugs like fentanyl has destroyed countless lives,”  said Jae W. Chung, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Keeping our communities safe is our highest priority.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges, and other information presented in court: In February 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Rome, Georgia, Field Office received information that Deaja Clemons was dealing fentanyl in the Rome area. A subsequent investigation revealed that in the month of February, Clemons sold 121 blue pills marked with M30 (counterfeit pills made to resemble oxycodone 30 mg pills) that contained fentanyl. Clemons had sold 60 of those fentanyl pills in Rome, and 61 in Cedartown, Georgia. 

    In early April 2024, DEA special agents and Polk County police officers followed Clemons from Rome to Polk County. Polk County officers stopped Clemons en route back to Rome and, during a search of her car, recovered 124 blue, counterfeit “M30” pills containing fentanyl and $3,922 in cash. Clemons was arrested and, during the investigation that followed, DEA special agents discovered that Clemons had been selling about 300 fentanyl pills a week for approximately three months.

    United States District Judge William M. Ray, II, sentenced Deaja Simone Clemons, 29, of Rome, Ga., to 63 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Clemons was convicted of the charges on December 13, 2024, after she pleaded guilty.          

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AC-HIDTA), and the Polk County Police Department.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas M. Forsyth, III and Calvin A. Leipold, III prosecuted the case.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strategic Initiative focused on combatting the fentanyl crisis in northwest Georgia. OCDETF identifies and eliminates the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Anyone with information about drug sales/trafficking in their area can report it to the GBI at1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or DEA’s Atlanta Division Office at (404) 893-7000. Online tips can be submitted at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

    The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia encourages parents and children to learn about the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs at the following websites: www.justthinktwice.gov, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.operationprevention.com/, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and www.dea.gov/onepill.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Baltimore Man Sentenced to More Than 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting Multiple Minors

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – Today, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Delroy James Scott, 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 32 years in federal prison, followed by 50 years of supervised release, for the coercion and enticement of a minor and sexually exploiting six minors.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; Chief Charles H. Hinnant, Cumberland Police Department; and Allegany County State’s Attorney James Elliott.

    According to his guilty plea, between November 2021 and May 2022, Scott exploited six minor females between the ages of 9 and 14. Scott, who used an alias and pretended to be 16, utilized mobile phones and online applications to meet and communicate with the minor victims.  He then persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced the minor victims to meet him to engage in sex acts and/or to produce sexually explicit images and videos. Scott also had victims send him explicit images and videos and threatened to expose some of the victims to coerce them to produce explicit videos and engage in additional sex acts.

    Scott traveled to the apartment of Minor Victim 1, age 9, on two separate occasions and coerced the victim to engage in sex acts. He pressured Minor Victim 2, age 11, to send explicit videos and images, and then threatened to expose her to her parents if she didn’t meet Scott in person to engage in sex acts.  Scott convinced Minor Victim 3, age 13, to provide the address to her Alleghany County residence where he climbed into her bedroom window and sexually assaulted her.

    The defendant traveled to the middle school of Minor Victim 4, age 12, on three separate mornings, and coerced the victim to engage in sex acts by threatening to expose her with videos he claimed he made of them.  He coerced Minor Victim 5, age 10, to produce and send him explicit videos and then coerced her to send additional explicit videos by threatening to tell her mother.

    Scott recorded he and Minor Victim 6, age 15, engaging in sexually explicit conduct on multiple occasions.  Additionally, according to facts presented at sentencing, between 2017 and 2022, Scott engaged in similar unlawful conduct with multiple minor victims between the ages of 12 and 16.

    This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.  Learn more about Internet safety education by clicking on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, Cumberland Police Department, and Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow who prosecuted the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese commerce minister meets Broadcom CEO

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Hock Tan, president and CEO of Broadcom, a technology company headquartered in the United States, in Beijing on Friday.

    During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on topics including Broadcom’s business development in China and cooperation between Chinese and U.S. technology companies, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce.

    China is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, actively promoting the deep integration of the Internet, big data, artificial intelligence and the real economy, advancing an “AI Plus” initiative, and fostering the growth of the intelligent industry, Wang said.

    This will provide more opportunities for cooperation among global high-tech enterprises and technological advancements in related fields will also bring more benefits to humanity, he noted.

    Wang emphasized that in the face of a complex and challenging international landscape, China remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding its opening up to the world.

    China is committed to creating a stable, transparent and predictable investment environment for multinational corporations operating in the country, Wang said.

    He added that China welcomes U.S. companies, including Broadcom, to continue investing in the Chinese market and to share in its development opportunities.

    Tan said China has been continuously advancing technological innovation as well as opening up and cooperation in recent years and has achieved remarkable accomplishments.

    It is the stability and certainty of the Chinese government and its policies that enable enterprises to better forecast the market and drive innovation, Tan added.

    He said that Broadcom will continue to provide stable and high-quality products and services to Chinese customers and partners and support China’s high-quality development. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Hosts Google, Internet Matters and Dope Black Dads for Let’s Talk Online Safety Panel Event at KX

    Source: Samsung

     
    LONDON, U.K. –  March 18, 2025: Samsung welcomed parents, teachers, carers and industry guests to Samsung KX for a panel discussion: Let’s Talk Online Safety, moderated by broadcaster, author and founder of Happy Place, Fearne Cotton.
     
    Fearne was joined by Deborah Honig, Chief Customer Officer for Samsung UK & Ireland, Vanessa Kingori OBE, Managing Director of Technology, Media, and Telecoms for Google, Rachel Huggins, Co-CEO of Internet Matters, and Marvyn Harrison, Founder of Dope Black Dads.
     
    Each panellist shared their own experiences as parents on this important topic and provided guidance on where people can find the right resources to keep young people safe online. This is important as Samsung research shows that almost a fifth of parents don’t know how to set up parental controls and more than a third confess that their children know more about technology than they do.
     
    The key topics for the panel were:
     
    How parents are navigating online safety for their children and the challenges they face
    How parents and teachers can make the right choices when it comes to keeping young people safe online
    How tech companies can best support in tackling this issue with features and education
    The critical role everyone has to play in supporting young people taking advantage of technology in a safe and responsible way
     
    Fearne opened the panel with her own experiences, saying, “My children are nine and twelve so I’m in the thick of it. Neither have a phone and I’m trying to hold off until they’re thirteen or fourteen. But I know every parent makes different choices. My own worries won’t greatly differ from yours, what are they watching and who are they talking to online?” 
     

     
    Rachel Huggins also provided her thoughts, saying, “It’s really hard being a parent at the moment and eight out of ten say they feel overwhelmed. It starts with understanding what your children are doing and what they want to do online. Then you can get to know the tools that are available to manage those experiences.”
     
    The panel then considered how parents and teachers can make the right choices. Marvyn Harrison spoke about what he’s seeing in the community and in his own family. He said, “I try not to be a fearmonger. I want my children to be comfortable online. But I do know there can be risks. That’s why I’m trying to join them in their internet use so I can understand what they’re doing and seeing so I can make sure they’re safe.”
     
    Fearne turned to Deborah Honig and Vanessa Kingori to talk about how tech companies can best support everyone in tackling the issue; how they’re communicating online safety to customers; and how they develop safety features with this in mind.
     
    Deborah shared how Samsung listens to what people need and considers how they can use tools more easily. She said, “We develop with safety in mind. It’s a journey that we’ve been on for a while. It’s about showing people what tools are there and giving them the confidence and comfort to use them. We’re working hard to put out the most accessible resources to empower parents, teachers and kids to have conversations about what’s happening online and how to deal with it.”
     
    Vanessa also gave her perspective, “At Google, we invest deeply in long-standing projects with great partners, some of whom are here today. Our aim is to empower parents to use available tools and give young people the tools to understand and have a healthy relationship with technology.”
     
    Attendees then heard more about where information and resources are available, and how this subject is being tackled in schools. Marvyn spoke about his own platform evolving to meet the needs of parents and the significant interest he’s seen from the communities he interacts with. Rachel also gave her insight on the fragmentation of how the subject is tackled across schools and the difficulty teachers can have in staying up to date with the rapid evolution of technology. There’s an ongoing call for media literacy, including online safety, to be further embedded in the National Curriculum, which Samsung supports.
     

     
    The debate ended with each panellist summarising what they hoped the audience would take away from the evening. Chief among these were hopes that parents would feel empowered by knowing the tools exist, and that parents’ behaviour with their own devices will influence children with theirs. Panellists also highlighted the importance of events such as this, where everyone works together to have open and honest conversations. They all emphasised that no-one is alone and the work will continue.
     
    Following the discussion, the audience asked questions learning more about how to have the right conversations. They also met with Samsung product trainers, who demonstrated the online safety features available across devices.
     

     
    This event recognised the importance of equipping parents and teachers with the confidence and knowledge of online safety to help children enjoy the benefits of technology safely. Samsung champions and encourages these types of conversations all year round through customer interactions, but also crucially through educational initiatives that encourage parents and carers to have early conversations with their children about the responsible use of technology.
     
    For more useful information and online safety resources, please visit Samsung’s Online Safety site here, and Internet Matters here.
     
    You can also watch the full panel discussion here on our YT Channel: Let’s Talk Online Safety.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Children need to be wise owls when it comes to the internet

    Source:

    A new resource to help teachers teach internet privacy issues to primary and intermediate school students was launched on 11 February to coincide with Safer Internet Day and the start of the 2014 school year. The online resource named OWLS is a joint project by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and NetSafe, in partnership with the NZ National Commission for UNESCO. It was introduced to students and teachers at Tawa School in Wellington by the Associate Minister of Education and Minister of Youth Affairs, Nikki Kaye. The Privacy Commissioner, Marie Shroff, says the internet and mobile technology expose children to a range of risks that previous generations have never had to deal with. Teaching children how to protect their privacy online increasingly involves schools because children are experimenting in digital media from very young ages.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC DEX+ Forms Strategic Partnership with pump.fun for Next Evolution of DeFi and CeFi Integration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced a strategic partnership with pump.fun, the world’s leading crypto token launchpad where anyone can create their own token for free. This collaboration aims to enhance the trading experience on MEXC’s DEX+ platform and explore further synergies between centralized finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The first step in this partnership will be the integration with pump.fun’s new DEX, PumpSwap.

    MEXC has recently launched its innovative hybrid product, DEX+, offering a seamless, one-stop solution for both on-chain and off-chain trading. This unique platform enables users to trade directly on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) through the MEXC App and website, providing access to a diverse array of on-chain assets. The initial version of DEX+ will support the Solana ecosystem, giving users the ability to trade over 10,000 tokens available on Raydium and pump.fun. Future updates will expand to include additional DEXs and blockchain networks, broadening the platform’s reach and liquidity.

    MEXC DEX+ simplifies the complexities of DEX by enabling users to trade various on-chain assets within the Solana ecosystem directly through a familiar CEX interface. This eliminates the need to manually hurdle through multi-step interactions, such as switching wallets or cross-chain transactions.

    Through this strategic partnership with pump.fun, MEXC aims to provide a streamlined, accessible experience for the potential onchain assets, further solidifying its commitment to innovative solutions within the crypto space. MEXC DEX+ users gain unique access to trade newly launched tokens on pump.fun at an early stage. DEX+ allows users to participate in trading as soon as a memecoin is issued, even before it is listed on CEX, enabling them to capitalize on market opportunities from the outset. By leveraging pump.fun’s robust capabilities in launching memecoins, this model significantly lowers the entry barrier for users seeking to enter the Web3 trading space.

    “MEXC is committed to offering a broad spectrum of accessible assets through our listing strategy while ensuring fast listing speeds and top-tier security for our users. With DEX+, we aim to address key challenges by providing a familiar, CEX-like trading experience while retaining the benefits of accessing on-chain assets. We are thrilled to partner with pump.fun to empower users to discover and support memecoins in this rapidly evolving investment space. This collaboration underscores our dedication to fostering innovation and providing new opportunities for our users in the ever-evolving crypto landscape,” said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC.

    “pump.fun democratized token creation, standardized token contracts, and brought crypto to the people. pump.fun’s partnership with MEXC will give DEX+ users a powerful tool to access the coins they want to trade—long before they’re available on a centralized exchange. pump.fun is building crypto’s largest social network, and bridging communities across crypto through partnerships like this with MEXC is how that foundation is built,” said Alon Cohen, Co-Founder pump.fun.

    Looking ahead, MEXC’s DEX+ is positioned to be a transformative force in the evolution and mass adoption of DeFi and DEX ecosystems, with its strategic partnership with pump.fun marking a crucial first step in this journey. As user adoption of decentralized trading accelerates, the seamless integration of centralized and decentralized exchange models becomes essential, and MEXC stands at the forefront of this convergence, systematically expanding our ecosystem partnerships to deliver increasingly sophisticated, secure, and user-centric trading experiences that will define the next generation of crypto trading.

    To celebrate the successful launch of DEX+ and its strategic partnership with pump.fun, MEXC is pleased to announce its incentive program: new users completing trades of 100 USDT or more on the DEX+ platform will be eligible to receive a 20 USDT reward. For more details, please visit: https://www.mexc.com/dex-rewards.

    About MEXC

    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries and regions, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

    For more information, visit: MEXC Website｜X｜Telegram｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
    For media inquiries, please contact MEXC PR Manager Lucia Hu: lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0a6c9be-3f08-4308-9af1-4b03fbb963c3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WECANGROUP AND SEALCOIN INTEGRATE THEIR TECHNOLOGY TO SECURE DEVICE-TO-DEVICE TRANSACTIONS WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART KYO (KNOW YOUR OBJECT) SOLUTION BASED IN SWITZERLAND

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WECANGROUP AND SEALCOIN INTEGRATE THEIR TECHNOLOGY TO SECURE DEVICE-TO-DEVICE TRANSACTIONS WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART KYO (KNOW YOUR OBJECT) SOLUTION BASED IN SWITZERLAND

    Geneva, Switzerland – March 21, 2025 –WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announces that its subsidiary SEALCOIN and WeCanGroup are joining forces to enable secure transactions and advanced identity verification within the WeCanGroup ecosystem. This partnership will bring together SEALCOIN’s blockchain-based IoT and digital asset ecosystem with WeCanGroup’s trusted compliance and data security framework, enhancing the way banking, government and defense sectors onboard and interact with connected devices.

    SEALCOIN is designed to securely authenticate and facilitate transactions between IoT devices, making them fully trusted and autonomous actors within a decentralized economy. By integrating SEALCOIN’s cybersecurity and blockchain capabilities into the WeCanGroup ecosystem, IoT devices will be able to perform secure, verifiable transactions while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

    WeCanGroup, a leader in secure digital identity and compliance solutions, is dedicated to enhancing data security and trust across industries. Through this collaboration, WeCanGroup’s Know Your Client (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) solutions will be expanded with Know Your Object (KYO), a revolutionary approach to verifying and managing IoT devices in highly regulated environments.

    Unlocking New Use Cases in Regulated Sectors

    The integration of SEALCOIN and WeCanGroup’s digital identity solutions will foster advanced onboarding processes for IoT ecosystems, enabling high-trust, high-security transactions in:

    ✔ Banking & Finance – Enabling trusted digital asset transactions, compliance-driven IoT payments, and regulatory oversight for financial services.

    ✔ Government & Public Services – Secure authentication of connected devices used in critical infrastructure, identity management, and smart city applications.

    ✔ Defense & Aerospace – Ensuring tamper-proof identity verification and transactional integrity for defense IoT systems and secure communication networks.

    Strengthening Cybersecurity & Compliance for the IoT Economy

    “This partnership marks a significant step toward making IoT truly transactional, while ensuring compliance and data security,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO at WISeKey. “With SEALCOIN’s advanced PKI-based IoT security and WeCanGroup’s trusted compliance solutions, we are creating a new standard for identity and transaction verification in highly regulated environments.”

    “WeCanGroup has always been committed to enhancing data integrity and regulatory compliance, and this collaboration will allow us to extend our expertise beyond individuals and enterprises to include connected devices,” added Vincent Pignon, Founder and Chairman at WeCanGroup. “By combining KYC, KYB and KYO, we are enabling a future where IoT transactions are as secure, compliant, and trusted as any financial transaction today.”

    Next Steps

    The partnership will initially focus on pilot programs with key partners in finance, government and defense, before expanding to broader industrial and smart infrastructure use cases.

    About WeCanGroup

    Founded in 2015 in Switzerland, WeCanGroup is a leading provider of blockchain-based solutions for secure data management, serving individuals, enterprises, and financial institutions. The company is dedicated to improving data handling efficiency in response to the increasing volume of sensitive information being generated globally. By leveraging blockchain technology, WeCanGroup promotes the tokenization of data as a solution to common issues related to data completeness, redundancy, and security.

    One of WeCanGroup’s flagship platforms, Wecan Comply, is a leading platform for orchestrating KYC & KYB compliance data. From onboarding to periodic reviews and audits, the platform seamlessly connects financial institutions through a secure and standardized data exchange protocol.

    WeCanGroup has established itself as a market leader in Switzerland, recognized and adopted by major wealth management firms, banks, financial intermediaries, and large global enterprises. The platform enables the storage, request, sharing, and management of various types of data, such as KYB and KYC, leveraging the most advanced data exchange and storage infrastructure on the market.

    About SEALCOIN

    SEALCOIN, powered by WISeKey, is a secure digital transaction platform designed to enhance safety and compliance in blockchain-based payments and device-to-device transactions. With a strong focus on identity verification and cryptographic security, SEALCOIN is shaping the future of trusted digital ecosystems.

    For more information, please visit www.sealcoin.ai and www.wecangroup.ch.

    About WISeKey

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com     		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@equityny.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada invests in protecting children and youth from online sexual exploitation

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    March 20 2025

    Ottawa, Ontario

    Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $39.7 million in federal funding to protect children and youth from online sexual exploitation.

    Local Internet Child Exploitation Units in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are now receiving up to $21.5 million through to 2027 via the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime to support their investigative capacity.

    Police across the country work tirelessly to prevent these crimes against children, and bring perpetrators to justice. With this funding, Internet Child Exploitation Units will be able to hire and train more staff and purchase the specialized tools and equipment necessary to support their investigations.

    • Ontario Provincial Police received $7,543,975
    • Sûreté du Québec and Ministère de la sécurité publique du Québec received $5,557,900
    • British Columbia policing services received $3,536,842
    • Edmonton Police Service and Calgary Police Service received $3,028,000
    • Halifax Regional Police, Cape Breton Regional Police and multiple municipal agencies in Nova Scotia received $757,895
    • Regina Police Service and Saskatoon Police Service received $548,018
    • Kennebecasis Regional Police Service received $505,264

    In addition, $18.2 million through to 2029, will be provided to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) to continue its vital work in protecting children from online sexual exploitation and respond to increasing demand for its services.

    C3P provides public education and assists survivors and their families through advocacy, research, and resources. It has been a key partner under the National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet (National Strategy) since its inception in 2004.

    The Government of Canada, through the National Strategy, is committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation of any kind. This investment and our continued partnership with law enforcement agencies and organizations like C3P are crucial to Canada’s fight against this heinous crime.  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Madison County Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Cyberstalking, Extortion, and Production of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. –  A New Hope man was sentenced today for stalking and extorting a woman and producing child pornography involving two minor victims, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

    U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke sentenced Donald Wayne Carmody, 29, of New Hope, Alabama, to 480 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In December, Carmody pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, extortion, and production of child pornography. These convictions will require Carmody to register as a sex offender in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

    According to the plea agreement, Carmody used anonymous text messages to threaten to release pictures of the victim on the internet if she did not send him intimate photographs. Carmody also obtained the victim’s login credentials for her social media accounts and accessed their contents. After Carmody was arrested on cyberstalking and extortion charges for this conduct, investigators discovered a USB thumb drive belonging to him that contained images of child pornography involving two victims under the age of twelve. The FBI’s Video Forensic Analysis Unit compared the images from the thumb drive, which showed a person’s hand, to pictures of Carmody’s hands taken during the investigation. The Unit identified similar class and distinguishing characteristics between the images, demonstrating that the hand in the images on the thumb drive belonged to Carmody.    

    The FBI investigated the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Hundscheid prosecuted the case.

    If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

    The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. For more resources on cybercrime, visit www.ic3.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Utah Man Sentenced to 12 Years’ Imprisonment for Attempting to Receive Images of Child Sexual Abuse

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. GEORGE, Utah –Todd Robert Michels, 54, of Washington City, Utah, was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment, and a lifetime of supervised release after he admitted that he attempted to receive images of child sexual abuse.

    According to court documents and statements made at Michel’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on November 3, 2023, Michels communicated via the internet with an individual he thought was the father of a seven-year-old boy. Michels was actually communicating with an undercover officer. During these communications, Michels said he wanted to sexually abuse the undercover officer’s seven-year-old son and that he had fantasized about such behavior for a long time. Michels also requested sexually explicit photographs of the child. The undercover officer and Michels ultimately agreed to meet for the purpose of Michels sexually assaulting the seven-year-old boy. Upon Michels’ arrival at the meeting location, he was taken into custody.

    Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah made the announcement.

    The case was investigated jointly by The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.

    Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Sidetrade sets new ESG benchmarks with elevated EthiFinance and EcoVadis ratings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Sidetrade, the global leader in AI-powered Order-to-Cash applications, has raised the bar in corporate sustainability, securing a prestigious Platinum medal from EthiFinance and a Silver medal from EcoVadis for 2024. These top-tier accolades underscore Sidetrade’s commitment to responsible innovation and sustainable business practices.

    For the year 2024, Sidetrade achieved an overall rating of 84/100 from EthiFinance, the rating agency specializing in European-listed SMEs. This score places Sidetrade at the highest level with a Platinum medal with an 8-point increase from 2023. The improvement reflects tangible progress in reducing environmental impact, strengthening governance and ethical frameworks, and embedding sustainability into corporate strategy.

    Sidetrade also enhanced its standing with EcoVadis, the world’s most trusted business sustainability ratings, with a 70/100 score for 2024 and earning a Silver medal for the second consecutive year. A key highlight was Sidetrade’s significant improvement in environmental performance with a 10-point jump in this category. This advancement reflects the company’s targeted sustainability initiatives and responsible business practices. As a result, Sidetrade ranks among the top 15% of the highest-performing companies across all industries, audited by EcoVadis.

    Philippe Gangneux, CFO and CSR Ambassador at Sidetrade commented: “Since 2021, we have been implementing an ambitious ESG roadmap. Sidetrade’s steady rise in ESG rankings reflects a dynamic approach where economic performance and positive impact go hand in hand. Today, the results are significant, and our impact is recognized by EthiFinance and EcoVadis. These distinctions strengthen our determination to redefine standards, drive relentless innovation, and embed sustainability at the core of our business model”

    A long-term commitment to sustainability

    Sidetrade’s CSR strategy is structured around four pillars:

    • Reducing Carbon Footprint: Implementing initiatives to minimize its environmental impact and align its actions with the Paris Agreement targets.
    • Fostering Innovation and Inclusion: Promoting talent diversity and collaborative excellence to drive creativity and ensure equal opportunities.
    • Digital Security and Ethics: Strengthening data protection standards and advocating for responsible digital practices.
    • Integrity and Transparency: Upholding ethical business practices and exemplary governance.

    By the end of the year, Sidetrade will publish its Bilan Carbone® and 2024 CSR Report. Learn more about Sidetrade’s CSR commitments.

    Media relations @Sidetrade
    Becca Parlby                  +44 7824 5055 84             bparlby@sidetrade.com

    About Sidetrade (www.sidetrade.com)
    Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) provides a SaaS platform designed to revolutionize how cash flow is secured and accelerated. Leveraging its next-generation AI, nicknamed Aimie, Sidetrade analyzes $7.2 trillion worth of B2B payment transactions daily in its Cloud, thereby anticipating customer payment behavior and the attrition risk of 39.9 million buyers worldwide. Aimie recommends the best operational strategies, dematerializes and intelligently automates Order-to-Cash processes to enhance productivity, results and working capital across organizations.
    Sidetrade has a global reach, with 400+ talented employees based in Europe, the United States and Canada, serving global businesses in more than 85 countries. Amongst them: Bidcorp, Biffa, Bunzl, Engie, Inmarsat, KPMG, Lafarge, Manpower, Page, Randstad, Saint-Gobain, Securitas, Tech Data, UGI, and Veolia.
    Sidetrade is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact, adhering to its principles-based approach to responsible business.
     For further information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow @Sidetrade on LinkedIn.
     In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, only the English version is to be taken into account.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Drone Services Market Size Predicted to Surpass Around $555 Billion By 2034

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The drone services worldwide market has been growing substantially in recent years and is projected to continue into the several years to come. According to a report from Precedence Research, the global drone services market size accounted for USD 24.56 billion in 2024, grew to USD 33.55 billion in 2025 and is predicted to surpass around USD 555.58 billion by 2034, representing a healthy CAGR of 36.60% between 2024 and 2034. The North America drone services market size is calculated at USD 8.84 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a fastest CAGR of 36.78% during the forecast year. The report said: “North America held the highest share of the global drone services market in terms of value. This is due to major service providers’ presence and early adoption of high-end drone technologies. Furthermore, the region’s market is driven by increased demand for aerial photography in the real estate and construction sectors. The US is a significant market for drone services in North America, accounting for a large share of the region’s market.   Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Large drone service providers exist in APAC countries such as China and Japan. Limited regulation on commercial drone use and price drop drive market demand. Furthermore, the rise is attributed to increased government and OEM investments in drone services propelling the market. The rising demand for industry-specific solutions and the increasing demand for time-efficient delivery are driving the growth of the drone service market… Along with this, the growing initiative from governments and regulatory bodies to develop drones propels the market forward.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Unusual Machines (NYSE: UMAC), ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO).

    Precedence Research continued: “Due to the widespread availability of low-cost drones, photography has become well-known for applications requiring high-resolution cameras. Aerial photography offers new perspectives on innovative city projects, large township projects, and multi-story building projects. Mini drones are also becoming popular for wedding photography and videography. Furthermore, the real estate and infrastructure industries also see increased demand for drones. Drones are used for various commercial purposes, including agriculture, transportation, mapping, aerial photography, and videography. Drones increase productivity and improve farming methods. The growing demand for precision farming propels the agricultural industry and expands the drone services market. Precision farming has the potential to increase crop productivity.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Signs Seventh LOI to Acquire a Land Survey Company in Southeast Region Contributing to Drone as a Service Strategy – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has signed an LOI (Letter of Intent) to acquire a seventh land survey engineering company located in Florida, marking the fourth LOI in the Southeast Region. The company has closed one acquisition in this region to date so upon completion, this would be the second closed acquisition in the Southeast Region. Having two locations in this region will serve as a launchpad to further regional development and ZenaTech’s national DaaS business model bringing the speed and precision of AI drone solutions in a convenient subscription or pay-per-use business model to commercial and government customers.

    “Florida is strategic to our Drone as a Service strategy as it offers year-round flying conditions, a favorable innovation environment including consistent state-wide regulations, and existing government drone use for public safety, disaster response, and transportation monitoring. With growing commercial sector interest in agriculture, real estate, construction, and industrial inspection applications, we see multiple growth paths to help customers use drones to drive extraordinary efficiencies,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    ZenaTech’s Drones as a Service or DaaS model is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software solutions over the Internet, the company will offer ZenaDrone solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for manual or time-consuming tasks achieving more insight and precision, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or precision agriculture applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

    The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods.   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 its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Mr. Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EHang: “We are thrilled to have concluded 2024 with a series of achievements that have propelled us closer to the widespread commercial adoption of eVTOLs. As a pioneer in the UAM industry, we achieved our highest-ever quarterly and annual eVTOL deliveries, driving revenues to record-high levels and delivering our first year of non-GAAP profitability. This underscores the accelerating adoption of our pilotless eVTOL solutions. We worked on our production capacity expansion, deepened ecosystem partnerships for infrastructure and talents, and advanced our footprint in Asia, Europe and South America. Looking ahead to 2025, our focus remains on driving innovation, expanding our operational network, and scaling production to meet increasing demands and unlock the full potential of UAM. We are confident in our ability to lead the transformation of aerial transportation and deliver long-term value to our stakeholders.”

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, recently announced the recent completion of a successful four-day proof-of-concept demonstration with France’s Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) testing eBee VISION’s advanced capabilities.

    AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “This successful demonstration underscores the potential of the eBee VISION for enhancing maritime security and environmental protection efforts. Multiple flights were carried out in diverse conditions, both day and night. Our eBee VISION demonstrated outstanding performance, operating within a 20 km range and temperatures as low as 5°C, as well as landing smoothly on sand. Throughout the trials, various observation scenarios were tested for maritime control and surveillance, all of which were completed with positive results. This success not only highlights the robust performance of our technology but also validates the potential for growth across various markets.”

    Unusual Machines (NYSE: UMAC), a leading provider of NDAA-compliant drone components, recently announced that its Fat Shark Aura FPV Camera has been added to the U.S. Defense Department’s Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Blue UAS Framework. It is the only camera on the Blue UAS list purpose-built for first person view (“FPV”) applications, providing a high-performance, NDAA-compliant option for defense and government users.  

    This approval marks another step forward in Unusual Machines’ mission to supply NDAA-compliant FPV components for both commercial and defense applications. The Fat Shark Aura FPV Camera joins the Rotor Riot Brave F7 Flight Controller and Brave 55A ESC, both of which have already been approved under the Blue UAS Framework.

    ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO), an aerospace company focused on safety systems for commercial unmanned aircrafts and defense Counter UAS systems, recently announced that is has received its first order from the strategic partnership that the company recently announced that it entered into with ABOT, one of France’s largest drone distributors of advanced drone solutions for various industries. This partnership, announced earlier this month, was established as part of the company’s effort to expand the availability of its cutting-edge SafeAirTM parachute recovery systems in the French market. Under this new collaboration, ABOT will become an official reseller of ParaZero’s SafeAir products in France, with the two companies jointly launching a new brand, ABOT-PZ SafeAir, to align with local market preferences.

    ParaZero’s SafeAir system is a state-of-the-art drone safety solution designed to enable safe and legal drone operations in urban and high-risk environments. The system features an autonomous parachute deployment mechanism, real-time monitoring and advanced failure detection, ensuring a controlled descent in the event of an emergency. SafeAir provides a critical safety layer for commercial drone operations, supporting compliance with global aviation regulations.

    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 one 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: ITS Logistics March Port Rail Ramp Index: Trucking Capacity-to-Demand Ratio Could Increase Rates for Dray and Rail Capacity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RENO, Nev., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ITS Logistics today released the March forecast for the ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index. This month, the index reveals that Los Angeles/Long Beach (LA/LB) import volumes remain strong following the Lunar New Year, and there are signs that the trucking capacity-to-demand ratio may soon start pushing rates up for dray and rail capacity. In addition, equipment availability for exports is still an issue affecting individual ocean carrier lines throughout North America.

    “Should rates begin to increase, this may affect truckers’ ability to honor dedicated pricing and tender acceptance in Q2,” said Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS Logistics. “It could be alleviated as more volumes return to the U.S. East & Gulf Coasts, now that labor strikes are no longer a concern. With the return of volumes back to the U.S. East & Gulf Coasts, there has been a tightening of capacity and terminal congestion at the major gateways of New York/New Jersey, Norfolk, Savannah, and Houston.”

    On March 11, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) signed an extension to its Master Contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). This agreement is set to last until September 30, 2030, and includes workforce protection guidelines that require a detailed explanation of the technology that will be used and its effects on capacity and efficiency. The agreement also requires determination on the manning for new equipment to be included with stipulations that new work created by the technology be identified with training included for workers.

    Despite this new agreement, the supply chain continues to experience challenges, including the current equipment availability concerning exporters, which has been a lingering concern thus far in 2025.

    “This latest supply chain challenge in equipment availability that ITS is closely monitoring is driven primarily by equipment imbalance and rail operations,” continued Brashier. “Rail operations are seeing similar sporadic challenges regionally.  LA/Long Beach IPI dwell remains high for imports moving east. That, combined with rail transit delay and lower inland transportation costs, are pushing some shippers to move imports back to the ports on the East Coast and draying inland to avoid IPI legs.”

    As concerns over labor strikes ease, import volumes have begun redistributing from the West back to East and Gulf Coast ports. However, the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) recent proposal targeting Chinese vessels threatens to disrupt U.S. port operations once again. Announced in late January, the proposal includes fees targeting Chinese vessel operators, Chinese-built vessels, and operators with a certain percentage of vessels ordered from Chinese shipyards. Research from the World Shipping Council (WSC) has found that the proposal could add up to $3.5 million in fees per individual port call to 98% of vessels entering the U.S. The WSC notes that ocean carriers have already indicated they may eliminate service to smaller ports to avoid these costs—a move that would severely impact regional logistics ecosystems and exacerbate congestion at major North American ports.

    ITS Logistics offers a full suite of network transportation solutions across North America and distribution and fulfillment services to 95% of the U.S. population within two days. These services include drayage and intermodal in 22 coastal ports and 30 rail ramps, a full suite of asset and asset-lite transportation solutions, omnichannel distribution and fulfillment, LTL, and outbound small parcel.

    The ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index forecasts port container and dray operations for the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf regions. Ocean and domestic container rail ramp operations are also highlighted in the Index for both the West Inland and East Inland regions. Visit here for a full comprehensive copy of the Index, with expected forecasts for the U.S. port and rail ramps.

    About ITS Logistics

    ITS Logistics is one of North America’s fastest-growing, asset-based modern 3PLs, providing solutions for the industry’s most complicated supply chain challenges. With a people-first culture committed to excellence, the company relentlessly strives to deliver unmatched value through best-in-class service, expertise, and innovation. The ITS Logistics portfolio features North America’s #19 asset-lite freight brokerage, the #12 drayage and intermodal solution, a top 50 dedicated fleet, an innovative cloud-based technology ecosystem, and a nationwide distribution and fulfillment network.

    Media Contact
    Amber Good
    LeadCoverage
    amber@leadcoverage.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3fabce8-2035-4eae-84e0-05646b143c0f

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Introduces Bedrock (BR) Listing with Spot & Futures Trading, Offering 150,000 USDT to Power Next-Gen DeFi Restaking

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the listing of Bedrock (BR) on both spot and futures markets, scheduled for March 20, 2025, 12:05 (UTC), subject to sufficient liquidity. To celebrate the launch, MEXC is introducing an Airdrop+ rewards pool totaling 150,000 USDT, strengthening its support for innovative multi-asset liquid restaking solutions in the DeFi ecosystem.

    Revolutionizing DeFi: MEXC Lists Bedrock (BR) to Drive Multi-Asset Restaking Adoption

    Bedrock (BR) is an innovative blockchain project offering a multi-asset liquid restaking protocol, enabling users to earn enhanced yields on Ethereum, Bitcoin, and DePIN rewards while retaining liquidity. By integrating with DeFi ecosystems such as EigenLayer, Babylon, and the Bedrock Diamonds rewards system, Bedrock helps users maximize asset efficiency and compound returns. With 278,627 token holders, $441.77M total restaked, and 4,628.28 BTC in reserves, it delivers a robust suite of solutions that seamlessly integrate staking and restaking functionalities. The BR token serves as a key utility and governance component, driving growth and adoption across multiple blockchain networks. Learn more about Bedrock (BR) here.

    By listing Bedrock (BR), MEXC underscores its dedication to championing transformative DeFi protocols. Leveraging its robust trading environment, deep liquidity, and expansive global reach, MEXC provides Bedrock with a powerful launchpad to scale the adoption of its multi-asset liquid restaking technology. Through strategic marketing initiatives, trading events, and ecosystem collaborations, MEXC amplifies Bedrock’s visibility, showcasing its pioneering contributions to yield optimization, governance, and cross-chain synergy. This approach allows MEXC to bridge cutting-edge innovations with global markets, empowering participants across the DeFi spectrum.

    Celebrate the BR Listing with a 150,000 USDT Prize Pool

    MEXC continues its mission to support innovative blockchain projects by listing Bedrock (BR) in the Innovation Zone on March 20, 2025(UTC). The BR/USDT spot market will be available first, followed by the BR USDT perpetual futures launch , offering up to 50x leverage in both cross and isolated margin modes.

    To mark the occasion, a 150,000 USDT prize pool will be available through a series of exclusive events from March 18, 2025, at 11:00 (UTC) to April 1, 2025, at 11:00 (UTC).

    Event 1: Airdrop+ Rewards

    • Deposit and share 90,000 USDT (New user exclusive).
    • Futures Challenge — Trade to share 50,000 USDT in futures bonuses (Open to all users).
    • Invite friends and share 10,000 USDT (Open to all users).

    Your Easiest Way to Trending Tokens

    MEXC aims to become the go-to platform offering the widest range of valuable crypto assets. The platform has grown its user base to 34 million by offering a diverse selection of tokens, high-frequency airdrops, competitive fees, and comprehensive liquidity. In 2024, MEXC launched a total of 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings and 605 memecoins, with total airdrop rewards exceeding $136 million.

    About MEXC

    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    PR Manager
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/12e5bc85-cc42-49ed-8284-6cd27fb0f6c6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Dominates Token Listings with Highest Success Rate and Speed – TokenInsight Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a global cryptocurrency exchange, has reaffirmed its leadership in token listings, surpassing competitors in speed, volume, and market positioning, according to the latest TokenInsight Crypto Exchange report. Covering the period from November 1, 2024, to February 15, 2025, the report provides key insights into how centralized exchanges (CEXs) adapt to shifting market narratives during the latest bull run and how these changes influence their listing strategies.

    Key Takeaways

    • MEXC ranked first in spot listings, with 461 new tokens added.
    • The report recognized MEXC as a “Trend Capturer,” citing the strong performance of its early-listed tokens.
    • MEXC led in the conversion success rate (82.46%) for memecoin listings.
    • The exchange listed TRUMP just 2 hours and 20 minutes after its initial on-chain liquidity injection—far ahead of competitors.
    • MEXC was among the first exchanges to list major trend-driven tokens, including PNUT, CHILLGUY, AIXBT, BIO, RIFSOL, TRUMP, and VINE.

    MEXC Leads in Token Listings and Market Agility

    Over the past three months, MEXC has listed 461 new spot trading pairs—1.5 times more than Gate.io and 4.5 times more than Bitget—demonstrating its superior ability to capture market momentum. The exchange has maintained a consistent two-week listing cycle, ensuring that traders gain early access to promising assets before they reach mainstream markets.

    This agility is particularly evident in key industry trends, as MEXC has emerged as the first major exchange to list tokens tied to the four dominant narratives of the current market: Meme, DeSci, AI Agent, and Celebrity Tokens.

    A Leader in Early Listings

    The TokenInsight report recognizes MEXC as a “Trend Capturer” for positioning its traders ahead of major market moves. By listing tokens early in their lifecycle, the exchange enables traders to capitalize on rapid growth opportunities.

    For example, CHILLGUY was listed when its market cap was below $150 million and surged to $600 million within just ten days. MEXC’s reputation for early-market foresight has been reinforced by its rapid listing of high-performing tokens, including PNUT, CHILLGUY, AIXBT, BIO, RIFSOL, TRUMP, and VINE. Many of these tokens experienced significant price surges post-listing.

    A standout case is TRUMP, which MEXC listed on January 18 at 03:20 UTC, just 2 hours and 20 minutes after its initial on-chain liquidity injection—well ahead of other exchanges, which didn’t follow until after 10:00 UTC. This ultra-fast turnaround underscores MEXC’s sharp market responsiveness, allowing traders to access high-momentum tokens before broader adoption.

    Quality in On-Chain Listings

    Unlike platforms that focus solely on token volume, MEXC takes a selective approach, prioritizing high-potential on-chain assets. TokenInsight’s data reveals that MEXC’s 82.46% conversion rate from on-chain listings to its primary spot market far surpasses Gate.io’s 11.76%, highlighting its ability to identify sustainable projects.

    Largest Market Share and Top 5 CEX Ranking

    With its ability to identify and list emerging trends faster than competitors, MEXC continues to solidify its position among top-tier exchanges. Beyond leading in new listings, CoinDesk data confirms that MEXC captured the largest market share among centralized exchanges in February 2025 and secured a top-five ranking based on overall market share.

    The full report is available on TokenInsight’s official website.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is dedicated to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Known for its extensive selection of trending tokens, airdrop opportunities, and low fees, MEXC serves over 34 million users across 170+ countries. With a focus on accessibility and efficiency, our advanced trading platform appeals to both new traders and seasoned investors alike. MEXC provides a seamless, secure, and rewarding gateway to the world of digital assets.

    For more information, visit: MEXC Website | X | Telegram | How to Sign Up on MEXC
    For media inquiries, please contact MEXC PR Manager Lucia Hu: lucia.hu@mexc.com

    About TokenInsight

    TokenInsight is a leading research and data analytics firm focused on the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. Through detailed market reports and data-driven insights, TokenInsight provides actionable intelligence to investors, exchanges, and industry participants.

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fc75310-f85c-45f9-b803-96869eb2c148

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Travel with Intent to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Activity

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Frank Twing, Sr. age 33, of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in prison, to be followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old victim and travel with intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with an approximately 12-year-old victim. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Twing admitted that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old child during which he created sexually explicit videos depicting that child. He also admitted to traveling from his home in Massachusetts to New York, planning to have sex with an approximately 12-year-old child.

    Twing will also have to forfeit to the United States the property he used to commit the offenses, pay special assessments, and is required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.

    This case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the New York State Police, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Benjamin A. Gillis are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

    Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Les by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: InternetNZ – Desire for flexibility remains amid fall in number of remote workers

    Source: InternetNZ

    Nearly half of New Zealanders who have the option to work from home would like to do so more, however the actual number of people working remotely is decreasing. This is according to the latest Internet Insights annual survey conducted by InternetNZ.
    Vivien Maidaborn, CEO of InternetNZ, believes that while employers are reconsidering work-from-home arrangements and are modifying their policies, the call from employees to work from home more is not going away.
    “Over half of the New Zealand workforce have the technology to work from home, thanks to the internet. Changes made out of necessity during the pandemic are still deeply embedded for many of us as a workforce,” she said.
    The annual survey showed a significant drop of eight percentage points in the number of people who work from home some or all of the time. 38% of us now work from home some or all of the time, compared to 46% in the 2023 Insights survey.
    Opinion has become divided on how work from home has affected workplace culture. 19% percent of us now believe that working from home improves workplace culture, while 18% feel it makes it worse. 38% believed that work from home had no effect on workplace culture.
    “The new trend away from working from home so much, coupled with the persistent desire for options, will affect organisations. Some employers are attempting to provide all the available options, while others are simplifying things back down to what it was like pre-pandemic.”
    Being required to work in the office by an employer for a certain number of days remains the most common reason that people don’t work more from home. Face-to-face meetings and employer attitudes to remote working were other reasons why workers had to go into the office.
    Survey respondents also expressed a willingness to move somewhere else in the country, if they could take their job with them. Among those whose work can be done from home, 46% would consider moving somewhere else in New Zealand. 52% of New Zealanders do the type of work that can be done from home.
    The annual Internet Insights research encompasses a range of topics, including Internet use, concerns, online safety, and Artificial Intelligence.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: InternetNZ – New Zealanders spending more time online than ever – InternetNZ

    Source: InternetNZ

    A study commissioned by InternetNZ found that New Zealanders are spending more time online than ever, with 50% of respondents spending four or more hours of their leisure time on the Internet each day.
    Internet Insights is an annual survey of New Zealanders’ habits, concerns and awareness of the online world, and has seen a steady increase in the amount of time we spend online.
    On average New Zealanders spend three hours a day on the internet for personal use. 67% of 18-29 year olds spend four or more hours online in their free time, making them the demographic that is the most wired into the web.
    Vivien Maidaborn, CEO of InternetNZ, attributes the increasing trend of time spent online to several factors, including immediacy, convenience and the addictive nature of many mobile apps.
    “The appeal of apps, streaming services, and the accessibility of news and online tools have contributed to an unprecedented level of connectivity in 2025. These statistics may prompt people in Aotearoa to evaluate their online/offline balance but many will see the amount of time they spend online as normal.”
    The study also revealed that 53% of individuals aged 30-39 spend four or more hours online daily, making them the second-highest demographic in terms of time spent online. The most popular online activities for this group were social media, email, streaming TV shows, and reading news online. Facebook was the most frequented social media platform, with 58% of respondents checking it at least once per day.
    “The amount of time we’re spending online highlights the need to ensure that information we’re consuming is safe, fair, and accurate. Governments and civil society need to keep holding the gatekeepers to account and demanding change when it’s needed.”
    The top ten most popular online activities also include messaging friends, using search engines, online shopping, paying bills, gaming, and personal reading and research.
    The survey found that women spend more time on social media and messaging than men. Women spend 52% of their online time on social media and 32% on messaging, while men spend 41% and 16% of their time online on social media and messaging, respectively.
    The study also collected data on New Zealanders’ views on the most worrisome aspects of the internet, such as children accessing harmful content online, misinformation, scams, and how we feel about the rise of Artificial Intelligence.
    Maidaborn views the research as a crucial yearly indicator of how society utilises the Internet, and what that reveals about the connection between our lives and the online world.
    “The internet has transformed from a rarity to an everyday essential in the past 25 years. As it continues to grow, understanding how New Zealanders use it is crucial to addressing the challenges.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: InternetNZ – Many New Zealanders confused about where to report harmful online content, survey

    Source: InternetNZ

    A recent InternetNZ survey has found that only a third of New Zealanders know where to report harmful, dangerous, or concerning online content.
    Internet Insights, an annual survey, revealed that only 35% of people know which organisations, websites or agencies to go to if they need to report something. The percentage has dropped for a second year in a row.
    InternetNZ Chief Executive, Vivien Maidaborn feels that creating clarity in the current systems would make it more obvious for people to know what to do in such situations.
    “I think New Zealand needs a fresh approach for dealing with harmful content online. Reporting of harms is spread across so many different places, so it’s no wonder the number of people who know what to do and where to go is dropping every year.” In terms of groups who are suffering the most harm, the survey showed that young people aged 18-29, Māori, and people with disabilities are more likely to have experienced online harm or harassment.
    “Because our laws and processes are not adequate for our online world, some communities are experiencing hate, hurt and threats of violence. Minority, marginalised, and at-risk communities disproportionately experience these threats. This needs to change and there needs to be a clear path for people to follow when reporting these harms.” Maidaborn believes that gaps in regulation are making this problem worse.
    “Government regulating some aspects of the internet should be viewed as an essential part of a modern democracy. We need to start by understanding the issues faced by communities and listen to the people most affected by harmful behaviours online and the groups already working on these issues,” says Maidaborn.
    11% of New Zealanders report things they’ve seen online that might be harmful or dangerous to Netsafe, while 10% go to Police. The survey results also revealed that women and those aged over 70 are more likely to get advice from friends and whānau about keeping safe and secure online, while 23% of the overall population used Netsafe, and 16% relied on their workplace as the primary source of advice.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: InternetNZ – New Zealanders highly concerned about online misinformation, harm, and harassment

    Source: InternetNZ

    InternetNZ’s annual insights survey has revealed that misinformation remains a top concern for New Zealanders online for the sixth consecutive year.
    The results from a survey of 1001 New Zealanders showed that misleading or inaccurate information is a cause of significant concern for 61% of the population, with an additional 26% being somewhat concerned.
    Vivien Maidaborn, Chief Executive of InternetNZ, attributes this to the widespread exposure of New Zealanders to harmful misinformation online, especially on social media platforms.
    “Internet users in Aotearoa are increasingly cautious of information that has been created to mislead them. The results of the survey prove that false information is negatively impacting our collective experience of the internet”, Maidaborn said.
    The survey results indicate that women and elderly people were more concerned about misinformation than other groups, with 64% of women and 70% of elderly over 70 expressing concern. Pacific peoples were the most concerned ethnic group, with 74% of respondents either extremely or very concerned about misleading or inaccurate information.
    Maidaborn thinks the survey results reflect an environment in which people have to be vigilant about unregulated online spaces where it’s easy for mistruths to spread.
    “New Zealanders are consistently concerned in this area because they know that people who spread false information target important things like health, the environment, parliamentary processes and democracy, socio-economic conditions, and racism.”
    The results of the survey also show that 63% of respondents are extremely or highly concerned about the internet being used to spread dangerous or discriminatory content, with one in six people reporting that they have been subjected to online abuse or harassment, which can take many forms, including bullying.
    “The Internet is now a significant and important part of every aspect of our lives. New Zealanders’ level of concern reflects the need for the Government to be engaged in policy and law development that makes it a fair, equitable, and inclusive space for us to be.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: InternetNZ – Women, elderly, and minority groups more concerned about online harm, study reveals

    Source: InternetNZ

    New Internet Insights research released by InternetNZ shows a massive number of New Zealanders are concerned about young children accessing inappropriate content online.
    A staggering 71% of New Zealanders surveyed said they are either extremely or very concerned about young children accessing inappropriate content – making it the top concern for the fifth year in a row.
    Some groups are more concerned about the issue than others, with 80% of women either extremely or very concerned about young children accessing inappropriate content, and people aged 70+ registering a rate of 84%.
    InternetNZ Chief Executive, Vivien Maidaborn, says the research shows a deep and ongoing concern in Aotearoa about the Internet – especially when it comes to child safety.
    “These stats confirm what we know but aren’t doing enough to fix. The Government needs to prioritise changes to protect people. The reason why so many of us are concerned about children accessing harmful online content is because we know that our laws and processes are not adequate for the online world.” says Maidaborn.
    Security of personal data, cyber bullying, and online crime made up the rest of the top four highest concerns. Other things of major concern to New Zealanders are identity theft, misinformation, and the internet’s ability to to be used as a forum for extremist material and hate speech, and dangerous or discriminatory messages.
    “Our concerns reveal the effects of a failing regulatory system, designed before the Internet, which has never kept up with its advances. The challenge for current regulators and Government is to get together and work out what new legislation might be required.”
    The research, conducted by Verian also reveals nearly one in five New Zealanders have personally experienced online harm or harassment. 27% of young people aged 18-29, 22% of Māori, and 26% of people with a long-term disability or impairment have personally experienced online harm or harassment.
    “Work begun by the last Government needs to be followed through on to find a new approach that minimises the harm caused to New Zealanders by content and abuse” says Maidaborn.
    The annual Internet Insights research encomapasses a range of topics, including internet use, user concerns, online safety, AI, and flexible working.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: InternetNZ – Concern about AI remains high amongst New Zealanders

    Source: InternetNZ

    A recent Internet Insights survey conducted by InternetNZ has revealed that a large majority of New Zealanders (68%) are worried about the potential malicious use of AI and the lack of regulation surrounding it. While only 10% of respondents expressed more excitement than concern, 44% reported feeling more concerned than excited.
    InternetNZ Chief Executive Vivien Maidaborn believes that widespread acceptance of AI is still yet to come, but acknowledges that New Zealanders are taking the initiative to understand AI and its implications.
    Maidaborn stated, “We’re mostly still getting to grips with AI and exploring what it means to us. The concern that New Zealanders are expressing is reasonable, given the lack of awareness and education or Governmental guidance there is about it.”
    The survey also highlighted specific areas of concern, with 68% of respondents highly concerned about AI being used for malicious purposes. Other major concerns included insufficient regulation and laws (62%), inaccurate information from AI (62%), and unintended harm caused by AI (60%).
    Despite these concerns, 73% of New Zealanders admitted to knowing only ‘a little’ about AI, and 12% said they know nothing at all. Misuse of intellectual property was also a concern for 52% of respondents.
    Maidaborn emphasised the need for Government action to protect citizens from potential harm as AI continues to evolve, stating, “The New Zealand public bears the brunt of people creating tools and releasing them to the market without regulation, so we need our government to be thinking about what guidelines, policies, and laws are required to keep us safe and informed.
    “She also highlighted the importance of ensuring that AI benefits New Zealanders, stating, “The main focus for AI needs to be getting it to add value to our lives and to help us as New Zealanders, and that remains yet to be seen.”
    Currently, New Zealand is ranked 40th on the Oxford University Government AI Readiness Index. The United States, Canada, UK, France, and Australia are all in the top ten.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government of India Taking Measures Against Online Pornography

    Source: Government of India

    Government of India Taking Measures Against Online Pornography

    New IT Rules Mandate Faster Removal of Harmful Online Content

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 9:44PM by PIB Delhi

    The policies of the Central Government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable Internet for its users.

    The Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) provides punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material and material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form. The IT Act also has stringent punishment for publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in sexually explicit act in electronic form.

    Also, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules, 2021”) casts obligations on the intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to observe due diligence and if they fail to observe such due diligence, they lose the exemption from their liability under law for third-party information or data or communication link hosted by them. Such due diligence includes that in case a significant social media intermediary is providing services primarily in the nature of messaging shall enable the identification of the first originator of the information on its computer resource for the purposes of prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of an offence related to rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material.

    Such due diligence also includes that intermediaries shall remove within 24 hours any content which prima facie exposes the private area of any individual, shows such individual in full or partial nudity or shows or depicts such individual in any sexual act or conduct. Further, the rules provide for the establishment of one or more Grievance Appellate Committee(s) to allow users to appeal against decisions taken by Grievance Officers of social media intermediary on such complaints. 

    To ensure a good and healthy entertainment in accordance with the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 1983, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), regulates the public exhibition of films including adult films. According to the guidelines issued by them, films which are considered unsuitable for exhibition to non-adults shall be certified for exhibition to adult audiences only.

    Further for online publishers of curated content, the IT Rules, 2021 prescribes the code of ethics publishers of online curated content, commonly known as OTT Platforms. This code requires the OTT Platforms to classify content in specified age-appropriate categories, restrict access of age-inappropriate content by children, and implement an age verification mechanism for content classified as “Adult”.

    To further strengthen the mechanism to deal with such cybercrimes in a coordinated manner, the Government has also taken several other measures, including the following:

    (i) The Ministry of Home Affairs operates a National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) to enable citizens to report complaints pertaining to all types of cybercrimes, with special focus on cybercrimes against children. The Ministry has also set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to deal with all types of cybercrime, including cybercrime against children, in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.

    (ii)  The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial assistance to States and Union territories under the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children Scheme for capacity building, including for the setting up of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories and training of personnel of law enforcement agencies, public prosecutors and judicial officers.

    (iii) Government has from time to time blocked websites containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), based on lists from Interpol received through the Central Bureau of Investigation, India’s national nodal agency for Interpol.

    (iv) Government has issued an order to Internet Service Providers, directing them to implement Internet Watch Foundation, UK or Project Arachnid, Canada list of CSAM websites/webpages on a dynamic basis and block access to such web pages or websites.

    (v) The Dep artment of Telecommunications has requested Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to spread awareness among their subscribers about the use of parental control filters, and has also directed ISPs with International Long-Distance license to block certain websites found to be containing CSAM.

    (vi) To spread awareness on cybercrime, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken several steps that include dissemination of messages on cybercrime through the Twitter handle @cyberDost, radio campaigns and publishing of a Handbook for Adolescents/Students.

    (vii) A MoU has been signed between the National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), USA regarding sharing of Tipline reports on online child explicit material and child sexual exploitation contents from NCMEC. The Tip lines, as received from NCMEC, are being shared with States/UTs online through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal for taking further action.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2113098) Visitor Counter : 36

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government of India Taking Measures Against Online Gaming Addiction

    Source: Government of India

    Government of India Taking Measures Against Online Gaming Addiction

    MeitY has issued 1298 blocking directions related to online betting/gambling/gaming websites between the year 2022- 24

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 9:42PM by PIB Delhi

    The policies of the Central Government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable Internet for its users.

    To help achieve this aim, the Central Government after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules”) under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) to address various socio-economic concerns emanating from online games. The Government is cognizant of the risks posed by online gaming and potential harms like addiction.

    The IT Rules, 2021 casts specific obligations on online gaming intermediaries, including other intermediaries, social media intermediaries or platforms in relation to online games. Such intermediaries are required not to host, store or publish any information violative of any law for the time being in force. They are also obligated to ensure their accountability that includes their expeditious action towards removal of the unlawful information categorised under the IT Rules, 2021 or on the basis of grievances received against any information that, among other things, is harmful to child or that is relating or encouraging money laundering or gambling.

    Further, IT Act has provisions to issue blocking orders to intermediaries for blocking access to specific information/ link in the interest of sovereignty and integrity, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for inciting cognizable offence relating to above following the due process as envisaged in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information for Public) Rules, 2009.

    MeitY has issued 1298 blocking directions related to online betting/gambling/gaming websites (including mobile applications) between the year 2022- 24.

    National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs compiles and publishes statistical data on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”. NCRB doesn’t maintain any specific data related to suicides linked to online gaming.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2113096) Visitor Counter : 30

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government of India Expands AI-Driven Skilling

    Source: Government of India

    Government of India Expands AI-Driven Skilling
    India AI Mission Gains Momentum with 67 Proposals for Indigenous AI Models

    Digital India Bhashini Initiative Boosts AI-Powered Vernacular Language Accessibility

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 9:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government of India emphasizes the concept of ‘AI for All,’ aligning with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision to democratise the use of technology. This initiative aims to ensure that AI benefits all sectors of society, driving innovation and growth.

    India is regarded as the skills capital in technology and Artificial Intelligence. The most reliable ranking in AI is placing India among the top countries with AI Skills, AI capabilities, and policies to use AI. Stanford University has ranked India among the top four countries along with the US, China, and the UK in the Global and National AI vibrancy ranking based on 42 indicators. GitHub, which is community of developers has ranked India at the top with the global share of 24% of all projects.

    Government is committed to harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the good of our people in various sectors. At the same time, the Government is cognizant of the risks posed by AI and the need to create guardrails to ensure that AI is safe and trusted.

    The Government of Maharashtra has informed that Meta’s AI model is an informational chatbot which is currently in its preliminary stage.

    Union Cabinet led by Hon’ble Prime Minister has approved the IndiaAI Mission on 7th March 2024, a strategic initiative to establish a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem that aligns with the country’s development goals. This mission is driven by a vision to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence by focusing on seven foundational pillars: IndiaAI Compute, IndiaAIFutureSkills, IndiaAI Startup Financing, IndiaAI Innovation Centre, IndiaAI Datasets Platform, IndiaAI Applications Development Initiative and Safe & Trusted AI.

    One of the key pillars of the IndiaAI Mission is IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC), under which IndiaAI on 30th January, 2025, launched a Call for Proposals inviting proposals from startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs to collaborate on building state-of-the-art foundational AI models trained on Indian datasets. The initiative aims to establish indigenous AI models that align with global standards while addressing unique challenges and opportunities within the Indian context.

    In the first month, IndiaAI Mission has received a total of 67 proposals till 15th February 2025 aimed at building India’s foundation models, with contributions from both established startups and new teams of researchers & academia. 22 are focused on Large Language Models (LLMs) & Large Multimodal Models (LMMs), while the remaining 45 are centered on domain-specific models (SLMs). The majority of SLMs target key sectors such as healthcare, education, and financial services. Along with funding support, a wide range of GPUs have been requested by teams submitting these proposals.

    Further, Government of India through MeitY implemented the Digital India Bhashini initiative to provide Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven language technology solutions through the Bhashini platform (https://bhashini.gov.in) for all 22 Scheduled Indian Languages including Marathi, providing voice-based access, and to assist in the creation of content in Indian languages. Digital India Bhashini aims to build speech-to-speech machine translation systems for various Indian languages and dialects and to evolve a Unified Language Interface (ULI). This initiative enabled citizens to access digital services in their vernacular languages, further increasing digital inclusion and accessibility, as recommended in SDG 10 (Reduce inequality within and among countries). In collaboration with over 70 research institutes, Bhashini has been at the forefront of developing state-of-the-art language AI models for Indian languages. The platform currently hosts over 350 AI-based language models, encompassing Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Machine Translation (MT), Text-to-Speech (TTS), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and other services like Transliteration and Textual Language Detection, covering over 17+ language services.

    Additionally, IndiaAI in collaboration with Meta has announced the establishment of the Center for Generative AI, Srijan (सृजन) at IIT Jodhpur, along with the launch of the “YuvAi Initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building” in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), for the advancement of open source artificial intelligence (AI) in India. The partnership will enable development of indigenous AI applications, advance skill development in AI, boost research capabilities with the aim of contributing to India’s AI mission of ensuring tech sovereignty and the vision of building AI solutions that are tailor-made for India. Through education, capacity building, and policy advisory, the Government of India will be empowering the next generation of researchers, students, and practitioners with the knowledge and tools necessary for the responsible development and deployment of GenAI technologies.

    The Government of India is focused to meet the growing demand for professionals in emerging fields like data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), some of the initiatives by the Government of India to integrate Al and cybersecurity training into existing skill development programs are as under:

    • MeitY through CERT-In conducts joint cybersecurity training programs in collaboration with Industry partners to upskill the cybersecurity workforce in Government, public and private organizations with the latest skills. Technical training sessions in the area of AI-powered cybersecurity threats were conducted with experts from Industry to help the participants understand the latest threat landscape and best practices. Also, CERT-In provided expert support in the Gen AI Exchange Hackathon organized by industry partners for working professionals, student developers, freelancers and entrepreneurs in October 2024.
    • MeitY has initiated ‘FutureSkills PRIME’ a programme for Re-skilling/Up-skilling of IT Manpower for Employability in new/emerging technologies namely Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation, Augmented/Virtual Reality, Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, Additive Manufacturing/ 3D Printing, Cloud Computing, Social & Mobile, Cyber Security, and Blockchain. Under the FutureSkills Prime program, there are 119 courses specifically focused on the cutting-edge fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
    • MeitY launched the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme in 2014 with the objective of enhancing the number of PhDs in the country to compete globally in the knowledge-intensive sectors of Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES). Under the scheme, financial support is provided to Full-time & Part-time PhD candidates and Young Faculty who are undertaking research and technology development. The Scheme also provides infrastructure support to institutions.
    • MeitY through IndiaAIFutureSkills Pillar aims to increase the number of graduates, postgraduates, and PhD scholars in the AI domain while establishing Data and AI Labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to offer foundational courses in Data and AI. As part of this initiative, IndiaAI Fellowships are awarded to students pursuing relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Private or Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs) recognized by AICTE, NBA, NAAC, or UGC. So far, 150 undergraduate students, 48 postgraduate students, and 3 PhD scholars have been selected for the fellowship. Additionally, IndiaAI has set up Data Labs at NIELIT’s Delhi centre and ICIT, Nagaland, with plans to establish 27 more labs in collaboration with NIELIT across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, details of which are placed in Annexure I.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology Shri Jitin Prasada in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

     

    ******

     

    Annexure I

    List of Data & AI labs planned by IndiaAI in collaboration with NIELIT in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country:

    S.No.

    NIELIT Centre

    State/UT

    1

    Gorakhpur

    Uttar Pradesh

    2

    Lucknow

    Uttar Pradesh

    3

    Shimla

    Himachal Pradesh

    4

    Aurangabad

    Maharashtra

    5

    Patna

    Bihar

    6

    Buxar

    Bihar

    7

    Muzaffarpur

    Bihar

    8

    Kurukshetra

    Haryana

    9

    Ropar

    Punjab

    10

    Haridwar

    Uttarakhand

    11

    Bikaner

    Rajasthan

    12

    Tezpur

    Assam

    13

    Bhubaneswar

    Odisha

    14

    Calicut

    Kerala

    15

    Guwahati

    Assam

    16

    Itanagar

    Arunachal Pradesh

    17

    Srinagar

    J&K

    18

    Jammu

    J&K

    19

    Ranchi

    Jharkhand

    20

    Imphal

    Manipur

    21

    Gangtok

    Sikkim

    22

    Agartala

    Tripura

    23

    Aizawl

    Mizoram

    24

    Shillong

    Meghalaya

    25

    Kohima

    Nagaland

    26

    Leh

    Ladakh

    27

    Silchar

    Assam

     

    Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith

    *******

    (Release ID: 2113095) Visitor Counter : 29

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