Category: Internet

MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Members Padilla, Morelle Continue to Press Trump Administration on Firings of Election Security Workers, Pause of Critical Election Security Efforts

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

Ranking Members Padilla, Morelle Continue to Press Trump Administration on Firings of Election Security Workers, Pause of Critical Election Security Efforts

Lawmakers’ letter follows lack of response to letter about the firings of CISA employees who worked on election security

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and U.S. Representative Joe Morelle (N.Y.-25), Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, continued pressing senior officials at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for answers on the status of their election-related work. This comes after not receiving a response to their letter last month on the firings of CISA employees who previously worked on election security, including misinformation and disinformation issues.

“As Ranking Members of the House and Senate Committees with jurisdiction over federal elections, we have a right to understand the changes occurring at CISA given its critical election security mission,” wrote the lawmakers. “Failure to respond to these questions is deeply disturbing given so many high-ranking administration officials’ refusals to accept the outcome of legitimate elections and involvement in spreading election-related mis- and disinformation.”

Since their original letter, more CISA employees have been put on administrative leave, and CISA has paused election security efforts as they rush through an internal assessment behind closed doors without consulting Congress or state and local election officials. Meanwhile, employees of President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), including a 19-year-old staffer tied to interactions with cybercriminals, have infiltrated CISA’s systems.

“Election infrastructure is critical infrastructure. Changes at CISA could have dramatic impacts on future elections — the cornerstone of our democracy,” continued the lawmakers. “Without a reasonable, transparent process that consults with Congress and Chief Election Officials on a bipartisan basis, we are alarmed that political leadership at DHS and DOGE is directing CISA to undercut the security of our elections, making us more vulnerable to malign foreign actors and risking the safety of election officials.”

The lawmakers also condemned the permanent termination without notice of federal funds for the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC). EI-ISAC is an essential resource for threat monitoring and coordination between state officials on election security matters.

Additionally, the lawmakers highlighted a February 21, 2025, letter from the bipartisan National Association of Secretaries of State to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and pushed CISA to consult with election officials while conducting their assessment. The Secretaries’ letter underscores the need for CISA’s services to ensure the successful administration of elections.

Last week, Padilla and Morelle expressed serious concerns about the dangerous implications for elections following President Trump’s executive order purporting to bring independent regulatory agencies under total control of the White House. Padilla previously denounced the illegal firing of FEC Chair Weintraub and led 10 Democratic Senators to demand President Trump rescind this decision.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Ms. Bean and Ms. Harrington:

We are concerned by the lack of timely written response to our February 13, 2025, letter on the status of the election-related work and the treatment of employees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Since the sending of that letter, several additional, disturbing reports have come to light, including (1) more CISA employees have been put on administrative leave, (2) election security efforts have been paused during a secretive review that is being rushed through without consultation with Congress or state and local election officials, and (3) employees of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), including at least one who is a known cybersecurity risk, are reworking CISA without any transparency.

We expect a thorough and substantive response to both letters, and a briefing on the results of the assessment following its anticipated conclusion on March 6, 2025, with a discussion of any anticipated changes to the agency prior to any being finalized. While we recognize that CISA and DOGE is declining to communicate with Congress on individual personnel decisions, Congress has a right to understand the overall personnel numbers and structural changes occurring at CISA. We reiterate our request for information on the numbers of CISA employees whose work, in whole or in part, covered election-related matters that have either been placed on administrative leave or fired. Our committees have received information that the number of election security officials put on leave is greater than initially reported and public reports indicate that 130 CISA employees have been fired already.

We understand that CISA launched a review of its election security work soon after receiving our February 13 letter. While we understand the assessment of the agency’s work remains ongoing—with a reported March 6 deadline—we urge your continued commitment to maintaining elections as a key component of CISA’s core mission. Additionally, we call your attention to the February 21, 2025, letter from the bipartisan National Association of Secretaries of State and urge you to consult with key Congressional committees and Chief Election Officials before the conclusion of the assessment. In their letter, the Secretaries noted the importance of CISA’s services, including cybersecurity services, physical security assessments, planning resources, and briefings on the foreign threats facing our election systems at the state and local level. While we encourage CISA to ensure these services remain intact, decisions to upend these programs after a three-week review without seriously considering the input of Members of Congress or the individuals running elections in the states would be irresponsible and shortsighted.

We are also gravely concerned about the permanent termination of federal funds for the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC). The EI-ISAC played a critical role in threat monitoring and coordination between state officials, and the lack of notice prior to the termination of federal funding has left states unable to accept the services of the Center for Internet Security. We recommend restoring federal funding for the EI-ISAC as soon as possible. If CISA or DOGE refuse to do so, they owe Congress a substantive explanation for this decision and details of how CISA will be providing these services to states in the absence of the EI-ISAC.

Furthermore, we are shocked by public reporting that an inexperienced DOGE staffer with a history of engagement with hacking groups, and who was fired for leaking sensitive information from a previous job, is now working at CISA. We demand an immediate answer as to how many DOGE employees are currently housed at CISA, as well as the level of access they have been given to sensitive information. Senior Advisor to the President Elon Musk has publicly committed the Administration and DOGE to the highest levels of transparency, and we expect a full accounting for DOGE’s activities at an agency with a mission as sensitive as CISA’s.

As Ranking Members of the House and Senate Committees with jurisdiction over federal elections, we have a right to understand the changes occurring at CISA given its critical election security mission. Failure to respond to these questions is deeply disturbing given so many high-ranking administration officials’ refusals to accept the outcome of legitimate elections and involvement in spreading election-related mis- and disinformation. Election infrastructure is critical infrastructure. Changes at CISA could have dramatic impacts on future elections – the cornerstone of our democracy. Without a reasonable, transparent process that consults with Congress and Chief Election Officials on a bipartisan basis, we are alarmed that political leadership at DHS and DOGE is directing CISA to undercut the security of our elections, making us more vulnerable to malign foreign actors and risking the safety of election officials.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to your prompt response, no later than Monday, March 17.

Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: APEC Strengthens Science and Innovation Ties, Boosts Collaboration and Inclusive Development Gyeongju, Republic of Korea | 07 March 2025 APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation

Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

The APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology, and Innovation (PPSTI) opened its 25^th meeting last week in Gyeongju, Korea, laying the foundation for discussions on emerging technologies, strengthening scientific collaboration, and fostering inclusive development.

This year marks a transformative period for PPSTI as the group works towards updating its 10-year strategic plan and strengthening collaboration across economies. In her opening remarks, PPSTI Chair Rahima Kandahari underscored the significance of this year’s meeting, emphasizing the group’s commitment to advancing the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040.

She highlighted the endorsement of the Mission Oriented Innovation Policy (MOIP), a multi-year process aimed at enhancing the quality and impact of PPSTI initiatives.

“MOIP is a major milestone and an important step to strengthen the quality and impact of PPSTI projects and, more broadly, support the longevity and efficacy of PPSTI by aligning with expectations set forth by the Steering Committee on ECOTECH,” said Kandahari. “I believe that our combined efforts to implement this approach over the course of this year and beyond will ensure we meet our goals and address broader, grand challenges.”

Members focused their discussions and showed support for strengthening research collaboration, enhancing talent mobility—including the proposed APEC Scientists Exchange Initiative—and maximizing the socio-economic value of emerging technologies such as quantum science, artificial intelligence, and biotech. Other topics include this year’s key tasks such as boosting science and technology capacity and open science.

PPSTI Vice Chair Hazami Habib reinforced the importance of innovation in driving economic and social progress, noting that PPSTI provides a platform to address issues such as public health, food security, and digital transformation. “By working together, we can create a robust framework that supports research innovation and adoption of emerging technologies, ensuring that all APEC economies can benefit,” she said.

Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT Director General Sunghoon Hwang emphasized the economy’s long-standing commitment to science and technology-driven development. He remarked that Gyeongju, with its rich history and cultural significance, serves as an inspiring backdrop for the discussions on advancing cooperation and talent exchange in APEC.

“Digital innovation, including generative AI, has brought changes we’ve never seen before. We are also facing complex changes that cannot be tackled by one economy alone,” Hwang said. “Against this backdrop, APEC cooperation and PPSTI discussions on science, technology and innovation have become more important than ever.”

A major highlight of the meeting was the announcement of the APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research, and Education (ASPIRE). This annual award recognizes young scientists from APEC economies who have made outstanding contributions to sustainable growth and innovation. Korea, this year’s APEC host economy, has committed to supporting ASPIRE and ensuring its continued success.

“We really want to keep ASPIRE because it has a very high reputation in the field of science and technology innovation,” said Dr Hwanil Park, PPSTI Vice Chair and host representative. “This year, Korea will sponsor the award. However, for long-term sustainability, we need to discuss and reach a consensus on future sponsorship.”

Under the 2025 theme, “Leading Inclusive Development with APEC Human Resources, Powered by Open Innovation and Emerging Technologies,” PPSTI aims to drive impactful cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

The forum’s three key priorities for the year include: strengthening STI capacity through enhanced exchanges of scientists, including women and youth; fostering research and development collaboration through open innovation to address grand challenges; and enhancing linkages by maximizing the socio-economic value of emerging technologies.

For further details, please contact:

APEC Media at [email protected]

MIL OSI Economics –

March 7, 2025

MIL-OSI: Hut 8 Operations Update for February 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

592-acre site secured for newest River Bend campus in Louisiana

ASIC fleet upgrade underway with deployment of new miners

Vega development progressing on schedule for Q2 energization

MIAMI, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing, today released its operations update for February 2025.

“We made significant progress in February across every layer of our platform, from expanding our footprint to developing digital infrastructure and upgrading our ASIC fleet,” said Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8. “In our Power layer, we secured 592 acres in Louisiana for our newest River Bend campus, one of three sites comprising 430 MW of previously disclosed AI data center development opportunities. The site is expected to support a 300-megawatt utility-scale power asset with 200 megawatts of dedicated IT load.”

“In our Digital Infrastructure layer, our Vega development remains on schedule for Q2 energization. Miner deliveries for our ~15 EH/s ASIC Colocation agreement with BITMAIN are underway, and as we prepare for energization, we have begun building out the site’s operational infrastructure, including the onboarding of site management and the development of operating processes.”

“In our Compute layer, new miners began arriving at Salt Creek and Medicine Hat, and we are actively deploying them for our fleet upgrade. In parallel, we began the process of relocating the most efficient of our existing ASICs from Salt Creek to Alpha to improve overall fleet performance. While these initiatives resulted in some downtime during the month, it moves us closer to our post-upgrade hashrate target of ~10.3 EH/s and fleet efficiency target of ~20.5 J/TH.”

Highlights

Secured 592 acres in Louisiana for River Bend campus
Vega development progressing on schedule for Q2 energization (image below)
ASIC fleet upgrade underway, with new miners arriving in tranches and being deployed

Operating Metrics

Average during the period unless otherwise noted	February 2025	January 2025

Total energy capacity under management (mining)^1,^2,3	665 MW	665 MW
Total deployed miners under management⁴	109.2K	115.3K
Total hashrate under management⁵	12.3 EH/s	12.7 EH/s

Bitcoin Mining⁶
Deployed miners⁷^,⁸	41.5K	47.1K
Deployed hashrate⁹	4.6 EH/s	5.0 EH/s
Bitcoin produced²^,¹⁰	46 BTC	65 BTC
Bitcoin held in reserve²^,¹¹	10,237 BTC	10,208 BTC

Managed Services¹²
Energy capacity under management²	280 MW	280 MW
Deployed miners under management⁸	84.4K	85.7K
Hashrate under management	9.4 EH/s	9.4 EH/s

ASIC Colocation
Deployed miners under management⁸^,1³	67.7K	68.1K
Hashrate under management¹⁴	7.7 EH/s	7.7 EH/s

Energy Infrastructure Platform²

				Current/Contracted Revenue Stream(s)¹⁵
Site	Location	Owner¹⁶	Power Capacity	Bitcoin Mining	Managed Services	ASIC Colocation	CPU Colocation / Data Center Cloud	Power Generation
Vega¹⁷	Texas Panhandle	Hut 8	205 MW			Yes¹⁸
Medicine Hat	Medicine Hat, AB	Hut 8	67 MW	Yes
Salt Creek	Orla, TX	Hut 8	63 MW	Yes
Alpha	Niagara Falls, NY	Hut 8	50 MW	Yes
Drumheller¹⁸	Drumheller, AB	Hut 8	42 MW
Kelowna	Kelowna, BC	Hut 8	1.1 MW				Yes
Mississauga	Mississauga, ON	Hut 8	0.9 MW				Yes
Vaughan	Vaughan, ON	Hut 8	0.6 MW				Yes
Vancouver II	Vancouver, BC	Hut 8	0.5 MW				Yes
Vancouver I	Vancouver, BC	Hut 8	0.3 MW				Yes
King Mountain¹⁹	McCamey, TX	Hut 8 (JV)	280 MW	Yes	Yes	Yes
Iroquois Falls²⁰	Iroquois Falls, ON	Hut 8 (JV)	120 MW					Yes
Kingston²⁰	Kingston, ON	Hut 8 (JV)	110 MW					Yes
North Bay²⁰	North Bay, ON	Hut 8 (JV)	40 MW					Yes
Kapuskasing²⁰	Kapuskasing, ON	Hut 8 (JV)	40 MW					Yes
Total			1,020 MW

Upcoming Events

Dates	Event	Location
March 11–12, 2025	Cantor Crypto, Digital Assets & AI Infrastructure Conference	Miami, FL
March 16–18, 2025	37th Annual ROTH Conference	Dana Point, CA
March 24–25, 2025	Data Center Dynamics DCD>Connect	New York City, NY
March 25–27, 2025	Mining Disrupt	Fort Lauderdale, FL
April 7–8, 2025	Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference	Las Vegas, NV
May 13–15, 2025	J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference	Boston, MA
May 19–20, 2025	Barclays 15th Annual Emerging Payments and FinTech Forum	New York City, NY

Notes:

(1)	Energy capacity under management (mining) includes (i) 180 MW of Bitcoin Mining sites comprised of Alpha, Medicine Hat, and Salt Creek, (ii) 205 MW of ASIC Colocation capacity at Vega, which is currently under construction, and (iii) 280 MW of capacity under management at King Mountain.
(2)	As of the end of the period.
(3)	Includes 205 MW of capacity at Vega as the site is expected to host miners for BITMAIN.
(4)	Includes all miners that are racked with power and networking, rounded to the nearest 100, in Bitcoin Mining, Managed Services, and ASIC Colocation infrastructure with power and networking, including all miners at the King Mountain site.
(5)	Includes all Bitcoin Mining, Managed Services, and ASIC Colocation hashrate, including 100% of the hashrate at the King Mountain site.
(6)	Bitcoin Mining operations for Hut 8 include 100% of operations at the King Mountain site.
(7)	Deployed miners are defined as those physically racked with power and networking, rounded to the nearest 100; deployed Bitcoin Mining miners net of the 50% share of the King Mountain JV held by Hut 8’s joint venture partner was 33.1K during February and 38.4K during January.
(8)	Miners are rounded to the nearest 100.
(9)	Indicates the target hashrate of all deployed miners; deployed Bitcoin Mining hashrate net of the 50% share of the King Mountain JV held by Hut 8’s joint venture partner was 3.8 EH/s during February and 4.7 EH/s during January.
(10)	Bitcoin produced net of the 50% share of the King Mountain JV held by Hut 8’s joint venture partner was 38 BTC during February and 51 BTC during January.
(11)	Includes 968 Bitcoin pledged and transferred to a third-party wallet to finance Hut’s previously announced fleet upgrade.
(12)	Managed Services includes 280 MW of capacity under management at King Mountain.
(13)	33.8K deployed miners under management net of the 50% share of the King Mountain JV held by Hut 8’s joint venture partner during February compared to 34.1K during January.
(14)	3.8 EH/s under management net of Hut 8’s joint venture partner’s 50% share of the King Mountain JV during both February and January.
(15)	Reflects revenue sources to Hut 8, its subsidiaries, and/or joint ventures in which they participate.
(16)	Owned denotes ownership of power infrastructure at owned or leased data center locations, except for HPC sites where owned denotes ownership of mechanical and electrical infrastructure at leased data center locations.
(17)	Site is currently under development.
(18)	Site currently shut down; Hut 8 maintaining lease with option value of re-energizing site.
(19)	Owned by a JV between Hut 8 and a Fortune 200 renewable energy producer in which Hut 8 has an approximately 50% membership interest.
(20)	Owned by a JV between Hut 8 and Macquarie in which Hut 8 has an approximately 80% membership interest.

About Hut 8

Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing. We take a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating the critical infrastructure that underpins the breakthrough technologies of today and tomorrow. Our platform spans 1,020 megawatts of energy capacity under management across 15 sites in the United States and Canada: five Bitcoin mining, hosting, and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, four power generation assets in Ontario, and one non-operational site in Alberta. For more information, visit www.hut8.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Hut8Corp.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward–Looking Information

This press release includes “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws, respectively (collectively, “forward-looking information”). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that Hut 8 expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including statements relating to the expected River Bend site capabilities, the timing for the buildout and energization of the Vega site as well as the expected Vega site capabilities, and the timing of the delivery and deployment of the Company’s initial fleet upgrade and its fleet relocation, including the expected resulting improvements to hashrate and average fleet efficiency.

Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made. While considered reasonable by Hut 8 as of the date of this press release, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, failure of critical systems; geopolitical, social, economic, and other events and circumstances; competition from current and future competitors; risks related to power requirements; cybersecurity threats and breaches; hazards and operational risks; changes in leasing arrangements; Internet-related disruptions; dependence on key personnel; having a limited operating history; attracting and retaining customers; entering into new offerings or lines of business; price fluctuations and rapidly changing technologies; construction of new data centers, data center expansions, or data center redevelopment; predicting facility requirements; strategic alliances or joint ventures; operating and expanding internationally; failing to grow hashrate; purchasing miners; relying on third-party mining pool service providers; uncertainty in the development and acceptance of the Bitcoin network; Bitcoin halving events; competition from other methods of investing in Bitcoin; concentration of Bitcoin holdings; hedging transactions; potential liquidity constraints; legal, regulatory, governmental, and technological uncertainties; physical risks related to climate change; involvement in legal proceedings; trading volatility; and other risks described from time to time in Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see the Company’s recent and upcoming annual and quarterly reports and other continuous disclosure documents, which are available under the Company’s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov and SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Hut 8 Corp. Investor Relations
Sue Ennis
ir@hut8.com

Hut 8 Corp. Media Relations
media@hut8.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/491f8f14-dfa3-4756-b936-beb3e627bede

The MIL Network –

March 7, 2025

MIL-OSI: Asure Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Reports Full Year 2024 Revenues of $119.8 million

Full Year 2024 Recurring Revenues Grew 15% from Prior Year

Recurring Revenues Grew to 96% of Total Revenues from 84% in the Prior Year

AUSTIN, Texas, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Asure Software, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”, “Asure” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ASUR), a leading provider of cloud-based Human Capital Management (“HCM”) software solutions, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

Revenue of $30.8 million, up 17% year over year, excluding ERTC revenue up 22% from prior year fourth quarter
Recurring revenue of $28.5 million, up 14% from prior year fourth quarter
Net loss of $3.2 million versus a net loss of $3.6 million during prior year fourth quarter
EBITDA (1) of $3.4 million versus $1.1 million from prior-year fourth quarter
Adjusted EBITDA (1) of $6.2 million, versus $2.8 million from prior-year fourth quarter
Gross profit of $20.9 million versus $17.8 million from prior-year fourth quarter
Non-GAAP gross profit (1) of $22.5 million (Non-GAAP gross margin (1) of 73%) versus $18.8 million (and 72% in prior-year fourth quarter)

Full Year 2024 Financial Highlights

Revenue of $119.8 million increased slightly year over year, excluding ERTC revenue up 17% from prior year
Recurring revenue of $114.5 million up 15% from prior year
Net loss of $11.8 million versus prior year net loss of $9.2 million
EBITDA (1) of $11.4 million versus $14.3 million in the prior year
Adjusted EBITDA (1) of $22.5 million versus $23.3 million in the prior year
Gross profit of $82.1 million versus $85.5 million in the prior year
Non-GAAP gross profit (1) of $88.2 million versus $90.3 million in the prior year

Recent Business Highlights

In January 2025 we signed a major multi-year agreement with an industry leader in audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to resell our Payroll and Payroll Tax Management solutions. The multi-year agreement will deliver comprehensive payroll and payroll tax management services for the firm’s clients enabling them to offer these services for the first time.
We announced the introduction of Luna, a groundbreaking AI agent designed to enhance payroll and HR management. Unlike traditional generative AI chatbots, Luna is an advanced AI agent that understands Asure’s suite of products, serves as an industry expert, and most importantly, can act on behalf of both employees through self-service and business owners and administrators.
Jay Whitehead joined Asure in January 2025 as Senior Vice President to lead our AsurePay™ Platinum VIP Banking card and Marketplace businesses. He is a seasoned entrepreneur, and HCM thought leader who we expect to drive innovation and foster strategic partnerships at Asure.

⁽¹⁾This financial measure is not calculated in accordance with GAAP and is defined on page 3 of this press release. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most applicable GAAP measure begins on page 11 of this release.

Management Commentary

“We are pleased to report strong results for 2024, demonstrating the continued momentum of our business. Excluding the one-time impact of ERTC revenue, our fourth-quarter revenue grew 22% year-over-year, reaching $30.8 million—an impressive finish to the year. For the full year, total revenue increased modestly to $119.8 million, but when adjusted to exclude ERTC, our revenue growth was 17% year-over-year, underscoring the strength of our core business. Recurring revenue, the backbone of our model, grew 15% year-over-year and now represents 96% of total revenue, up from 84% in 2023. Additionally, our contracted revenue backlog continued to expand, providing further visibility into future growth,” said Asure Chairman and CEO Pat Goepel.

“Our performance in 2024 was particularly strong in key areas, including our Payroll Tax Management product, which drove several major multi-year agreements with enterprise clients. The success of this product, along with our growing backlog, reinforces the durability of our revenue streams and positions us well for the future.”

“We executed our strategy despite the anticipated headwind of replacing one-time ERTC revenue, and we are entering 2025 with a solid foundation for continued growth. Our plan for 2025 includes both organic and inorganic expansion, supported by the significant investments we’ve made in technology, operations, and new product development. With these improvements, we are confident in our ability to drive sustained, long-term growth.”

First Quarter 2025 and Full Year 2025 Revenue Guidance Ranges

The Company is providing the following guidance for the first quarter 2025 and full year 2025 based on the Company’s year-to-date results and recent business trends. The guidance for our first quarter 2025 and the full year 2025 excludes any contribution from future potential acquisitions.

Guidance for 2025

Guidance Range		Q1-2025		FY-2025
Revenue	$	33.0 M – 35.0 M	$	134.0 M -138.0 M
Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾	$	6.0 M -7.0 M		23% -24%

Management uses GAAP, non-GAAP and adjusted measures when planning, monitoring, and evaluating the Company’s performance. The primary purpose of using non-GAAP and adjusted measures is to provide supplemental information that may prove useful to investors and to enable investors to evaluate the Company’s results in the same way management does.

Management believes that supplementing GAAP disclosures with non-GAAP and adjusted disclosures provides investors with a more complete view of the Company’s operational performance and allows for meaningful period-to-period comparisons and analysis of trends in the Company’s business. Further, to the extent that other companies use similar methods in calculating adjusted financial measures, the provision of supplemental non-GAAP and adjusted information can allow for a comparison of the Company’s relative performance against other companies that also report non-GAAP and adjusted operating results.

Management has not provided a reconciliation of guidance of GAAP to non-GAAP or adjusted disclosures because management is unable to predict the nature and materiality of non-recurring expenses without unreasonable effort.

Management’s projections are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions about the Company’s business, and the industry and the markets in which it operates; there are known and unknown risks and uncertainties associated with these projections. There can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ from the guidance set forth above. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, including its 2025 earnings guidance, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please refer to the “Use of Forward-Looking Statements” disclosures on page 5 of this press release as well as the risk factors in our quarterly and annual reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information about risk that affect our business and industry.

Conference Call Details

Asure management will host a conference call on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 3:30 pm Central (4:30 pm Eastern). Asure Chairman and CEO Pat Goepel and CFO John Pence will participate in the conference call followed by a question-and-answer session. The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay via the investor relations section of the Company’s website. Analysts may participate on the conference call by dialing 877-407-9219 or 201-689-8852.

About Asure Software, Inc.

Asure (Nasdaq: ASUR) provides cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) software solutions that assist organizations of all sizes in streamlining their HCM processes. Asure’s suite of HCM solutions includes HR, payroll, time and attendance, benefits administration, payroll tax management, and talent management. The company’s approach to HR compliance services incorporates AI technology to enhance scalability and efficiency while prioritizing client interactions. For more information, please visit www.asuresoftware.com.

Non-GAAP and Adjusted Financial Measures

This press release includes information about non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP research and development expense, EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin. These non-GAAP and adjusted financial measures are measurements of financial performance that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and computational methods may differ from those used by other companies. Non-GAAP and adjusted financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP and adjusted financial measures are reconciled to GAAP in the tables set forth in this release and are subject to reclassifications to conform to current period presentations.

Non-GAAP gross profit differs from gross profit in that it excludes amortization, share-based compensation, and one-time items.

Non-GAAP sales and marketing expense differs from sales and marketing expense in that it excludes share-based compensation and one-time items.

Non-GAAP general and administrative expense differs from general and administrative expense in that it excludes share-based compensation and one-time items.

Non-GAAP research and development expense differs from research and development expense in that it excludes share-based compensation and one-time items.

EBITDA differs from net income (loss) in that it excludes items such as interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Asure is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of these exclusions without unreasonable effort.

Adjusted EBITDA differs from EBITDA in that it excludes share-based compensation, other income (expense), net and one-time expenses. Asure is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of these exclusions without unreasonable effort.

All adjusted and non-GAAP measures presented as “margin” are computed by dividing the applicable adjusted financial measure by total revenue.

Specifically, as applicable to the respective financial measure, management is adjusting for the following items when calculating non-GAAP and adjusted financial measures as applicable for the periods presented. No additional adjustments have been made for potential income tax effects of the adjustments based on the Company’s current and anticipated de minimis effective federal tax rate, resulting from the Company’s continued losses for federal tax purposes and its tax net operating loss balances.

Share-Based Compensation Expenses. The Company’s compensation strategy includes the use of share-based compensation to attract and retain employees and executives. It is principally aimed at aligning their interests with those of our stockholders and at long-term employee retention, rather than to motivate or reward operational performance for any particular period. Thus, share-based compensation expense varies for reasons that are generally unrelated to operational decisions and performance in any particular period.

Depreciation. The Company excludes depreciation of fixed assets. Also included in the expense is the depreciation of capitalized software costs.

Amortization of Purchased Intangibles. The Company views amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, such as the amortization of the cost associated with an acquired company’s research and development efforts, trade names, customer lists and customer relationships, and acquired lease intangibles, as items arising from pre-acquisition activities determined at the time of an acquisition. While these intangible assets are continually evaluated for impairment, amortization of the cost of purchased intangibles is a static expense, one that is not typically affected by operations during any particular period.

Interest Expense, Net. The Company excludes accrued interest expense, the amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing costs.

Income Taxes. The Company excludes income taxes, both at the federal and state levels.

One-Time Expenses. The Company’s adjusted financial measures exclude the following costs to normalize comparable reporting periods, as these are generally non-recurring expenses that do not reflect the ongoing operational results. These items are typically not budgeted and are infrequent and unusual in nature.

Settlements, Penalties and Interest. The Company excludes legal settlements, including separation agreements, penalties and interest that are generally one-time in nature and not reflective of the operational results of the business.

Acquisition and Transaction Related Costs. The Company excludes these expenses as they are transaction costs and expenses that are generally one-time in nature and not reflective of the underlying operational results of our business. Examples of these types of expenses include legal, accounting, regulatory, other consulting services, severance and other employee costs.

Other non-recurring Expenses. The Company excludes these as they are generally non-recurring items that are not reflective of the underlying operational results of the business and are generally not anticipated to recur. Some examples of these types of expenses, historically, have included write-offs or impairments of assets, demolition of office space and cybersecurity consultants.

Other (Expense) Income, Net. The Company’s adjusted financial measures exclude Other (Expense) Income, Net because it includes items that are not reflective of the underlying operational results of the business, such as loan forgiveness, adjustments to contingent liabilities and credits earned as part of the CARES Act, passed by Congress in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Use of Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements made by management that may constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements about our financial results may include expected or projected U.S GAAP, non-U.S GAAP and other operating and non-operating results. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “projects,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of “forward-looking statements” include statements regarding our strategy, future operations, financial condition, results of operations, projected costs, revenue growth, earnings, and plans and objectives of management. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. The achievement or success of the matters covered by such forward-looking statements involves risks, uncertainties and assumptions, over many of which we have no control. If any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions prove incorrect, our results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements we make. Additionally, we are under no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release or to confirm such statements to actual results.

The risks and uncertainties referred to above include—but are not limited to— risks associated with breaches of the Company’s security measures; risks related to material weaknesses; possible fluctuations in the Company’s financial and operating results; privacy concerns and laws and other regulations may limit the effectiveness of our applications; the financial and other impact of any previous and future acquisitions; domestic and international regulatory developments, including changes to or applicability to our business of privacy and data securities laws, money transmitter laws and anti-money laundering laws; regulatory pressures on economic relief enacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that change or cause different interpretations with respect to eligibility for such programs; risk of our software and solutions not functioning adequately; interruptions, delays or changes in the Company’s services or the Company’s Web hosting; may incur debt to meet future capital requirements; volatility and weakness in bank and capital markets; access to additional capital; significant costs as a result of operating as a public company; the expiration of Employee Retention Tax Credits (“ERTC”) and the impact of the Internal Revenue Service recent measures regarding ERTC claims and the corresponding cash collections of existing receivables; the inability to continue to release timely updates for changes in laws; the inability to develop new and improved versions of the Company’s services and technological developments; customer’s nonrenewal of their agreements and other similar changes could negatively impact revenue, operating results and financial conditions; the exposure of market, interest, credit and liquidity risk on client funds held int rust; the Company’s operation in highlight competitive markets; risk that our clients could have insufficient funds that could result in limitations in the ability to transmit ACH transactions; impairment of intangible assets; litigation and any related claims, negotiations and settlements, including with respect to intellectual property matters or industry-specific regulations; various financial aspects of the Company’s Software-as-a-Service model; adverse effects to our business a result of claims, lawsuits, and other proceedings; issues in the use of artificial intelligence in our HCM products and services; adverse changes to financial accounting standards to the Company; inability to maintain third-party licensed software; evolving regulation of the Internet, changes in the infrastructure underlying the Internet or interruptions in Internet; factors affecting the Company’s deferred tax assets and ability to value and utilize them; the nature of the Company’s business model; inability to adopt new or correctly interpret existing money service and money transmitter business status; the Company’s ability to hire, retain and motivate employees and manage the Company’s growth; interruptions to supply chains and extended shut down of businesses; potential enactment of adverse tax laws, regulation, political, economic and social factors; potential sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock along with its volatility; risks associate with potential equity-related transactions including dividends, rights under the stockholder plan to discourage certain actions and other impacts as a result of actions of our stockholders.

Please review the Company’s risk factors in its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 6, 2025.

The forward-looking statements, including the financial guidance and 2025 outlook, contained in this press release represent the judgment of the Company as of the date of this press release, and the Company expressly disclaims any intent, obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard to these forward looking statements or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. © 2025 Asure Software, Inc. All rights reserved


ASURE SOFTWARE, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts)

	December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,425		$	30,317
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $6,328 and $4,787 at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		18,154			14,202
Inventory		195			155
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,888			3,471
Total current assets before funds held for clients		44,662			48,145
Funds held for clients		192,615			219,075
Total current assets		237,277			267,220
Property and equipment, net		19,669			14,517
Goodwill		94,724			86,011
Intangible assets, net		69,114			62,082
Operating lease assets, net		4,041			4,991
Other assets, net		11,813			9,047
Total assets	$	436,638		$	443,868
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of notes payable	$	7,008		$	27
Accounts payable		1,364			2,570
Accrued compensation and benefits		4,485			6,519
Operating lease liabilities, current		1,438			1,490
Other accrued liabilities		6,600			3,862
Deferred revenue		8,363			6,853
Total current liabilities before client fund obligations		29,258			21,321
Client fund obligations		194,378			220,019
Total current liabilities		223,636			241,340
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred revenue		3,430			16
Deferred tax liability		2,612			1,728
Notes payable, net of current portion		5,709			4,282
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent		3,578			4,638
Other liabilities		358			209
Total long-term liabilities		15,687			10,873
Total liabilities		239,323			252,213
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 44,000 shares authorized; 26,671 and 25,382 shares issued, 26,671 and 24,998 shares outstanding at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		267			254
Treasury stock at cost, zero⁽¹⁾and 384 shares at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		—			(5,017	)
Additional paid-in capital		504,849			487,973
Accumulated deficit		(307,226	)		(290,440	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(575	)		(1,115	)
Total stockholders’ equity		197,315			191,655
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	436,638		$	443,868
(1) The aggregate Treasury stock of prior repurchases of the Company’s own common stock was retired and subsequently issued effective January 1, 2024. See the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the impact of this transaction.


ASURE SOFTWARE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2024			2023			2024			2023

Revenue:
Recurring	$	28,521		$	24,985		$	114,471		$	99,734
Professional services, hardware and other		2,271			1,279			5,321			19,348
Total revenue		30,792			26,264			119,792			119,082
Cost of sales		9,864			8,425			37,685			33,545
Gross profit		20,928			17,839			82,107			85,537
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing		6,945			6,422			28,316			28,734
General and administrative		9,940			9,747			40,499			39,333
Research and development		2,103			1,739			7,807			6,846
Amortization of intangible assets		4,432			3,694			16,222			13,623
Total operating expenses		23,420			21,602			92,844			88,536
Loss from operations		(2,492	)		(3,763	)		(10,737	)		(2,999	)
Interest income		151			326			913			1,342
Interest expense		(362	)		(302	)		(1,024	)		(5,639	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			(1,517	)
Other income (expense), net		(2	)		(1	)		8			(292	)
Loss from operations before income taxes		(2,705	)		(3,740	)		(10,840	)		(9,105	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		499			(158	)		933			109
Net loss		(3,204	)		(3,582	)		(11,773	)		(9,214	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities		(565	)		1,581			540			1,368
Comprehensive loss	$	(3,769	)	$	(2,001	)	$	(11,233	)	$	(7,846	)

Basic and diluted loss per share
Basic	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.45	)	$	(0.42	)
Diluted	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.45	)	$	(0.42	)

Weighted average basic and diluted shares
Basic		26,602			24,907			26,054			22,138
Diluted		26,602			24,907			26,054			22,138


ASURE SOFTWARE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2024			2023

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(11,773	)	$	(9,214	)
Adjustments to reconcile loss to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization		22,142			19,135
Amortization of operating lease assets		1,386			1,481
Amortization of debt financing costs and discount		726			820
Non-cash interest expense		298			1,471
Net accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums on available-for-sale securities		(377	)		(119	)
Provision for expected losses		46			2,047
Provision for deferred income taxes		884			225
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—			990
Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities		(2,609	)		(2,257	)
Share-based compensation		6,444			5,430
Loss on disposals of long-term assets		—			132
Change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration		—			175
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(3,998	)		(4,126	)
Inventory		(41	)		97
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(1,886	)		5,101
Operating lease right-of-use assets		—			546
Accounts payable		(1,206	)		376
Accrued expenses and other long-term obligations		(1,103	)		87
Operating lease liabilities		(1,555	)		(1,118	)
Deferred revenue		2,010			(2,379	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		9,388			18,900
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of intangible assets		(13,256	)		(7,651	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(692	)		(1,585	)
Software capitalization costs		(10,187	)		(7,027	)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities		(15,643	)		(27,647	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities		20,522			14,385
Net cash used in investing activities		(19,256	)		(29,525	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable, net of issuance costs		4,995			—
Payments of notes payable		(420	)		(35,627	)
Debt extinguishment costs		—			(250	)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock		1,370			46,800
Capital raise fees		(132	)		(338	)
Payments made on amounts due for the acquisition of intangibles		(1,513	)		(311	)
Net change in client fund obligations		(26,342	)		13,931
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(22,042	)		24,205
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents		(31,910	)		13,580
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of period		177,622			164,042
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, end of period	$	145,712		$	177,622


ASURE SOFTWARE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued) (in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2024		2023

Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents to the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,425	$	30,317
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents included in funds held for clients		124,287		147,305
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	$	145,712	$	177,622

Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	$	—	$	3,140
Cash paid for income taxes	$	18	$	432

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Acquisition of intangible assets	$	5,338	$	357
Notes payable issued for acquisitions	$	3,107	$	1,209
Shares issued for acquisitions	$	9,125	$	2,543


ASURE SOFTWARE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP AND ADJUSTED FINANCIAL MEASURES (unaudited)

(in thousands)	Q4-24			Q3-24			Q2-24			Q1-24			Q4-23			Q3-23			Q2-23			Q1-23
Revenue⁽¹⁾	$	30,792		$	29,304		$	28,044		$	31,652		$	26,264		$	29,334		$	30,420		$	33,064

Gross Profit to non-GAAP Gross Profit
Gross Profit	$	20,928		$	19,704		$	18,868		$	22,607		$	17,839		$	21,280		$	22,018		$	24,400
Gross Margin		68.0	%		67.2	%		67.3	%		71.4	%		67.9	%		72.5	%		72.4	%		73.8	%

Share-based Compensation		44			44			43			40			32			28			46			31
Depreciation		1,190			1,232			1,145			1,110			921			984			1,309			1,009
Amortization – intangibles		50			50			50			50			50			50			50			268
One-time expenses
Settlements, penalties & interest		25			2			3			—			(6	)		8			—			4
Acquisition and transaction costs		221			367			264			39			—			—			—			—
Other non-recurring expenses		84			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Non-GAAP Gross Profit	$	22,542		$	21,399		$	20,373		$	23,846		$	18,836		$	22,350		$	23,423		$	25,712
Non-GAAP Gross Margin		73.2	%		73.0	%		72.6	%		75.3	%		71.7	%		76.2	%		77.0	%		77.8	%

Sales and Marketing Expense to non-GAAP Sales and Marketing Expense
Sales and Marketing Expense	$	6,945		$	6,680		$	6,924		$	7,767		$	6,422		$	6,597		$	8,515		$	7,200

Share-based Compensation		251			269			237			243			180			210			149			124
Depreciation		—			1			—			1			1			—			—			—
One-time expenses
Settlements, penalties & interest		78			(5	)		5			18			6			30			4			11
Acquisition and transaction costs		9			68			37			11			—			—			—			—
Other non-recurring expenses		52			—			—			—			—			—			180			—
Non-GAAP Sales and Marketing Expense	$	6,555		$	6,347		$	6,645		$	7,494		$	6,235		$	6,357		$	8,182		$	7,065

General and Administrative Expense to non-GAAP General and Administrative Expense
General and Administrative Expense	$	9,940		$	10,378		$	10,118		$	10,063		$	9,747		$	9,294		$	10,336		$	9,956

Share-based Compensation		1,081			1,187			1,122			1,535			980			936			1,298			1,142
Depreciation		269			264			256			251			225			200			234			210
One-time expenses
Settlements, penalties & interest		142			377			304			98			284			101			432			102
Acquisition and transaction costs		282			371			245			57			51			—			—			—
Other non-recurring expenses		220			253			—			86			53			—			453			—
Non-GAAP General and Administrative Expense	$	7,946		$	7,926		$	8,191		$	8,036		$	8,154		$	8,057		$	7,919		$	8,502

Research and Development Expense to non-GAAP Research and Development Expense
Research and Development Expense	$	2,103		$	1,973		$	1,962		$	1,769		$	1,739		$	1,803		$	1,325		$	1,979

Share-based Compensation		87			90			86			85			69			76			89			40
One-time expenses
Settlements, penalties & interest		21			—			27			31			—			—			—			—
Acquisition and transaction costs		153			195			369			147			—			—			—			—
Other non-recurring expenses		29			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Non-GAAP Research and Development Expense	$	1,813		$	1,688		$	1,480		$	1,506		$	1,670		$	1,727		$	1,236		$	1,939

⁽¹⁾Note that first quarters are seasonally strong as recurring year-end W2/ACA revenue is recognized in this period.


ASURE SOFTWARE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP AND ADJUSTED FINANCIAL MEASURES (cont.) (unaudited)

(in thousands)	Q4-24			Q3-24			Q2-24			Q1-24			Q4-23			Q3-23			Q2-23			Q1-23
Revenue⁽¹⁾	$	30,792		$	29,304		$	28,044		$	31,652		$	26,264		$	29,334		$	30,420		$	33,064

GAAP Net (Loss) Income to Adjusted EBITDA
GAAP Net (Loss) Income	$	(3,204	)	$	(3,901	)	$	(4,360	)	$	(308	)	$	(3,582	)	$	(2,206	)	$	(3,765	)	$	339

Interest expense, net		211			109			(53	)		(156	)		(24	)		782			1,593			1,944
Income taxes		499			170			231			33			(158	)		(123	)		627			(237	)
Depreciation		1,460			1,497			1,402			1,361			1,148			1,185			1,542			1,219
Amortization – intangibles		4,482			4,345			4,096			3,499			3,743			3,384			3,343			3,570
EBITDA	$	3,448		$	2,220		$	1,316		$	4,429		$	1,127		$	3,022		$	3,340		$	6,835
EBITDA Margin		11.2	%		7.6	%		4.7	%		14.0	%		4.3	%		10.3	%		11.0	%		20.7	%

Share-based Compensation		1,463			1,591			1,488			1,902			1,260			1,251			1,582			1,337
One Time Expenses
Settlements, penalties & interest		266			375			339			147			283			140			436			117
Acquisition and transaction costs		665			1,001			914			254			51			—			—			—
Other non-recurring expenses		385			253			—			86			53			—			633			—
Other expense (income), net		2			—			—			(10	)		1			1,800			93			(83	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	6,229		$	5,440		$	4,057		$	6,808		$	2,775		$	6,213		$	6,084		$	8,206
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		20.2	%		18.6	%		14.5	%		21.5	%		10.6	%		21.2	%		20.0	%		24.8	%

⁽¹⁾Note that first quarters are seasonally strong as recurring year-end W2/ACA revenue is recognized in this period.

Investor Relations Contact
Patrick McKillop
Vice President, Investor Relations
617-335-5058
patrick.mckillop@asuresoftware.com

The MIL Network –

March 7, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DIALOGUE, COOPERATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING ARE THE KEYS IN AN INCREASINGLY INTERCONNECTED WORLD FOR RESOLVING CONFLICTS AND FOSTERING GLOBAL HARMONY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

Source: Government of India

DIALOGUE, COOPERATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING ARE THE KEYS IN AN INCREASINGLY INTERCONNECTED WORLD FOR RESOLVING CONFLICTS AND FOSTERING GLOBAL HARMONY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

LOK SABHA SPEAKER EMPHASIZES THE CRITICAL ROLE OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP IN SHAPING NATION’S PROGRESS

PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IS ROBUST AND IDEAL MECHANISM FOR INDIA’S DIVERSITY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

LOK SABHA SPEAKER ADDRESSES OFFICERS OF NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE IN PARLIAMENT PREMISES

Posted On: 06 MAR 2025 8:37PM by PIB Delhi

New Delhi; 6 March, 2025: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today said that the Constitution of India has time and again proven to be a guiding light for the nation, shaping its democratic ethos and governance through the ideals enshrined in it. Shri Birla made these observations while addressing the Course Members of the 65th batch of the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi. The event saw the participation of 124 officers from India and 32 friendly foreign countries.

आज संसद भवन के स्टडी विज़िट पर आए National Defence College (NDC), नई दिल्ली के course members को संबोधित किया।
साढ़े सात दशकों की अपनी लोकतांत्रिक यात्रा में हमारे राष्ट्र ने अनेक चुनौतियों का समाधान किया है, तथा कई उपलब्धियां हासिल की है। इस दौरान देश की सीमाओं को सुरक्षित कर… pic.twitter.com/GYlFOK4tSp

— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) March 6, 2025

Shri Birla underscored the critical role of civil servants and military leadership in shaping the nation’s progress. He urged them to leverage their training and expertise to understand India’s diverse social fabric and work towards the upliftment of society. Shri Birla observed that capacity-building of stakeholders in governance could be enhanced significantly through effective use of technology.

Highlighting the 75th year of the adoption of Indian Constitution, Shri Birla recalled the rigorous deliberations and debates that shaped the document over a three-year period. He lauded the vision and dedication of the members of the Constituent Assembly, who crafted a constitution that continues to guide the nation’s democratic framework. He reiterated that India’s parliamentary democracy—as envisioned in the Constitution—is a strong, inclusive and well-suited for a diverse nation like India.

Shri Birla advised the participants to embrace the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family). He emphasized that dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding are the keys in an increasingly interconnected world for resolving conflicts and fostering global harmony. He lauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision and leadership in positioning India as a world leader at different global fora including G-20, International Solar Alliance for a sustainable future.

Referring to several initiatives being taken to facilitate the work of Members of Parliament and in the larger interest of the people, Shri Birla applauded the digitization exercise aimed at preserving and making accessible parliamentary debates and historical records. He highlighted how technology is being utilized to modernize governance and ensure transparency. He also mentioned about different steps being taken for making Parliament of India a digital organisation and efficient source of information for all stakeholders.

***

AM

(Release ID: 2108931) Visitor Counter : 46

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 7, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Two Federal Treasury deposit auctions will take place on 03/07/2025

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

Application selection parameters
Date of the selection of applications	07.03.2025
Unique identifier of the application selection	22025053
Deposit currency	rubles
Type of funds	funds of the single treasury account
Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units	148,000
Placement period, in days	4
Date of deposit	07.03.2025
Refund date	03/11/2025
Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)	Fix
Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum	20.05
Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds	–
Minimum spread, % per annum	–
Terms of conclusion of a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special)	Urgent
Minimum amount of funds placed for one application, million monetary units	1,000
Maximum number of applications from one credit institution, pcs.	5
Application selection form (open or closed)	Open
Application selection schedule (Moscow time)
Venue for the selection of applications	PAO Moscow Exchange
Applications accepted:	from 09:30 to 09:40
Preliminary applications:	from 09:30 to 09:35
Applications in competition mode:	from 09:35 to 09:40
Formation of a consolidated register of applications:	from 09:40 to 09:50
Setting a cut-off percentage rate and/or recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful:	from 09:40 to 10:00
Submission of an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement:	from 10:00 to 10:50
Receiving acceptance of an offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from credit institutions:	from 10:00 to 10:50
Deposit transfer time	In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 04/27/2023 No. 10n

Application selection parameters
Date of the selection of applications	07.03.2025
Unique identifier of the application selection	22025054
Deposit currency	rubles
Type of funds	funds of the single treasury account
Maximum amount of funds placed in bank deposits, million monetary units	100,000
Placement period, in days	182
Date of deposit	07.03.2025
Refund date	05.09.2025
Interest rate for placement of funds (fixed or floating)	Flotting
Minimum fixed interest rate for placement of funds, % per annum	–
Basic floating interest rate for placement of funds	Ruonmds
Minimum spread, % per annum	0.00
Terms of conclusion of a bank deposit agreement (fixed-term, replenishable or special)	Special
Minimum amount of funds placed for one application, million monetary units	1,000
Maximum number of applications from one credit institution, pcs.	5
Application selection form (open or closed)	Open
Application selection schedule (Moscow time)
Venue for the selection of applications	PAO Moscow Exchange
Applications accepted:	from 12:00 to 12:10
Preliminary applications:	from 12:00 to 12:05
Applications in competition mode:	from 12:05 to 12:10
Formation of a consolidated register of applications:	from 12:10 to 12:20
Setting a cut-off percentage rate and/or recognizing the selection of applications as unsuccessful:	from 12:10 to 12:30
Submission of an offer to credit institutions to conclude a bank deposit agreement:	from 12:30 to 13:20
Receiving acceptance of an offer to conclude a bank deposit agreement from credit institutions:	from 12:30 to 13:20
Deposit transfer time	In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 63 and paragraph 64 of the Order of the Federal Treasury dated 04/27/2023 No. 10n

RUONmDS = RUONIA – DS, where

RUONIA – the value of the indicative weighted rate of overnight ruble loans (deposits) RUONIA, expressed in hundredths of a percent, published on the official website of the Bank of Russia on the Internet on the day preceding the day for which interest is accrued. In the absence of a publication of the RUONIA rate value on the day preceding the day for which interest is accrued, the last of the published RUONIA rate values is taken into account.

DS – discount – a value expressed in hundredths of a percent and rounded (according to the rules of mathematical rounding) to two decimal places, calculated by multiplying the value of the Key Rate of the Bank of Russia by the value of the required reserve ratio for other liabilities of credit institutions for banks with a universal license, non-bank credit institutions (except for long-term ones) in the currency of the Russian Federation, valid on the date for which interest is accrued, and published on the official website of the Bank of Russia on the Internet.

Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

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

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

HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.M.M.

MIL OSI Russia News –

March 7, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft invests an additional ZAR 5.4bn in South Africa, launches program for digital skills
Source: Microsoft

Headline: Microsoft invests an additional ZAR 5.4bn in South Africa, launches program for digital skills
- Investment to expand Microsoft’s hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa, supporting the nation’s ambition to become a globally competitive AI economy
- New programme extends Microsoft’s AI skilling initiative in South Africa by paying for 50,000 young people’s certification exams in high-demand digital skills over the next 12 months.
- Combined investments in infrastructure, skilling, and workplace certifications are designed to foster innovation, economic growth, and workforce development.
Johannesburg, 06 March 2025 – Microsoft today announced plans to spend ZAR 5.4bn by the end of 2027 to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa to meet the growing demand for Azure services in the region. This investment builds on the company’s ZAR 20.4bn investment over the past three years to establish the nation’s first enterprise-grade datacentres in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

This round of investment will enable a wide range of organisations, from start-ups to large multinationals and government entities to access the cloud and AI solutions to improve operational efficiency and productivity, optimise the delivery of services, and drive innovation across the South African economy. Providing access to world-class digital infrastructure, coupled with enhancing the capabilities for the South African workforce helps contribute to a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of society, driving growth and innovation.

President Ramaphosa said, “Beyond blazing a trail in the local technology space, the longstanding presence of Microsoft in South Africa is a vote of confidence in our country and in our economy. The strategic investment announcements made by Microsoft today stands as further testimony to this enduring confidence. They signal to the business and investor community that South Africa’s economy continues to hold immense potential and that it is a favourable place to do business where their investments are secure.”

Customers across various industries in South Africa and Africa, including financial services, healthcare, retail, agriculture, mining, and public sector, are already reaping the benefits of Microsoft cloud and AI technologies.

“For more than 30 years, Microsoft has been a committed partner to South Africa,” said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. “This latest investment is part of our broader focus in helping South Africans build a future where technology drives prosperity and young workers have the skills they need to thrive.”

Strengthening digital and AI skills

According to the World Economic Forum, 60 percent of companies in the Global South identify a critical skills gap as a key barrier to business digitally transforming by 2030. Addressing this gap is essential for fostering economic growth and innovation. Earlier this year, Microsoft committed to skilling one million South Africans by 2026, equipping companies, government and youth with the knowledge and tools to create AI solutions to address local challenges with homegrown solutions, while contributing to the nation’s AI workforce and ecosystem.

To help job seekers validate their technology proficiency to employers, Microsoft will expand its digital skills initiative over the next 12 months by paying for 50,000 people to be “Microsoft Certified” in high-demand skills like AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity Analysis and Cloud Solution Architecture. Microsoft offers a variety of certifications under the Microsoft Certified umbrella, validating skills and expertise in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and software development, to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency and readiness for in-demand tech roles.

By combining skills training with recognised certifications, Microsoft aims to create a future-ready workforce for South Africa and beyond.

This is just the latest in a string of investments in South Africa that span 30 years.

In 2024 alone, more than 150,000 people were trained in digital and AI skills, 95,000 certified and 1,800 secured employment opportunities through Microsoft’s Skills for Jobs programme, thereby addressing ICT skills gaps, preparing them for high-demand roles, and paving the way for their future success in the AI economy. Additionally, Microsoft has a longstanding commitment of providing donated and discounted software to South African educational institutions, nonprofit organisations, public libraries, and museums to enable equitable access to technology, educational tools and digital skills. Over the past year, that commitment exceeded $100 million in South Africa.

These are not just investments and programmes; they are an integral part of Microsoft’s long-term commitment to South Africa and pathways to a more inclusive, sustainable economy.

Enabling Africa to become a producer of AI technology, not just a consumer

The development of robust technology infrastructure and the cultivation of digital skills are paramount in transitioning from a consumer to a producer of AI technology.

More broadly, Microsoft believes that South Africa has an opportunity to lead the way in enabling Africa to become a producer of AI technology, not just a consumer. According to a recent United Nations report, urgent infrastructure investments and regulatory frameworks are vital – specifically, investments in connectivity and AI governance frameworks.

By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure and fostering a skilled workforce, South Africa and Africa can unlock new opportunities for innovation, enterprise development, economic growth, and competitive advantage on the global stage.

Advancing AI responsibly and sustainably

The AI infrastructure operating in South Africa will be governed by Microsoft’s AI Access Principles. They reflect Microsoft’s expanding role and responsibility as a leader in AI and commit the company to making investments, forging business partnerships, and creating programmes that ensure broad access to its AI technology that enable organisations and individuals to develop and use AI in ways that will serve the public good.

It is also a notable year for Microsoft. In addition to celebrating the 50th anniversary of our company’s founding, it is the midpoint of our own sustainability journey. In 2020 we announced our ambitions to be carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030, all while protecting ecosystems. We have made tremendous progress over the past five years, and we are proud of what we’ve accomplished.

Today, we are one of the largest carbon-free energy buyers in the world, with a 34-gigawatt (GW) contracted renewable energy portfolio across 24 countries to date. We are bringing more carbon-free electricity onto the grids where we operate, and we continue to advocate for the expansion of clean energy solutions around the world. A key component of our water positive goal is to replenish more water than we consume across our global operations. We’ve grown our replenishment portfolio to 90 projects in over 40 locations around the world. We exceeded our land protection goal, with 15,849 acres of protected land and surpassed our initial target of 11,000 acres by more than 40%.

Microsoft continues to evaluate and diligently work to address sustainability and resource needs associated with infrastructure growth at both global and local level.

These efforts, and Microsoft’s additional investment in cloud and AI infrastructure and digital skilling highlight the company’s long-standing partnership with South Africa and commitment to boosting economic growth and resilience by fostering digital skills and employment opportunities.

Image: Microsoft Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith with the Honourable President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa
MIL OSI Economics –
March 7, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: DOGE threat: How government data would give an AI company extraordinary power

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Allison Stanger, Distinguished Endowed Professor, Middlebury

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

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

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

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

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

Value of government data for AI

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

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

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

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

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

The technical advantage

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

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

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

Control of critical systems

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

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

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

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

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

Elon Musk’s xAI company is well financed.

Infrastructure and urban systems

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

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

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

Absolute data corrupts absolutely

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

March 7, 2025

MIL-OSI: WISeKey Recruits Top Space Experts to Enhance WISeSat Collaboration with the Swiss Armed Forces

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WISeKey Recruits Top Space Experts to Enhance WISeSat Collaboration with the Swiss Armed Forces

Geneva, Switzerland – March 6, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding (“WISeKey” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: WKEY; SIX: WIHN), a leading global cybersecurity, AI, and IoT company, alongside its subsidiaries WISeSat.Space (“WISeSat”) and SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) (“SEALSQ”), following the successful launch of the second-generation WISeSAT satellite in January, which aimed to advance real-time testing of strategic projects with the Swiss Armed Forces, today is announcing the addition of several key space experts to its team. This expansion will further strengthen the Company’s capabilities in space operations and regulatory compliance, and enhancing its collaboration with the Swiss Armed Forces.

New team members are:

Edward Burger, Space Regulatory Operations Specialist. Mr. Burger brings extensive experience in navigating the complex landscape of telecommunications law and regulation for space operations, ensuring projects comply with national and international requirements.
Yiorgos Lemos, Space Operations Specialist. Mr. Lemos’ knowledge in operational processes and satellite technology will enhance WISeKey’s operational efficiency and effectiveness in mission execution.
Eric Bottlaender, Space Technology Monitoring Specialist. Mr. Bottlaender will focus on monitoring emerging technologies and trends in the space sector, enabling WISeKey to remain at the forefront of innovation.
Philip Haemelink, Space Project Manager & Software Engineer. Mr. Haemelink brings valuable experience from the space sector and will oversee project coordination between WiseSat and clients while leading software integration efforts.
Vlad Dancau, Space Software Engineer. Mr. Dancau brings deep expertise in applied cryptography, network security, and telecommunications, empowering WISeKey to advance secure satellite communications.

“We are thrilled to have these talented professionals join our team,” said Carlos Moreira, CEO & Founder at WISeKey. “Their expertise will not only enhance our capabilities but also strengthen our partnership with the Swiss Armed Forces as we work towards innovative solutions in the space industry.”

WISeKey continues to lead the way in secure, advanced satellite technology, and with the addition of this expert team, we are poised to take on new challenges and opportunities in collaboration with our esteemed partners.

About WISeSat.Space
WISeSat.Space AG is pioneering a transformative approach to IoT connectivity and climate change monitoring through its innovative satellite constellation. By providing cost-effective, secure, and global IoT connectivity, WISeSat is enabling a wide range of applications that support environmental monitoring, disaster management, and sustainable practices. The integration of satellite data with advanced climate models holds great promise for enhancing our understanding of climate change and developing effective strategies to combat its impacts. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, initiatives like WISeSat’s IoT satellite constellation are essential for creating a more resilient and sustainable future.

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
media@wisekey.com

WISeKey Investor Relations (US)
The Equity Group Inc.
Lena Cati
Tel: +1 212 836-9611
lcati@equityny.com

The MIL Network –

March 7, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: HSE Calculates Economic Impact of AI Technologies Implementation in Russia

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

Print version

The Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge at the National Research University Higher School of Economics has assessed the potential economic impact of the introduction and use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in sectors of the Russian economy until 2035, as well as the amount of resources that organizations will need to master this class of technologies.

For reference: the calculations were made based on the results obtained during the implementation in 2024 of the event “Monitoring the creation and results of the application of artificial intelligence technologies in order to assess the level of implementation of these technologies in the sectors of the economy and social sphere” of the federal project “Artificial Intelligence”.

Despite the rapid development of AI technologies, only a relatively small number of enterprises successfully use them in business processes. The mass implementation of AI technologies in the Russian economy should be expected on the horizon up to 2035. Experts from the ISSEK HSE estimated what economic effect (increase in added value of industries) this may lead to in the next decade. According to forecast estimates, the total contribution from the use of AI technologies in all sectors of the economy to Russia’s GDP will amount to 11.6 trillion rubles in 2030, and will reach 46.5 trillion rubles in 2035 (Fig. 1).

The main contribution to the creation of the economic effect from the use of AI in 2035 will come from six industries: manufacturing (RUB 7.7 trillion), construction (RUB 4 trillion), professional, scientific and technical activities (RUB 3.7 trillion), transportation and storage (RUB 2.6 trillion), finance and insurance (RUB 2.5 trillion), and healthcare and social services (RUB 1.7 trillion). It is noteworthy that in the ICT1 sector, which plays a key role in the development of AI technologies, the economic effect from their use will be relatively small (RUB 2.2 trillion in 2035).

The mass implementation of AI technologies in the Russian economy in the next ten years depends, among other things, on the ability of enterprises to significantly (approximately 12 times) increase their total annual spending on AI. In terms of industry, the ICT sector will remain among the leaders in terms of investment in AI (a significant portion of Russian companies will continue to purchase ready-made solutions created by organizations in this sector), while its share in the structure of the analyzed costs may decrease slightly (from 19% in 2023 to 14% in 2035) against the background of an increase in spending on AI by organizations in other industries (from 118.5 billion in 2023 to 1.6 trillion rubles in 2035) (Table 1).

One of the key resources required for the effective implementation and use of AI is qualified workers. According to forecast estimates, over the period 2023–2035, the total number of AI specialists in Russia may grow from 48.3 to 463.5 thousand people (Table 2).

By the end of the forecast period, the share of AI specialists employed in the ICT sector may decrease significantly (from 41% in 2023 to 23% in 2035); since most jobs for specialists in this field will be created in other sectors of the economy. In 2035, more than a quarter (26%) of AI specialists may be employed in the manufacturing industry, another 29% in five sectors of the economy: professional, scientific and technical activities (12%), finance and insurance (5%), transportation and storage (5%), healthcare and social services (4%), construction (4%).

The publication was prepared within the framework of the project “Monitoring of artificial intelligence technologies and digital transformation of the economy and society” of the thematic plan of research work provided for by the State Assignment of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

This HSE ISSEK material may be reproduced (copied) or distributed in full only with prior consent from HSE (please contact Issek@mse.ru). It is permitted to use parts (fragments) of the material provided that the source and an active link to the HSE ISSEK website are indicated (Issek.hse.ru), as well as the authors of the material. Use of the material beyond the permitted methods and in violation of the specified conditions will result in a violation of copyright.

Suggested citation:

Dranev Yu. Ya., Kuchin I. I., Miryakov M. I. (2025) Economic effect from the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in Russia. Moscow – ISSEK HSE. Access mode: https://issek.hse.ru/news/1022068478.html.

Previous issue series “Artificial Intelligence”:“Artificial Intelligence in Science”

See also:

Express information from ISSEK HSE

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: various locations — Nova Scotia RCMP collaborates on national Project STEEL targeting online child sexual exploitation offenders
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Between February 17 and 28, Nova Scotia RCMP worked with provincial policing partners to participate in Project STEEL by executing search warrants targeting online child sexual exploitation offenders with a goal of safeguarding children. Multiple people were arrested and have been charged as the investigations advance.

Over the twelve days of Project STEEL, multiple law enforcement partners from across Canada joined together for Project STEEL, which was jointly led by the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).

In Nova Scotia, Project STEEL was led by the RCMP’s Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit in partnership with Kentville Police Service. Officers conducted four search warrant executions that led to arrests and the seizure of items containing child pornography.
- On February 18, Kentville Police Service led the execution of a search warrant at a home on Forest Hill Rd., with support from ICE and RCMP Digital Forensic Services (DFS) and seized a variety of electronic devices. During examination of items seized, investigators found child pornography on a cell phone. One person was arrested and will face charges related to possession and transmission of child pornography; he was released by police pending an upcoming court appearance.
- On February 19, the ICE Unit, with assistance from RCMP DFS, Interview Assistance Team (IAT), Cybercrime Unit, and Commercial Crime Section, Guysborough County District RCMP, and the RCMP Antigonish Street Crime Enforcement Unit, attended a residence on Hwy. 16 in Boylston with a search warrant. Officers arrested one man and located child pornography on a cell phone that was seized at the scene. James Thornley, 24, of Boylston, has been charged with one count each of Possession of Child Pornography and Transmit Child Pornography. He was released on conditions pending a first court appearance at Antigonish Provincial Court on April 30.
- On February 20, the ICE Unit, with RCMP DFS, IAT, Cybercrime Unit, Commercial Crime Section, and Eskasoni RCMP, attended a home on Ginger Root Ln. and found a substantial amount of child pornography saved and organized on seized devices. One person will face charges associated to possession and transmission of child pornography; he was released pending an upcoming court appearance. A second person arrested at this location was released without charges and is not believed to be associated to the offences.
- On February 26, the ICE Unit, again with support from RCMP DFS, IAT, and Cybercrime Unit, Yarmouth Town RCMP, and Yarmouth Rural RCMP, executed a search warrant at a business on Hwy. 3 in Ste. Anne du Ruisseau. Officers arrested one man. While on scene, investigators located multiple computers and media storage devices found to contain child pornography, and two unsecured firearms, which were also seized. Stephen Doucette, 51, of Lower Argyle, is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography, Accessing Child Pornography, Careless Storage of Firearm, and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm. He was released pending a first court appearance at Yarmouth Provincial Court on April 28.
Investigations are ongoing and will include further analysis of computers, phones, and other devices seized.

Cpl. Oliver Roberts, Provincial ICE Unit, notes that collaboration between agencies is the most effective strategy to combatting online child sexual exploitation. No single agency can police these crimes alone.

“Project STEEL has been a great success nationally, as well as here in Nova Scotia,” says Cpl. Oliver Roberts. “The coordinated execution of search warrants from Cape Breton to Yarmouth has highlighted the important work being done here and collaboratively across all jurisdictions. All police forces in this province are working hard every day to create and promote safe spaces for everyone, especially children.”

In Nova Scotia, it is mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography; anyone who comes across child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failure to report could result in penalties similar to those for failure to report child abuse under the Child and Family Services Act. Be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting suspected offences to your local police or to Canada’s national tip line: www.cybertip.ca.

MIL Security OSI –
March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: MTN and Huawei signed an MoU to collaborate on the digital future for Africa

Source: Huawei

Headline: MTN and Huawei signed an MoU to collaborate on the digital future for Africa

[Barcelona, Spain, March 6, 2025] During the MWC Barcelona 2025, MTN Group and Huawei reaffirmed their long-term collaboration through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement outlines a framework to explore opportunities in advanced connectivity solutions, cloud based technologies and digital infrastructure to drive sustainable digital development across Africa.
MTN Group and Huawei Strategic Partnership MoU Signing Ceremony

Mazen Mroué, Group Chief Technology and Information Officer of MTN, said: “At MTN, our focus is on delivering seamless, intelligent, and inclusive digital experiences for our customers across Africa. Through this collaboration with Huawei, we are exploring innovative solutions to enhance network reliability, improve service quality, and expand digital access for underserved communities. By leveraging advanced connectivity and cloud technologies, we aim to empower businesses, enrich customer experiences, and accelerate Africa’s digital future.”
Huawei’s Member of Huawei’s Supervisory Board and President of ICT Sales & Service, ICT Sales President Li Peng emphasised the collaboration’s transformative potential, “Our joint initiatives in 5G-Advanced networks and AI-powered cloud platforms will create a robust foundation for Africa’s digital economy. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to developing localised solutions that bridge both technological and skills gaps across the continent.”
This MoU marks a new phase in MTN and Huawei’s strategic collaboration going forward. Both companies will explore innovative solutions to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation and drive long-term digital economic growth.
MWC Barcelona 2025 is held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.
In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world.
For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

MIL OSI Economics –

March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: The government has achieved record levels of executive discipline in interaction with the State Duma

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

Dmitry Grigorenko at a meeting of the State Duma leadership. With the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodinin.

March 6, 2025

In 2024, the Government achieved record levels of executive discipline in terms of drafting bills and regulations. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko during a meeting of the State Duma leadership with state secretaries.

In particular, 99% of bills were submitted to the State Duma for consideration on time at the end of last year. This is a record result. For comparison, in 2023 this figure was 95%, and in 2022 – 84%. An important achievement was the almost 100% synchronization of the deadlines for the adoption of laws and by-laws in 2024. This means that legislative initiatives begin to work immediately after adoption, without delays caused by waiting for the development and approval of by-laws.

Dmitry Grigorenko noted that this result became possible due to the implementation of a monitoring system that tracks document preparation deadlines in real time and allows for prompt elimination of any delays that arise. This significantly increased the efficiency of the legislative process and reduced the risks of inconsistency in law enforcement.

The government has also improved the procedure for reviewing bills that are submitted for opinions or official reviews. To this end, an automatic approval mechanism was introduced into the procedure for preparing government positions. As a result, the timeframe for preparing reviews and opinions by federal ministries and departments has been reduced by 41% by the end of 2024. At the same time, the volume of such documents has increased by 15% over the past year.

“In recent years, we have focused on improving executive discipline, and last year was a record year in terms of fulfilling this task. At the same time, we are constantly improving interaction with the parliament, and today the key emphasis is on the quality of the laws adopted. To achieve this goal, we have systematized the work – identified priority bills. For example, in the current spring session, one of such priorities for the Government and deputies was the bill on combating telephone and Internet fraud. Its goal, on the one hand, is to provide citizens with effective tools for self-defense, and on the other – to deprive fraudsters of the opportunity to use their deception schemes,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a working meeting with members of the Government, set the task of taking appropriate measures to combat fraud on the Internet as soon as possible.

He also recalled that the Government had developed and submitted to the State Duma a comprehensive bill to combat fraudsters, which contains about 30 measures.

At the end of the meeting, Dmitry Grigorenko supported the proposal of the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin on the need to develop more laws of direct action. He noted that this task remains a priority. More and more often, measures are included directly in laws, which simplifies their application and increases the effectiveness of legal regulation. In particular, as a result of this work, the number of by-laws prepared by the Government has decreased by 1.5 times over the past 4 years, amounting to 1.3 thousand in 2024.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Kaspersky and Smart Africa forge strategic partnership to bolster cybersecurity in Africa

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ —

In a move to enhance digital security on the African continent, Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smart Africa. This landmark agreement is set to drive collaborative efforts aimed at expanding cybersecurity capabilities throughout Africa.

The partnership focuses on building essential cybersecurity skills via training programs, including those offered by the Kaspersky Academy (https://apo-opa.co/41r6HzS) — an international educational venture established in 2010 with a mission to drive the best cybersecurity education to build a safer digital world. Another major focus of the partnership will be addressing gender disparities by supporting initiatives that empower girls and women in the fields of cybersecurity, STEM, and ICT, which is a continuation of Kaspersky’s efforts aimed at empowering female professionals (https://apo-opa.co/4h51gwk) in IT and attracting more women in the field.

In addition to human capacity development, the collaboration aims to standardise cybersecurity policies by pooling both organisations to create harmonised regional and national frameworks. This effort involves working closely with cybersecurity authorities, law enforcement agencies, computer emergency response teams, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders to ensure a unified approach to digital security.

Moreover, the initiative is geared towards strengthening technological defenses. This includes establishing critical cyber infrastructures such as security operation centers and computer emergency response teams, as well as offering expert technical consulting to prevent and mitigate the effects of cybercrime.

Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, commented: “This MoU marks a significant milestone in our quest to secure Africa’s digital future. By joining forces with Kaspersky, we are not only building essential cybersecurity skills and bridging the gender gap but also setting the stage for robust regional cooperation and state-of-the-art cyber infrastructure.”

Eugene Kaspersky, founder and CEO of Kaspersky, noted: “Our strategic partnership with Smart Africa is designed to help create a more secure cyberspace across the continent and beyond. We see this initiative as a commitment to empowering both individual users and organisations to ensure that everyone can navigate the digital world safely and with confidence.”

This partnership reflects Kaspersky’s commitment to a collaborative approach in creating a more safe and secure digital space by building strategic partnerships helping to enhance efforts aimed at boosting the global cyber resilience. It also builds on the momentum of the recently established African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA), a collaborative initiative designed by Smart Africa to bring together cybersecurity authorities from African countries to address the growing challenges posed by cyber threats and crimes.

Together with Smart Africa’s unwavering commitment to building a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered continent, the joint cooperation is poised to address the evolving challenges of the cyber world and position Africa as a model of digital security innovation.

MIL OSI Africa –

March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: DOGE threat: How government data would give an AI company extraordinary power

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

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

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

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

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

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

Value of government data for AI

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

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

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

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

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

The technical advantage

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

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

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

Control of critical systems

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

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

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

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

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

Elon Musk’s xAI company is well financed.

Infrastructure and urban systems

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

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

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

Absolute data corrupts absolutely

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: OEUK news Government dialogue vital for North Sea growth, UK jobs & energy security 5 March 2025
Source: Offshore Energy UK

Headline: OEUK news

Government dialogue vital for North Sea growth, UK jobs & energy security

5 March 2025
Accessibility Statement

oeuk.org.uk

6 March 2025
Compliance status

We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.

To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.

This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.

Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.

If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email [email protected]

Screen-reader and keyboard navigation

Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:
1. Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.
  
  These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
2. Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
  
  Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
- Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
- Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
- Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
- ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
- Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
- Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
1. Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
2. Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
3. Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
4. Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
5. Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
6. Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
7. Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility

We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).

Notes, comments, and feedback

Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to [email protected]
MIL OSI Economics –
March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: EOLO chooses Thales to expand high-speed Internet access in Italy
Source: Thales Group

Headline: EOLO chooses Thales to expand high-speed Internet access in Italy

06 Mar 2025

Share this article
- EOLO partners with Thales to bring ultrafast broadband to underserved Italian communities.
- Thales’ eSIM solution enables seamless 5G connectivity for EOLO’s new Internet offerings, based on Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology.
- This initiative supports the EU’s goal of ‘universal 1Gbps broadband by 2030’ as well as EOLO’s and Thales Commitment to Digital Inclusion and to Innovation.
The European Union aims to ensure that all citizens have access to 1Gbps broadband by 2030 and EOLO selected Thales for its leading connectivity solutions. Achieving this vision requires innovative solutions like Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), which delivers high-speed internet to areas lacking traditional fiber or copper networks. FWA is crucial for connecting people in small towns and rural regions, supporting economic growth, and bridging the digital divide.

EOLO’s Vision for Faster Connectivity

As Italy’s leading FWA provider, EOLO has been pioneering radio technology to deliver affordable, high-speed internet. Currently, the company serves more than 700.000 households and FWA connectivity can reach speeds of up to 300 Mbps in download. To furtherly improve customer experience and reach Italian territories with a service able to bridge digital speed divide, EOLO is launching a 1Gbps FWA service in 2025, combining 5G and millimeter wave (mmWave) technology. This rollout will include a new 5G antenna network and thousands of eSIM-enabled devices installed at customer locations.

Thales’ Expertise in Secure Connectivity

Thales is playing a key role in this expansion by providing its eSIM Management platform, Thales On-Demand Subscription Manager (OSM). This technology allows EOLO’s 5G Routers to be pre-configured with mobile subscriptions, making installation faster and easier. Customers will benefit from instant activation as soon as they power on their devices, ensuring seamless connectivity.

“The infrastructure that we are building together will play a pivotal role by complementing fiber coverage in our country. With a connectivity able to reach 1 Gbps, we will meet the ambitious goals of both European and Italian agendas, helping citizens and enterprises to overcome digital divide and digital speed divide”, commented Guido Garrone, CEO at EOLO.

“Reliable, secure connectivity is essential for digital transformation,” said Eva Rudin, VP Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales. “By supporting EOLO with our advanced eSIM technology, we are enabling faster broadband deployment and helping to bridge the digital divide across Europe.”

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.

Thales has nearly 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
MIL OSI Economics –
March 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: Bitget Launchpool to Introduce Elixir Network and List for Spot Trading

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced the listing of Elixir Network for spot trading and the launch of an exclusive Launchpool rewards campaign.

Spot trading for Elixir will go live on 7 March, 10:00 (UTC) under the ELX/USDT pair, with deposits available on 6 March, 10:00 (UTC) and withdrawals available on 8 March 2025, 11:00 (UTC). Eligible users can lock BGB and DEUSD to grab a share of 3,833,000 ELX. In addition, the Launchpool campaign, starting from 7 March 2025, 10:00 (UTC) to 10 March 2025, 10:00 (UTC), will enable users to lock BGB and DEUSD for an opportunity to earn a share of 3,833,000 ELX in rewards.

Furthermore, the CandyBomb promotional event offers Bitget users the chance to earn ELX through deposits and trading activity. A total of 140,000 ELX tokens have been allocated for this campaign, which runs from 7 March 2025, 10:00 (UTC) to 14 March 2025, 10:00 (UTC).

Participants can join the CandyBomb page, where valid trading activity will automatically count toward the ELX airdrop, divided into spot trading pools and futures trading pools with 100,000 ELX allocated for the former pool and the remaining 40,000 ELX allocated for the latter pool. This CandyBomb campaign is targeted for the first 1,250 new users only.

Elixir is a groundbreaking modular Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) network that revolutionizes liquidity dynamics on exchanges by enabling direct liquidity provision and seamless product integration without the need for trust. Its adaptable framework easily integrates into leading DEXs, supported by a strong validator network, to boost liquidity and drive innovation in DeFi.

Elixir Network aims to revolutionize liquidity provision in the DeFi space through empowering retail participants and integrating real-world assets into decentralized finance platforms. Bitget continues to solidify its role as a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange, offering over 800 listed tokens across spot and derivatives markets. The addition of Elixir to Launchpool aligns with Bitget’s ongoing effort to support innovative projects whose value continues to evolve the ecosystem.

Users can find more details on Elixir Launchpool here and Spot Trading here.

About Bitget
Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM market, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

Contact

Simran Alphonso
media@bitget.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4cbe79fc-280d-4621-bfe2-9e448bd61c4a

The MIL Network –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Winners of Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025 APAC Final Announced

Source: Huawei

Headline: Winners of Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025 APAC Final Announced

[Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 6, 2025] The awards ceremony for the Asia-Pacific Regional Final of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025, jointly hosted by Huawei and the ASEAN Foundation, was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 27. The competition attracted more than 8,000 students from over 20 countries and regions, marking a 25% increase compared to the previous year. After a rigorous selection process, over 110 students from 12 countries and regions succeeded in advancing to the Finals.
Guests, teachers, and students stand for the national anthem of Malaysia and the ASEAN anthem

Among the esteemed guests in attendance were YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia; Prof. Datuk Dr. Azlinda Azman, Director General of Higher Education; H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs; Mr. Kongsada Detvongsone, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Lao PDR to ASEAN; Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation.
Alex Zhang, Vice President of Huawei Asia Pacific Region, said in his speech that Huawei is honored to establish more ICT academies and organize ICT competitions to cultivate a learning ecosystem. “In this ecosystem, future leaders will be able to utilize technologies such as 5G, AI, and cloud computing to develop effective solutions. Whether it’s driving digital economic development, building sustainable cities, improving healthcare services, or enhancing education quality, these efforts are all crucial.”
The team from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia won the grand prize in the Innovation Track of the competition. The judges highly praised their work for its technical innovation as well as its business and social significance. Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology from Vietnam won the grand prize in the Computing Track, Institut Teknologi Bandung from Indonesia won the grand prize in the Network Track, and the i-Academy from the Philippines won the grand prize in the Cloud Track. The grand prizes were presented by YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir and H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, and witnessed by Prof. Datuk Dr. Azlinda Azman and Alex Zhang.
Grand prize winners of the Innovation Track

Grand prize winners of the Computing Track

Grand prize winners of the Network Track

Grand prize winners of the Cloud Track

35 teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Laos, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR (China), and Macao SAR (China) won first, second, and third prizes in the four competition tracks. Mr. Kongsada Detvongsone, Huawei Service Fellow Sun Hu, and Alex Zhang presented the awards to the winning teams. The top-ranked teams will represent the Asia-Pacific region at the Global Final in Shenzhen in May 2025.
In this year’s newly introduced Teaching Competition, Dr. Husni Teja Sukmana from the Association of Higher Education in Informatics and Computer Science (APTIKOM) in Indonesia won the grand prize for his exceptional teaching skills.
The competition also presented special awards to recognize participants who excelled in promoting digital inclusion and contributing to a sustainable, smart world. The team from the National University of Singapore won the TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Award, while the team from Universiti Teknologi Brunei won the Green Development Award. Additionally, in an effort to encourage more women to pursue careers in technology and innovation while supporting the expansion of the ICT industry, Huawei presented a special honor—the Women in Tech Award—which was claimed this year by Malaysia’s Universiti Malaya. The award was presented by Dr. Piti Srisangnam.
One of Huawei’s key business slogans is “In the Asia Pacific region, for the Asia Pacific region.” Leveraging its robust technical capabilities, Huawei proactively collaborates with governments, universities, and enterprises to establish a thriving ecosystem that fosters the growth and development of ICT talent in the Asia Pacific region.
In the last eight years, the Huawei ICT Academy has made significant progress. The program has grown from partnering with just two universities in two countries to collaborating with over 340 universities in 18 countries. In 2024, Huawei kept pace with the latest technology trends and industry developments, launching nine new courses in the Asia-Pacific Region focused on areas like AI, openEuler, Gauss, and cloud computing.
Additionally, Huawei worked on integrating and creating localized courses in Thai and Indonesian languages to provide students with more cutting-edge, diverse, and applicable learning resources. In 2023, Huawei collaborated with the Ministry of Labor of Thailand and the Thailand Vocational Qualification Association to introduce PV installer certification and network engineer training. Huawei integrated its career certification system into Thailand’s arsenal of ICT education standards, partnering with universities and companies to establish training programs. To date, over 300 trainees have received dual certificates through these initiatives.
These initiatives have helped boost the local digital talent ecosystem in Thailand. As part of its first vocational education project outside China, Huawei collaborated with the government and certification bodies to develop courses and qualifications, setting a positive example for nurturing ICT talent across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
ICT competition fosters effective teamwork between contestants and helps them build their creativity and entrepreneurship. Later on, these qualities will help them succeed in their chosen careers. Considering both economic and social value, the competition promotes the adoption of the latest ICTs (such as the Internet, big data, and AI) in production, education, research, and application. Participating countries and regions recognize the importance of investing in the ICT talent ecosystem, which leads to faster digital transformation worldwide. In addition, the competition promotes equal access to quality education and global digital inclusion.

MIL OSI Economics –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British businesses continue optimistic views about Taiwan economy
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
World news story

British businesses continue optimistic views about Taiwan economy

English

繁體中文

According to the latest survey results, optimism towards Taiwan’s economy was solid among respondents, consistent with previous results.
Ruth Bradley-Jones, Representative at the British Office Taipei, and Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific currently visiting Taiwan, announced the latest 2024-25 British Business Survey results at an event hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei. Representatives from the Taiwanese authorities, including Deputy Trade Representative Huai-Shing YEN from Office of Trade Negotiation, Secretary General Amelia W.J. DAY from International Trade Administration and Director General Emile M. P. CHANG from Department of Investment Promotion of Ministry of Economic Affairs, also attended the event.

According to the latest survey results, optimism towards Taiwan’s economy was solid among respondents, consistent with previous results. It is significant that despite a series of global economic fluctuations over the past few years, Taiwan has been a stable and growing market for most British businesses. The respondents also identified new opportunities across various sectors – notably ICT beyond semiconductors – as well as healthcare, financial services, and renewable energy. In this positive environment, 64% of respondents anticipated business revenue to grow in 2025.

Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific (Right) was exchanging opinions with UK businesses.

Respondents also expected the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) Arrangement to benefit their operations by facilitating business between the UK and Taiwan and reducing bureaucratic ‘red tape.’

British businesses’ hope for the next round of UK-Taiwan trade talks largely aligned with their wish lists for the UK’s updated industrial and trade strategies. In particular, they emphasised strengthening the UK-Taiwan relationship in ICT and healthcare.

The results of the latest survey showed that most of the uncertainties come from external, international sources. There are signs that geopolitical factors are impacting operations. Businesses expressed concern about attracting and retaining foreign talent due to cross-Strait tensions. Over one third of respondents stated some impact to their business operation following President Trump’s re-election.

Looking domestically at areas for improvement, local protectionism is seen as a growing challenge for British businesses hoping to compete on a level playing field in Taiwan.

These concerns are reflected in respondents’ ranking for policy priorities in Taiwan. Energy supply and security was the top priority, followed by efforts to stabilise cross-Strait relations, and continuation of efforts to diversify Taiwan’s international trading network. Additionally, respondents expressed a desire to see greater efforts to attract foreign investment, international companies, and foreign talent.

Ruth Bradley-Jones, Representative at the British Office Taipei, was giving remarks in the event.

Ruth Bradley-Jones, Representative at the British Office Taipei, said she recognised potential business uncertainty coming from the external space, but noted,

I believe that the UK and Taiwan are committed to a responsive trading environment for businesses, and this is demonstrated through the ETP, bilateral Trade Talks, and many more collaborations in science, energy, and digital. I am confident that UK-Taiwan bilateral economic relations will continue to prosper, encouraging British businesses to keep their commitments to the Taiwanese market.

A total of 38 British businesses responses were collected, most of which have set up offices in Taiwan, representing a wide range of sectors, from consulting businesses (24%), advanced engineering (21%), aerospace, energy, financial and professional services, to semiconductors (18% each).

The comprehensive results of the latest British business survey will be published on the UK Government’s GOV.UK Taiwan page in due course and will be included in the future UK-Taiwan bilateral discussions.

Note to editors:

The British Business Survey, which started in 2017, is an annual initiative that seeks to gain insights into British business sentiment about Taiwan’s economy and business environment. This latest edition of the British Business Survey was conducted by the British Office Taipei between December 2024 to January 2025, in collaboration with the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.

The 2023-2024 British Business Survey results can be found HERE.

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Published 6 March 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: NAB support for customers and colleagues impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Source: National Australia Bank
- NAB announces assistance for customers and colleagues affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred
- Customers encouraged to contact bank when ready to discuss available financial assistance
- Temporary closures of select branches to ensure customer and colleague safety
NAB has today announced disaster relief assistance for customers and colleagues affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

NAB encourages affected customers to contact the bank when they’re ready to discuss a range of financial relief measures, including:
- Credit card and personal loan relief
- Waiving the establishment fee for restructuring business facilities
- Concessional loans to customers seeking support to restructure existing facilities to assist in repairs, restocking and re-opening for business
- Reducing and moratorium on home and personal loan repayments
- Wellbeing support for colleagues and customers
NAB’s Local Personal Banking Executive Tony Story said the measures provide customers with peace of mind, and access to immediate financial support.

“We want our customers and colleagues to know we’re here to help,” Mr Story said.

“The number one priority here is their safety. In the coming days, our teams will be on standby to support impacted customers. We are committed to providing extra care and support during these difficult times.

“Anyone who needs assistance or advice can contact us by calling us or choosing the chat option in the app.

“When it’s safe to reopen our branches, we’ll also be happy to welcome you back for face to face service.”

To access financial assistance please call NAB Assist on:
- 1300 661 114 for personal customers
- 1300 881 661 for business customers
Additional help is available via:
- NAB messaging in the App and on Internet Banking
- At nab.com.au/disaster
- Agri customers who need help can contact their banker.
- For NAB insurance claims (damaged homes, contents, and vehicles), please call Allianz on 1300 555 013
Be aware of Frauds and Scams

During this time, customers are reminded to stay alert to potential scams. Criminals may use events like this natural disaster as an opportunity to impersonate well-known organisations including banks, insurance or telecommuication providers and government agencies. NAB will never send customers links in unexpected text messages, or ask customers for personal information like passwords or pins.
Environment

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Media Enquiries

For all media enquiries, please contact the NAB Media Line on 03 7035 5015

MIL OSI News –
March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Ohio Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Child Pornography Crime

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Leonard Samiia, 32, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for production of child pornography. Samiia must register as a sex offender.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about February 20, 2023, Samiia employed, used, persuaded, induced, and enticed a minor victim residing within the Southern District of West Virginia to send images of her nude vagina to him through the internet using an instant messaging service. Samiia also sent the images back to the minor victim using the messaging service.

Samiia admitted that he sent a series of messages to the minor victim, directing her to make specific poses and take specific actions for these images. Samiia further admitted that he threatened the minor victim with the images she sent him, including by messaging her “(h)ave fun with these pics being posted now,” “being posted all over Facebook google snapchat twitch and everywhere,” and “THEY WILL BE POSTED ON YOUR SCHOOL WEBSITE TOO.” In one message, Samiia threatened to travel to where the minor victim lived and physically harm her and her family.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Holly Wilson 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 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 www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-18.

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MIL Security OSI –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Mexican national sentenced for possession of child sexual assault material

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 26-year-old citizen of Mexico has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Ezequiel Vallejo-Hernandez pleaded guilty Feb. 12, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered him to serve 78 months in federal prison. Vallejo-Hernandez was further ordered to pay $57,500 in restitution to various victims and will serve 10 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the Internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

On Sept. 16, 2023, Vallejo-Hernandez attempted to enter the United States through the Gateway International Port of Entry, at which time authorities referred him to secondary inspection. At that time, they noticed that Vallejo-Hernandez had a “lookout” placed on him based on a Cybertip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Law enforcement conducted a basic search of his cell phone which led to the discovery of child sexual assault material (CSAM) on the device.

“Since its founding, the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood (PSC) has allowed prosecutors and law enforcement to uncover and prosecute those that prey on children online. This case is a textbook example on how PSC is making the internet safer for children,” said Ganjei.

A forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of a total of 557 CSAM files within his MEGA application – a cloud-based storage application – on his phone.

Vallejo-Hernandez admitted to downloading the CSAM files to his cell phone and acknowledged it was a crime to be in possession of that material.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of PSC, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

MIL Security OSI –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI: James Altucher Declares 2025 as ‘America’s Defining Moment’—A Rare Economic Shift That Could Reshape the Future

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, March 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tech expert, best-selling author, and market forecaster James Altucher is making a bold proclamation: 2025 will mark a turning point in the American economy—one that could redefine industries, technology, and personal opportunity.

Calling it “The Great Gain”, Altucher believes that a rare collision of economic forces is underway, creating what could be one of the most significant windows for personal and financial transformation in modern history. “For the first time in US history… Two major Wealth Drivers are on a collision course.”

These two forces—a major political and economic shift combined with a historic wealth cycle peak—are aligning in a way that hasn’t happened in decades. “The first 365 days of Trump’s presidency will be remembered as… The best time to get rich in American history.”

A Historic Turning Point for Innovation and Growth

Altucher, who has successfully predicted market-defining trends for decades, sees 2025 as the start of a technological and financial transformation similar to past economic revolutions. “The Industrial Revolution created unprecedented business empires. The dot-com boom built some of today’s biggest companies.”

He believes this moment could be even bigger, with industries evolving faster than ever before. “Technology is evolving at an exponential rate, and industries are being reshaped overnight.”

A Rare Chance for Everyday Americans

Altucher emphasizes that this shift isn’t just for major corporations or Wall Street—it presents a rare second chance for everyday Americans to take advantage of changes before they become mainstream. “In our nation’s history… There have been only a few times… Where regular Americans could quickly gain enough wealth… To radically improve their standard of living.”

About James Altucher

James Altucher is not only a tech expert, he’s a former hedge fund manager and best-selling author. Altucher has also launched and sold multiple businesses and advised Fortune 500 companies. His work has been featured on Fox Business, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, The New York Times, and Business Insider.

His podcast, The James Altucher Show, has been downloaded over 40 million times, featuring guests such as Mark Cuban, Richard Branson, and Peter Thiel.

Media Contact:
Derek Warren
Public Relations Manager
Paradigm Press Group
Email: dwarren@paradigmpressgroup.com

The MIL Network –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Keynote speech by SITI at GSMA Ministerial Programme of Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona (English only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Keynote speech by SITI at GSMA Ministerial Programme of Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona (English only)
******************************************************************************************

Following is the keynote speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Ministerial Programme of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain on March 5 (Barcelona time): Distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen, Buenas tardes! Good afternoon! It is a privilege to join you all at the MWC Barcelona 2025, Europe’s pre-eminent mobile tech summit hosted in the fascinating city of Barcelona. Renowned for its architectural brilliance and rich cultural tapestry, Barcelona is undoubtedly a beacon of creativity in Europe. More than ten thousand kilometers away, Hong Kong shares the same dynamic spirit and strong commitment to innovation. This brings me here today to share with you Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) landscape as well as opportunities that connect people around the world. Hong Kong: Our odyssey to be an International I&T Centre Well known for the free, international and business-friendly environment, Hong Kong ranks first in Asia and third in the world in the Global Financial Centres Index. The success of this Asia’s World City is our spirit of embracing changes and evolving with times. The theme of this year’s MWC Barcelona, “Converge, Connect, Create”, aptly encapsulates the key directions of Hong Kong’s new mission. We are racing to become an international I&T centre, as enshrined in our I&T Development Blueprint promulgated in 2022. We strive to perfect Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem with conducive policies to support the development of strategic tech industries, including AI and robotics, life and health technologies, new energy and advanced manufacturing industries. The Blueprint not only converges and connects our game plan on technological innovation and talent cultivation, but also creates new impetus to Hong Kong’s high quality development and enhances our citizens’ quality of life with day-to-day convenience brought about by technology innovation. Bridging the digital divide by building a Smart City and a Digital Inclusive Society Hong Kong is among the world’s top 20 smart cities in the Smart City Index released by the IMD (International Institute for Management Development). One of the board development direction set out in our I&T Blueprint is to promote digital economy and develop Hong Kong into a smart city. Over the years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has rolled out various measures to make Hong Kong a more advanced and livable smart city, such as developing new digital infrastructure, opening up public data, and enhancing government services by applying advanced technologies such as blockchain and IoT (Internet of Things). Indeed, one of the best testimonies to a city’s I&T achievement is the degree of digitalisation. In Hong Kong, all submissions and payments to the Government have electronic options. More than three millions of people are enjoying the convenience and efficiency of accessing government services and online identity verification through a mobile application called “iAM Smart”. A corporate version of “iAM Smart”, nick-named CorpID, is upcoming too. Known for the cultural diversity and international landscape, digital inclusiveness is an area that we take pride in. In Hong Kong, where the household broadband penetration rate and smartphone penetration rate are both approximately 97 per cent, the internet usage rate among Hong Kong citizens aged 65 and above rocketed, from 56 per cent in 2018 to 84 per cent in 2023, slightly ahead of the European rate of around 78 per cent. Hong Kong’s life expectancy has seen a steady increase over the past half century, reaching 83 years for men and 88 years for women in 2023. As society becomes so digitally knitted and increasingly mobile, we recently launched the “Smart Silver” Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders, to address the challenges of an increasingly aging society. This programme fortifies our digital inclusive efforts by providing elders with community-based training and on-the-spot helpdesks to enhance elders’ knowledge on new digital technologies and support their navigation by common mobile applications. Hong Kong’s Research and Development (R&D) Excellence driving global I&T collaboration Global collaboration is a necessity to tackle unprecedented challenges. Hong Kong is the only city in the world housing five of the world’s top 100 universities, providing a readily available pool of R&D capabilities, know-how and talent. These favourable conditions make possible many scientific and technological breakthroughs by harnessing cutting-edge innovations from both the East and the West. You may wish to know that our flagship R&D initiative – InnoHK has built collaboration with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies, set up a total of 30 research laboratories. Of these, 16 of them focus on AI and robotics-related technologies. Our goal is to converge top-notch researchers from all over the world to conduct world-class and impactful collaborative researches. The vigorous development of AI is reshaping global economic landscape. Our AI Supercomputing Centre has just commenced operation, and the computing power will be ramped up gradually to 3 000 petaFLOPS this year. Newly announced in our annual Government Budget last week, we will earmark $1 billion Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to 120 million euros, for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute. Hong Kong stands ready to play a full role in promoting global I&T collaboration. Hong Kong: an Ideal Home to I&T enterprises and start-ups In fact, Hong Kong stands in a prime location for I&T and business collaborations. With the distinctive advantages of “one country, two systems”, over 1 400 companies from outside Hong Kong have set up regional headquarters in Hong Kong, including some global tech giants. Our strategic location and unique role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” empower them to tap into the vast markets of Mainland China including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Asia-Pacific region and also the Belt-and-Road countries. Hong Kong is also an ideal home for breeding I&T start-ups. According to the Global Start-up Ecosystem Report 2024, Hong Kong ranks first in Asia and third globally among the top 100 emerging ecosystems. As of 2024, the number of start-ups in Hong Kong has surged to about 4 700, reaching the record highs. Our two I&T flagships, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the digital tech-oriented Cyberport, provide robust support for start-ups through various incubation programmes. They also offer opportunities for start-ups to participate in I&T mega events, which include, of course, the MWC Barcelona. If you are interested in discovering Hong Kong’s vibrant I&T scene, be sure to visit the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at Hall 6 and speak to our tech ventures there. Concluding remarks Ladies and gentlemen, I hope my sharing just now could vividly show the colours of Hong Kong’s I&T scene, just like the beautiful city of Barcelona. Seeing is believing. I welcome you all to Hong Kong to explore more on our robust digital infrastructure, smart city initiatives and digital economy development. Before I close, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to GSMA for inviting me to the Ministerial Programme. I wish everyone here a fruitful exchange. Gracias! Thank you!

Ends/Wednesday, March 5, 2025Issued at HKT 23:25

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian Man Extradited to the United States to Face Computer Intrusion and Theft Charges

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Defendant allegedly conspired to use stolen taxpayer information to file over 1,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking millions of dollars in tax refunds

BOSTON – A Nigerian national living in Mexico has been extradited to the United States for his role in a scheme to break into Massachusetts tax preparation firms’ computer networks and to file fraudulent tax returns.

Matthew A. Akande, 36, was arrested in October 2024 at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom at the request of the United States and extradited to the United States on March 5, 2025. He appeared in federal court in Boston today. Akande was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022 with one count of conspiracy to obtain unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud and to commit theft of government money and money laundering; one count of wire fraud; four counts of unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud; 13 counts of theft of government money; and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft.

Co-conspirator, Kehinde H. Oyetunji, 33, a Nigerian national living in North Dakota, pleaded guilty in December 2022 to one count of conspiracy to obtain unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud and to commit theft of government money and money laundering. Oyetunji’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

Between in or about June 2016 and June 2021, Akande, Oyetunji and others are alleged to have worked together to steal money from the United States government using taxpayers’ personally identifiable information (PII) to file fraudulent tax returns in the taxpayers’ names. In addition, between in or about February 2020, the scheme involved stealing taxpayers’ PII from Massachusetts tax preparation firms via phishing attacks and computer intrusions.

To carry out the scheme, Akande is alleged to have caused fraudulent phishing emails to be sent to five Massachusetts tax preparation firms. The emails purported to be from a prospective client seeking the tax preparation firms’ services but in truth were used to trick the firms into downloading remote access trojan malicious software (RAT malware), including malware known as Warzone RAT. Akande allegedly used the RAT malware to obtain the PII and prior year tax information of the tax preparation firms’ clients, which Akande then used to cause fraudulent tax returns to be filed seeking refunds. The tax returns directed that the fraudulent tax refunds be deposited in bank accounts allegedly opened by Oyetunji and others. Once the refunds were issued, Oyetunji and others withdrew the stolen money in cash in the United States and then transferred a portion to third parties in Mexico, allegedly at Akande’s direction, while keeping a portion for themselves. In total, Akande and his coconspirators are alleged to have filed more than 1,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking over $8.1 million in fraudulent tax refunds over approximately five years. They are alleged to have successfully obtained over $1.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds.

Federal authorities encourage all businesses that suspect they have been the target and/or victim of a cyberattack to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Taxpayers and tax preparation firms that suspect they have been the target and/or victim of a phishing attack can also forward phishing email(s) to phishing@irs.gov.

The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs coordinated with authorities in the United Kingdom to secure the extradition of Akande. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL Security OSI –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: United Nations Proved Resilient amid COVID-19, Fifth Committee Told, as It Examines Business Continuity in Crises

Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) delegates today reviewed the United Nations’ ongoing efforts to strengthen its response to disruptive events, such as pandemics, terrorist attacks and severe weather events.

They heard that the Organization continued delivering mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing its resilience and adaptability under difficult circumstances. However, the Secretariat was urged to include more detail — including a visual representation of responsibilities and reporting lines, along with cost breakdowns — in future reports on business continuity.

Olga De La Piedra, Director of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, introduced the Secretary-General’s report “Progress in the implementation of the organizational resilience management system” (document A/79/692). First approved by the General Assembly in June 2013, the organizational resilience management system uses a multidisciplinary framework to integrate areas, such as crisis management, information and communications technology (ICT), emergency medical support, safety and security, and other areas to keep the Organization running smoothly in the face of disruptive events.

At the General Assembly’s request, the report, which covers the 2022 to 2024 calendar years, includes an annex with comprehensive information on the Organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Del la Piedra said the report describes the system’s architecture and coordination mechanisms, and includes the cost of carrying out the system in the Secretariat, efforts to strengthen the resiliency system in special political missions, as well as the work of the UN system’s working group on organizational resilience management system. The Secretariat’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was guided by the system, she said, as crisis management teams were activated in early 2020 across duty stations to roll out a coherent response.

“Close collaboration and coordination proved to be key in the dynamic and agile response process required by the pandemic, not only across the UN Secretariat, but also with UN system organizations and with continuous consultation of Member States,” she said. “It also required coordination with local authorities, vendors, implementation partners and others to be able to continue delivering mandates, even in the most difficult times.”

She said the response involved many functions carried out around the world, including policy, safety and security, medical, conference servicing, facilities management, human resources, supply chain management, financial support and overall operational support. She said the Organization, particularly its staff, “demonstrated that it is resilient and can learn and adapt even under the most trying of circumstances”.

Udo Fenchel, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), then presented that body’s related report (document A/79/7/Add.45). The Advisory Committee acknowledges the progress achieved in the system’s development and implementation, particularly its positive impact on the Organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Advisory Committee trusts that efforts to strengthen the system will continue, based on lessons learned and considering current and possible future challenges.

To enhance future progress reports, the Advisory Committee encourages a higher level of details on the architecture of the organizational resilience management system, including an illustration of the responsibilities and reporting lines at Headquarters, offices away from Headquarters and field missions for the Secretariat, and information for the United Nations system, Mr. Fenchel said.

The progress report should also include a detailed accounting of the full costs of the activities that support the system, including staff costs, ICT investments, training exercises, consultancies and insurance, he said. These details would include a consolidated summary of the overall costs and possible efficiencies. “The Advisory Committee stresses the importance of efficiency and cost-effectiveness in maintaining a full and effective emergency preparedness and response to critical situations, ensuring business continuity in the work of the Organization,” he added.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Baldwinsville Man Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Kenneth Koegel, Jr. Had a Prior Conviction for Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree Involving a 6-Year-Old

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kenneth Koegel, Jr., 40, of Baldwinsville, New York was sentenced today to 45 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release following his conviction by guilty plea to seven counts of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of commission of a felony offense involving a minor by a registered sex offender, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of receipt of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.

As part of his prior guilty plea, Koegel admitted that he was convicted in 2004 in Monroe County Court of sexual abuse in the first degree for exposing his penis to a 6-year-old girl in a public park and touching her vagina with his hand and that he was required to register as a sex offender because of that conviction. He then admitted that, starting in or about 2014 and continuing until October 2022, he sexually abused a girl from the time she was approximately 2 years old until she was approximately 9 years old. During that time, Koegel created numerous sexually explicit images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of his victim, including Koegel subjecting her to multiple sex acts. He also used a social messaging application to distribute the material he produced to someone else, with whom he also traded thousands of other child pornography files.

In addition to the 45-year imprisonment term and lifetime supervision, the district court also ordered Koegel to pay $12,000 in restitution and a $1,000 special assessment. Koegel will have 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 – comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led 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 –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 27

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.
SEL7

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 27
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1025 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Southern Maryland
Eastern/Southeastern Virginia
Coastal Waters

* Effective this Wednesday morning and evening from 1025 AM until
600 PM EST.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY…A convective line is expected to continue
eastward/northeastward into more of eastern/southeastern VA and
southern MD over the next several hours. Strong wind fields across
the region will support the potential for damaging gusts within this
line. A low probability for a brief tornado or two also exists.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 45
statute miles north and south of a line from 75 miles west southwest
of Richmond VA to 20 miles east of Patuxent River MD. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for 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. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 26…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few
cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
27035.

…Mosier

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW7
WW 27 SEVERE TSTM MD VA CW 051525Z – 052300Z
AXIS..45 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
75WSW RIC/RICHMOND VA/ – 20E NHK/PATUXENT RIVER MD/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 40NM N/S /33ESE LYH – 25W SBY/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 INCH. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 27035.

LAT…LON 37737857 38937605 37637605 36437857

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU7.

Watch 27 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (20%)

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

Low (5%)

Wind

Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

Mod (60%)

Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

Low (20%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Low (10%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Low (

MIL OSI USA News –

March 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Former Austins building acquired by Inner City Trust

Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

Former Austins building acquired by Inner City Trust

5 March 2025

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, has welcomed the announcement from the Department for Communities today of £1.2m investment which has resulted in the Inner City Trust (ICT) securing ownership of the former Austins Department Store building in Derry. The acquisition is part of a conservation led regeneration plan that has been developed by the Department for Communities, with the acquisition valued at approximately £1.2m.

The project will see the Inner City Trust taking ownership of this significantly iconic historic Grade A listed building and will set in motion the pathway to secure further funding to fully restore and regenerate the building.

The vision is to create an open and accessible space for everyone to utilise and enjoy, and to protect and preserve the beautifully designed architecture that has for so long been the central feature of Derry’s Diamond area.

While the plans are still at the early stages, there is a real sense of positivity and ambition for this iconic city landmark located within the heart of Derry’s historic Walled City. Any proposals will be subject to wider engagement and a due diligence process, but the focus will be on recreating a city centre focal point which will attract footfall and vibrancy to the Diamond and wider Walled City area and appeal to a wide range of audiences.

Robert Millar, chair of Inner City Trust said they were hugely honoured to have acquired this iconic building and are excited to be entrusted with the responsibility of refurbishing such an historic and iconic property in the heart of Derry City, and bring it back into public use. He said: “The Austins building is greatly loved and admired by the people of Derry. It holds many happy memories for so many people. We are so proud to have acquired ownership of this beautiful property and to begin exploring how it can be restored and revitalised, and open its doors to the public once again.

“We are excited to work in partnership with the Department for Communities on this significant project. Our priority in the regeneration of the building will be restoring it to the local community where it can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and securing its long-term future at the heart of the city centre.”

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr, said Council welcomes the announcement today by the Department for Communities to secure the acquisition. “Council has a strategic interest in seeing this iconic building restored for the benefit of the historic Walled City. We have been very proactive in working with stakeholders to identify ways to regenerate the property and in 2023 we set up the Austins Task Force and secured funding to commission a conservation-led condition assessment of the building to help enable this acquisition.

“We will continue to work with the Inner City Trust and partners to ensure any future plans align with the strategic vision for the regeneration and revitalisation of the city centre and will complement our ambitious and exciting plans through the City Deal projects, in particular the Walled City project that will see the creation of reimagined spaces across the Walled City, and the re-imagining of the Diamond area.

“Austins has been vacant for a period of time, and we are delighted with this strong commitment from the Department for Communities to invest in this building and then look forward to Inner City Trust restoring it for a sustainable and long-term use. I would like to extend my congratulations to the Department for Communities and Inner City Trust and all the partners for getting to this stage. Inner City Trust have an excellent track record when it comes to heritage-led restoration and regeneration and I look forward to seeing the Austins building back in public usage and regenerated to once again become a focal point in the city centre.”

Robert Millar from Inner City Trust added now the acquisition is finalised, immediate essential maintenance will take place in advance of a more extensive proposed refurbishment programme of works to commence in the coming months.

They added that they will also continue to work in partnership with the Department for Communities and Council and other key strategic partners to help secure the required funding package to fully restore and regenerate the building.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

March 6, 2025

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Former Austins building acquired by Inner City Trust

DIALOGUE, COOPERATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING ARE THE KEYS IN AN INCREASINGLY INTERCONNECTED WORLD FOR RESOLVING CONFLICTS AND FOSTERING GLOBAL HARMONY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

LOK SABHA SPEAKER EMPHASIZES THE CRITICAL ROLE OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP IN SHAPING NATION’S PROGRESS