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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Security: Appeal for information after man repeatedly stabbed in Newham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives are appealing for information after a man was seriously injured after being repeatedly stabbed in east London.

    Police were called at 21:48hrs on Wednesday, 7 May to reports of a stabbing in Park Grove, E15.

    Officers arrived three minutes later and found a man nearby, aged in his 20s, suffering multiple stab injuries. He was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service with serious injuries. He remained in hospital for two weeks.

    Detective Constable Richard Brunning, the investigating officer from the North East Basic Command Unit, said: “This is a complex and serious incident. We keep an open-mind for the motive, however it is believed that the victim and offenders were not known to each other.

    “The violence which was displayed during this attack is shocking and we are doing everything we can to investigate what happened. We are looking to identify the suspects who are described as black, tall and slim.

    “We are appealing to the public who may recall seeing this incident, or have any footage of the suspects or vehicle involved, which we believe to be a white BMW series X1.

    “If you were in the Chadd Green estate at the time, witnessed the incident or have any information or footage please contact us without delay.”

    Anyone with information can call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting CAD 7760/07MAY.

    Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Appeal for information after man repeatedly stabbed in Newham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives are appealing for information after a man was seriously injured after being repeatedly stabbed in east London.

    Police were called at 21:48hrs on Wednesday, 7 May to reports of a stabbing in Park Grove, E15.

    Officers arrived three minutes later and found a man nearby, aged in his 20s, suffering multiple stab injuries. He was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service with serious injuries. He remained in hospital for two weeks.

    Detective Constable Richard Brunning, the investigating officer from the North East Basic Command Unit, said: “This is a complex and serious incident. We keep an open-mind for the motive, however it is believed that the victim and offenders were not known to each other.

    “The violence which was displayed during this attack is shocking and we are doing everything we can to investigate what happened. We are looking to identify the suspects who are described as black, tall and slim.

    “We are appealing to the public who may recall seeing this incident, or have any footage of the suspects or vehicle involved, which we believe to be a white BMW series X1.

    “If you were in the Chadd Green estate at the time, witnessed the incident or have any information or footage please contact us without delay.”

    Anyone with information can call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting CAD 7760/07MAY.

    Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: EverMark Investment Partners Launches with Support from LPL Strategic Wealth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC announced today that financial advisors Matthew Sweeney, CFP®, John Folsom and Tanner Carter, CFP®, have launched a new independent practice, EverMark Investment Partners (“EverMark”), through affiliation with LPL Financial’s supported independence model, LPL Strategic Wealth. They reported serving approximately $425 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets* and join LPL from RBC.

    Based in San Diego, Folsom and Sweeney have collaborated since 1996 and bring a combined seven decades of financial industry experience to the practice. Carter, who entered the financial industry in 2019, completes the team. Together with Senior Investment Associates Nomah Cronk and Kristin Garnica, the team takes a collaborative approach to helping their clients work towards more secure financial futures.

    “We are fortunate to have longevity and loyalty with our clients — in fact, nearly half of our clients are multigenerational,” Sweeney said. “When clients work with us, we offer them the experience of a long-tenured team, the discipline of active portfolio management and the perspective that comes from working with multiple generations over time. We value direct communication, mutual respect and clear thinking. And while our work is serious, we never lose sight of the people we serve or the trust they place in us.”

    Why the EverMark team made the move to LPL Strategic Wealth

    EverMark chose to affiliate via LPL’s comprehensive supported independence solution, LPL Strategic Wealth Services (SW), which combines the freedom and flexibility of entrepreneurship with hands-on business services and support to help practices thrive, both operationally and strategically.

    In addition to access to LPL’s innovative wealth management platform and sophisticated resources, SW advisors benefit from a truly integrated service that includes simplified pricing, technology and dedicated support to launch their practice. Then, after the transition is complete, SW teams receive ongoing operations support managed by their team of experienced professionals including a business strategist, marketing partner, CFO and administrative assistant. Advisors have one point of contact, a dedicated team and priority access to advocacy and project management for complex business issues, ultimately allowing them to stay focused on the enduring needs of their clients and the culture and evolution of their practice.

    With the move, EverMark Investment Partners becomes the 50th team to join Strategic Wealth, LPL’s breakaway solution for growth-oriented advisors who are looking for the best of both worlds — full independence and full support. Established in 2020, Strategic Wealth was designed to support the unique needs of established advisors in wirehouses and other firms seeking to launch independent practices.

    “LPL’s Strategic Wealth model is unlike anything else in the market today,” Folsom said. “It takes the best aspects of being RIAs — owning our own business, our client relationships belonging to us, choice in technology and services, optimal succession solutions — and packages it with an outstanding process to help us set up our business for success from day one. It’s an honor knowing that EverMark is the 50th team to join LPL’s Strategic Wealth, and we are proud to join this community of like-minded advisors.”

    Carter added, “With LPL’s best-in-class technology and strategic business resources, we will be able to provide more personalized investment options and enhanced service experiences. I am confident that moving to LPL and LPL Strategic Wealth was the right move for our business — and, more importantly, our clients.

    Scott Posner, LPL Managing Director, Business Development, said, “We welcome the EverMark Investment Partners team and congratulate them on going independent with LPL Strategic Wealth and becoming the 50th team in the model. Just as Matt, John and Tanner take a personalized approach to helping their clients pursue their fiscal goals, LPL offers the strategic support and innovative resources advisors can use to deliver differentiated client experiences. We look forward to supporting this team for years to come.”

    Related
    Advisors, learn how LPL Financial can help take your business to the next level.

    About LPL Financial

    LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports over 29,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,200 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $1.8 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 7 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com.

    Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC.

    Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial.

    We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “Investor Relations” or “Press Releases” section of our website.

    *Value approximated based on asset and holding details provided to LPL from end of year, 2024.

    Media Contact:
    Media.relations@LPLFinancial.com

    Tracking #754898

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EverMark Investment Partners Launches with Support from LPL Strategic Wealth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC announced today that financial advisors Matthew Sweeney, CFP®, John Folsom and Tanner Carter, CFP®, have launched a new independent practice, EverMark Investment Partners (“EverMark”), through affiliation with LPL Financial’s supported independence model, LPL Strategic Wealth. They reported serving approximately $425 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets* and join LPL from RBC.

    Based in San Diego, Folsom and Sweeney have collaborated since 1996 and bring a combined seven decades of financial industry experience to the practice. Carter, who entered the financial industry in 2019, completes the team. Together with Senior Investment Associates Nomah Cronk and Kristin Garnica, the team takes a collaborative approach to helping their clients work towards more secure financial futures.

    “We are fortunate to have longevity and loyalty with our clients — in fact, nearly half of our clients are multigenerational,” Sweeney said. “When clients work with us, we offer them the experience of a long-tenured team, the discipline of active portfolio management and the perspective that comes from working with multiple generations over time. We value direct communication, mutual respect and clear thinking. And while our work is serious, we never lose sight of the people we serve or the trust they place in us.”

    Why the EverMark team made the move to LPL Strategic Wealth

    EverMark chose to affiliate via LPL’s comprehensive supported independence solution, LPL Strategic Wealth Services (SW), which combines the freedom and flexibility of entrepreneurship with hands-on business services and support to help practices thrive, both operationally and strategically.

    In addition to access to LPL’s innovative wealth management platform and sophisticated resources, SW advisors benefit from a truly integrated service that includes simplified pricing, technology and dedicated support to launch their practice. Then, after the transition is complete, SW teams receive ongoing operations support managed by their team of experienced professionals including a business strategist, marketing partner, CFO and administrative assistant. Advisors have one point of contact, a dedicated team and priority access to advocacy and project management for complex business issues, ultimately allowing them to stay focused on the enduring needs of their clients and the culture and evolution of their practice.

    With the move, EverMark Investment Partners becomes the 50th team to join Strategic Wealth, LPL’s breakaway solution for growth-oriented advisors who are looking for the best of both worlds — full independence and full support. Established in 2020, Strategic Wealth was designed to support the unique needs of established advisors in wirehouses and other firms seeking to launch independent practices.

    “LPL’s Strategic Wealth model is unlike anything else in the market today,” Folsom said. “It takes the best aspects of being RIAs — owning our own business, our client relationships belonging to us, choice in technology and services, optimal succession solutions — and packages it with an outstanding process to help us set up our business for success from day one. It’s an honor knowing that EverMark is the 50th team to join LPL’s Strategic Wealth, and we are proud to join this community of like-minded advisors.”

    Carter added, “With LPL’s best-in-class technology and strategic business resources, we will be able to provide more personalized investment options and enhanced service experiences. I am confident that moving to LPL and LPL Strategic Wealth was the right move for our business — and, more importantly, our clients.

    Scott Posner, LPL Managing Director, Business Development, said, “We welcome the EverMark Investment Partners team and congratulate them on going independent with LPL Strategic Wealth and becoming the 50th team in the model. Just as Matt, John and Tanner take a personalized approach to helping their clients pursue their fiscal goals, LPL offers the strategic support and innovative resources advisors can use to deliver differentiated client experiences. We look forward to supporting this team for years to come.”

    Related
    Advisors, learn how LPL Financial can help take your business to the next level.

    About LPL Financial

    LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports over 29,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,200 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $1.8 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 7 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com.

    Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC.

    Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial.

    We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “Investor Relations” or “Press Releases” section of our website.

    *Value approximated based on asset and holding details provided to LPL from end of year, 2024.

    Media Contact:
    Media.relations@LPLFinancial.com

    Tracking #754898

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix Study Finds Public Sector Embraces Generative AI, but Faces Security, Skills, and Infrastructure Gaps

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, announced the findings of its seventh annual global Public Sector Enterprise Cloud Index (ECI) survey and research report, which measures enterprise progress with cloud adoption in the industry. The research showed that 83% of public sector organizations have a GenAI strategy in place, with 54% actively implementing, and 29% preparing for implementation.

    As public sector organizations ramp up GenAI adoption, 76% of IT decision-makers say their current infrastructure needs moderate to significant improvement to support modern, cloud native applications at scale. This year’s public sector ECI found that infrastructure modernization emerged as a top priority, underscoring the growing demand for systems capable of meeting GenAI’s requirements for enterprise-ready data security, data integrity, and resilience.

    This year’s report also revealed that public sector leaders are increasingly leveraging GenAI applications/workloads into their organizations. Real-world GenAI use cases across the public sector gravitate towards constituent/employee support and experience solutions (e.g., chatbots) and content generation. However, concerns remain with 92% of public sector leaders highlighting the need for their organizations to do more to secure GenAI models and applications. The results of that need, according to 96% of respondents, is security and privacy becoming higher priorities for their organizations.

    “Generative AI is no longer a future concept, it’s already transforming how we work,” said Greg O’Connell, VP, Federal Sales, Public Sector at Nutanix. “94% of public sector organizations are already putting AI to work and expect returns in as little as one year. As public sector leaders look to see outcomes, now is the time to invest in AI-ready infrastructure, data security, privacy, and training to ensure long-term success.”

    Public sector survey respondents were asked about GenAI adoptions and trends, Kubernetes and containers, how they’re running business and mission critical applications today, and where they plan to run them in the future. Key findings from this year’s report include:

    • GenAI solution adoption and deployment in the public sector will necessitate a more comprehensive approach to data security. Public sector respondents indicate a significant amount of work needs to be done to improve the foundational levels of data security/governance required to support GenAI solution implementation and success. 92% of public sector respondents agree that their organization could be doing more to secure its GenAI models and applications. Luckily, many IT decision-makers in the public sector are aware of this impending sea change, with 96% of respondents agreeing that GenAI is changing their organization’s priorities, with security and privacy becoming higher priorities.
    • Prioritize infrastructure modernization to support GenAI at scale across public sector organizations. Running modern applications at enterprise scale requires infrastructure solutions that can support the necessary requirements for complex data security, data integrity, and resilience. Unfortunately, 76% of respondents in the public sector believe their current IT infrastructure requires at least moderate improvement to fully support cloud native apps/containers. Furthermore, IT infrastructure investment was ranked as a top area of improvement among public sector respondents, a sign that IT decision-makers are aware of the need to improve.
    • GenAI solution adoption in the public sector continues at a rapid pace, but there are still challenges to overcome. When it comes to GenAI adoption, public sector metrics show progress, with 94% of respondents saying their organization is leveraging GenAI applications/workloads today. Most public sector organizations believe GenAI solutions will help improve levels of productivity, automation, and efficiency. However, organizations in the public sector also note a range of challenges and potential hindrances regarding GenAI solution development and deployment, including data security and privacy, and the need for continued upskilling and hiring to support new GenAI projects/solutions.
    • Application containerization and Kubernetes deployment are expanding across the public sector. Application containerization is increasingly pervasive across industry sectors and is set to expand in adoption across the public sector as well, with 96% of segment respondents saying their organization is at least in the process of containerizing applications. This trend may be driven by the fact that 91% of respondents in the public sector agree their organization benefits from adopting cloud native applications/containers.

    For the seventh consecutive year, Nutanix commissioned a global research study to learn about the state of global enterprise cloud deployments, application containerization trends, and GenAI application adoption. In the Fall of 2024, U.K. researcher Vanson Bourne surveyed 1,500 IT and DevOps/Platform Engineering decision-makers around the world. The respondent base spanned multiple industries, business sizes, and geographies, including North and South America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and Asia-Pacific-Japan (APJ) region.

    To learn more about the report and findings, please download the full Public Sector Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index, here and read more in the blog here.

    About Nutanix
    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2025 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release may contain express and implied forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

    Media Contact:
    Gabrielle Moynan
    pr@nutanix.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Micropolis Joins Webull Corporate Connect Service Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Joining Webull enables Micropolis to build a community and foster relationships with the platform’s 24 million registered users

    Connect with the Company on Webull here

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Micropolis Holding Co. (“Micropolis” or the “Company”) (NYSE: MCRP), a pioneer in unmanned ground vehicles and AI-driven security solutions, today announced it is now participating on the Webull Corporate Connect Service (CCS) platform to increase engagement and transparency with its growing investor base.

    Micropolis’s portal on the Webull CCS provides an additional direct communication channel for shareholders and potential investors, reinforcing the Company’s commitment to providing real-time information to the investment community. Through Webull, Micropolis will share timely updates, including company news, earnings reports, presentations, and other key announcements, further increasing visibility among retail investors as well as broadening shareholder engagement.

    “Open and ongoing dialogue with our shareholders and the broader investment community remains a key focus of our corporate governance framework at Micropolis,” said Fareed Aljawhari, Founder & CEO of Micropolis. “As we advance our strategic objectives and expand our operations, we understand how critical it is to enhance our market presence. Integrating Webull’s digital platform into our investor outreach efforts enables us to connect with retail investors on their preferred channels, delivering immediate access to company updates and interactive engagement opportunities.”

    To stay up to date with Micropolis’s recent developments on the Webull Corporate Connect Service Platform, current Webull users can follow MCRP from the app on their smartphone or tablet device. To download the app and register for your free Webull account, visit www.webull.com/trading-platforms.

    About Micropolis Holding Co.
    Micropolis is a UAE-based company specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), AI systems, and smart infrastructure for urban, security, and industrial applications. The Company’s vertically integrated capabilities cover everything from mechatronics and embedded systems to AI software and high-level autonomy.

    For more information please visit www.micropolis.ai.

    About Webull Financial
    Webull Corporation owns and operates Webull, a leading digital investment platform built on next-generation global infrastructure. Through its global network of licensed brokerages, Webull offers investment services in 14 markets across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. Webull serves more than 24 million registered users globally, providing retail investors with 24/7 access to global financial markets. Users can put investment strategies to work by trading global stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and fractional shares through Webull’s trading platform, which seamlessly integrates market data and information, its user community, and investor education resources. Learn more at www.webullcorp.com. You may also access certain information on Webull and its securities on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, where Webull will, among others, be filing reports, such as Reports on Form 6-K and its Annual Report on Form 20-F.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “can have”, “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements represent Micropolis’ current expectations regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

    Investor Contact:
    KCSA Strategic Communications
    Valter Pinto, Managing Director
    PH: (212) 896-1254
    Valter@KCSA.com

    Media Contact:
    Jessica Starman
    media@elev8newmedia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CarGurus Report Finds Consumer Demand for Affordability and Fuel Efficiency Shaping Today’s Auto Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mid-year auto market analysis reveals how tariffs and ongoing demand for affordability have influenced vehicle supply, pricing, and demand so far this year

    BOSTON, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG), the No. 1 visited digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling new and used vehicles1, today released its 2025 Mid-Year Auto Market Review. The analysis highlights the impact of tariff uncertainty, shifting inventory dynamics, and evolving consumer preferences on the new and used vehicle market.

    “So far this year, the auto market has been shaped by dramatic shifts in consumer behavior fueled by shifting policies and economic uncertainty,” said Kevin Roberts, Director of Economic and Market Intelligence at CarGurus. “These pressures have amplified what car shoppers demand most: affordability and efficiency. While vehicle prices have mostly held steady despite tariffs, it remains to be seen how long the current balance of pricing and demand can last, especially as value-driven options become harder to find.”

    • Tariff-driven sales surge has reduced affordable new inventory: New vehicle sales spiked 48% year-over-year in the days after the March tariff announcement as buyers raced to beat potential price increases. While sales demand has since normalized to more seasonal patterns, the affordable segment is showing lasting impacts. Listings for new cars under $30,000 have dropped by 15% since late March, with compacts and crossovers like the Honda Civic, Buick Encore GX, Jeep Compass, and Mazda CX-30 seeing the steepest declines.
    • The average new vehicle price is holding steady: While over 60% of new vehicle listings today are post-tariff inventory, the average new car price has remained relatively stable at approximately $49,600. Model-level price changes tell a more nuanced story, with luxury SUVs seeing some of the largest price increases since tariffs went into effect in April and electric vehicles (EVs) posting the biggest price decreases.
    • Aged new car inventory may offer value: Despite the Spring sales surge, 2024 and older model-year vehicles are maintaining a high share of inventory — approaching levels not seen since 2020. At mid-year, over 7% of new car listings were 2024 or older, with Ford trucks and SUVs among the top models with older model year supply, creating a chance for shoppers to find a potential deal on pre-tariff inventory.
    • Used inventory reaches multi-year highs, but value has been redefined: Despite abundant used car supply, 3- to 4-year-old models — the sweet spot for value-conscious buyers — remain scarce and priced at a premium due to lingering effects of pandemic-era production disruptions. For those in the market for a used car under $20,000, options are increasingly older and higher mileage. At both ends of the age spectrum, however, fuel-efficient models (spanning hybrids, EVs, and compacts) lead the pack in demand.
    • Hybrids stand out for pricing and demand: Hybrids continued to lead new vehicle sales growth in 2025, buoyed by strong demand and attractive pricing. Average list prices for new hybrids decreased by about $1,400 year-over-year, helping drive a 43% increase in retail sales compared to 2024. Notably, hybrid and gas models are now the most commonly cross-shopped combinations, as shoppers increasingly prioritize practicality and affordability.

    For a deeper look at these trends and more, the full 2025 Mid-Year Review is available here: https://cargur.us/1dRcr8

    About CarGurus, Inc.

    CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG) is a multinational, online automotive platform for buying and selling vehicles that is building upon its industry-leading listings marketplace with both digital retail solutions and the CarOffer online wholesale platform. The CarGurus platform gives consumers the confidence to purchase and/or sell a vehicle either online or in-person, and it gives dealerships the power to accurately price, effectively market, instantly acquire, and quickly sell vehicles, all with a nationwide reach. The company uses proprietary technology, search algorithms, and data analytics to bring trust, transparency, and competitive pricing to the automotive shopping experience. CarGurus is the most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S. 1

    CarGurus also operates online marketplaces under the CarGurus brand in Canada and the U.K. In the U.S. and the U.K., CarGurus also operates the Autolist and PistonHeads online marketplaces, respectively, as independent brands.

    To learn more about CarGurus, visit www.cargurus.com, and for more information about CarOffer, visit www.caroffer.com.

    CarGurus® is a registered trademark of CarGurus, Inc., and CarOffer® is a registered trademark of CarOffer, LLC. All other product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    1Similarweb: Traffic Report [Cars.com, Autotrader, TrueCar, CARFAX Listings (defined as CARFAX Total visits minus Vehicle History Reports traffic)], Q1 2025, U.S.

    Media Contact:
    Maggie Meluzio
    Director, Public Relations & External Communications
    pr@cargurus.com

    Investor Contact:
    Kirndeep Singh
    Vice President, Investor Relations
    investors@cargurus.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ibex Crowns the Winners of the 4th Annual CX Leadership Awards at CCW Las Vegas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ibex (NASDAQ: IBEX), the leading global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) and AI-powered CX solutions, today announced the winners of the 2025 CX Leadership Awards, which honor the top customer experience (CX) innovators, leaders, and contributors around the world.

    This year’s winners, who were chosen from an ultra-competitive list of CX pioneers, were recognized last week at ibex’s Fourth Annual CX Leadership Awards Dinner Customer Contact Week (CCW) in Las Vegas.

    “Congratulations to the 2025 CX Leadership Award winners, whose vision, innovation, and leadership are raising the bar for customer experience and delivering amazing experiences for their respective brands,” said Julie Casteel, Chief Strategic Accounts Officer and CMO at ibex.

    The 2025 CX Leadership Award winners are:

    • Natalie Beckerman, Global Head of Customer Support Operations at IHG Hotels & Resorts: Known as a disruptor in CX and contact center strategy, Natalie’s led high-performing teams across the U.S., U.K., and EMEA—driving operational excellence, growth, and cultural reinvention. A perfect example of her bold energy, global expertise, and a passion for transformation was overhauling a home services company’s operating model in just a year—introducing AI, launching two new platforms, and saving millions while transforming the customer journey. For Natalie, great CX isn’t just about ‘wow’ moments: it’s proactive, emotional, and seamless—across every touchpoint, every time.
    • Jeremy Victor, Chief Customer Officer at Noom: Jeremy is pioneering the future of customer experience by blending AI innovation with emotional intelligence to deliver scalable, human-centered interactions. At Noom, he’s leading the transformation of customer service into Experience Manufacturing™—a new discipline built around emotional equity, brand affinity, and AI-driven personalization. From building one of the first mobile CX tools on a Palm Pilot to launching MoreScore.ai, Jeremy’s career spans decades of redefining how brands build trust, loyalty, and lasting impact. His work challenges the industry to modernize systems, humanize technology, and remember that the strongest connections are always personal.
    • Lionel Holguin, Head of Customer Service and Collections at Bridgecrest: Lionel’s passion for problem-solving and creating value at every customer touchpoint defines his career. His proactive approach to CX combines strategy, empathy, and innovation to remove friction, foster trust, and create lasting emotional connections. One defining achievement was reworking key workflows and training to focus on financial literacy and empathy, centered on truly listening to customers and frontline teams—resulting in a dramatic shift in customer sentiment and team morale.
    • Lisa Wysocky, Senior Director of Partner and Channel Management Operations at Sonos: Lisa’s grit, heart, and deep CX expertise make her an obvious choice for a CX Leadership Award. From her early days as a bank teller to leading large-scale retention at SiriusXM, she has always stayed close to the frontlines, where real customer impact happens. At Sonos, she’s leading a transformation: empowering agents with AI, scaling global partnerships, and building a support system designed to evolve and drive long-term CX excellence.
    • Michael Jones, Senior Director of Customer Care at The Home Depot: With over 30 years at The Home Depot, Michael’s career is defined by servant leadership, transformation, and a true belief in people. Today, he supports a team of 3,000+ associates across The Home Depot’s contact centers and multiple disciplines delivering excellence within the millions of contacts they receive. Michael has reinvented the experience of his associates and customers—while building a culture where people-first values are lived daily.
    • Ryan Moore, Vice President of Customer Support & Global BPO Strategy at DailyPay: In Ryan’s 20+ years of CX leadership, he has always held true to one core principle: do what’s right for the customer, not just what’s best for the bottom line. Ryan has successfully led large-scale CX transformations with clarity and care, including a global expansion of support into a follow-the-sun model that helped CSAT and QA soar. His unwavering focus on the customer—paired with his commitment to operational excellence—has helped Ryan build a truly global, customer-centric CX ecosystem.
    • Vanessa Hardy-Bowen, Director of Guest Care and Contact Centers at Spirit Airlines: Vanessa views every guest interaction as a chance to either deepen trust or weaken it. She is focused on designing customer experiences that are not only functional but deeply human-rooted in empathy, foresight, and accountability. At Spirit, Vanessa spearheaded a full transformation of the guest care model: launching AI and self-service tools, elevating training and QA, and aligning digital innovation with human connection. Despite and challenging time in travel, the results have been impressive: higher customer satisfaction, smarter operations, and a stronger team.

    The ibex CX Leadership Awards spotlight the individuals and organizations whose vision and innovation are transforming the customer experience industry. Honorees excel in enabling seamless customer engagement, creating extraordinary customer experiences, and streamlining the customer journey.

    “ibex is leading the way in reshaping the customer experience by combining the latest AI technology with deep CX expertise gained from helping the world’s most iconic brands deliver differentiated customer experiences. We automate the routine and empower human agents to solve the complex,” added Casteel.

    ibex expertly combines unparalleled CX expertise with cutting-edge AI technology to create groundbreaking AI-powered solutions. ibex Wave iX solutions refine and elevate customer interactions and ensure a seamless customer journey while accelerating growth, enhancing service delivery, and maximizing impact.

    About ibex

    ibex delivers innovative business process outsourcing (BPO), smart digital marketing, online acquisition technology, and end-to-end customer engagement solutions to help companies acquire, engage and retain valuable customers. Today, ibex operates a global CX delivery center model consisting of approximately 30 operations facilities around the world, while deploying next generation technology to drive superior customer experiences for many of the world’s leading companies across retail, e-commerce, healthcare, fintech, utilities and logistics.

    ibex leverages its diverse global team of more than 31,000 employees together with industry-leading technology, including its AI-powered ibex Wave iX solutions suite, to manage nearly 175 million critical customer interactions, adding over $2.2B in lifetime customer revenue each year and driving a truly differentiated customer experience. To learn more, visit our website at ibex.co and connect with us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    Dan Burris
    daniel.burris@ibex.co

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46422d98-00fa-44cb-b1a2-c98322f3dddf

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: New Payscale Report Reveals Rising Risk to Top Talent Retention Amid Widespread Misperceptions Around Fair Pay

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • 68% of employees believe they’re underpaid, even when their compensation is at or above market rates
    • Employees who believe they’re paid unfairly are 45% more likely to look for a new role, regardless of their actual compensation
    • Employees who work for organizations with high levels of pay transparency are 59% less likely to leave

    BOSTON, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Payscale Inc., the leading provider of compensation intelligence solutions, today released its 2025 Fair Pay Impact Report, highlighting a growing gap between employee perceptions of fair pay and reality. More than two thirds (68%) of employees report being underpaid, even when earning at or above market rates. As a result, many employers are exposing themselves to an increased risk of losing top talent. Payscale’s analysis shows that employees who think they’re paid unfairly are 45% more likely to look for a new job, regardless of their actual compensation.

    The gap between perceptions of fair pay and reality has grown significantly since 2021, when just half (51%) of employees earning at or above market felt underpaid. Despite rising salaries and improved pay transparency, employee misperceptions of unfair pay have surged. This suggests that employers’ current communication strategies around compensation are falling short.

    Pay transparency is an important factor in combatting pay misperceptions and boosting employee retention. Employees who work for organizations with high levels of pay transparency are 59% less likely to leave relative to non-transparent organizations. Amid a growing wave of pay transparency legislation in states and cities across the US, one in three US employees is now covered by regulations requiring greater pay disclosure. While compliance is essential, the report’s findings suggest there is more work for employers to do internally to communicate transparently about compensation.

    “Pay misinformation and ineffective communication are undermining employer efforts to build trust among employees. This pay perception gap poses a real threat to retaining high performers,” said Ruth Thomas, chief compensation strategist, Payscale. “While more employees are covered by pay transparency laws than ever before, compliance alone is not enough. Employers must build transparent compensation strategies rooted in data so they can communicate with confidence, consistency, and clarity to help employees understand what fair pay looks like for their role and prevent regrettable attrition. Employers must treat retention of key talent as an always-on priority, regardless of whether it’s an employer or employee market – waiting until the market shifts could put top performers at risk. By the time signs of attrition appear, it may already be too late.”

    The research shows most employees don’t know whether they’re being paid fairly. Of those employees who reported being paid unfairly, only a third (32%) are actually below market. Among employees who are paid above market, almost half (47%) believe they are underpaid. This rises to almost two thirds (63%) among employees paid at market. Among job seekers, almost two thirds (65%) have a poor perception of their current pay, further highlighting the critical role that employee perceptions of fair pay play in retention.

    Despite the spike in inflation from 2020 through 2022, cumulative wage growth has outpaced inflation since 2019, rising 30% compared to a 27% increase in cumulative inflation. This is true across industries. However, salary increases are not equally applied across all jobs and low wage earners in particular are more likely to be disproportionately impacted by the rising cost of living.

    “Even when pay is fair, many employees don’t believe it because perceptions around fair compensation are deeply subjective. These misperceptions are common, and leaders must prioritize building trust to retain their top performing employees,” said Lexi Clarke, chief people officer, Payscale. “That starts with confidence in their pay data, structures, and strategy, and requires clearly communicating the rationale behind pay decisions, understanding the factors that influence compensation, and equipping managers to have better pay conversations. The goal is for employees to not only understand whys behind how their pay is calculated, but ideally how they can increase their compensation and grow within the organization, helping support long-term retention and prevent top talent from walking out the door.” 

    The 2025 Fair Pay Impact Report analyzes data from more than 325,000 respondents to Payscale’s online salary survey taken between January 1, 2021 and January 1, 2025. The full report and its methodology can be accessed at: https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/fair-pay-impact/.

    About Payscale

    Payscale stands at the forefront of compensation data technology, pioneering an innovative approach that harnesses advanced AI and up-to-date and reliable market data to align employee and employer expectations. With its suite of solutions—Payfactors, Marketpay, and Paycycle—Payscale empowers 65% of Fortune 500 companies to make strategic compensation decisions. Organizations like Panasonic, ZoomInfo, Chipotle, AccentCare, University of Washington, American Airlines, and Rite Aid rely on its unique combination of actionable data and insights, experienced compensation services, and scalable software to drive business success. By partnering with Payscale, businesses can make confident compensation decisions that fuel growth for both their organization and their people.

    Create confidence in your compensation. Payscale.

    To learn more, visit www.payscale.com.

    Contact: Press@Payscale.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MKS Named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) (“MKS”), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, was again recognized by U.S. News & World Report (“U.S. News”) as one of the 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For. MKS was rated as a top company in the Manufacturing and Agriculture Industries category based on factors contributing to job seekers’ decision-making when choosing a workplace that best meets their needs.

    “Receiving this prestigious recognition for the third consecutive year is a testament to the innovative work we do and the supportive organizational climate we have cultivated,” said John T.C. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer at MKS. “Our success rests on our ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals who are committed to advancing technology and serving as invaluable partners to our customers. We are grateful for this acknowledgement of our efforts to provide engaging and meaningful careers for our employees.”

    U.S. News’ ratings reflect the evolving sentiments that factor into employee decision-making when choosing the “best” company to work for. The ratings then analyze that sentiment against other factors, including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, and career opportunities and professional development.

    “Choosing a company to establish yourself or advance your career is a crucial decision for anyone,” said Carly Chase, Vice President of Careers at U.S. News & World Report. “The 2025-2026 list features companies that excelled across various metrics, contributing to a positive work environment and the daily employee experience.”

    To calculate the annual U.S. News Best Companies to Work For list, U.S. News only considered the largest 5,000 publicly traded companies as of January 2025 that had more than 75 Glassdoor reviews written between 2021-2025. Relevant data, including employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data, was gathered from partners Revelio Labs, Good Jobs First’s Violation Tracker and QUODD to calculate the six metrics used in the list. For further details on how the metric scores were calculated, see the methodology.

    For more information on the Best Companies to Work For, review the FAQs and explore Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) using #BCTWF.

    About MKS Inc.
    MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.

    About U.S. News & World Report
    U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

    Contacts:

    Bill Casey
    Vice President, Marketing
    Telephone: +1 (630) 995-6384
    Email: press@mksinst.com

    Kelly Kerry, Partner
    Kekst CNC
    Email: kerry.kelly@kekstcnc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MKS Named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) (“MKS”), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, was again recognized by U.S. News & World Report (“U.S. News”) as one of the 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For. MKS was rated as a top company in the Manufacturing and Agriculture Industries category based on factors contributing to job seekers’ decision-making when choosing a workplace that best meets their needs.

    “Receiving this prestigious recognition for the third consecutive year is a testament to the innovative work we do and the supportive organizational climate we have cultivated,” said John T.C. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer at MKS. “Our success rests on our ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals who are committed to advancing technology and serving as invaluable partners to our customers. We are grateful for this acknowledgement of our efforts to provide engaging and meaningful careers for our employees.”

    U.S. News’ ratings reflect the evolving sentiments that factor into employee decision-making when choosing the “best” company to work for. The ratings then analyze that sentiment against other factors, including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, and career opportunities and professional development.

    “Choosing a company to establish yourself or advance your career is a crucial decision for anyone,” said Carly Chase, Vice President of Careers at U.S. News & World Report. “The 2025-2026 list features companies that excelled across various metrics, contributing to a positive work environment and the daily employee experience.”

    To calculate the annual U.S. News Best Companies to Work For list, U.S. News only considered the largest 5,000 publicly traded companies as of January 2025 that had more than 75 Glassdoor reviews written between 2021-2025. Relevant data, including employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data, was gathered from partners Revelio Labs, Good Jobs First’s Violation Tracker and QUODD to calculate the six metrics used in the list. For further details on how the metric scores were calculated, see the methodology.

    For more information on the Best Companies to Work For, review the FAQs and explore Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) using #BCTWF.

    About MKS Inc.
    MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world’s leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.

    About U.S. News & World Report
    U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

    Contacts:

    Bill Casey
    Vice President, Marketing
    Telephone: +1 (630) 995-6384
    Email: press@mksinst.com

    Kelly Kerry, Partner
    Kekst CNC
    Email: kerry.kelly@kekstcnc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Face Morphing Revealed Easily: Regula Presents the First-of-Its-Kind Morphing Detector

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, introduces the first-ever device designed for fast and trustworthy detection of morphed facial images in identity documents. The new morphing detector Regula 4166 is a compact, pen-sized tool that effectively addresses the growing challenge of face morphing, a technique where two facial images are blended to create a single photo resembling several individuals.

    Face morphing poses significant security risks at border controls and other identity verification points. The dangers of this threat are not limited to illegal border crossings; it also facilitates other types of crimes such as labor crime, modern-day slavery, organized crime, and terrorism.

    Though not new and less sophisticated than other identity fraud techniques, face morphing is very difficult to identify, even with advanced forensic equipment. To do it “the traditional way,” a document examiner has to conduct multiple checks, scrutinizing a facial image under various lights and angles of observation. In this case, success largely depends on the specialist’s competency.

    The new morphing detector Regula 4166

    The new Regula 4166 is a game changer. Designed specifically to highlight overprinting traces (typical of morphing), like paint droplets, it provides the necessary visualization of the photo surface and structure. It is achieved thanks to a special lighting mode and a specific camera angle that enables three-dimensional visualization. As a result, face morphing is identified with visual certainty.

    Key features of the morphing detector Regula 4166

    • 3D surface visualization: The device provides a three-dimensional view of the examined photo surface thanks to the tilted positioning of the camera and side oblique light source. It enables observation of distortions, pigment clusters, layering, and other physical inconsistencies typical of morphing.
    • Intuitive operation: The Regula 4166 features a straightforward, plug-and-play interface that ensures quick adoption and efficient use without extensive training.
    • Supplied software for instant usage: It comes with easy-to-use software that displays the morphing image from the device in real time and enables quick screenshots—perfect for evidence capture, fast demonstrations, or training.
    • Unified ecosystem: The Regula 4166 is fully compatible with a wide variety of Regula’s forensic devices, including Regula video spectral comparators. Connected to them via Regula Forensic Studio software, the Regula 4166 enables seamless integration into existing forensic setups and creates a streamlined, centralized environment for document authentication and evidence management.
    • Ultra-compact design: Its pen-sized form ensures maximum portability, making it ideal for both stationary and on-the-go document inspections, including first-line border control.

    “The Regula 4166 fills a critical gap in identity document analysis. It’s the first tool of its kind designed specifically to expose overprinting traces typical of face morphing—fast, accurately, and informatively. Whether used on its own or as part of a larger forensic setup, this device empowers border officers, forensic experts, and other document examiners to detect one of today’s most deceptive types of fraud with confidence,” says Alex Lewanowicz, Director of Hardware Engineering at Regula.

    This launch continues Regula’s proactive response to face morphing risks. Earlier this year, the company introduced the ForensicScope Regula 4125, an all-in-one portable device equipped with a broad range of inspection tools, including face morphing detection. The new Regula 4166 builds on this effort with a focused solution tailored for mitigating this fraud technique, which often goes under the radar.

    For more information about the morphing detector Regula 4166, visit Regula’s official website.

    About Regula

    Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.

    Learn more at www.regulaforensics.com.

    Contact:
    Kristina – ks@regulaforensics.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38158302-da64-41bb-834e-d7e099caab81

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Face Morphing Revealed Easily: Regula Presents the First-of-Its-Kind Morphing Detector

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, introduces the first-ever device designed for fast and trustworthy detection of morphed facial images in identity documents. The new morphing detector Regula 4166 is a compact, pen-sized tool that effectively addresses the growing challenge of face morphing, a technique where two facial images are blended to create a single photo resembling several individuals.

    Face morphing poses significant security risks at border controls and other identity verification points. The dangers of this threat are not limited to illegal border crossings; it also facilitates other types of crimes such as labor crime, modern-day slavery, organized crime, and terrorism.

    Though not new and less sophisticated than other identity fraud techniques, face morphing is very difficult to identify, even with advanced forensic equipment. To do it “the traditional way,” a document examiner has to conduct multiple checks, scrutinizing a facial image under various lights and angles of observation. In this case, success largely depends on the specialist’s competency.

    The new morphing detector Regula 4166

    The new Regula 4166 is a game changer. Designed specifically to highlight overprinting traces (typical of morphing), like paint droplets, it provides the necessary visualization of the photo surface and structure. It is achieved thanks to a special lighting mode and a specific camera angle that enables three-dimensional visualization. As a result, face morphing is identified with visual certainty.

    Key features of the morphing detector Regula 4166

    • 3D surface visualization: The device provides a three-dimensional view of the examined photo surface thanks to the tilted positioning of the camera and side oblique light source. It enables observation of distortions, pigment clusters, layering, and other physical inconsistencies typical of morphing.
    • Intuitive operation: The Regula 4166 features a straightforward, plug-and-play interface that ensures quick adoption and efficient use without extensive training.
    • Supplied software for instant usage: It comes with easy-to-use software that displays the morphing image from the device in real time and enables quick screenshots—perfect for evidence capture, fast demonstrations, or training.
    • Unified ecosystem: The Regula 4166 is fully compatible with a wide variety of Regula’s forensic devices, including Regula video spectral comparators. Connected to them via Regula Forensic Studio software, the Regula 4166 enables seamless integration into existing forensic setups and creates a streamlined, centralized environment for document authentication and evidence management.
    • Ultra-compact design: Its pen-sized form ensures maximum portability, making it ideal for both stationary and on-the-go document inspections, including first-line border control.

    “The Regula 4166 fills a critical gap in identity document analysis. It’s the first tool of its kind designed specifically to expose overprinting traces typical of face morphing—fast, accurately, and informatively. Whether used on its own or as part of a larger forensic setup, this device empowers border officers, forensic experts, and other document examiners to detect one of today’s most deceptive types of fraud with confidence,” says Alex Lewanowicz, Director of Hardware Engineering at Regula.

    This launch continues Regula’s proactive response to face morphing risks. Earlier this year, the company introduced the ForensicScope Regula 4125, an all-in-one portable device equipped with a broad range of inspection tools, including face morphing detection. The new Regula 4166 builds on this effort with a focused solution tailored for mitigating this fraud technique, which often goes under the radar.

    For more information about the morphing detector Regula 4166, visit Regula’s official website.

    About Regula

    Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.

    Learn more at www.regulaforensics.com.

    Contact:
    Kristina – ks@regulaforensics.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38158302-da64-41bb-834e-d7e099caab81

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Enterprise CMOs Turn to Hybrid MaaS as Budgets Rise but Teams Hold Flat, New 2X–Avasant Study Finds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MALVERN, Pa. and LOS ANGELES , June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 2X, a leader in subscription-based marketing as a service (MaaS), today released a new report, “Rethinking B2B Marketing Execution: The Age of Execution Reinvention,” in partnership with Avasant, a leading digital transformation consultancy. The new report reveals a strategic shift in B2B marketing execution, as marketers prioritize AI-driven campaigns and focus on personalization to boost performance and ROI—even in a challenging economic climate.

    Marketing budgets are rising 5-10%1 this year, while headcount remains flat. Meanwhile, CMOs are being told to spend new money more effectively, avoiding the temptation to focus it solely on payroll. The only scalable levers left are strategic reallocation and AI-enabled productivity. Gartner’s latest CMO Spend Survey highlights this challenge of balancing declining marketing budgets as a percentage of revenue with high expectations for growing ROI. This landscape is driving brands to rethink traditional agency relationships and embrace more flexible, tech-enabled partnerships that accelerate speed, personalization, and innovation.

    Key Findings from the Report

    • Budget Growth, Flat Teams: There’s an accelerating demand for external capacity. Tech growth is funded by reallocating program dollars, not cutting headcount. Less than 20%2 of the budget goes to technology, with the average budget split amongst 56% personnel and 24%3 non-personnel programs.
    • AI Goes Mainstream: 72%4 of CMOs now count AI-driven campaigns among their top priorities.
    • Execution Bottleneck: Campaign channels absorb 23% of spend and outsource 56%5 of work, making them the #1 target for hybrid MaaS models.
    • Tech Spend Breaks 20% Barrier: One in five marketing dollars now funds technology—double the share of five years ago, sourced from program budgets.
    • Outcome KPIs Rule: Net-new revenue, ROI, and CLV top the scorecard, displacing legacy funnel metrics.
    • Outsourcing Covering More Marketing Functions: Budgets for outsourcing rose from 39% to 42%6. Core marketing functions (e.g., brand and GTM strategy, budgeting, retention) remain largely in-house (<25%), ensuring strategic control. Specialized areas like campaigns (60.6%) and channel marketing (61.4%)7 are increasingly outsourced to tap into expertise and boost speed.

    2X has grown rapidly through strategic investments, acquisitions, and deep partnerships across the B2B marketing ecosystem. As 6sense’s largest implementation partner, 2X is uniquely positioned to help clients succeed on the ABM platform that now leads the category with a 21.8% market share. 2X delivers next-generation marketing performance and capabilities by applying enterprise-grade frameworks, automation, and data-driven strategies, empowering marketing organizations of all sizes to thrive in an increasingly competitive $100B B2B marketing services market.

    “The report offers a clear view into how marketers are innovating on their operating model where cost efficiency, smarter execution, and leaner teams are the new mandate,” said Domenic Colasante, CEO and Co-Founder of 2X. “At 2X, we’re committed to helping B2B enterprise marketers lead with operating impact, realize the benefit of AI, and deliver more with increasingly scarce resources.”

    “Today’s CMOs face a stark choice: cling to legacy metrics and fragmented teams, or embrace a new era where technology, data, and external expertise converge,” said Swapnil Bhatnagar, Partner at Avasant. “By aligning KPIs to revenue impact and partnering for specialized skills, marketing organizations can move at the speed of the market, delivering measurable value and agility that legacy models simply can’t match.”

    Methodology
    The report combines survey data and expert interviews to provide a comprehensive view of B2B marketing execution. It focuses on how large enterprises—those with over $250 million—are rethinking marketing outsourcing, defined as leveraging external partners for campaign execution, analytics, and content production. Insights were drawn from responses by 87 senior marketers and in-depth interviews with 11 marketing leaders, analyzed to identify key trends and strategies shaping today’s dynamic marketing environment.

    To download the report, please visit https://2x.marketing/avasant-report/.

    About 2X 
    2X is a leading B2B marketing-as-a-service firm that helps marketing leaders achieve greater impact while lowering costs through its managed services delivery model. Servicing over 150 clients including SAP, Ricoh, Docker, Hyland, Seismic, Qlik, and GoTo, 2X provides dedicated and highly skilled FTEs who specialize in marketing operations, martech management, campaign execution, content and creative production, and strategy consulting services. With more than 1,000 team members globally, 2X is backed by private equity firms Recognize and Insight Partners and has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the US by Inc. and the Financial Times. For more information, visit 2X.marketing or follow us on LinkedIn.

    About Avasant
    Avasant is a leading management consulting firm that provides digital transformation, sourcing advisory, and governance services to global enterprises. With a focus on innovation and excellence, Avasant helps organizations navigate complex business challenges and achieve sustainable growth. For more information about Avasant and how it can transform your business, please visit https://avasant.com/.

    Media Contact
    Audree Hernandez
    JMAC PR for 2X
    2X@jmacpr.com

    1 Source: Rethinking B2B Marketing Execution: The Age of Exeuction Reinvention, May 2025, slide 14
    2 Source: Rethinking B2B Marketing Execution: The Age of Exeuction Reinvention, May 2025, slide 12
    3 Source: Rethinking B2B Marketing Execution: The Age of Exeuction Reinvention, May 2025, slide 24
    4 Source: Rethinking B2B Marketing Execution: The Age of Exeuction Reinvention, May 2025, slide 15
    5 Source: Rethinking B2B Marketing Execution: The Age of Exeuction Reinvention, May 2025, slide 12
    6 Source: Rethinking B2B Marketing Execution: The Age of Exeuction Reinvention, May 2025, slide 31
    7   Source: Rethinking B2B Marketing Execution: The Age of Exeuction Reinvention, May 2025, slide 7

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mattermost Launches Enterprise Advanced: Multi-Domain Operations for Defense, Intelligence, and Critical Infrastructure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Palo Alto, CA, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mattermost, the Intelligent Mission Environment that delivers chat operations, secure collaboration workflows, and multi-domain operations for mission-critical work in defense, government, and critical infrastructure, today announced the launch of Enterprise Advanced—a new product tier purpose-built for organizations operating at the highest levels of security and mission complexity.

    Built for defense, intelligence, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure, Enterprise Advanced delivers sovereign control, secure collaboration, and AI-ready capabilities to accelerate operations and enforce Zero Trust security. The platform protects sensitive data, streamlines mission workflows, and ensures compliance with the most rigorous cybersecurity standards.

    As threats grow and operations become more complex, Enterprise Advanced goes beyond communication—securing, automating, and aligning it with national security mandates. It unifies teams with advanced access controls, real-time workflow automation, and integrated incident response to drive mission success.

    “Enterprise Advanced marks a fundamental breakthrough in how mission-critical operations are secured and executed,” said Jason Blais, Mattermost’s VP of Product and Program Management. “We designed this platform to meet the uncompromising demands of defense, intelligence, and cybersecurity teams in both government and enterprise. It empowers them to operate with enhanced security, greater agility, and unwavering confidence in even the most hostile environments.”

    Federal government, intelligence, defense agencies, and commercial enterprises in critical infrastructure sectors are undergoing rapid transformation to meet evolving cybersecurity mandates and operational threats. As the demand for secure, compliant, and resilient communications accelerates, Mattermost delivers with Enterprise Advanced, offering cutting-edge capabilities including Zero Trust-aligned security controls, classified and sensitive information controls, and advanced workflows for mission-critical and high-stakes operations.

    Key Capabilities of Enterprise Advanced:

    • Zero Trust by Design: Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC), Identity-Centric Access Management (ICAM), and need-to-know segmentation for trusted data separation across environments.
    • Sovereign Data Protection: Built-in data spillage handling, channel classifications, burn-on-read messaging, and post-quantum cryptography for classified and sensitive workloads.
    • AI-Ready Mission-Critical Workflow Automation: Real-time incident response coordination, cross-domain orchestration, and AI-enabled actions for rapid decision-making under pressure.

    “Enterprise Advanced is engineered for the operators who manage complexity under pressure,” said Pavel Zeman, SVP of Engineering at Mattermost. “From cyber defense to real-world mission execution, this platform ensures secure collaboration, sovereign control, and seamless automation—all in one system built to operate where failure is not an option.”

    The new tier will be available in July 2025, with continuous enhancements planned throughout the year, delivering a leap forward in how governments and enterprises collaborate on mission-critical work in high-stakes environments. For more information about Mattermost Enterprise Advanced and its capabilities, please visit our website or contact our sales team.

    About Mattermost

    Mattermost is the Intelligent Mission Environment that delivers chat operations, secure collaboration workflows, and multi-domain operations for mission-critical work in defense, government, and critical infrastructure. Trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense and Fortune 500s, our open core platform powers focused, adaptable, secure, resilient operations across the most demanding environments. The platform supports MissionOps, DevSecOps, and Cyber and Defense with secure messaging, file sharing, audio, screen sharing, workflow automation, and AI assistance—available in self-hosted and single-tenant SaaS deployments. Built on an open core and shaped by 4,000+ contributors, Mattermost is co-developed with the world’s top security experts to meet the most demanding operational needs. Learn more at mattermost.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Guaranteed Rate Affinity Appoints Linda Vo as Regional Manager in North Texas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Guaranteed Rate Affinity, a leading mortgage provider offering unparalleled lending services through its partnership with Coldwell Banker, has appointed Linda Vo as Regional Manager in North Texas, highlighting the company’s commitment to expanding its reach in a key growth market.

    Vo brings more than 20 years of experience across nearly every corner of the mortgage industry, including wholesale, loan origination, sales management, REO loan servicing, corporate strategy, and business development. Her wide-ranging expertise, coupled with her passion for team building and relationship management, makes her a natural fit to lead Guaranteed Rate Affinity’s growth and recruiting efforts across North Texas.

    “After being in this industry for over two decades, I have learned that you can find work anywhere, but very few places offer a place where you feel welcomed, supported, and like-minded—a workplace that feels like a home,” said Vo. “I feel like I have come home to Guaranteed Rate Affinity. I am among my people with growth mindset individuals.”

    In her new role, Vo will focus on empowering loan officers to own their markets while scaling the company’s presence and recruiting efforts throughout the region. She joins Guaranteed Rate Affinity during a time of strategic expansion and culture-focused leadership development.

    “Linda’s extensive professional background, combined with her industry expertise and passion, makes her the ideal leader to attract the best-of-the-best talent that aligns with our culture,” said Dave Dickey, President and Chief Production Officer at Guaranteed Rate Affinity. “I’ve had the good fortune of being teammates with Linda and have known her for over 20 years. I’ve seen her remarkable work ethic, positive mindset, and genuine enthusiasm for the mortgage industry firsthand, all of which make her a natural fit at Guaranteed Rate Affinity. I can’t wait to see Linda fuel our continued growth and empower our loan officers to own their markets.”

    Vo holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business and a bachelor of science in international business from Oklahoma City University. She earned her Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation from the Mortgage Bankers Association in 2022 and received her John Maxwell Team Certificate in 2018. A longtime leader in the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), Vo has been an active member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter since 2014 and served as its president in 2024.

    About Guaranteed Rate Affinity

    Guaranteed Rate Affinity is a joint venture between Guaranteed Rate, Inc. and Anywhere Integrated Services (NYSE: HOUS), which owns some of the industry’s most recognized and respected real estate brands. The innovative JV has funded over $100 billion in loans since its inception. Guaranteed Rate Affinity originates and markets its mortgage lending services to Anywhere’s real estate, brokerage, and relocation subsidiaries.

    Guaranteed Rate Affinity provides unmatched support to Anywhere brokers coast-to-coast, ensuring their customers receive fast pre-approvals, appraisals, and loan closings, creating the ability for buyers to move quickly and confidently when purchasing homes in today’s competitive market. The company also provides the same services to the public and other real estate brokerage and relocation companies across the country—helping employers improve their employees’ relocation experience by prioritizing customer service, digital mortgage ease, and competitive rates.

    Disclosures: Guaranteed Rate owns a controlling 50.1% stake in Guaranteed Rate Affinity, and Anywhere owns 49.9%. Availability of reverse mortgage products varies by state and may not be offered in all areas. Contact a Guaranteed Rate Affinity loan officer for details on current state availability.

    Visit grarate.com for more information.

    Media Contact:
    press@rate.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gadens selects Intapp to comply with AML regulations in Australia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intapp (NASDAQ: INTA), a leading global provider of AI-powered solutions for professionals at advisory, capital markets, and legal firms, announces that Australian law firm Gadens has chosen Intapp compliance solutions to improve compliance with new anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations in Australia.

    Modernizing new business intake

    Gaden’s decision to modernize its processes and software for both business intake and conflict management aligns with the passing of significant new AML and CTF regulations in Australia. Gadens chose Intapp to provide a consolidated tool for assessing its new business intake and onboarding processes. The solutions will enhance data integrity, reduce risk exposure, and create a seamless experience for firm clients.

    “The AML legislative reforms will change the way we onboard clients and will involve gathering and reviewing better prospective client information than ever before — including multiple cross-referenced verification methods and complex ownership structures,” said Daniel Sherry, Risk Manager at Gadens. “We chose Intapp because of their proven track-record as the leading provider of a single, comprehensive platform for business and matter opening, while also having the capability to create process flows to manage ongoing screening and recordkeeping needed for AML compliance.”

    Addressing AML regulation compliance

    Intapp will help Gadens prepare for and achieve compliance with the AML and CTF framework, which requires complex information gathering, monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping.

    Intapp’s compliance solutions let firms securely collect sensitive information that feeds directly into the firm’s review processes. The software then helps verify client identities using proprietary and third-party data, including details like registered address, legal structure, and global parent company.

    By continuously monitoring active clients and engagements for evolving risk factors, Intapp can uncover and alert risk professionals to potential issues. Plus, Intapp stores all records of collected information, review activities, and decisions in a centralized location — so the firm can easily access these records to demonstrate AML and CTF compliance.

    Multiplying success with Intapp

    “We are thrilled that Gadens has chosen Intapp to centralize and automate secure business intake and conflicts management,” said Laura Saklad, Legal Industry Principal at Intapp. “This project will transform Gadens’ risk and governance framework, positioning them for long-term growth and operational excellence while easing the processes associated with AML and CTF compliance.”

    About Intapp​

    Intapp software helps professionals unlock their teams’ knowledge, relationships, and operational insights to increase value for their firms. Using the power of Applied AI, we make firm and market intelligence easy to find, understand, and use. With Intapp’s portfolio of vertical SaaS solutions, professionals can apply their collective expertise to make smarter decisions, manage risk, and increase competitive advantage. The world’s top firms — across accounting, consulting, investment banking, legal, private capital, and real assets — trust Intapp’s industry-specific platform and solutions to modernize and drive new growth. For more information, visit intapp.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.​

    Contact
    Ali Robinson
    Global Media Relations Director
    press@intapp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Fortinet Strengthens Code-to-Cloud Security with CNAPP Enhancements and Launches Expanded Solution Availability in AWS Marketplace

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    News Summary
    Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced powerful updates to Lacework FortiCNAPP, making it easier than ever for customers to secure applications and workloads across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The company also announced that the FortiAppSec Cloud service, FortiMail Workspace Security, FortiNDR Cloud, FortiSIEM, and Fortinet Incident Response services are now available in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog that helps you find, buy, deploy, and manage software, data products, and professional services from thousands of vendors.

    “Fortinet is committed to accelerating secure cloud transformation for our customers,” said Nirav Shah, Senior Vice President, Products and Solutions at Fortinet. “By making more of our services available in AWS Marketplace and enhancing leading cloud-native solutions like Lacework FortiCNAPP and FortiAppSec Cloud, we’re making it easier than ever for organizations to protect every cloud workload, application, and network edge.”

    Delivering Smarter Protection, Faster Response and Remediation

    Fortinet has enhanced Lacework FortiCNAPP to deliver even stronger protection for cloud-native applications across their entire life cycle. These updates reinforce FortiCNAPP as an industry-leading, cloud-native security platform designed to deliver faster detection, deeper insights, and simplified operations at scale.

    • Real-Time CloudTrail Alerting – Enables near-instant detection of critical activity, such as compromised credentials or anomalous API behavior, by reducing AWS CloudTrail alert latency from 24 hours to under 15 minutes.
    • Explorer (Security Graph) – Provides a visual, interactive view of attack paths and asset relationships, making pinpointing and investigating exposures, such as internet-facing vulnerabilities, easier.
    • Agentless Windows Scanning – Supports agentless scanning for Windows workloads across any cloud, identifying vulnerabilities and secrets without requiring software deployment. This is ideal for expanding visibility and compliance with minimal overhead.
    • Fleet Management – Delivers detailed visibility across large environments into agent inventory, health, and deployment status, helping teams monitor coverage and optimize cloud security.

    In addition, Fortinet expands its cloud services for web applications and APIs by introducing new service bundles that include Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), CDN, and SoC-as-a-Service, in addition to its AI-powered zero-day threat detection, analysis, and remediation to protect web applications and APIs.

    Full-Stack Protection Now Available in AWS Marketplace
    Fortinet has expanded the availability of its cloud security portfolio in AWS Marketplace. This provides Amazon Web Services (AWS) customers with the ability to streamline the purchase and management of more Fortinet offerings within their AWS Marketplace account. By deploying solutions on AWS, Fortinet makes it easier for customers to deploy protection, streamline procurement, and apply AWS Enterprise Discount Program (EDP) commitments.

    Services now available in AWS Marketplace include:

    • FortiAppSec Cloud – Unified web application and API protection (WAAP) with web application firewall (WAF), bot management, API security, and DDoS mitigation
    • FortiMail Workspace Security – End-to-end SaaS protection across email, browsers, and collaboration tools to stop advanced threats in platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, and Teams with a built-in, 24×7 managed incident response service to accelerate threat containment and lighten the load on SOC teams
    • FortiNDR Cloud – AI-driven threat detection optimized for distributed cloud infrastructure
    • FortiSIEM – Scalable log management and incident response for complex environments

    Fortinet has achieved the AWS Security Incident Response Specialization, which recognizes that Fortinet provides a streamlined incident response solution backed by AWS security response experts through AWS Security Incident Response.

    The capabilities of Fortinet’s specialized cloud consulting and FortiGuard Incident Response Services teams help AWS customers strengthen their cloud security posture. Fortinet Incident Response Services are now available in AWS Marketplace, offering expert support backed by deep integration with AWS and the Fortinet Security Fabric. This underscores Fortinet’s commitment to supporting customers with end-to-end security expertise—from proactive risk assessments to prompt incident handling—backed by deep integration with AWS-native tools and FortiGuard threat intelligence.

    A Strategic Shift toward Unified Cloud-Native Security

    This launch reinforces Fortinet’s commitment to simplifying cloud security by consolidating fragmented, non-integrated solutions into a unified cloud security platform. Rather than relying on isolated point products, Fortinet delivers integrated solutions across application, network, and user layers designed to streamline management and scale efficiently in any environment.

    By unifying capabilities like WAAP, network detection and response (NDR), security information and event management (SIEM), cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP), and workspace security under a single vendor and deployment model, organizations gain comprehensive cloud protection along with greater speed, cost-efficiency, and operational clarity.

    For those with cloud spend commitments and desire to optimize their cloud security investments, particularly in dynamic environments, Fortinet FortiFlex offers a flexible, daily usage-based licensing model that supports rapid deployment, elastic scaling, and seamless drawdown of existing cloud commitments, helping organizations protect what they need, when they need it, while only paying for what they use.

    Additional Resources

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mercurity Fintech Partners with Franklin Templeton to Advance Real-World Asset Tokenization with BENJI Tokens and FOBXX Fund

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our company,” or “MFH”) (NASDAQ: MFH), a digital fintech group, today announced a strategic partnership with Franklin Templeton, a global investment management organization managing over $1.53 trillion in assets as of April 30, 2025. This collaboration will integrate Franklin Templeton’s BENJI token and the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX) into Mercurity’s expanding platform for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs).

    Created by Franklin Templeton, BENJI is a blockchain token that gives investors direct access to FOBXX, a regulated U.S. money market fund. Unlike traditional investments, BENJI combines the stability of government-backed securities with the flexibility of digital assets so investors can potentially earn steady returns while maintaining easy access to their funds.

    Moreover, the blockchain-based structure addresses traditional inefficiencies in money market fund operations by reducing settlement times, simplifying peer-to-peer asset transfers, streamlining collateral management, and speeding up transaction processing. All while maintaining full regulatory compliance and security standards.

    Mercurity Fintech’s target clients—both institutional and retail investors—can gain access to money market opportunities, while earning yield on their holdings without sacrificing liquidity or navigating complex traditional banking processes. The platform offers seamless crypto-to-fiat conversions, multi-chain ecosystem exposure across networks like Avalanche and Solana, and enhanced treasury tokenization capabilities that optimize yield and liquidity management for corporate cash reserves.

    Mercurity Fintech also plans to benefit from tokenized treasury products like BENJI in its own operations by generating returns on capital reserves while maintaining the flexibility needed for its growing digital asset ecosystem. The Company’s FINRA-registered broker-dealer subsidiary, Chaince Securities, will play a vital role in handling investment transactions and advisory services for these tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), providing compliant distribution and efficient market access through its investment banking and brokerage expertise.

    “This partnership with Franklin Templeton reflects our focus on bridging the gap between traditional and digital finance,” said Shi Qiu, CEO of Mercurity Fintech. “BENJI addresses a real pain point in the market by offering regulated money market access through blockchain technology. It’s the type of compliant, institutional-grade solution our platform is designed to support.”

    The partnership represents a significant step in making institutional-grade financial products more accessible through blockchain technology. As tokenized assets continue to gain traction, this collaboration between Mercurity Fintech and Franklin Templeton demonstrates how traditional financial institutions and fintech companies can work together to modernize investment access while maintaining regulatory standards.

    About Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc.
    Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc. (NASDAQ: MFH) is a fintech group powered by blockchain infrastructure, offering technology and financial services. Through its subsidiaries including Chaince Securities, LLC, MFH aims to bridge traditional finance and digital innovation, offering services spanning digital assets, financial advisory, and capital markets solutions.

    About Chaince Securities
    Chaince Securities, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercurity Fintech, is a FINRA-registered broker-dealer specializing in investment banking and brokerage services. Chaince provides tailored advisory services, structured financial products, and compliant distribution channels for tokenized assets and securities, supporting Mercurity’s vision of bridging traditional finance with blockchain innovation.

    About Franklin Templeton
     Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE: BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the Company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and $1.53 trillion in AUM as of April 30, 2025. The Company posts information that may be significant for investors in the Investor Relations and News Center sections of its website, and encourages investors to consult those sections regularly. For more information, please visit investors.franklinresources.com.

    Franklin Distributors, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

    Contacts:
    International Elite Capital Inc.
    Vicky Chueng
    Tel: +1(646) 866-7928
    Email: mfhfintech@iecapitalusa.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Encourages Galaxy Users to Activate Latest Anti-Theft Features to Help Tackle Phone Theft

    Source: Samsung

    With an average of 1891 cellphones reportedly getting stolen every day in Mzansi, Samsung is urging South African Galaxy users to activate the latest anti-theft and anti-robbery features now available on Galaxy devices. These updates form part of Samsung’s ongoing commitment to smarter, tougher mobile security, giving users more control over their data, even in high-risk situations like smash-and-grabs or pickpocketing in busy taxi ranks, bus stops/stations, and other public areas.
     
    The latest security enhancements come via Samsung’s One UI 7 update, which was introduced with the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year and is now being rolled out to a broader range of devices across the Galaxy ecosystem. South Africa continues to grapple with high mobile phone theft rates, especially in urban areas like Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. Whether it’s phones being snatched from hands at traffic lights, lifted at taxi ranks, or stolen in the dark or load-shedding-induced house robberies, Galaxy users now have new ways to protect their personal data.
     
    Samsung’s new Theft Protection suite builds on existing Android security and introduces advanced layers of protection, even in cases where criminals might have access to your PIN or try to disable your device. Galaxy users can now enable a range of new security measures, including Identity Check, designed to offer stronger protection in complex theft scenarios. These features respond automatically and intelligently to suspicious activity, helping ensure that personal data remains secure and under the user’s control in these critical moments.
     
    Existing and updated features in Theft Protection include:

    Theft Detection Lock: This uses machine learning to detect motions associated with theft such as snatching, and instantly locks the screen to stop unauthorized access.
    Offline Device Lock: The screen gets automatically locked if the device is disconnected from the network for an extended period, ensuring protection even when the device is offline.
    Remote Lock: If the device has already been stolen, users can lock it remotely using their phone number and a quick verification step. Remote Lock also allows users to regain control of their account and explore additional recovery options.

     
    New Anti-Robbery features released on One UI 7 include:

    Identity Check: In unfamiliar locations, the ‘Safe Places’ feature requires biometric authentication for any changes to sensitive security settings, adding an additional layer of protection when a PIN may have been compromised.
    Security Delay: A key component of Identity Check, it triggers a one-hour waiting period if someone attempts to reset biometric data. This crucial buffer gives users time to lock the stolen phone from a connected device, such as a PC or tablet, before unauthorized access can occur.

     
    These updated theft features are now becoming available on previous flagship devices, starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip 5, S23 and S22 series,  with future updates planned for even more Galaxy smartphones.
     

    Further steps to take if your Samsung Galaxy device is lost or stolen
     
    How to remotely lock your Samsung Galaxy device:

    Sign into Samsung Find using your Samsung account
    Select your phone on the left-hand side of the page, then choose Lost Mode in the device details section
    Create a PIN to unlock your phone if recovered, and enter it twice to confirm
    You will have the option to add an emergency contact and a custom message that will display on the locked screen (It’s recommended to skip this step to avoid sharing personal contact details)
    When you are ready, select the Lock button and verify your Samsung account to activate Lost mode
    If your device is recovered, you can unlock it using the PIN that was created when setting lost mode on your device

     
    How to remotely delete data on your Samsung Galaxy device: 

    Visit the Samsung Find website
    Select the phone you want to erase and choose Erase Data
    Verify your Samsung account credentials
    Review the information provided and tap Erase to confirm

    All the data on your mobile, including Samsung Pay information, will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered
    This will also reset your phone, meaning you won’t be able to locate and control it via Samsung Find
    Make sure to regularly back up your data to the cloud so you can restore it to a new device if needed

     
    How to remotely change your Samsung and/or Google account passwords: 

    It is recommended to change the passwords for your Samsung and Google accounts (or whichever accounts are linked to your device) by signing in through their respective websites
    Once changed, you will be signed out of all connected devices, except the one you’re using
    This prevents unauthorized access to account-linked features and protects your personal information

     
    How to track your Galaxy device:
    If your device is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, its last known location will appear on a map

    Visit the Samsung Find website
    Sign in with the Samsung account associated with your device (or a guardian’s account)
    If multiple devices are linked to your account, they will all appear – select the one you want to locate
    You’ll see its current or last known location

     
    Other remote features available: 

    Ring: Make your device ring even if it’s set to silent or vibrate
    Extend battery life: Activate power-saving settings to keep your device on longer and improve the chances of recovery
    Track location: Enable real-time location tracking and your phone’s location will update every 15 minutes until tracking is stopped

     
    Other ways to locate Galaxy devices
     
    Find your phone using your Galaxy watch (WearOS 5 or higher):

    Swipe down from the top of your Galaxy Watch to open Quick settings
    Tap the Find My Phone icon
    Tap Start to begin the search – your phone’s ringtone will sound
    Once found, tap Stop on your watch or the X icon on your phone

     
    Find your Galaxy Watch: 

    Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone
    Tap Find My Watch (or Find My Band / Find My Gear, depending on your device)
    If connected via Bluetooth, tap Start
    Your watch will vibrate and play a sound (depending on model)
    Once found, tap the X icon on your watch or Stop on your phone

     
    Find your Galaxy Buds: 

    Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone or tablet
    Tap Find My Earbuds
    Tap Start – your earbuds will begin beeping and gradually increase in volume for three minutes
    Once found, tap Stop

     
    Using Google’s Find My Device:

    Google’s Find My Device is built into Android via Google Play Services
    You will need a Google account to use it
    With this tool, you can set a new password, make your device ring, display a message, lock and wipe your device, and more

     
    Contact the authorities and your mobile network provider: 

    Once taken the steps above, report your lost or stolen device to the police and record a crime incident report
    Contact your mobile network provider to freeze your contract and prevent unauthorized usage

     
    For additional device protection, it is recommended to have insurance that covers accidental damage, loss, or theft. Samsung offers a variety of protection plans – visit Samsung.com to explore coverage options that best suit your needs.
     
    1 Stat sourced from a Report on Polity

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: When developing countries band together, lifesaving drugs become cheaper and easier to buy − with trade-offs

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lucy Xiaolu Wang, Assistant Professor, Department of Resource Economics, UMass Amherst

    Pooling procurement of drugs could increase the availability of essential treatments around the globe. narvo vexar/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Procuring lifesaving drugs is a daunting challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Essential treatments are often neither available nor affordable in these nations, even decades after the drugs entered the market.

    Prospective buyers from these countries face a patent thicket, where a single drug may be covered by hundreds of patents. This makes it costly and legally difficult to secure licensing rights for manufacturing.

    These buyers also face a complex and often fragile supply chain. Many major pharmaceutical firms have little incentive to sell their products in unprofitable markets. Quality assurance adds another layer of complexity, with substandard and counterfeit drugs widespread in many of these countries.

    Organizations such as the United Nations-backed Medicines Patent Pool have effectively increased the supply of generic versions of patented drugs. But the problems go beyond patents or manufacturing – how medicines are bought are also crucially important. Buyers for low- and middle-income countries are often health ministries and community organizations on tight budgets that have to negotiate with sellers that may have substantial market power and far more experience.

    We are economists who study how to increase access to drugs across the globe. Our research found that while pooling orders for essential medicines can help drive down costs and ensure a steady supply to low- and middle-income countries, there are trade-offs that require flexibility and early planning to address.

    Understanding these trade-offs can help countries better prepare for future health emergencies and treat chronic conditions.

    Pooled procurement reduces drug costs

    One strategy low-income countries are increasingly adopting to improve treatment access is “pooled procurement.” That’s when multiple buyers coordinate purchases to strengthen their collective bargaining power and reduce prices for essential medicines. For example, pooling can help buyers meet the minimum batch size requirements some suppliers impose that countries purchasing individually may not satisfy.

    Compared with decentralized procurement, pooled procurement eases transactions by connecting buyers and sellers in groups.
    Lucy Xiaolu Wang and Nahim Bin Zahur, CC BY-NC-ND

    Countries typically rely on four models for pooled drug procurement:

    • One method, called decentralized procurement, involves buyers purchasing directly from manufacturers.

    • Another method, called international pooled procurement, involves going through international institutions such as the Global Fund’s Pooled Procurement Mechanism or the United Nations.

    • Countries may also purchase prescription drugs through their own central medical stores, which are government-run or semi-autonomous agencies that procure, store and distribute medicines on behalf of national health systems. This method is called centralized domestic procurement.

    • Finally, countries can also go through independent nonprofits, foundations, nongovernmental organizations and private wholesalers.

    We wanted to understand how different procurement methods affect the cost of and time it takes to deliver drugs for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, because those three infectious diseases account for a large share of deaths and cases worldwide. So we analyzed over 39,000 drug procurement transactions across 106 countries between 2007 and 2017 that were funded by the Global Fund, the largest multilateral funder of HIV/AIDS programs worldwide.

    We found that pooled procurement through international institutions reduced prices by 13% to 20% compared with directly buying from drug manufacturers. Smaller buyers and those purchasing drugs produced by only a small number of manufacturers saw the greatest savings. In comparison, purchasing through domestic pooling offered less consistent savings, with larger buyers seeing greater price advantages.

    The Global Fund and the United Nations were especially effective at lowering the prices of older, off-patent drugs.

    Trade-offs with pooled procurements

    Cost savings from pooled drug procurement may come with trade-offs.

    While the Global Fund reduced unexpected delivery delays by 28%, it required buyers to place orders much earlier. This results in longer anticipated procurement lead time between ordering and delivery – an average of 114 days more than that of direct purchases. In contrast, domestic pooled procurement shortened lead times by over a month.

    Our results suggest a core tension: Pooled procurement improves prices and reliability but can reduce flexibility. Organizations that facilitate pooled procurement tend to prioritize medicines that can be bought at high volume, limiting the availability of other types of drugs. Additionally, the longer lead times may not be suitable for emergency situations.

    With the spread of COVID-19, several large armed conflicts and tariff wars, governments have become increasingly aware of the fragility of the global supply chain. Some countries, such as Kenya, have sought to reduce their dependence on international pooling since 2005 by investing in domestic procurement.

    But a shift toward domestic self-sufficiency is a slow and difficult process due to challenges with quality assurance and large-scale manufacturing. It may also weaken international pooled systems, which rely on broad participation to negotiate better terms with suppliers.

    Scaling up drug production in low-income countries can be difficult.
    Rafiq Maqbool/AP Photo

    Interestingly, we found little evidence that international pooled procurement influences pricing for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a major purchaser of HIV treatments for developing countries. PEPFAR-eligible products do not appear to benefit more from international pooled procurement than noneligible ones.

    However, domestic procurement institutions were able to secure lower prices for PEPFAR-eligible products. This suggests that the presence of a large donor such as PEPFAR can cut costs, particularly when countries manage procurement internally.

    USAID cuts and global drug access

    While international organizations such as the Medicines Patent Pool and the Global Fund can address upstream barriers such as patents and procurement in the global drug supply chain, other institutions are essential for ensuring that medicines actually reach patients.

    The U.S. Agency for International Development had played a significant role in delivering HIV treatment abroad through PEPFAR. The Trump administration’s decision in February 2025 to cut over 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts amounted to a US$60 billion reduction in overall U.S. assistance globally. An estimated hundreds of thousands of deaths are already happening, and millions more will likely die.

    The World Health Organization warned that eight countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nigeria and Ukraine, could soon run out of HIV treatments due to these aid cuts. In South Africa, HIV services have already been scaled back, with reports of mass layoffs of health workers and HIV clinic closures. These downstream cracks can undercut the gains from efforts to make procuring drugs more accessible if the drugs can’t reach patients.

    Because HIV, tuberculosis and malaria often share the same treatment infrastructure – including drug procurement and distribution networks, laboratory systems, data collection, health workers and community-based services – disruption in the management of one disease can ripple across the others. Researchers have warned of a broader unraveling of progress across these infectious diseases, describing the fallout as a potential “bloodbath” in the global HIV response.

    Research shows that supporting access to treatments around the world doesn’t just save lives abroad. It also helps prevent the next global health crisis from reaching America’s doorstep.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. When developing countries band together, lifesaving drugs become cheaper and easier to buy − with trade-offs – https://theconversation.com/when-developing-countries-band-together-lifesaving-drugs-become-cheaper-and-easier-to-buy-with-trade-offs-255383

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Companies haven’t stopped hiring, but they’re more cautious, according to the 2025 College Hiring Outlook Report

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Murugan Anandarajan, Professor of Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems, Drexel University

    Recent college grads face a tough job market in 2025, but employers are still hiring. sturti/E+ via Getty Images

    Every year, I tell my students in my business analytics class the same thing: “Don’t just apply for a job. Audition for it.”

    This advice seems particularly relevant this year. In today’s turbulent economy, companies are still hiring, but they’re doing it a bit more carefully. More places are offering candidates short-term work experiences like internships and co-op programs in order to evaluate them before making them full-time offers.

    This is just one of the findings of the 2025 College Hiring Outlook Report. This annual report tracks trends in the job market and offers valuable insights for both job seekers and employers. It is based on a national survey conducted in September 2024, with responses from 1,322 employers spanning all major industries and company sizes, from small firms to large enterprises. The survey looks at employer perspectives on entry-level hiring trends, skills demand and talent development strategies.

    I am a professor of information systems at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business in Philadelphia, and I co-authored this report along with a team of colleagues at the Center for Career Readiness.

    Here’s what we found:

    Employers are rethinking talent pipelines

    Only 21% of the 1,322 employers we surveyed rated the current college hiring market as “excellent” or “very good,” which is a dramatic drop from 61% in 2023. This indicates that companies are becoming increasingly cautious about how they recruit and select new talent.

    While confidence in full-time hiring has declined, employers are not stepping away from hiring altogether. Instead, they’re shifting to paid and unpaid internships, co-ops and contract-to-hire roles as a less risky route to identify talent and “de-risk” full-time hiring.

    Employers we surveyed described internships as a cost-effective talent pipeline, and 70% told us they plan to maintain or increase their co-op and intern hiring in 2025. At a time when many companies are tightening their belts, hiring someone who’s already proved themselves saves on onboarding reduces turnover and minimizes potentially costly mishires.

    For job seekers, this makes every internship or short-term role more than a foot in the door. It’s an extended audition. Even with the general market looking unstable, interest in co-op and internship programs appears steady, especially among recent graduates facing fewer full-time opportunities.

    These programs aren’t just about trying out a job. They let employers see if a candidate shows initiative, good judgment and the ability to work well on a team, which we found are traits employers value even more than technical skills.

    What employers want

    We found that employers increasingly prioritize self-management skills like adaptability, ethical reasoning and communication over technical skills such as digital literacy and cybersecurity. Employers are paying attention to how candidates behave during internships, how they take feedback, and whether they bring the mindset needed to grow with the company.

    This reflects what I have observed in classrooms and in conversations with hiring managers: Credentials matter, but what truly sets candidates apart is how they present themselves and what they contribute to a company.

    Based on co-op and internship data we’ve collected at Drexel, however, many students continue to believe that technical proficiency is the key to getting a job.

    In my opinion, this disconnect reveals a critical gap in expectations: While students focus on hard skills to differentiate themselves, employers are looking for the human skills that indicate long-term potential, resilience and professionalism. This is especially true in the face of economic uncertainty and the ambiguous, fast-changing nature of today’s workplace.

    Technology is changing how hiring happens

    Employers also told us that artificial intelligence is now central to how both applicants and employers navigate the hiring process.

    Some companies are increasingly using AI-powered platforms to transform their hiring processes. For example, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia uses platforms like HireVue to conduct asynchronous video interviews. HR-focused firms like Phenom and JJ Staffing Services also leverage technologies such as AI-based resume ranking, automated interview scheduling and one-way video assessments.

    Not only do these tools speed up the hiring process, but they also reshape how employers and candidates interact. In our survey, large employers said they are increasingly relying on AI tools like resume screeners and one-way video interviews to manage large numbers of job applicants. As a result, the candidate’s presence, clarity in communication and authenticity are being evaluated even before a human recruiter becomes involved.

    At the same time, job seekers are using generative AI tools to write cover letters, practice interviews or reformat resumes. These tools can help with preparation, but overreliance on them can backfire. Employers want authenticity, and many employers we surveyed mentioned they notice when applications seem overly robotic.

    In my experience as a professor, the key is teaching students to use AI to enhance their effort and not replace it. I encourage them to leverage AI tools but always emphasize that the final output and the impression it makes should reflect their own thinking and professionalism. The bottom line is that hiring is still a human decision, and the personal impression you make matters.

    This isn’t just about new grads

    While our research focuses on early-career hiring, these findings apply to other audiences as well, such as career changers, returning professionals and even mid-career workers. These workers are increasingly being evaluated on their adaptability, behavior and collaborative ability – not just their experience.

    Many companies now offer project-based assignments and trial roles that let them evaluate performance before making a permanent hire.

    At the same time, employers are investing in internal reskilling and upskilling programs. Reskilling refers to training workers for entirely new roles, often in response to job changes or automation, while upskilling means helping employees deepen their current skills to stay effective and advance in their existing roles. Our report indicates that approximately 88% of large companies now offer structured upskilling and reskilling programs. For job seekers and workers alike, staying competitive means taking the initiative and demonstrating a commitment to learning and growth.

    Show up early, and show up well

    So what can students, or anyone entering or reentering the workforce, do to prepare?

    • Start early. Don’t wait until senior year. First- and second-year internships are growing in importance.

    • Sharpen your soft skills. Communication, time management, problem-solving and ethical behavior are top priorities for employers.

    • Understand where work is happening. Over 50% of entry-level jobs are fully in-person. Only 4% are fully remote. Show up ready to engage.

    • Use AI strategically. It’s a useful tool for research and practice, not a shortcut to connection or clarity.

    • Stay curious. Most large employers now offer reskilling or upskilling opportunities – and they expect employees to take initiative.

    One of the clearest takeaways from this year’s report is that hiring is no longer a one-time decision. It’s a performance process that often begins before an interview is even scheduled.

    Whether you’re still in school, transitioning in your career or returning to the workforce after a break, the same principle applies: Every opportunity is an audition. Treat it like one.

    Murugan Anandarajan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Companies haven’t stopped hiring, but they’re more cautious, according to the 2025 College Hiring Outlook Report – https://theconversation.com/companies-havent-stopped-hiring-but-theyre-more-cautious-according-to-the-2025-college-hiring-outlook-report-257870

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Observers of workplace mistreatment react as strongly as the victims − at times with a surprising amount of victim blaming

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jason Colquitt, Professor of Management, Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame

    Workplace mistreatment harms observers, too. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

    Picture this: On your way out of the office, you notice a manager berating an employee. You assume the worker made some sort of mistake, but the manager’s behavior seems unprofessional. Later, as you’re preparing dinner, is the scene still weighing on you – or is it out of sight, out of mind?

    If you think you’d still be bothered, you’re not alone. It turns out that simply observing mistreatment at work can have a surprisingly strong impact on people, even for those not directly involved. That’s according to new research led by Edwyna Hill, co-authored by Rachel Burgess, Manuela Priesemuth, Jefferson McClain and me, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.

    Using a method called meta-analysis – which takes results from many different studies and combines them to produce an overall set of findings – we reviewed the growing body of research on what management professors like me call “third-party perceptions of mistreatment.” In this context, “third parties” are people who observe mistreatment between a perpetrator and the victim, who are the first and second parties.

    We looked at 158 studies published in 105 journal articles involving thousands of participants. Those studies explored a number of different forms of workplace mistreatment ranging from incivility to abusive supervision and sexual harassment. Some of those studies took part in actual workplaces, while others examined mistreatment in tightly controlled laboratory settings.

    The results were striking: We found that observing a co-worker being mistreated on the job has significant effects on the observers’ emotions. In fact, we found that observers of mistreatment may be as affected by what happened as the people actually involved in the event.

    These reactions fall along a spectrum – some helpful, others less so. On the encouraging side, we found that observers tend to judge perpetrators and feel empathy for victims. These reactions discourage mistreatment by creating a climate that favors the victim. On the other hand, we found that observers may also enjoy seeing their co-workers suffer – an emotion called “schadenfreude” – or blame the victim. These sorts of reactions damage team dynamics and discourage people from reporting mistreatment.

    Why it matters

    These findings matter because mistreatment in the workplace is disturbingly common – and even more frequently observed than experienced. One recent study found that 34% of employees have experienced workplace mistreatment firsthand, but 44% have observed it happening to someone else. In other words, nearly half of workers have likely seen a scenario like the one described at the start of this article.

    Unfortunately, the human resources playbook on workplace mistreatment rarely takes third parties into account. Some investigation occurs, potentially resulting in some punishment for the perpetrator and some support for the victim. A more effective response to workplace mistreatment would recognize that the harm often extends beyond the victim – and that observers, too, may need support.

    What still isn’t known

    What’s needed now is a better understanding of the nuances involved in observing mistreatment. Why do some observers react with empathy, while others derive pleasure from the suffering of others? And why might observers feel empathy for the victim but still respond by judging or blaming them? Answering these questions is a crucial next step for researchers and leaders seeking to design more effective workplace policies.

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

    Jason Colquitt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Observers of workplace mistreatment react as strongly as the victims − at times with a surprising amount of victim blaming – https://theconversation.com/observers-of-workplace-mistreatment-react-as-strongly-as-the-victims-at-times-with-a-surprising-amount-of-victim-blaming-255761

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Zarrina Talan Azizova, Associate Professor of Education, Health and Behavior, University of North Dakota

    At first glance, calls from members of Congress to restore academic merit in college admissions might sound like a neutral policy.

    In our view, these campaigns often cherry-pick evidence and mask a coordinated effort that targets access and diversity in American colleges.

    As scholars who study access to higher education, we have found that when these efforts are paired with pressure to reinstate standardized tests, they amount to a rollback of inclusive practices.

    A Department of Education letter sent to congressional offices from Feb. 14, 2025, stated that is “unlawful for an educational institution to eliminate standardized testing to achieve a desired racial balance or to increase racial diversity.” The letter also claimed that the most widely used admissions tests, the SAT and ACT, are objective measures of merit.

    In our recent peer-reviewed article, we analyzed more than 70 empirical studies about the SAT’s and ACT’s roles in college admissions. Our work found several flaws in how these exams function, especially for historically underserved students.

    Measuring college readiness

    Supporters of admissions tests contend that they are objective tools for measuring whether students are ready for college-level coursework.
    The Good Brigade/Digital Vision via Getty Images

    Several elite universities – including Yale, Dartmouth and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements, reversing test-optional policies that institutions expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    These changes have reignited debates about how well these tests measure students’ academic preparedness and how colleges should weigh them in admissions decisions.

    During a May 21, 2025, hearing of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, some witnesses argued that using test scores allows colleges to admit students based on merit. Others maintained that test scores can function as barriers to higher education.

    Our research shows that while these tests are statistically reliable – that is, they produce consistent results for students across subjects and during multiple attempts under similar conditions – they are not as valid as some argue.

    High school grade-point averages are typically better predictors of students’ success in college than either test.

    In addition, the tests are not equitable or similarly predictive for all students, especially given gender, race and socioeconomic demographics.

    That is because they systematically favor those with more access to high-quality schooling, stable socioeconomic conditions and opportunities to engage with test prep coaches and courses. That test prep can cost thousands of dollars.

    In short, both tests tend to reflect privilege more than potential.

    For example, students from higher-income households routinely outperform their peers on the ACT and SAT.

    This isn’t surprising, considering wealthier families can afford test prep services, private tutoring and test retakes. These advantages translate into higher scores and open doors to selective colleges and scholarship opportunities.

    Meanwhile, students from low-income families often face challenges – such as less experienced instructors and less access to high-level science, math and advanced placement courses – that test scores do not factor in.

    Reflecting deep inequities

    In the U.S., high school GPA can be a better predictor than standardized tests of college success.
    Clerkenwell/Vetta via Getty Images

    In our published review, we found that these disparities aren’t incidental – they’re systemic.

    Our review revealed long-standing evidence of bias in test design and differences in average scores along lines of race, gender and language background.

    These outcomes don’t just reflect academic differences; they reflect inequities that shape how students prepare for and perform on these tests.

    We also found that high school GPA outperforms standardized tests in predicting college success. GPA captures years of classroom performance, effort and teacher feedback. It reflects how students navigate real-world challenges, not just how they perform on a single timed exam.

    For many students, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds, grades can offer a better indication of how prepared they are for college-level work.

    This issue matters because admissions decisions aren’t just technical evaluations – they are value statements. Choosing to center test scores in admissions rewards certain kinds of knowledge, experiences and preparation.

    The American Council on Education defines equity as opportunities for success. It means building educational environments that recognize diverse forms of potential and equip all learners to thrive.

    It’s worth noting that research on testing often focuses on elite institutions, where standardized test scores are more likely to be used as high-stakes screening tools. Our systematic review found that, even in elite schools, the tests’ ability to accurately predict college academic performance is often limited (moderate in statistical terms).

    But most college students attend state universities, public regional universities, minority-serving institutions, or colleges that accept most applicants. Our study found that at these institutions, standardized test scores are even less likely to predict how students will do.

    This may be because state universities and public regional universities are more likely to serve highly diverse student populations, including older, part-time and first-generation students and those who are balancing work and family responsibilities.

    Where does higher ed go from here?

    Prioritizing standardized tests in college admissions could close the doors of opportunity for some capable students.
    David Schaffer/istock via Getty Images Plus

    With the debate over the role of standardized tests in the admissions process, higher education stands at a crossroads: Will colleges yield to political pressure and narrow definitions of merit and ignore equity? Or will institutions reaffirm their mission by embracing broader, fairer tools for recognizing talent and supporting student success?

    The answer depends on what values are prioritized.

    Our research and that of others make it clear that standardized tests should not be the gatekeepers of opportunity.

    If universities define merit on test scores alone, they risk closing the doors of opportunity to capable students.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential – https://theconversation.com/the-hidden-bias-in-college-admissions-tests-how-standardized-exams-can-favor-privilege-over-potential-256967

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: A radical proposal to abolish state government and strengthen American democracy

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Stephen Legomsky, John S. Lehmann University Professor Emeritus, Washington University in St. Louis

    Abolish all the states? Zoonar/Getty Images Plus

    Get rid of states? Legal scholar Stephen Legomsky, who taught for 34 years at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, has just published a book, “Reimagining the American Union,” that proposes a radical idea: Abolish state government. The Conversation’s politics and democracy editor, Naomi Schalit – a former statehouse reporter herself – interviewed Legomsky about the provocative idea behind his book, in which he advocates moving most of the functions of state government down to the local level, closer to those represented and governed by it.

    You propose abolishing states. Why?

    The book is a thought experiment. The proposal I’m offering is long term. I realize we need states during the current political moment.

    I think the states are the root cause of many, if not most, of the current dangers faced by U.S. democracy. I also see the states as a significant source of fiscal waste. We don’t need three levels of government – national, state and local – all regulating us and all taxing us. Two would do just fine. And after careful, detailed analysis, I concluded that every benefit ever claimed for state government could be achieved at least as well, and in many cases better, by the local governments.

    I’m imagining the framers sitting in Independence Hall. And you go back in time and suggest to them not having states. I think most of them would drop dead at the thought, because it ultimately implies a much more powerful federal government. What would you say to them?

    After they stop laughing, I would emphasize that I’m not proposing a wholesale transfer of power from the states to an all-powerful, all-knowing central government. Yes, some of the functions currently performed by the states could better be performed at the national level, but I’m proposing that the lion’s share devolve down to the local governments, which are even closer to the people they represent than the state legislatures can ever be.

    Some of the most ardent Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton and James Wilson, referred to the states as “artificial beings” or “imaginary beings.” They accepted the states only because keeping them was politically essential to getting the required nine state ratifications, not because they thought states were a good idea.

    George Washington’s working copy of the Constitution from Aug. 6, 1787.
    National Archives, Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention

    What functions would your plan hand over to the federal government?

    A prime example is licensing. I looked up all the different occupations that require state licenses. I was astonished: practically every health care profession, barbers, engineers, lawyers, architects, the list is endless.

    If you live near a state line, you can’t practice in both states unless you get two licenses. If you move to another state, you have to get another license. This seems silly. The human anatomy, human hair, engineering principles, don’t change as you cross from New York to New Jersey. Nor do we need 50 different state driver’s licenses; a single national license administered through local agencies would be more efficient.

    You say states are the root cause of the greatest threats to American democracy. What are those threats?

    The structural threats are those that are baked into the Constitution itself. The Electoral College is one. On five occasions, the Electoral College has awarded the presidency to the candidate whom the voters rejected nationwide. And there were many, many near misses where the popular vote loser almost became president, making many such future instances a statistical certainty.

    Perhaps even more important, every state, no matter how large or how small, gets the same number of U.S. senators. In fact, a majority of the U.S. population is represented by only about 18% of the Senate. The minority gets the other 82%.

    These counter-majoritarian defects in the elections of both presidents and senators have a ripple effect. They skew the composition, and thus the decisions, of the federal courts. Three of the current Supreme Court justices were appointed by President Donald Trump after he had lost the national popular vote; five of the current Supreme Court justices were confirmed by senators who collectively represented only a minority of the U.S. population.

    Here’s one especially jarring statistic: From 1969 until today, the Democratic presidential nominees won the national popular vote in a slight majority of the elections. Yet, during the presidential terms that resulted from those elections, Republican presidents have gotten to make 15 of the 20 Supreme Court appointments.

    The Constitution also gives the states broad powers to regulate and run national elections. State legislatures have used those powers to pass gerrymandering, voter suppression and other counter-majoritarian laws.

    If you devolve these functions and services to localities, wouldn’t you end up with a mirror of the current state-level structure? Wouldn’t this just send a lot of state personnel down to the local level?

    Yes, much of that structure would devolve. However, I see that as a good thing. Devolution is unavoidable in a country this size. Not everything can be done by the central government. The question for me is, do we need two levels of subordinate political subdivisions or one? One seems more efficient. And when problems are too big for one local government to handle on its own, it can partner with other local governments or with the national government, just as many local governments do today.

    Abolishing state government means no more meetings of the state legislature, like this one in the Maine House of Representatives on Jan. 4, 2023, at the State House in Augusta.
    AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

    If there were no states to gerrymander or pass voter-suppression laws, wouldn’t some national government agency just do it instead?

    Redistricting would be performed by a nonpartisan redistricting commission that I propose be made up of technicians, mainly demographers, statisticians and geographers, under broad, general principles enacted by Congress. That’s what almost every other democracy in the world does today.

    Why did you write this book?

    For a long time, I’ve been distressed about so many of the dangers to our democracy. So, one day, I found myself compiling what ended up becoming a fairly long mental list of all of my democracy-related grievances.

    A list of grievances like in the Declaration of Independence!

    That’s a nice analogy. And as I thought about that list, it suddenly struck me that the vast majority of these problems couldn’t occur without states. That got me thinking about whether we really need states in the first place.

    If it’s just a thought experiment, something that’s not going to happen, why would you think it’s worthwhile spending time writing this?

    And why would I be so vain as to think anybody would want to waste their time reading it?

    And your answer is, ‘Because I’m an academic!’

    It’s that, plus more. I do hope there’s some scholarly value in this. But I’m also writing for the long term. States are secure for now, but history teaches us that the more distant future is full of surprises.

    Stephen Legomsky does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. A radical proposal to abolish state government and strengthen American democracy – https://theconversation.com/a-radical-proposal-to-abolish-state-government-and-strengthen-american-democracy-256955

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The use of federal troops to quell Los Angles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Justin Randolph, Assistant Professor of U.S. History, Texas A&M University

    The National Guard and protesters stand off outside of a downtown jail in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    President Donald Trump activated 4,000 National Guard troops on June 10, 2025, to quell protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids – without the normal request from the state. He has also sent to Los Angeles hundreds of U.S. Marines, with the goal of protecting the unprecedented deportation operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    If this all feels exceptional, it should. Governors typically activate their own state troops, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he would do on June 11 ahead of expected immigration protests.

    California quickly sued the president. A federal court has sided with the state, but an appeals court will weigh the Trump administration’s use of the U.S. code on armed services to activate the National Guard, which relies on protesters constituting either an “invasion” or “rebellion.”

    “What we’re witnessing is not law enforcement – it’s authoritarianism,”
    California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on June 10.

    Protesters report violent responses from Los Angeles police, too. Nonetheless, Newsom’s invocation of authoritarianism is apt.

    The last example of a president federalizing troops over the objection of a state government dates to Jim Crow segregation, a period marked by legal practices that routinely denied due process and citizenship rights to Black Americans in the South. In the 1960s, numerous Black freedom struggles took stands against this authoritarianism backed by militarized law enforcement.

    As a scholar of U.S. history, I’ve just completed a book on Jim Crow policing and the ways Black Americans fought back against racist law and order. I think the militarization of policing in Los Angeles opens important questions about democracy and state violence.

    Jim Crow dreams

    During the Civil Rights Movement, the federal government activated National Guard troops over Southern state objections when those states would neither enforce court orders nor protect protesters.

    In those cases, presidents protected people with the help of troops. In Trump’s case, he’s using troops to protect the government from protesters.

    The Trump administration’s vision of law enforcement aims for the type of militarized authority that state governments institutionalized under Jim Crow policing. If your political enemy is perceived more like an enemy combatant, the rules of legal procedure, especially due process, might not apply. Policing becomes war.

    When you see the words “Jim Crow,” your mind may jump to photos of racially segregated water fountains. But Jim Crow was far more than that. It was homegrown racial authoritarianism, or the repression of freedom of thought and action.

    Before troops enforced civil rights, Black Southerners saw the National Guard as an enemy rather than a friend.

    In the words of Ida B. Wells-Barnett after a white riot against Black residents in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1917, “The police were either indifferent or encouraged the barbarities. … The major part of the National Guard was indifferent or inactive. No organized effort was made to protect the Negroes or disperse the murdering groups.”

    Eisenhower sends in the troops

    The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education changed things. It overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision that legalized racial segregation and ruled that segregated public school education was unconstitutional. This significantly altered the federal government’s responsibility in the South’s legal system of white supremacy.

    The first test came in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Though numerous school districts across the South quietly desegregated, Southern governors such as Arkansas’ Orville Faubus resisted the planned desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.

    Seven of nine Black students walk onto the campus of Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., with a National Guard officer as an escort on Oct. 15, 1957.
    AP Photo/File

    Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard to stop Black children at the door. For nearly three weeks, Guardsmen blocked the small group of Black students – known as the “Little Rock Nine” – who were supposed to attend the school before President Dwight Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard and ordered them to stand down.

    Eisenhower deployed U.S. Army riot troops to Little Rock under the Insurrection Act. In the end, the Little Rock Nine began their studies at Central High despite the much-photographed spitting from the white mob that surrounded the school.

    State troops, state rights

    Next came the desegregation of interstate transportation.

    In spring 1961, the Congress of Racial Equality, a civil rights advocacy group, sent buses of integrated passengers through the Deep South. White terrorists attacked Freedom Riders, as these activists became known, three times in Alabama.

    But state authorities had learned from the Little Rock experience. Southern governors in Alabama and Mississippi deployed the National Guard themselves. This time they intended to only minimally protect Freedom Riders to block federal law enforcement. In Mississippi, police arrested and prison guards tortured Freedom Riders in the state penitentiary. Mob violence killed no one.

    James Meredith, center, is escorted by federal marshals as he appears for his first day of class at the previously all-white University of Mississippi on Oct. 1, 1962.
    AP Photo, File

    The same was not true during the desegregation of public universities.

    When U.S. marshals arrived to enforce the court order enrolling James Meredith at the University of Mississippi in September 1962, a white riot erupted. State law enforcement withdrew from the scene. Two men died, and many more were injured.

    President John F. Kennedy federalized the Mississippi National Guard and sent them in to restore order. The next summer, he did the same in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to preemptively halt a riot at the University of Alabama.

    The occasion became a publicity stunt for Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace. He temporarily blocked the entrance to Foster Auditorium, intent on stopping the court-ordered registration of three Black students.

    “I stand before you here today in place of thousands of other Alabamians whose presence would have confronted you,” Wallace said to federal authorities. A National Guard general said, “Sir, it is my sad duty to ask you to step aside under the orders of the President of the United States.”

    A National Guard general informs Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace that the guard was under federal control, as the two meet at Foster Auditorium at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on June 11, 1963.
    AP Photo, File

    Wallace also triggered the last federal use – until now – of the National Guard. Alabama’s Selma-to-Montgomery march began as a memorial to Jimmie Lee Jackson, a young Black civil rights activist who was killed by police on Feb. 26, 1965. The march became primarily a symbol for the year’s Voting Rights Act.

    In an important change, President Lyndon B. Johnson federalized the National Guard to protect marchers. State troopers and sheriff’s deputies had terrorized marchers, including John Lewis, who was almost beaten to death on Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965.

    Democracy is in the streets

    The history of the National Guard in the South is an important part of what’s unfolding in Los Angeles and across the nation.

    For most of the National Guard’s history in the South, political leaders used domestic military power to preserve the interests of racial authoritarians, not racial egalitarians. Little Rock, Tuscaloosa, Selma: Those moments when troops protected racial justice protesters at home stand out as some of America’s most hopeful moments.

    Recent statements by Trump administration officials help illustrate how it envisions using military power in domestic law enforcement. On June 8, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “to arrest rioters” – a request beyond the original order to protect ICE agents.

    And on June 12, Noem said that “the military people that are working on this operation … are staying here to liberate the city from the socialist and burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country.”

    The National Guard and Marines are reportedly protecting immigration enforcement. But what might happen if they directly interact with protests?

    With diverse tactics, protesters are halting business as usual because they see a mass-deportation regime terrorizing and disappearing people in their communities. U.S. courts tend to agree with their analysis but seem powerless to enforce even basic due process rights for those detained by ICE.

    These activists show the messy work of American social change. Their work may look like “anarchy” to even some Democrats. It may be maligned as “invasion” and “rebellion” by the Trump administration.

    But the calls to constrain ICE follow an American tradition of fighting authoritarianism.

    Justin Randolph does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The use of federal troops to quell Los Angles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement – https://theconversation.com/the-use-of-federal-troops-to-quell-los-angles-protests-recalls-militarized-law-enforcement-during-the-civil-rights-movement-258866

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: AI ‘reanimations’: Making facsimiles of the dead raises ethical quandaries

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nir Eisikovits, Professor of Philosophy and Director, Applied Ethics Center, UMass Boston

    This screenshot of an AI-generated video depicts Christopher Pelkey, who was killed in 2021. Screenshot: Stacey Wales/YouTube

    Christopher Pelkey was shot and killed in a road range incident in 2021. On May 8, 2025, at the sentencing hearing for his killer, an AI video reconstruction of Pelkey delivered a victim impact statement. The trial judge reported being deeply moved by this performance and issued the maximum sentence for manslaughter.

    As part of the ceremonies to mark Israel’s 77th year of independence on April 30, 2025, officials had planned to host a concert featuring four iconic Israeli singers. All four had died years earlier. The plan was to conjure them using AI-generated sound and video. The dead performers were supposed to sing alongside Yardena Arazi, a famous and still very much alive artist. In the end Arazi pulled out, citing the political atmosphere, and the event didn’t happen.

    In April, the BBC created a deep-fake version of the famous mystery writer Agatha Christie to teach a “maestro course on writing.” Fake Agatha would instruct aspiring murder mystery authors and “inspire” their “writing journey.”

    The use of artificial intelligence to “reanimate” the dead for a variety of purposes is quickly gaining traction. Over the past few years, we’ve been studying the moral implications of AI at the Center for Applied Ethics at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and we find these AI reanimations to be morally problematic.

    Before we address the moral challenges the technology raises, it’s important to distinguish AI reanimations, or deepfakes, from so-called griefbots. Griefbots are chatbots trained on large swaths of data the dead leave behind – social media posts, texts, emails, videos. These chatbots mimic how the departed used to communicate and are meant to make life easier for surviving relations. The deepfakes we are discussing here have other aims; they are meant to promote legal, political and educational causes.

    Chris Pelkey was shot and killed in 2021. This AI ‘reanimation’ of him was presented in court as a victim impact statement.

    Moral quandaries

    The first moral quandary the technology raises has to do with consent: Would the deceased have agreed to do what their likeness is doing? Would the dead Israeli singers have wanted to sing at an Independence ceremony organized by the nation’s current government? Would Pelkey, the road-rage victim, be comfortable with the script his family wrote for his avatar to recite? What would Christie think about her AI double teaching that class?

    The answers to these questions can only be deduced circumstantially – from examining the kinds of things the dead did and the views they expressed when alive. And one could ask if the answers even matter. If those in charge of the estates agree to the reanimations, isn’t the question settled? After all, such trustees are the legal representatives of the departed.

    But putting aside the question of consent, a more fundamental question remains.

    What do these reanimations do to the legacy and reputation of the dead? Doesn’t their reputation depend, to some extent, on the scarcity of appearance, on the fact that the dead can’t show up anymore? Dying can have a salutary effect on the reputation of prominent people; it was good for John F. Kennedy, and it was good for Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

    The fifth-century B.C. Athenian leader Pericles understood this well. In his famous Funeral Oration, delivered at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War, he asserts that a noble death can elevate one’s reputation and wash away their petty misdeeds. That is because the dead are beyond reach and their mystique grows postmortem. “Even extreme virtue will scarcely win you a reputation equal to” that of the dead, he insists.

    Do AI reanimations devalue the currency of the dead by forcing them to keep popping up? Do they cheapen and destabilize their reputation by having them comment on events that happened long after their demise?

    In addition, these AI representations can be a powerful tool to influence audiences for political or legal purposes. Bringing back a popular dead singer to legitimize a political event and reanimating a dead victim to offer testimony are acts intended to sway an audience’s judgment.

    It’s one thing to channel a Churchill or a Roosevelt during a political speech by quoting them or even trying to sound like them. It’s another thing to have “them” speak alongside you. The potential of harnessing nostalgia is supercharged by this technology. Imagine, for example, what the Soviets, who literally worshipped Lenin’s dead body, would have done with a deep fake of their old icon.

    Good intentions

    You could argue that because these reanimations are uniquely engaging, they can be used for virtuous purposes. Consider a reanimated Martin Luther King Jr., speaking to our currently polarized and divided nation, urging moderation and unity. Wouldn’t that be grand? Or what about a reanimated Mordechai Anielewicz, the commander of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, speaking at the trial of a Holocaust denier like David Irving?

    But do we know what MLK would have thought about our current political divisions? Do we know what Anielewicz would have thought about restrictions on pernicious speech? Does bravely campaigning for civil rights mean we should call upon the digital ghost of King to comment on the impact of populism? Does fearlessly fighting the Nazis mean we should dredge up the AI shadow of an old hero to comment on free speech in the digital age?

    No one can know with certainty what Martin Luther King Jr. would say about today’s society.
    AP Photo/Chick Harrity

    Even if the political projects these AI avatars served were consistent with the deceased’s views, the problem of manipulation – of using the psychological power of deepfakes to appeal to emotions – remains.

    But what about enlisting AI Agatha Christie to teach a writing class? Deep fakes may indeed have salutary uses in educational settings. The likeness of Christie could make students more enthusiastic about writing. Fake Aristotle could improve the chances that students engage with his austere Nicomachean Ethics. AI Einstein could help those who want to study physics get their heads around general relativity.

    But producing these fakes comes with a great deal of responsibility. After all, given how engaging they can be, it’s possible that the interactions with these representations will be all that students pay attention to, rather than serving as a gateway to exploring the subject further.

    Living on in the living

    In a poem written in memory of W.B. Yeats, W.H. Auden tells us that, after the poet’s death, Yeats “became his admirers.” His memory was now “scattered among a hundred cities,” and his work subject to endless interpretation: “the words of a dead man are modified in the guts of the living.”

    The dead live on in the many ways we reinterpret their words and works. Auden did that to Yeats, and we’re doing it to Auden right here. That’s how people stay in touch with those who are gone. In the end, we believe that using technological prowess to concretely bring them back disrespects them and, perhaps more importantly, is an act of disrespect to ourselves – to our capacity to abstract, think and imagine.

    Nir Eisikovits directs UMass Boston’s Applied Ethics Center, which receives funding from the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. He’s also a data ethics advisor to mindguard.com

    Daniel J. Feldman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. AI ‘reanimations’: Making facsimiles of the dead raises ethical quandaries – https://theconversation.com/ai-reanimations-making-facsimiles-of-the-dead-raises-ethical-quandaries-256771

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Nostalgic foods and scents like fresh-cut grass and hamburgers grilling bring comfort, connection and well-being

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chelsea Reid, Associate Professor of Psychology, College of Charleston

    The foods and scents we associate with our childhoods can provide a meaningful source of comfort and connection. zeljkosantrac/E+ via Getty Images

    Walking around my neighborhood in the evening, I am hit by the smells of summer: fresh-cut grass, hamburgers grilling and a hint of swimming pool chlorine. These are also the smells of summers from my adolescence, and they remind me of Friday evenings at the community pool with my friends and our families gathered around picnic tables between swims. The memories always brings a smile to my face.

    As a social psychologist, I shouldn’t feel surprised to experience this warm glow. My research focuses on nostalgia – a sentimental longing for treasured moments in our personal pasts – and how nostalgia is linked to our well-being and feelings of connection with others.

    Triggered by sensory stimuli such as music, scents and foods, nostalgia has the power to mentally transport us back in time. This might be to important occasions, to moments of triumph and – importantly – moments revolving around close family and friends and other important people in our lives.

    As it turns out, this experience is good for us.

    How the concept of nostalgia evolved

    For centuries, nostalgia was considered unhealthy.

    In the 1600s, a Swiss medical student named Johannes Hofer studied mercenaries in the Italian and French lowlands who longed desperately for their mountain homelands. Witnessing their weeping and despondency, he coined the term nostalgia and attributed it to a brain disease. Other thinkers of the time echoed this view, which persisted through the 18th and 19th centuries.

    However, early thinkers made an error: They assumed that nostalgia was causing unpleasant symptoms. It may have been the reverse. Unpleasant experiences, such as loneliness and grief, can arouse nostalgia, which can then help people cope more effectively with these hardships.

    Today, researchers view nostalgia as a predominantly positive, albeit bittersweet, emotional experience that serves as a source of psychological well-being. Importantly, this view has been supported by scientific research.

    Part of what makes nostalgia so intense is the bittersweet blend of feelings that it brings up.

    How nostalgia inspires connection and belonging

    Nostalgia provides many benefits. It enhances feelings of optimism and inspiration and makes people view themselves more positively. When people feel nostalgic, they feel a greater sense that their lives are meaningful.

    The social benefits of nostalgia are particularly well supported. Nostalgia increases empathy and the willingness of people to give to those around them, such as volunteering for community events and donating to charities.

    Nostalgia also makes people feel more socially connected to their loved ones by enhancing feelings that they are loved by, connected to, protected by and trusting of others. Nostalgia helps people feel more secure in their close relationships and enhances relationship satisfaction.

    While nostalgia is a universal experience, it is also deeply personal. The moments for which we are each nostalgic and the stimuli that might trigger our nostalgic memories can vary from one person to the next depending on the experiences that each of us have. But people within the same culture may find similar stimuli to be nostalgic for them. In a 2013 study, for instance, my team found that American participants rated pumpkin pie spice as the most nostalgia-evoking scent out of a variety of options.

    Many nostalgia-inducing scents vary from person to person, but pumpkin pie spice may be one of the most evocative scents in the U.S.
    Redjina Ph/Moment via Getty Images

    The nostalgic power of scents and foods

    In 1922, the French novelist Marcel Proust wrote about the strength of scents and foods to elicit nostalgia. He vividly described how the experience of smelling and eating a tea-soaked cake mentally transported him back to childhood experiences with his aunt in her home and village. This sort of experience is now often referred to as the Proust effect.

    Science has confirmed what Proust described. Our olfactory system, the sensory system responsible for our sense of smell, is closely linked to brain structures associated with emotions and autobiographical memory. Smells combine with tastes to create our perception of flavor.

    Foods also tend to be central to social gatherings, making them easily associated with these memories. For instance, a summer barbecue might feel incomplete to some without slices of juicy watermelon. And homemade pumpkin pie may be an essential dessert at many Thanksgiving tables. The watermelon or pie may then serve as what are known in social psychology as social surrogates, foods that serve as stand-ins for valued relationships due to their inclusion at past occasions with loved ones.

    My research team and I wanted to know how people benefited from feeling nostalgic when they encountered the scents and foods of their pasts. We began in 2011 by exposing study participants to 33 scents and chose 12 of them for our study. Participants rated some scents, such as pumpkin pie spice and baby powder, as highly evocative of nostalgia, while rating others – such as money and cappuccino –as less evocative.

    Those who experienced more nostalgia when smelling the scents experienced greater positive emotions, greater self-esteem, greater feelings of connection to their past selves, greater optimism, greater feelings of social connectedness and a greater sense that life is meaningful.

    We came to similar conclusions when we studied nostalgia for foods. Foods seemed to be more strongly linked to nostalgia than either scents or music when comparing the amount of nostalgia our participants experienced for foods to what previous research participants experienced for scents and songs. More recently, we found that nostalgic foods are comforting and that people find nostalgic foods comforting because those nostalgic foods remind them of important or meaningful moments with their loved ones.

    For some, a summer barbecue wouldn’t be complete without the smell and taste of juicy watermelon.
    GMVozd/E+ via Getty Images

    Balancing benefits and trade-offs

    Although nostalgia can be associated with foods that should be eaten only in moderation – such as burgers and cookies – there are other ways to channel our nostalgia through foods.

    We can have nostalgia with healthy foods. For instance, orange slices remind me of halftime at childhood soccer matches. And many people, including our research participants, feel intense nostalgia around watermelon. Other researchers have found that tofu is a nostalgic food for Chinese participants.

    But when nostalgia does involve consumption of unhealthy foods, there are still other ways to experience it without the health trade-offs. We found that participants experienced the benefits of food-evoked nostalgia just from imagining and writing about the foods – no consumption necessary. Other researchers have found that drawing comforting foods can enhance well-being. Even consuming less healthy foods more mindfully helps people enjoy their food while reducing their caloric consumption.

    Once seen as detrimental to our health, nostalgia provides us with an opportunity to reap numerous rewards. With nostalgic foods, we might be able to nourish both our bodies and our psychological health.

    Chelsea Reid does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Nostalgic foods and scents like fresh-cut grass and hamburgers grilling bring comfort, connection and well-being – https://theconversation.com/nostalgic-foods-and-scents-like-fresh-cut-grass-and-hamburgers-grilling-bring-comfort-connection-and-well-being-256192

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: When you lose your health insurance, you may also lose your primary doctor – and that hurts your health

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jane Tavares, Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer of Gerontology, UMass Boston

    Seeing the same doctor on a regular basis is good for your health. Morsa Images/DigitalVision via Getty Images

    When you lose your health insurance or switch to a plan that skimps on preventive care, something critical breaks.

    The connection to your primary care provider, usually a doctor, gets severed. You stop getting routine checkups. Warning signs get missed. Medical problems that could have been caught early become emergencies. And because emergencies are both dangerous and expensive, your health gets worse while your medical bills climb.

    As gerontology researchers who study health and financial well-being in later life, we’ve analyzed how someone’s ties to the health care system strengthen or unravel depending on whether they have insurance coverage. What we’ve found is simple: Staying connected to a trusted doctor keeps you healthier and saves the system money. Breaking that link does just the opposite.

    And that’s exactly what has us worried right now. Members of Congress are debating whether to make major cuts to Medicaid and other social safety net programs. If the Senate passes its own version of the tax-and-spending package that the House approved in May 2025, millions of Americans will soon face exactly this kind of disruption – with big consequences for their health and well-being.

    How people end up uninsured

    Someone can lose their health insurance for a number of reasons. For many Americans, coverage is tied to employment. Being fired, retiring before you turn 65 and become eligible to enroll in the Medicare program, or even getting a new job can mean losing insurance. Others wind up uninsured due to a different array of changes: moving to a different state, getting divorced or aging out of a parent’s plan after their 26th birthday.

    And those who buy their own coverage may find that they can no longer afford the premiums. In 2024, average premiums on the individual market exceeded more than US$600 per month for many adults, even with subsidies.

    Government-sponsored insurance programs can also leave you vulnerable to this predicament. The Senate is currently considering its own version of a tax-and-spending bill the House of Representatives passed in May that would make cuts and changes to Medicaid. If the provisions in the House bill are enacted, millions of Americans who get health insurance through Medicaid – a health insurance program jointly run by the federal government and the states that is mainly for people who have low incomes or disabilities – would lose their coverage, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

    Medicaid was established in the 1960s, explains a scholar of the program’s history.

    Consequences of becoming uninsured

    Health insurance is more than a way to pay medical bills; it’s a doorway into the health care system itself. It connects people to health care providers who come to know their medical history, their medications and their personal circumstances.

    When that door closes, the effects are immediate. Uninsured people are much less likely to have a usual source of care – typically a doctor or another primary care provider or clinic you know and trust. That relationship acts as a foundation for managing chronic conditions, staying current with preventive screenings and getting guidance when new symptoms arise.

    Researchers have found that adults who go uninsured for even six months become significantly more likely to postpone care or forgo it altogether to save money. In practical terms, this means they’re less likely to be examined by someone who knows their medical history and can spot red flags early.

    The Affordable Care Act, the landmark health care law enacted during the Obama administration, made the number of Americans without insurance plummet. The share of people without insurance fell from 16% in 2010 to 7.7% in 2023.

    The people who got insurance coverage, particularly those who were middle age, saw big improvements in their health.

    Researching the results

    In research that looked at data collected from 2014 to 2020, we followed what happened to 12,000 adults who were 50 or older and lived across the nation.

    Our research team analyzed how their experiences changed when they lost, and sometimes later regained, a regular source of care during those six years.

    Many of the participants in this study had multiple chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

    The results were striking.

    Those who didn’t see the same provider on a regular basis were far less likely to feel heard or respected by health care professionals. They had fewer medical appointments, filled fewer prescriptions and were less likely to follow through with recommended treatments.

    Their health also deteriorated considerably over the six years. Their blood pressure and blood sugar levels rose, and they had more elevated indicators of kidney impairment compared with their counterparts who had regular care providers.

    The longer they went without consistent health care, the worse these clinical markers became.

    Warning signs

    Preventive care is one of the best tools that both patients and their health care providers have to head off major health problems. This care includes screenings like cholesterol and blood pressure checks, mammograms, PAP smears and prostate exams, as well as routine vaccinations. But most people only get preventive care when they stay engaged with the health care system.

    And that’s far more likely when you have stable and comprehensive health insurance coverage.

    Our research team also examined what happened to preventive care based on whether the participants had a regular doctor. We found that those who kept seeing the same providers were almost three times more likely to get basic preventive services than those who did not.

    Over time, these missed preventive care opportunities can add up to a big problem. They can turn what could have been a manageable issue into an emergency room visit or a long, expensive hospital stay.

    For example, imagine a man in his 50s who no longer gets cholesterol screenings after losing insurance coverage. Over several years, his undiagnosed high cholesterol leads to a heart attack that could have been prevented with early medication. Or a woman who skips mammograms because of out-of-pocket costs, only to face a late-stage cancer diagnosis that might have been caught years earlier.

    Waiting too long to deal with a health condition can mean you make a trip to the emergency room, increasing the cost of care for you and others.
    FS Productions/Tetra images via Getty Images

    Shifting the costs

    Patients whose conditions take too long to be diagnosed aren’t the only ones who pay the price.

    We also studied how stable care relationships affect health care spending. To do this, we linked Medicare claims cost data to our original study and tracked the medical costs of the same adults age 50 and older from 2014 to 2020. One of our key findings is that people with regular care providers were 38% less likely to incur above-average health care costs.

    These savings aren’t just for patients – they ripple through the entire health care system. Primary care stability lowers costs for both public and private health insurers and, ultimately, for taxpayers.

    But when people lose their health care coverage, those savings disappear.

    Emergency rooms see more uninsured patients seeking care that could have been handled earlier and more cheaply in a clinic or doctor’s office. While hospitals are legally required to provide emergency care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, much of the resulting cost goes unreimbursed.

    Hospitals foot the bill for about two-thirds of those losses. They pass the other third along to private insurance companies through higher hospital fees. Those insurers, in turn, raise their customers’ premiums. Larger taxpayer subsidies can then be required to keep hospitals open.

    Seeing Medicaid as a lifeline

    For the nearly 80 million Americans enrolled in Medicaid, the program provides more than coverage.

    It contributes to the health care stability our research shows is critical for good health. Medicaid makes it possible for many Americans with serious medical conditions to have a regular doctor, get routine preventive services and have someone to turn to when symptoms arise – even when they have low incomes. It helps prevent health care from becoming purely crisis-driven.

    As Congress considers cutting Medicaid funding by hundreds of billions of dollars, we believe that lawmakers should realize that scaling back coverage would break the fragile links between millions of patients and the providers who know them best.

    Jane Tavares receives funding from from the SCAN Foundation, the RRF Foundation for Aging, and Milbank Memorial Fund .

    Marc Cohen receives funding from the SCAN Foundation, the RRF Foundation for Aging and Milbank Memorial Fund .

    – ref. When you lose your health insurance, you may also lose your primary doctor – and that hurts your health – https://theconversation.com/when-you-lose-your-health-insurance-you-may-also-lose-your-primary-doctor-and-that-hurts-your-health-258380

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Precise measurement standards have revolutionized museum science, helping nail down where artifacts are from

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Edward Vicenzi, Research Scientist, Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution

    Museums and their bountiful collections are research bastions. Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images

    On a cool February morning in 1904, a spark ignited a fire in the heart of downtown Baltimore. Within hours, a raging inferno swept eastward across the harbor district, consuming everything in its path. By evening, the local firefighters were overwhelmed, and the city sent telegrams to the fire chiefs of major Northeastern cities pleading for help in battling the blaze.

    Washington, Philadelphia and New York, along with other cities, responded quickly with dozens of engine companies. Yet when they arrived at the scene, many responders could not hook up to Baltimore’s hydrants since each city had its own threading standards to connect fire hoses.

    The fire resulted in damages of over US$3.5 billion in today’s dollars. It created a call for a national standard of threads for hoses and fire hydrant outlets. These standards now improve emergency responses across the country – and the same concept of standardization allows for consistency and replicability in scientific research.

    An illustration of the aftermath of the Great Baltimore Fire in February 1904.
    Fred Pridham/Wikimedia Commons

    In science, the ideal way to evaluate data is related to the concept driving the calls for uniform fire hose equipment. When scientists compare their results to those obtained in other laboratories, or with previously published data, the comparisons are most meaningful if all datasets were made with standardized practices and reference materials.

    Museum scientists like us provide compelling insights into the natural world, prehistory and historical culture heritage. Like that of many other scientists, our work, and the measurements we take day to day, depends upon standard references.

    Here we offer two fascinating stories from the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum Conservation Institute that highlight how scientific measurement standards allow for exciting new discoveries:

    You are what you drink

    In 2007, the New Mexico Bureau of Reclamation exhumed the remains of dozens of Civil War-era soldiers from the ruins of Fort Craig. They had been left behind when the fort was abandoned in 1885.

    A historical view of Fort Craig, N.M.
    Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico, CC BY-NC-SA

    Anthropologists from the Smithsonian and the Bureau of Reclamation in New Mexico identified the remains as belonging to a diverse range of people – including a few dozen African American Buffalo Soldiers, a group that made up a relatively small percentage of the U.S. military at that time.

    Historical records tell researchers that most of the military units at Fort Craig mobilized out of Kentucky and Virginia, but official records don’t always tell the full story. The group of project scientists, which included one of us, Christine France, needed a way to confirm the origin of these individuals and restore some identity to these forgotten soldiers.

    The researchers decided to use stable isotope analysis on the bones. This technique counts the number of atoms of a particular element in the sample that have one or more extra neutrons – this is the “heavy” isotope – and compares it with the number of atoms that have a normal number of neutrons – this is the “light” isotope.

    Drinking water in southern latitudes has more naturally occurring heavy oxygen atoms compared with northern latitudes. If a soldier’s bones had a relatively high ratio of the heavy to the light oxygen atoms, that soldier likely spent more time drinking water from the South.

    Researchers have measured oxygen isotopes in other archaeological remains and in water all over North America, giving us a water “isotope map.” But matching the bone isotope values to the water map is like comparing apples to oranges, and every lab has subtle variations in its instruments. The scientists needed to normalize and calibrate the isotope ratios they had measured to a reference standard.

    In this case, the standard was the average oxygen isotope value of ocean water, a convention that stable isotope researchers agreed upon as a consistent and readily available value. The researchers now had a uniform way to say how many more – or fewer – heavy oxygen isotopes the bones contained compared to the ocean water standard.

    Other archaeology labs and the North American water isotope map use that same standard comparison, allowing them to directly compare all the bone isotope values to one another, and to the North American water isotope map.

    Ultimately, the method helped the team identify several soldiers who came from quite far away to join the company, including individuals who likely grew up in the mid-Atlantic, New England and Southeast.

    The exact circumstances that brought these soldiers together is lost to history. But the researchers’ ability to assign them geographic provenance with the help of reference standards gave them further insight into this pivotal time in U.S. history.

    Volcanic glass mirrors

    Humans have always been fascinated by looking at themselves in the mirror. In Mesoamerica – modern-day central and southern Mexico together with northern Central America – archaeologists have found convex round objects so finely polished that they have been termed mirrors.

    But instead of using them for vanity, shamans from ancient times likely used them as a tool to access portals to other dimensions.

    The oldest Preclassic mirrors (2000 BCE to 250 CE) were fashioned from polished iron ores, but later Postclassic period mirrors (900 CE to 1450 CE) were made from obsidian, a typically black silica-rich volcanic glass.

    The collections at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian contain six large, rectangular obsidian mirrors, purchased in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their labels state they come from the “Valley of Mexico.”

    Obsidian tablets, a view of both their front and back sides, found in the National Museum of the American Indian collections.
    NMAI, Martinez et al (2022)

    Archeologists rarely find rectangular obsidian mirrors like these at pre-Columbian dig sites. So, local artisans skilled in stone polishing likely made these unusually shaped objects upon request by Spanish invaders around the time of European contact. But which Mesoamerican culture did they come from?

    Scientists from the Museum Conservation Institute, including two of us, Thomas Lam and Edward Vicenzi, and a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, worked with staff at the National Museum of the American Indian on an effort to pinpoint which volcano created the obsidian in the mirrors.

    The location of the obsidian source would indicate whether the Aztecs who controlled eastern central Mexico, or the Purépecha who controlled an area west of the Aztecs, produced the objects, as both had ample sources of obsidian in their territories.

    To conduct such a study, the researchers required two types of reference materials: obsidian that had erupted from known volcanic locations, and a reference obsidian that scientists already knew the composition of to confirm the quality of the analysis.

    The first reference obsidians, from known locations, told the researchers about the differences in geochemistry of the volcanoes in central Mexico. That information allowed them to match the mirror analyses to the known volcanic location analyses and their map coordinates. The second reference obsidian served as a quality control specimen for the analysis.

    Museum Conservation Institute scientists used a nondestructive technique called X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to analyze ratios of elements in the obsidians. The process works by “exciting” atoms in the obsidian, and a spectrum of X-ray energies is given off as the atoms “relax.”

    Scientists analyzed the obsidian shards to see which elements were present in them in which ratios, and where in Mexico obsidian contained similar elements at similar ratios.
    Sharps et al. (2021)

    The results showed that all the specimens came from a region controlled by the Purépecha, not the Aztecs. The museum curators updated their records describing the mirrors to include this new information about their origin.

    Creating standards

    Standardized measurement procedures and reference materials play a central role in museum science. Organizations dedicated to rigorous measurement science, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal government agency, help create some of these standards and research new measurement procedures.

    Without their leadership, it would be far more difficult for researchers like us to produce high-quality data and discern the relationships between specimens in the natural and cultural heritage sciences. With quality measurement standards in our toolbox, we are finding new insights into human history and the natural world.

    Edward Vicenzi is a guest researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the Material Measurement Laboratory.

    Christine France and Thomas Lam do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Precise measurement standards have revolutionized museum science, helping nail down where artifacts are from – https://theconversation.com/precise-measurement-standards-have-revolutionized-museum-science-helping-nail-down-where-artifacts-are-from-254025

    MIL OSI Analysis –