Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI: TRC Amends Its Tender Offer for NVIDIA Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TRC Capital Investment Corporation (TRC) announced today that based on current market conditions, TRC has amended the terms of its tender offer for up to 1,000,000 common shares of NVIDIA Corporation (the Company) and has decreased the offer price payable to US$115.45 per share from US$131.50 per share.

    TRC also announced that its offer will still expire at one minute after 11:59 p.m. New York City time on February 20, 2025, unless further extended.

    As of close of business on Monday, February 3, 2025, 167 shares had been tendered.

    TRC will accept for payment and will pay for all shares validly tendered prior to the expiration date and not properly withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the offer. TRC will not be required to accept for payment or pay for any shares and may terminate the offer if certain conditions which, in the reasonable judgment of TRC in any such case, makes it inadvisable to proceed with the offer or with such acceptance for payment or payment.

    Stockholders of the Company who have already tendered their shares and have not withdrawn such shares need not take any additional action with respect to TRC’s amended tender offer. These stockholders will receive the decreased offer price of US$115.45 per share in TRC’s tender offer.

    TRC has amended its tender offer materials to reflect the decreased offer price and other relevant changes.

    THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SHARES. THE SOLICITATION AND THE OFFER TO BUY THE COMPANY’S SHARES WILL ONLY BE MADE PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS, AS SUCH DOCUMENTS ARE SUPPLEMENTED AND AMENDED. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER. STOCKHOLDERS CAN OBTAIN A COPY OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER BY CONTACTING THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER, CNRA FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. AT (416) 861-9446.

    TRC Capital Investment Corporation is a private investment corporation that manages a diverse investment portfolio.

    For further information, contact:

    Contact:      Lorne H. Albaum, President
    Phone:        (416) 304-1474

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Rate Unveils Comprehensive Financing Solutions for Small Business Owners and Independent Property Investors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rate, a leading financial services provider in the mortgage industry, proudly announces the launch of a comprehensive suite of investment property financing solutions for independent and small business owners. These offerings are designed to support buyers as both aspiring and established real estate investors with industry-leading pricing and rapid access to capital.

    Trends in property investment reveal significant growth and involvement among taxpayers and small investors over the last few years. According to CoreLogic, after a dip in the first half of 2024 as mortgage rates and home prices remained elevated, the quarterly U.S. home investor share grew by 2% and is expected is expected to remain steady in 2025, at around 25% of all home sales.

    The long term growth is echoed in the IRS data, showing that the number of taxpayers claiming rental income has been increasing at an annual rate of 7.6% since 2006, reaching 16.8 million individuals. Among these investors, 47% are small-scale, owning 3-9 properties, while 36% are medium-scale, with portfolios of 10-99 properties. Furthermore, rental income is derived from 17.7 million properties, highlighting the substantial scale of the rental property market. Rate is committed to serving everyday Americans and small business owners, who are emerging as a rising percentage of those making these purchases and being at the forefront of this trend.

    Rate’s full suite of products is designed for everyday Americans seeking to own investment properties and achieve financial independence. Whether it’s their first or their twentieth investment, borrowers will benefit from a one-stop shop and state-of-the-industry tools for all their financing needs. Options for 1-4 unit properties include the industry-leading MaxInvest and DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) programs. Beyond Residential financing the company is best known for, Rate can arrange financing for Residential/Commercial which includes apartment buildings, mixed use, storage facilities, and even strip malls and warehouses.

    Today’s announcement follows the company’s earlier launch of its first Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) deal of 2024 as the first non-bank lender to re-enter the securitization space for jumbo loans since the pandemic. Both products reflect the company’s commitment to delivering products and solutions that support a broad array of homebuying ambitions and profiles.

    “Our commitment to helping everyday Americans achieve their goals is unwavering. We continue to find new and better ways to serve small business owners and real people trying to support their families,” said Victor Ciardelli, CEO of Rate. “We offer the best tools in the industry, a streamlined tech-enabled process with fast access to cash and minimal paperwork, making real estate investment accessible to everyone.”

    “The investment property mortgage industry is traditionally serviced by Fannie, Freddie, small and hard money lenders, leading to limited liquidity and tech advancement, and a disjointed high-cost process,” said Kate Amor, EVP and Head of Enterprise Products for Rate.

    Focus on Small Business Owners
    Rate recognizes that small business owners often face unique challenges when seeking financing for investment properties. Traditional lenders overlook this group, focusing instead on first-time homebuyers or large commercial clients. Rate aims to fill this gap by providing custom solutions that address the specific needs of small business owners and individual investors.

    “Our goal is to support Main Street America—normal Americans who want to achieve financial security through real estate investment,” added Amor. “These are not the institutional investors taking housing supply, but everyday people and small business owners looking to build a better future for their families. We are committed to providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed.”

    Market Context:
    The real estate investment market has been underserved, often relying on small lenders and hard money lending. Rate’s new suite of solutions aims to bridge this gap by providing sophisticated, tech-forward, and accessible financing options. With expansive guidelines and a focus on speed and convenience, Rate is set to redefine the market for real estate investors.

    “Recent agency loan-level pricing adjustments have made it extremely difficult to find rate and pricing scenarios that make sense for these small investors, particularly when Fed rate cuts haven’t lowered mortgage rates as many hoped,” said Jeremy Collett, Chief Capital Markets Officer for Rate. “We’re using our strong product development acumen to find new ways to offer competitive rates for our everyday real estate investor customers and their unique business needs.”

    About Rate:
    Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, Rate is the #2 retail mortgage lender in the U.S., with over 850 branches across all 50 states and Washington D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Rate has helped more than 2 million homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates, and delivering unparalleled customer service. Honors and awards include Best Mortgage Lender for First-Time Homebuyers by NerdWallet for 2023; HousingWire’s Tech100 award for the company’s industry-leading FlashClose℠ digital mortgage platform in 2020, MyAccount in 2022, and Language Access Program in 2023; No. 2 ranking in Scotsman Guide’s 2022 list of Top Retail Mortgage Lenders; the most Scotsman Guide Top Originators for 11 consecutive years; Chicago Agent Magazine’s Lender of the Year for seven consecutive years; and Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces list for seven straight years. Visit [rate. com](https://www.rate.com) for more information.

    Media Contacts:
    Kendall Allen Rockwell
    Broadsheet Communications
    For Rate
    kendall@broadsheetcomms.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Applied Systems and Applied Client Network Announce Applied Net 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Chicago, IL., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Applied Systems and Applied Client Network today announced the opening of registration for Applied Net 2025. Applied Net will take place October 6 – 9 at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Building on its recognition from the Best in Biz 2024 Awards and IMCA 2024 Showcase Awards, plus the success and record-breaking attendance at last year’s event, Applied Net 2025 is set to provide even more educational sessions, inspiring keynotes and networking opportunities that will explore the Intelligent Insurance Era.

    “Each year, our members benefit from our partnership with Applied to drive greater collaboration and connectivity at all stages of the product development lifecycle – and that comes to life no better than at our annual user conference each year,” said Brian Langerman, chief executive officer, Applied Client Network. “We look forward to providing more opportunities to learn and explore the latest trends and technology at this year’s Applied Net for the whole insurance ecosystem.”

    This year’s conference will feature inspiring keynotes, more than 250 education sessions, and new product innovation across Applied’s portfolio, including EZLynx, Tarmika, Ivans and Planck, to bring stakeholders into the Intelligent Insurance Era. Applied Net 2025 will also offer the opportunity to build connections with colleagues and participate in hands-on workshops, as well as gain knowledge about the latest trends influencing the insurance industry.

    “Applied Net continues to be the leading forum for insurance innovation, bringing agents, brokers, carriers and MGAs from around the world together to connect and learn from each other,” said Taylor Rhodes, chief executive officer, Applied Systems. “We are excited to raise the bar this year with world-class content and networking opportunities that will explore trends and technology innovations in this Intelligent Insurance Era, like data and AI, that are empowering our industry to make smarter decisions that can grow their book and optimize staff productivity more than ever.”  

    Register today!

    # # #

    The Applied products and logos are trademarks of Applied Systems, Inc., registered in the U.S.

    About Applied Systems
    Applied Systems is the leading global provider of cloud-based software that powers the business of insurance. Recognized as a pioneer in insurance automation and the innovation leader, Applied is the world’s largest provider of agency and brokerage management systems, serving customers throughout the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom. By automating the insurance lifecycle, Applied’s people and products enable millions of people around the world to safeguard and protect what matters most.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Blueface Featuring The Game’s “Stop Cappin” Acquired by Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) (OTC: SONGD)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Naples, FL, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) (OTC:SONGD) is thrilled to announce its acquisition of royalty-generating intellectual property stakes in “Stop Cappin” by Blueface featuring The Game. While the work will continue to be administered by third-party organizations, Music Licensing, Inc. will receive ongoing passive royalty payments from its performance.

    Blueface, a platinum-selling rapper known for his unique offbeat style, has become a defining voice in contemporary hip-hop. His collaboration with The Game, a legend in the genre with multiple chart-topping albums, resulted in “Stop Cappin”, a powerful anthem that blends gritty lyricism with unparalleled charisma. The track has amassed millions of streams globally, affirming its cultural impact and commercial success.

    This acquisition enhances Music Licensing, Inc.’s growing portfolio of iconic works, cementing its reputation as a leader in acquiring and managing high-value music royalties.

    Watch “Stop Cappin” by Blueface featuring The Game here.

    About Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) (ProMusicRights.com)

    Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG), also known as Pro Music Rights, is a diversified holding company and the fifth public performance rights organization (PRO) formed in the United States. Its licensees include notable companies such as TikTok, iHeart Media, Triller, Napster, 7Digital, Vevo, and many others. Pro Music Rights holds an estimated market share of 7.4% in the United States, representing over 2,500,000 works by notable artists such as A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Pharrell, Young Jeezy, Juelz Santana, Lil Yachty, MoneyBagg Yo, Larry June, Trae Pound, Sauce Walka, Trae Tha Truth, Sosamann, Soulja Boy, Lex Luger, Trauma Tone, Lud Foe, SlowBucks, Gunplay, OG Maco, Rich The Kid, Fat Trel, Young Scooter, Nipsey Hussle, Famous Dex, Boosie Badazz, Shy Glizzy, 2 Chainz, Migos, Gucci Mane, Young Dolph, Trinidad James, Chingy, Lil Gnar, 3OhBlack, Curren$y, Fall Out Boy, Money Man, Dej Loaf, Lil Uzi Vert, and countless others, as well as artificial intelligence (A.I.) created music.

    Additionally, Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) owns royalty stakes in Listerine “Mouthwash” Antiseptic and musical works by artists such as The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Elton John, Mike Posner, blackbear, Lil Nas X, Lil Yachty, DaBaby, Stunna 4 Vegas, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne, XXXTentacion, BlueFace, The Game, Jeremih, Ty Dolla $ign, Eric Bellinger, Ne-Yo, MoneyBagg Yo, Halsey, Desiigner, DaniLeigh, Rihanna, and numerous others.

    Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Music Licensing, Inc. & Pro Music Rights, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Music Licensing, Inc. & Pro Music Rights, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Pro Music Rights, Inc., Music Licensing, Inc., or any other person.

    Non-Legal Advice Disclosure:

    This press release does not constitute legal advice, and readers are advised to seek legal counsel for any legal matters or questions related to the content herein.

    Non-Investment Advice Disclosure:

    This communication is intended solely for informational purposes and does not in any way imply or constitute a recommendation or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, commodities, bonds, options, derivatives, or any other investment products. Any decisions related to investments should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor or professional. We assume no liability for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this communication

    Contact: investors@ProMusicRights.com

    SOURCE: Music Licensing, Inc.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Brightpick Launches Giraffe, an Autonomous Mobile Picking System that Triples Warehouse Storage Density

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Giraffe raises the Brightpick solution to new heights, reaching 20 feet (6 meters) to maximize warehouse density

    Ecommerce leader The Feed and medical wholesaler McGuff to be first customers to deploy Brightpick Giraffe in 2025

    ERLANGER, Ky., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brightpick, a leading provider of warehouse automation solutions for order fulfillment, has unveiled Brightpick Giraffe, an innovative robot capable of reaching heights up to 20 feet (6 m). With this advancement, Brightpick users can now achieve up to three times the warehouse storage density of manual operations and double the density compared to the previous Brightpick solution.

    Brightpick Giraffe is designed to work alongside Brightpick Autopicker robots for automated order picking. It retrieves storage totes from upper-level shelf locations and delivers them to lower levels, where an Autopicker can access them for picking (up to a height of 11 feet / 3.4 m). After the pick is completed, Giraffe efficiently returns the product tote to its original upper-level storage location.

    This innovative system maximizes both density and throughput by storing slower-moving items on upper levels (accessible to Giraffes) and fast-moving products within easy reach of Autopickers on lower levels. In a typical setup, the solution will include one Giraffe for five Autopickers, creating an optimal balance between cost, density, and performance. Beyond their primary tote retrieval function, Giraffes can also handle inventory replenishment and order picking using Goods-to-Person stations.

    “Brightpick has always excelled at providing high throughput and maximum labor savings at a competitive price,” said Jan Zizka, CEO of Brightpick. “Now, with Giraffe, we deliver these same benefits as well as improved warehouse space utilization through expanded storage density.”

    The Brightpick Giraffe features a telescopic lift that retracts during travel, reducing its height to a compact 8.5 feet (2.6 m). This design ensures easy deployment in warehouses, as each robot arrives pre-assembled, enabling customers to seamlessly add Giraffes to their fleet with minimal installation time and effort.

    Multiple U.S. installations planned for 2025
    Two U.S. companies are set to install Brightpick Giraffe in 2025. Leading e-commerce retailer The Feed is an existing Brightpick customer currently operating 48 Autopickers at its Colorado fulfillment center. The Feed will expand its system with an additional 25 Autopickers and 6 Giraffes, boosting throughput by 50% to 75,000 picks per day – and doubling storage capacity.

    The second customer, McGuff Company Inc., a family- and veteran-owned business established in 1972, is a leading medical wholesaler. McGuff offers a comprehensive catalog of quality medical products, including injectable medications, as well as services that support a diverse range of healthcare customers worldwide. McGuff will deploy 12 Autopickers and 4 Giraffes at its California warehouse. This integrated system will enable a throughput of more than 850 picks per hour, ensuring precise handling and faster fulfillment of critical medical products.

    Brightpick will be demonstrating a prototype of Giraffe at LogiMAT, booth 8B53 in Hall 8 (March 11-13, 2025, in Stuttgart, Germany).

    About Brightpick
    Brightpick offers AI robots for warehouses to easily automate every step of their order fulfillment. The company’s innovative robots enable warehouses of any size to fully automate order picking, consolidation, dispatch, and stock replenishment. The award-winning Brightpick solution takes just weeks to deploy and allows companies to keep their fulfillment labor to a minimum. Headquartered near Cincinnati, Ohio, Brightpick has more than 200 employees and hundreds of AI robots deployed with customers across the U.S. and Europe. For more information, visit www.brightpick.ai.

    Media inquiries
    Sinead Carthy
    Trevi Communications for Brightpick
    Email: brightpick@trevicomm.com
    Mobile: +1 914 217 9912

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8460bfa7-4dba-4959-9844-1cc8bd7303ea
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2853008f-4d59-4345-a37c-e3bf19248383

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Orion180 FLEX Home Insurance Gives Texas Policyholders More Control Over Homeowners’ Coverage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MELBOURNE, Fla., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orion180, a leading provider of innovative insurance solutions, today announced an industry first with the launch of its innovative FLEX Home Insurance product, which is now available in Texas. FLEX offers customers a fully customizable approach to homeowners’ insurance, empowering policyholders to tailor coverage to suit their unique needs and financial goals.

    “We believe insurance should be adaptable to the lives of our customers—not the other way around,” said Ken Gregg, CEO of Orion180. “FLEX Home Insurance empowers homeowners with choice to design their policies around their individual preferences and priorities, offering unparalleled transparency, flexibility, and peace of mind. FLEX gives homeowners the ability to balance affordability and protection that our competition simply doesn’t deliver today.”

    FLEX is a surplus lines product that introduces an innovative and flexible approach to insurance coverage. Homeowners begin with essential protections—such as fire and lightning coverage—and build out their policies to fit their needs and budget.

    Highlights of FLEX Home Insurance include:

    • Customizable Coverage Options: Policyholders can select perils based on their risk tolerance and needs, ensuring they can balance cost and risk for what matters most.
    • Adjustable Deductibles and Copay Options: Homeowners can balance upfront costs and long-term savings by choosing deductible and copay levels that align with their financial comfort.
    • Loyalty Rewards: Homeowners who experience no losses can earn deductible reductions, no-loss dividends, or even a full refund of their first-year premium after ten years of claim-free coverage.
    • Rate Lock Features: A two-term price lock ensures premium stability, shielding policyholders from unexpected rate increases.

    FLEX is designed to address the diverse needs of Texas homeowners, including those in high-risk areas prone to natural disasters like tornadoes and hailstorms.

    Currently available through select insurance agents in Texas, FLEX Home Insurance will expand to Florida and other states in the spring of 2025, signaling Orion180’s commitment to delivering innovative, adaptable insurance solutions across the United States.

    To learn more about Orion180 FLEX Home Insurance, visit https://orion180.com/flex/.

    About Orion180
    Orion180 is a customer-focused, technology-driven insurance brand that combines proprietary technology, real-time data, and straightforward underwriting practices to provide a seamless and premier insurance experience. Orion180 operates through Orion180 Insurance Co., a surplus lines insurance company serving Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Colorado (Flood only), Tennessee (Flood only), Illinois (Flood only) and Arizona, and Orion180 Select Insurance Co., an admitted insurance company offering coverage in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Ohio. With its proprietary MY180 platform and third-party integrations, Orion180 offers unmatched efficiency and innovation, fulfilling its vision of becoming the global leader in insurance solutions while maintaining its mission to deliver superior customer experiences and a comprehensive suite of products. Connect with Orion180 on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. For more information, visit www.Orion180.com.

    Media Contact
    Ross Blume
    Fusion Public Relations
    orion180@fusionpr.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Onex to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results on February 21, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    All amounts in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated 

    TORONTO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onex Corporation (TSX: ONEX) will release its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024 on February 21, 2025.

    A live broadcast of Onex’ webcast to discuss the results will begin at 11:00 a.m. ET on February 21, 2025.

    A link to the webcast and on-line replay will be available at www.onex.com/events-and-presentations.

    About Onex

    Onex invests and manages capital on behalf of its shareholders and clients across the globe. Formed in 1984, we have a long track record of creating value for our clients and shareholders. Our investors include a broad range of global clients, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. In total, Onex has approximately $50 billion in assets under management, of which $8.5 billion is Onex’ own investing capital. With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey and London, Onex and its experienced management teams are collectively the largest investors across Onex’ platforms.

    Onex is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ONEX. For more information on Onex, visit www.onex.com. Onex’ security filings can also be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca.

    For further information:
    Zev Korman
    Vice President, Shareholder Relations and Communications
    +1 416.362.7711

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Paytronix Elevates Online Ordering Platform, Launches Catering Capabilities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEWTON, Mass., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Paytronix, the leader in guest engagement for restaurants and convenience stores, today announced Paytronix Catering, a new offering within its Online Ordering service that enables both large and small restaurants brands to grow and manage this important ordering channel with a catering offering that is fully integrated with Paytronix loyalty. Balancing first- and third-party ordering, Paytronix Catering gives brands the opportunity to turn third-party customers into first-party customers and, in so doing, optimize the significant revenue stream coming from catering orders.

    Paytronix Catering will enable restaurant brands to dramatically cut back on operational burdens by providing the tools necessary to accurately plan for catering orders, including order acceptance processes, partial payments, and calendar views of all orders. Restaurants can seamlessly manage the increased order volume and keep their kitchens functioning smoothly with additive lead timings, which help keep the pace and inflow of orders manageable for teams so they can meet guest expectations.

    Find out how to improve your catering with the Paytronix Catering Guidebook.

    “Most customers these days don’t consider you for catering until they see it themselves. For us, we put a lot of energy into making sure our customers knew that we had the capabilities, to see if it translated into new opportunities. And wow – it has been so profitable for us financially and operationally,” said Reed Daniels, CEO of Red’s Savoy Pizza.

    “Big catering orders obviously bring in sizable checks and bring on a lot of pressure because you really have to get them right. Since we’re taking them digitally, way ahead of time, we can make sure we’re on point operationally to give them everything they asked for in a timely, efficient manner that isn’t stressful for us or the customer. No pen, no paper – it’s all within the Paytronix platform like any other order. It’s proven to be incredibly valuable.”

    Paytronix Catering offers nearly 20 unique features designed to curate a clear and effective user experience, whether you’re a guest placing an order or the operator reviewing it. Such features include but are not limited to:

    • The Feed-o-meter, which is a unique visual designed to show ordering parties how close their order is to feeding the amount of people they are ordering for;
    • Catering Item Feed count, which eliminates the guesswork needed for guests to determine how many people each item is estimated to feed;
    • White Glove Service, available through our partnerships with EZCater and Doordash Large Order Fulfillment;
    • Order Approvals, which flag new catering orders in the system until they are reviewed by the appropriate manager. This is to confirm the restaurant has seen and reviewed the order and will appropriately plan ahead for the orders – limiting the potential for errors or staffing shortages.

    “Catering orders are placed ahead of time and are larger than typical online orders. Due to this, they add a layer of complexity into the preparation process for restaurants,” said Ray Gibson, online ordering product manager, Paytronix. “Paytronix Catering provides for the unique administrative and operational processes and complexities, including the need to hold an order above the POS until it is time to prep the order, and the need to take deposits for orders and for keeping on-prem orders and online ordering process seamless and accurate.”

    You can find out more information about Paytronix Catering here.

    About Paytronix
    Paytronix, an Access Group company, is a cloud-based digital guest engagement platform for the hospitality industry. Our innovative, unified platform provides loyalty programs, online ordering, gift cards, branded mobile applications, and strategic insights to more than 1,800 leading restaurant and convenience store brands. Our valued clients leverage the power of Paytronix across 50,000 sites globally to create seamless, personalized, and brand-authentic experiences that foster lasting relationships with their customers. For more than 20 years, Paytronix has been a trusted partner helping brands maximize the lifetime value of their guests and grow more profitable businesses. For more information, visit www.paytronix.com.

    Media Contact:
    Calen McGee
    Paytronix Systems, Inc.
    Calen.McGee@theaccessgroup.com
    646-957-7758

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Payscale Elevates Compensation Management with AI-powered Data Innovations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Payscale Inc., the leading provider of compensation data, software and services, unveiled groundbreaking advancements designed to transform how organizations approach pay decisions. These market-leading capabilities underscore the company’s commitment to empowering compensation professionals with smarter, faster, and more effective solutions.

    “These aren’t just everyday product enhancements. This is a transformative leap in how our customers make confident and timely pay decisions,” Payscale CEO Chris Hays said. “These releases extend our history of data innovation and our mission to equip our customers with the tools and insights necessary to attract, retain, and reward talent. Payscale has even more transformative solutions on the horizon to help organizations make data-driven, equitable pay decisions with confidence.”

    Payscale Pulse

    In 2025, Payscale’s journey of ingenuity begins by delivering AI-powered compensation data to make smart pay decisions. This dataset includes Payscale’s Peer data—a trusted, HR-reported network of industry peers. Payscale Pulse provides MarketPay customers over 4,900 job roles covered across 3,800 organizations and data from 9 million employees boasting an average age of less than five months, delivering fresh, reliable insights for compensation decisions.

    Payscale Pulse uses HR-reported U.S. data and select AI-powered Calculated Cuts, providing compensation professionals another trusted source to confidently make compensation decisions. AI-enhanced Calculated Cuts deliver modeled answers that fill gaps where traditional survey data may not exist and offer insights tailored to meet the complex challenges of today’s workforce.

    “Our MarketPay customers are compensation data experts and understand data deeply. We wanted to deliver innovation they find tremendously valuable — data,” Payscale Vice President of Data Expansion Gerard Smith said. “This isn’t years-old data aged to today. This is the freshest data available for compensation professionals with AI-modeled insights to fill critical information gaps and help our customers complete those difficult to price jobs.”

    HRIS integrations

    With customer experience and data innovation at the forefront of Payscale’s latest innovations, Payfactors customers also benefit. They now have seamless access to both employee and pay data in one platform with 10 new HRIS integrations for informed, real-time pay decisions, allowing streamlined access to up-to-date salary data directly in Payfactors.

    “Compensation professionals no longer need to jump through hoops to integrate their compensation data with their employee data,” Chief Product Officer Peh Keong Teh said. “We’ve made it easy to integrate relevant information quickly, equipping our customers to make well-informed decisions directly in Payscale products without system hopping and compromising security.”

    The 14 total integrations with leading HRIS vendors eliminate the tedious, repetitive process of importing and updating employee data, boosting efficiency and effectiveness for compensation professionals. Direct data access in Payfactors eliminates file shuffling and protects against risks associated with having sensitive employee information in disparate spreadsheets.

    Advanced compensation analytics

    Payscale’s drive towards data innovation extends to data insights. With market-leading advancements in analytics dashboards, Payfactors customers can transform their job and employee data into actionable insights instantly. These enhancements create powerful reports to monitor an organization’s vital signs without complexity or manual spreadsheets, and help HR lead strategic conversations with stakeholders using impactful data visualizations.

    “During pay planning cycles, when talking with leaders, we can show them real-time data—like where compression is happening and what trends we’re seeing. I think it could be a lightbulb moment for them, helping them think differently just by seeing the visuals you provide,” a Payscale customer said.

    AI-powered job matching

    Finally, building on the foundation of ingenuity, both Payfactors and MarketPay customers can streamline their processes and confidently price jobs with AI Match Suggestions. This new tool transforms market pricing by leveraging advanced AI to do the heavy lifting, boosting pricing efficiency and accuracy.

    AI Match Suggestions ensures a seamless market pricing experience by automatically revealing strong survey matches with unparalleled speed and accuracy, dramatically reducing the time spent on an often-manual process. Users simply review and accept the AI-generated suggestions.

    “Payscale’s strong start to 2025 highlights our reputation of delivering innovative data and tech solutions so compensation professionals can have greater confidence in their compensation practices,” Chief Customer Officer Kate Peter said. “With best-in-class, validated datasets on par with leading paid databases, and innovative technology to improve the speed from insights to action, customers can ensure employee compensation is fair and transparently calculated.”

    About Payscale
    As the industry leader in compensation management, Payscale is on a mission to help job seekers, employees, and businesses get pay right and to make sustainable fair pay a reality. Empowering 65% of the Fortune 500, Payscale provides a combination of diverse and dynamic data sources, experienced compensation services, and scalable software to enable organizations such as Panasonic, ZoomInfo, Chipotle, AccentCare, University of Washington, American Airlines, and PetSmart to make fair and appropriate pay decisions.

    Pay is powerful.

    To learn more, visit www.payscale.com.

    Contact: press@payscale.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: insightsoftware Powers Jet Reports with AI, Cloud Functionality, and Excel Online Integration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — insightsoftware, the most comprehensive provider of solutions for the Office of the CFO, today announced the launch of Jet Reports Online, a reporting solution designed to deliver unmatched ease, flexibility, and accuracy for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central users. This release builds on more than two decades of Jet Reports’ strong user growth, with the Online deployment introducing modern features such as AI capabilities, cloud functionality and Microsoft Excel Online integration for a next generation reporting experience with smarter insights and greater adaptability.

    Organizations are navigating an ever increasingly cloud-first world. With 62% of businesses operating in a hybrid environment and 27% already fully cloud-based, modern financial reporting tools must bring mobility, adaptability, and scale. Unlike legacy offerings that rely on replicated and outdated data sets, Jet Reports Online connects directly to real-time cloud data, eliminating the need for additional IT infrastructure. With native Excel formulas and built-in Dynamics 365 Business Central security protocols, Jet Reports Online ensures seamless, secure reporting.

    “Finance leaders seek to maximize productivity and efficiency and achieve more with fewer resources – this requires flexible, cloud-based tools that provide instant access to real-time data, enabling faster, smarter decision-making,” said Chief Product Officer and General Manager, ERP Reporting & BI at insightsoftware, Lee An Schommer. “Solutions that rely on manual data refreshing place an undue burden on financial teams, driving up costs for the finance function. In today’s fast-paced business environment, real-time data isn’t just a luxury—it’s an absolute necessity,” said Schommer.

    The foundation of Jet Reports Online is Reports Center, a secure, cloud-based portal designed for seamless management and cross-functional collaboration within Microsoft Dynamics Business Central Cloud. Finance teams can now run, schedule, and distribute their reports in one centralized location, reducing manual effort and the costs associated with self-hosted, self-managed solutions. The portal enhances collaboration by securely centralizing access and automating crucial tasks like scheduling and distribution in the cloud, as well as opening reports in Excel Online or Excel Desktop for deeper analysis.
    Key functionality includes:

    • AI Capabilities Powered by the insightsoftware Platform – Jet Reports Online is powered by the insightsoftware Platform, giving users access to powerful AI tools like Doc Assist, Data Assist, and Report Assist to generate faster, more accurate, and reliable reports with ease.
    • Automated Cloud Report Execution, Distribution, and Scheduling – Reports Center enables organizations to automate the running, scheduling, and distribution of reports from anywhere with an internet connection, aligning with the increasing demand for cloud-based solutions in the finance sector.
    • Enhanced Reporting Flexibility for Modern Finance Teams – The integration of Jet Reports Online with Excel Online streamlines key financial reporting tasks, providing users with an intuitive, cloud-based solution for designing, managing, viewing, and running reports in a browser, meeting the demands of modern businesses for flexible, adaptable financial reporting solutions.

    Read more about how Jet Reports empowers teams with enhanced financial reporting capabilities while ensuring Dynamics NAV users enjoy a smooth transition to Business Central Cloud.

    About insightsoftware
    insightsoftware is a global provider of comprehensive solutions for the Office of the CFO. We believe an actionable business strategy begins and ends with accessible financial data. With solutions across financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, and operations, we transform how teams operate, empowering leaders to make timely and informed decisions. With data at the heart of everything we do, insightsoftware enables automated processes, delivers trusted insights, boosts predictability, and increases productivity. Learn more at insightsoftware.com.

    Media Contacts
    Inkhouse for insightsoftware
    insightsoftware@inkhouse.com

    Daniel Tummeley
    Corporate Communications Manager
    PR@insightsoftware.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Presidio Launches First of its Kind Private Gen AI Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Presidio, a leading technology services and solutions provider, today announced Private AI Accelerator, a new gen AI solution developed by Presidio and powered by NVIDIA AI and accelerated computing to create secure, scalable and customizable on-premises AI platforms. Initial capabilities range from personalized chat, image processing, content drafting, LLM-powered agents and document synthesis of large volumes of data.

    “Presidio unlocks the transformative power of AI across IT modernization, security, digital transformation and cost optimization for our customers,” said Rob Kim, Chief Technology Officer at Presidio. “Our engineers developed our Private AI Accelerator to provide Gen AI’s many benefits without the risk of exposing business assets and data.”

    In addition to improving and optimizing processes, Private AI Accelerator can address the top gen AI concerns in the enterprise including:

    • Cost Optimization: manage IT resources cost-effectively, similar to public cloud services, allowing companies to control expenses and maximize AI investment returns.
    • Integrated Deployment: Integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, ensuring flexibility, faster deployment and the ability to tailor AI applications to specific business requirements.
    • Compliance and Privacy: Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements by keeping sensitive data within the organization’s control, reducing breach risks and building trust.
    • Data Governance: The solution Improves data access and security and increases the accuracy of model outputs, leading to increased productivity and strategic decision making.

    “Enterprises everywhere are eager to adopt AI solutions that can preserve security and scale with demand,” said Craig Weinstein, vice president of the Americas Partner Organization at NVIDIA. “Built with NVIDIA accelerated computing and full-stack software, Presidio’s Private AI Accelerator provides a fast track for businesses deploying AI to supercharge productivity.”

    Presidio’s turnkey Private AI solution includes hardware, software, services and use cases – delivering a running application two weeks after hardware delivery. Clients can choose their own model, container platform and compute platform. Private AI Accelerator features a Private GPT with NIM microservices for large language models (LLMs), part of the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform. It is compatible with any hardware in Presidio’s extensive OEM portfolio such as Dell Technologies, Cisco and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Clients can start with a single server or scale out to a multi-node cluster.

    To learn more about how to adopt gen AI securely, attend the “Bringing GenAI In House” webinar on March 11 at 12 PM ET or learn more here.

    About Presidio

    At Presidio, speed and quality meet technology and innovation. Presidio is a trusted ally for organizations across industries with a decades-long history of building traditional IT foundations and deep expertise in AI and automation, security, networking, digital transformation, and cloud computing. Presidio fills gaps, removes hurdles, optimizes costs, and reduces risk. Presidio’s expert technical team develops custom applications, provides managed services, enables actionable data insights and builds forward-thinking solutions that drive strategic outcomes for clients globally. For more information, visit www.presidio.com.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Nexterus celebrates 79 years in business and continues long-standing tradition of charitable efforts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW FREEDOM, Pa., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nexterus, a world-class supply chain management and third-party logistics (3PL) services provider is celebrating its 79th year in business and has announced a significant milestone, exceeding fundraising goals and positively impacting more than 25 charities last year, along with selecting a new partner charity for 2025.

    Nexterus is committed to supporting local non-profit organizations and charitable causes by encouraging their employees to volunteer throughout the year. 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the Nexterus Culture Action Team (CAT), and to celebrate this historic milestone, their goal was to positively impact at least 25 non-profits within the community. They exceeded their goal by commencing fundraising activities, donating and volunteering throughout the entirety of 2024.

    “Nexterus has an exceptionally storied history of giving back in the community,” says Ryan Polakoff, CEO of Nexterus. “I am so incredibly proud of our Nexterians who voluntarily serve on our CAT Team. It’s a true testament to who they are as people, and we’re so lucky to have them. It was truly our honor to be able to serve regional & national charities, largely in York County, PA and Greater Baltimore, MD.”

    The charities benefiting from Nexterus’ CAT Team efforts in 2024 are listed below:

    • Alzheimer’s Foundation
    • Building Bridges for Brianna
    • Central Penn Blood Bank
    • Choose Hope Women’s Center
    • DE Golden Retriever Rescue
    • Feline Association of MD
    • Ft. Drum 10th Mountain Division
    • Grace Fellowship
    • Harford Family House
    • Hurricane Relief Efforts
    • LLS Association
    • MCTA Shawan Downs
    • Northeast Neighborhood Association-Hats, Glove, Socks Drive
    • Olivia House
    • Our Neighbors Foundation
    • PTSD Foundation of America
    • Son’s of American Legion
    • Stewartstown Food Bank
    • United Birthday Club
    • Whispering Rise Farm & Animal Sanctuary
    • White Rose Outreach
    • York Autism Awareness
    • York County Children’s Advocacy
    • York County Toy Drive

    In 2025, Nexterus will be partnering with The United Birthday Club as its adopted charity of the year. The United Birthday Club is a local non-profit organization located in New Freedom, PA. Each year, they donate to numerous organizations within the community including local fire departments, places of worship, charity events, local youth in need. Additionally, each year the group adopts multiple families for the holidays. Nexterus looks forward to working hard to generate funds and awareness in 2025 to support the great work of The United Birthday Club.

    To learn more about Nexterus, please visit Nexterus.com

     About Nexterus
    Nexterus solves urgent and complex supply chain issues, applying expertise and technology to manage and optimize global supply chains. As America’s oldest private, non-asset-based, third-party logistics (3PL) company, Nexterus helps small and medium-sized companies better compete through the power of their supply chains. With best-in-class strategies and services, Nexterus gives clients the freedom to build their businesses without being distracted by complex supply chain challenges and tedious tasks, allowing these companies to improve productivity, efficiencies, and customer service. Please find us at nexterus.com (https://www.nexterus.com).

    For More Information, contact:
    Mary Schmidt
    Nexterus
    Cell: (717)-817-5763
    Mschmidt@nexterus.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s trade war is forcing Canada to revive a decades-old plan to reduce U.S. dependence

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Blayne Haggart, Associate Professor of Political Science, Brock University

    After threatening Canada and Mexico with illegal tariffs, and Canada with annexation, United States President Donald Trump has agreed to hold off on imposing tariffs on Canada for at least 30 days. This decision came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Trump and committed to strengthening border security.

    While this temporary reprieve provides some breathing room, the long-run question of how Canada should handle Trump and the American descent into authoritarianism remains.

    Early responses seem to have coalesced around two policies: for Canada to trade less with the U.S. and more with other countries and to strengthen the internal Canadian economy.

    Reducing Canada’s dependence on the U.S. economy is necessary in our current moment, as I’ve previously argued. But it will impose significant costs on Canadians and require a fundamental readjustment in how we think about our economy and society.

    The Third Option, revived

    This current crisis isn’t taking place in a historical vacuum. More than 50 years ago, similar concerns about Canada’s dependence on the U.S. led to a policy discussion centred on what became known as the “Third Option.”

    In 1972, then-Secretary of State for External Affairs Mitchell Sharp wrote a paper called “Canada-US Relations: Options for the Future.” At the time, international politics were in a moment of transition, and the U.S. was recalibrating its understanding of its national interest.

    Sharp proposed reconsidering the Canada-U.S. relationship. He observed that while Canadians recognized the benefits of ties with the U.S., they were increasingly wary of the direction of the relationship and in support of measures to “assure greater Canadian independence.”

    Echoing today’s concerns, Sharp argued that the central question for Canada was whether its interdependence with the U.S. would “impose an unmanageable strain on the concept of a separate Canadian identity, if not on the elements of Canadian independence.”

    The options that Sharp proposed are the same ones on offer today:

    1. The First Option: Maintain Canada’s current relationship with the U.S. with minimal policy adjustments
    2. The Second Option: Move toward closer integration with the U.S.
    3. The Third Option: Pursue a long-term strategy to strengthen the Canadian economy and reduce vulnerability

    From three options to one

    Sharp’s analysis is clear on the costs and benefits of free trade. In terms of benefits, economic prosperity would be easier to attain. In fact, this proved decisive in 1988, when Canada embraced the Second Option — closer integration through the 1988 Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

    But, as Sharp warned presciently, a free-trade agreement would be a “well-nigh irreversible option for Canada” because it would tie the country so closely to the U.S., raising the cost of disentanglement.

    Meanwhile, the U.S. would always be free to redefine the relationship for any reason. This is what happened in 2001 when the U.S. prioritized security over prosperity in response to the 9/11 attacks. It’s what’s happening now.

    As in 2001, deeper integration remains a tempting response to the U.S. But the risks from integration are even greater now, given that Trump is dismantling U.S. democracy at home and trying to bully its neighbours in unprecedented ways.




    Read more:
    How constitutional guardrails have always contained presidential ambitions


    Already, Canada is struggling to recruit American allies to fight against the tariffs because U.S. businesses and politicians are afraid to stand up to Trump. Choosing to more deeply integrate would only worsen Canada’s position, making it a part of the U.S. economy while losing even more political influence.

    And that’s without addressing the morality of collaborating with a country that is currently setting up a concentration camp for migrants in Guantanamo Bay.

    Autocratic governments, as Trump’s administration is demonstrating with his ultimatums against Canada and Mexico, are bullies who will always push the advantage. Taking their demands at face value is a surefire way to surrender Canadian autonomy one piece at a time. So, the First Option — maintaining the status quo — is also off the table.

    Which leaves the Third Option.

    The mortal peril facing Canada

    The Third Option has become more appealing across the political spectrum mainly because the U.S. is forcing Canada’s hand. The uncertainty Trump has injected into the relationship, even in the presence of a trade agreement, has made it more costly for businesses to engage in cross-border trade.

    If Trump’s tariff threat remains, and his attack on the rule of law continues, the U.S. market will become even more unattractive, not least because of the toxic uncertainty Trump has injected into the relationship.

    But his actions also underscore the new, extreme danger Canada now faces.

    As Sharp recognized in 1972, shared social values were the bedrock of successful Canada-U.S. relations. He understood that, for the Third Option to work, the relationship needed to be “harmonious.” Even as he considered ways to reduce Canada’s dependence, he never doubted Canada and the U.S. were “broadly compatible societies.”

    That shared foundation — “based on a broad array of shared interests, perceptions and goals” — made it possible for Canada to chart its own path while maintaining a productive relationship with the U.S.

    Today, that assumption no longer holds. The U.S., under Trump, is acting as an expansionist imperial power with little regard for international law.

    This is the needle Canadian politicians have to thread. By geography alone, Canada must continue to have a relationship with the U.S. But the absence of shared values makes it incredibly difficult to have any kind of healthy, productive relationship.

    The cost of democracy

    As Sharp recognized, there is a cost to following the Third Option. It will require a “deliberate, comprehensive and long-term strategy” on a scale not seen since the 1960s — meaning higher taxes, more government intervention and a level of global engagement Canada hasn’t undertaken in quite a while.

    This must all be done in a landscape where Canada and the U.S. no longer share values — a shift even ardent Canadian nationalists recognized was necessary for Canadian independence — while pursuing policies that do not antagonize the U.S.

    For the Third Option to be viable today, Canadians must embrace an independent Canadian identity based on respect for democracy, pluralism, the rule of law and human rights. It likely requires consensus that U.S. authoritarianism is wholly unacceptable to Canada.

    Canada is being pushed toward the Third Option as the least worst approach. But, as was true in Sharp’s time, the Third Option come at a cost. Independence and democracy don’t come for free.

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

    ref. Trump’s trade war is forcing Canada to revive a decades-old plan to reduce U.S. dependence – https://theconversation.com/trumps-trade-war-is-forcing-canada-to-revive-a-decades-old-plan-to-reduce-u-s-dependence-248433

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: The impact of Donald Trump’s anti-climate measures on our heating planet

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Bruce Campbell, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Canada

    Before assessing the impact of United States President Donald Trump’s climate and energy policies, some context about the current state of the planet is in order. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres recently called the world’s fossil fuel addiction “a Frankenstein’s monster sparing nothing and no one.”

    The year 2024 was the first in which the average temperature exceeded the Paris Agreement threshold of 1.5°C. Under a status quo scenario, Earth is on track to reach an approximate 2.7°C increase in planetary warming by 2100.

    The 2024 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report found that climate-related global health threats are reaching new records, including heat-related deaths, food insecurity and the spread of infectious diseases.

    Despite six reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 29 COP conferences and thousands of scientific papers, the world has made only minor headway on climate action.

    Main carbon polluters and their victims

    The 10 largest oil-producing and consuming countries account for 73 per cent of total oil production and consumption globally.

    The U.S. is the largest oil producer and oil consumer, accounting for almost one-quarter of global production and more than 20 per cent of consumption in 2022. Canada is the fourth-largest oil producer and the ninth-largest consumer, and also has the highest per-capita CO2 emission levels of any country.

    The world’s 60 largest banks, meanwhile, earmarked US$6.9 trillion over the last eight years to enable the fossil fuel industry.

    According to an Oxfam International report, the richest one per cent of the world’s population, most of whom live in developed countries, are responsible for more than twice as much carbon pollution each year as the poorest 50 per cent of humanity. Low-income countries that make up nearly 60 per cent of the world’s population, on the other hand, account for less than 15 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

    At COP 29 in Azerbaijan last year, developed countries, including Canada, pledged to triple their financial support for poor climate-vulnerable countries to $300 billion a year by 2035 to help them mitigate emissions, adapt to climate threats and help pay for loss and damage.

    But this is far from the $1.3 trillion demanded by Global South countries. Their pledges bear little resemblance to global fossil fuel subsidies that totalled an estimated $7 trillion in 2022.

    Trump’s climate-related actions

    Ahead of Trump’s recent inauguration, and under sustained pressure by Republicans, major American and Canadian banks withdrew from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) originally led by Canada’s Mark Carney as the United Nations’ Special Envoy for Climate Action.




    Read more:
    Mark Carney might have the edge as potential Liberal leader, but still faces major obstacles


    The oil and gas industry donated more than $75 million to Trump’s campaign, though donations provided by those with links to fossil fuels were estimated to be five times greater than that.

    Trump’s more than 200 executive orders included a so-called National Energy Emergency Declaration, in which he:

    · Withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, which he called one-sided, joining only three other petro-states — Iran, Libya and Yemen — that are not signatories to the Agreement.

    · Signed an order aimed at “unleashing American energy.”

    · Signed a declaration that would allow his administration to fast-track permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure.

    · Blocked all new offshore wind power development.

    · Revoked former president Joe Biden’s order that half of vehicles sold by 2030 be electric

    · Enabled new oil and gas development on federal lands, including reversing restrictions on petroleum extraction in Alaska and the Arctic Wildlife Reserve.

    Elon Musk, among Trump’s closest billionaire allies, has been silent on the president’s 2025 exit from the Paris Climate Accord.

    This is noteworthy because after Trump’s first withdrawal from the accord in 2017, Musk announced he was leaving presidential advisory councils, stating: “Climate change is real, leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.”

    What’s ahead

    Notwithstanding the Trump fossil fuels embrace, there are some silver linings.

    Although the Trump snub of the COP climate conferences is generally seen as a setback, stronger climate action may now be possible without the U.S. at the table. Furthermore, many American states and municipalities will continue to push forward with aggressive emissions reduction measures. And thousands of climate lawsuits against U.S. governments and corporations are underway.




    Read more:
    Trump voters are not the obstacle to climate action many think they are


    Trump’s actions may also spur the migration of the U.S. renewables industry to Canada. Regardless, renewables will continue to replace fossil fuels worldwide.

    A global movement of governments, elected officials, organizations and individuals has endorsed the Canadian-founded Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation treaty initiative. Modelled on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it sets clear deadlines for the global phaseout of fossil fuels.

    At the 2025 World Economic Forum, Fortescue, a global metal mining giant, endorsed the treaty, the first major industrial company to do so.

    In his famous 2015 Lloyd’s of London speech, Carney, now the Liberal leadership frontrunner, called climate change “the tragedy of the horizon.”

    He warned that climate change will lead to financial crises and falling living standards unless the world’s biggest economies do more to ensure their companies come clean about their current and future carbon emissions.

    Payam Akhavan, an Iranian-born Canadian human rights lawyer, served as legal counsel to the Commission of Small Island States at the recent International Court of Justice climate hearings where these nations presented evidence about the devastating impact of climate change on their citizens.

    In an interview with CBC Ideas, Akhavan said: “What’s happening to the small island states today is going to happen to all of us tomorrow.”

    Ultimately, the writing is on the wall for fossil fuels. It’s not a matter of if the world moves away from them dramatically, but when.


    Bruce Campbell was awarded a Community Leadership in Justice fellowship from the Ontario Law Foundation in 2016. He is a voluntary member of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Rideau Institute for International Affairs, and the Group of 78.

    ref. The impact of Donald Trump’s anti-climate measures on our heating planet – https://theconversation.com/the-impact-of-donald-trumps-anti-climate-measures-on-our-heating-planet-247887

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: I’m a sports psychologist and diehard Eagles fan – here’s the behavioral science behind a Super Bowl LIX win

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Eric Zillmer, Professor of Neuropsychology, Drexel University

    Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ innovative plays demonstrate ‘brain connectivity at its finest,’ the author writes. Mitchell Leff via Getty Images

    The Super Bowl is one of the world’s most significant single-day sporting events.

    It attracts over 100 million U.S. viewers and [tens of millions of international viewers], making it an entertainment phenomenon. For Eagles fans who are not making the trip to the Superdome in New Orleans, there will be plenty of places to watch in Philadelphia – including rowdy bars, living rooms and even home tailgates, all while the city is lit in Eagles green.

    For me, the Super Bowl is a real-life laboratory. As a sports scientist, neuropsychology professor and the former athletic director at Drexel University in Philadelphia, I investigate how high-performance athletes prepare cognitively and psychologically for a winning performance on game day.

    When the stakes are at their highest, what can psychology reveal about who is mentally prepared to win the Super Bowl?

    Tough-minded and open to experience

    Research suggests that super-elite athletes are tough-minded and not easily rattled.

    Their psychological profiles look similar to those of high-performance solo classical guitarists or fighter pilots. On personality tests, athletes typically score at least average in extroversion, openness and agreeableness, and high in conscientiousness.

    Professional athletes work incredibly hard and are disciplined, well organized, goal-oriented, reliable and generally sociable.

    A new focus in personality research in competitive athletes is on creativity and, specifically, being open to experience, which includes being receptive to new ideas and being flexible.

    Openness has become increasingly important in the modern blueprint for winning football games. Daniel Memmert, a sports scientist at German Sport University Cologne, calls this “tactical creativity.” It is a cognitive style that allows one to be imaginative and engage in divergent thinking – which is an ability to think flexibly outside of routines and devise multiple solutions – even in real-time competitive situations.

    Divergent thinking in high-performance sports includes focusing on the task at hand and paying attention to relevant information while ignoring irrelevant information in the athletic arena. The creative athlete knows when and where to look in order to win a play or avoid a costly error.

    Creative and cool under pressure

    Creativity is essential in unscripted football plays – when a planned play has not been executed properly, like a fumble or an interception.

    Intentionally distracting your opponent has become an important part of sports competition. It is why quarterbacks often change the play at the line of scrimmage. But it becomes even more critical during improvised offensive plays when everything is unscripted. In a sport where milliseconds matter, being creative and engaging in something your opponent doesn’t expect can be the difference between winning and losing.

    When the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2018, backup quarterback Nick Foles calmly executed a trick play on fourth-and-goal, becoming the first player in history to both throw and catch a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl. The play is now called the Philly Special.

    To engage in tactical creativity, however, an athlete must be relaxed. That’s not easy when millions of people are watching your every move.

    Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Trey Burton fires a touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles, not pictured, on a trick play during Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis in 2018.
    Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

    Brain connectivity at its finest

    Performance anxiety is a leading cause of poor athletic performance. Research suggests an athlete’s competitive anxiety can be cumulative and maybe even be contagious, affecting teammates negatively.

    That makes the Super Bowl as much a battle of nerves as it is about the physical execution of plays. So, how do professional athletes do it? The athlete practices how to think as much as they practice to play. Training is intentionally hard and uncomfortable to assist with preparing the body and mind.

    Since emotions and thoughts affect behavior and performance, the concept of emotional self-regulation – or intentionally focusing on the present moment – has been introduced into competitive sports. Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises and grounding techniques are now integral to the toolkit for high-performance sports.

    For athletes, it is relatively easy to elevate their emotions to push the ball forward with a play like the Philadelphia brotherly shove – an almost unstoppable offensive play used by the Eagles in which the team pushes the quarterback through the opponent’s defense for a short gain when needed.

    But calming those emotions to execute a synchronized, attacking, complex passing play is more challenging cognitively.

    A successful football player must easily transition from being highly aroused to remaining composed on command within seconds.

    This cognitive efficiency and fluidity requires many hours to master. I am fully aware that while watching the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, I am not just observing a great, innovative quarterback; I am witnessing brain connectivity at its finest.

    Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrated the team’s first Super Bowl win with a victory parade on Feb. 8, 2018.
    Corey Perrine via Getty Images

    Psychology of Eagles fans

    How fans experience Super Bowl Sunday is entirely different, psychologically speaking, from the players.

    To perform at the highest level, the players are process oriented. They attempt to be present in real time and play without fear. On game day, it is advantageous for the competitor to play like a kid, full of joy and confidence.

    Fans, on the other hand, are results oriented. And they are nervous wrecks, like parents watching their kids compete.

    One remedy for managing this stress is watching the game with other fans. Philadelphians represent diverse socioeconomic and ethnic groups that often unite through sports. These social connections – which Germans, who were among the first settlers in the city, call Gemeinschaftsgefühl – are a hallmark of good psychological health.

    I know I will never forget when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII: the game, the season and the parade.

    And new research indicates why.

    According to University of California, Berkeley psychology professor Dacher Keltner, these authentic “awe” moments are shortcuts to happiness. Football fans might experience awe when a seemingly unpredictable interception or touchdown has significant consequences.

    In other words, the thrill of the game and the excitement of winning not only unite fans, but they can also transform them into happier versions of themselves.

    Eric Zillmer 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. I’m a sports psychologist and diehard Eagles fan – here’s the behavioral science behind a Super Bowl LIX win – https://theconversation.com/im-a-sports-psychologist-and-diehard-eagles-fan-heres-the-behavioral-science-behind-a-super-bowl-lix-win-248643

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio holds a joint press availability with Costa Rican President Chaves – 11:50 AM

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

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio holds a joint press availability with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves in San Jose, Costa Rica, on February 4, 2025.

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

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

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
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    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
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    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7fNrxsKMyM

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: To Fight and WIN! | U.S. Army

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    : DMD

    About the U.S. Army:
    The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

    Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
    Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Army250

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6ix50MFDS4

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Surviving Cancer: Two powerful stories of Hope / EU Beating Cancer

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Every minute, five people learn they have cancer, and more than two lose their lives to the disease. In 2021, cancer was the second-leading cause of mortality, with 1.15 million lives lost. In 2022, over 2.7 million new cancer cases were expected to be diagnosed.

    Four years after its adoption, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is making a real difference. By boosting collaboration and advancing efforts in prevention, early detection, treatment, and care, it’s improving the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. Together, we can continue to make progress in the fight against cancer, providing hope for a brighter, healthier future.

    If you want to have more info: https://europa.eu/!Wf3v6r
    Factsheet Country Cancer Profiles: https://europa.eu/!C8fhXr
    Factsheet on the EU Cancer Plan: https://europa.eu/!jgP67q

    Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUiMw3dIA7Q

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Energy bills: Labour urged to rule-out price cap hike

    Source: Scottish Greens

    Fuel poverty and a broken energy market must become history.

    Sky high energy bills are punishing households and families and plunging them into totally avoidable fuel poverty, say the Scottish Greens.
     
    The party has called on the Labour government to mitigate any further hikes to the price cap and to commit to ending the brutal Winter Fuel Payment cut.
     
    The call comes as Martin Lewis and others have warned that bills are likely to increase by as much as 5.7 per cent in April.
     
    The Scottish Greens’ climate spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, said:

    “At a time when so many are struggling to make ends meet, households and families across our country will be dreading any further price hikes. 
    “Labour promised to make energy bills cheaper, but they have only gone up. Keir Starmer and his colleagues must step in to halt a further rise and to support people who are feeling stretched to their limits.
     
    “We badly need to fix a broken energy market that is plunging people into poverty while keeping our reliance on climate-wrecking fossil fuels.
     
    “Renewable energy has helped to cut the cost of generating electricity, but that hasn’t been reflected in the bills that people are paying.”
     

    Mr Ruskell added:

    “This winter has been even harder than it needed to be for pensioners all over the UK. 
     
    “Keir Starmer’s move to cut Winter Fuel Payments is looking more punishing and cruel by the day. It is long past time for Labour to reverse this toxic decision.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin presented awards to young researchers ahead of Russian Science Day

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the eve of Russian Science Day Sergei Sobyanin presented to young scientists Moscow Government Prizes for 2024.

    “We never had so many competitive applications – more than 1300 works have been announced. And choosing you for us was also not an easy business. So these are really deserved awards that you deserve with your talent, skill, commitment to science. And of course, I hope that these awards in your life are not the last, but only the beginning of your large scientific career. In recent years, our country has been in difficult conditions of international sanctions, a special military operation. And more than ever, issues related to the technological sovereignty of our country in almost all key areas, starting from space to medicine. In recent years, we had to solve very difficult issues related to domestic industry, and high technology supply. And of course, the demand for own scientific research, for domestic science, for technologies related to both the military-industrial complex and with civilian technologies, more than ever. And what you do in your areas, inventing important, necessary technologies, opening new technologies for medicine, astronautics, aircraft building, new materials, creating a huge layer of inventions in the field of medical technologies, of course, is also very cool. Without this, we do not have to talk about any sovereignty. So you do a very important work, of course, for yourself as scientists, for the city, one of the most advanced technological centers not only of our country, but also the world, well, for Russia – for sovereignty, for security, for the future of our great power “, – said Sergey Sobyanin.

    The Moscow mayor thanked the scientists for their work on his own behalf and on behalf of Muscovites and congratulated them on their well-deserved awards. According to him, a decision was made to double the size of the bonus, which has not been indexed since 2019. The bonuses received by young specialists today are also planned to be recalculated taking into account the increase.

    The Moscow Government Prize Competition for Young Scientists has been held since 2013. Awards are given annually for achieving outstanding results in fundamental and applied scientific research in the field of natural, technical and humanitarian sciences, as well as for the development and implementation of new technologies, equipment, devices, equipment, materials and substances that contribute to improving the efficiency of activities in the real sector of the economy and the social sphere of the capital.

    Young Moscow scientists under the age of 35 (doctors of sciences under the age of 40) may apply for the award. We are talking about scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers, postgraduate students, doctoral students, and other specialists engaged in scientific and scientific-technical activities in scientific and higher education organizations located in the city, as well as employees of enterprises and organizations conducting experimental developments.

    In 2019, at the suggestion of the Mayor of Moscow, the size of one award was increased from 1.5 million to two million rubles. If the award is given to a research team, it is divided equally between its members, and diplomas are awarded to each of them.

    The number of awards has also increased from 33 to 50. At the same time, the number of nominations remains unchanged (22), including 11 nominations in the field of research and the same number in the field of development.

    During the competition for the awards in 2013–2024, more than eight thousand applications were submitted. The awards were given to 758 young scientists.

    In 2024, 1,332 applications were received from employees of 310 organizations.

    The prize is awarded since 2013 for outstanding results in fundamental and applied research. Moscow scientists under 35 years of age, and doctors of science under 40 years of age can apply for it. Compared to the previous year, the size of the prize has been doubled – from two to four million rubles,” the Mayor of Moscow wrote in his telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    The awards were won by 78 researchers whose developments and research have already proven themselves in practice.

    Photodetectors, biostimulators and vacuum tubes

    Thus, the award was presented to Sofia Morozova from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University). She developed methods for obtaining nanostructured polymeric materials, which are important for the creation of environmentally friendly transport based on hydrogen-air fuel cells and for preserving public health.

    “We were all lucky to become laureates of the Moscow Government Prize in a special period, the Decade of Science and Technology. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you, Sergey Semenovich, for the development of the city, which is happening through the development of Moscow universities, Moscow schools, colleges, and city infrastructure. Special thanks for the Fiztekh metro station and the Novodachnaya station of the first Moscow Central Diameter, which help us get to work, and also for the inspiration for us, young scientists. I congratulate everyone on receiving this significant award and wish to see how the developments will be put into practice,” said Sofia Morozova.

    Natalia Semenchenko, Vladislav Burlakov and Renat Davletshin from the Orion Scientific and Production Association have created photoreceiving devices for space-based optical-electronic systems that allow surveying the Earth’s surface and obtaining images of the thermal field of the entire Earth’s disk. The devices are used in the Electro-L and Arktika-M series of space weather satellites.

    Kristina Skuratovskaya, Anton Budaev and Maxim Makarov from the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care have come up with new types of medical preparations and materials that allow for the effective treatment of patients with intra-articular pathology of the musculoskeletal system. The developments are used in the surgery department of City Clinical Hospital No. 13 and the emergency traumatology department of the musculoskeletal system of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care to replace traumatic defects in intra-articular fractures, which allows for the axial load on the operated limb to be reduced immediately after surgery.

    Seda Kurbanova from the Morozov Children’s City Clinical Hospital has developed a diagnostic program for verifying cardiovascular damage in Kawasaki disease. The program has already been implemented in the practice of the capital’s healthcare system.

    Andrey Briko and Vladislava Kapravchuk, representing the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, conducted a series of studies aimed at creating technologies for mapping neuromuscular activity. The results of the research and the technologies developed can be used to create exoskeletons for medical and industrial purposes, bionic prostheses, and rehabilitation robotic complexes for patients with impaired motor functions.

    Tatyana Bezbabicheva and Ramin Malik oglu Afandiev from the National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery named after Academician N.N. Burdenko have developed a comprehensive method for monitoring the state of the visual pathways during neurosurgical operations on the occipital, parietal and temporal lobes of the brain. The solution is already being used in neurosurgical operations at the center to ensure the greatest safety for patients.

    The work of Alexander Pushkarev from the Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education resulted in unique technologies of local exposure to low temperatures, which are used in cryosurgery, cryopreservation and cryotherapy. They are used in the treatment of oncological diseases, as well as for physiotherapy and rehabilitation of patients for the purpose of pain relief, reducing inflammation and swelling in diseases of the musculoskeletal system, sports, mine-explosive and other injuries. The method is used at the Russian University of Medicine, the Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov and CryoEngineering LLC.

    Another laureate of the award, Evgeny Bychkov from the Central Research Institute “Kurs”, is the author of an industrial technology for designing low-temperature refrigeration machines on multicomponent mixtures of refrigerants. The development allows for thermostatting of objects at temperatures from minus 90 to minus 160 degrees, which makes it possible to reduce the time and material costs of design, as well as increase the energy efficiency of machines of this class. The technology has already been implemented in the institution.

    Sergey Surkov and Sergey Sharkov, representing the scientific and production enterprise “Toriy”, received the award for electrovacuum devices for amplification and generation of electromagnetic oscillations of ultra-high frequency. The devices are used at the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute” to maintain the operability of the “Olivin” station, which is part of the “Siberia” accelerator-storage complex.

    The work of Milana Sharikova and Pavel Nikitin from the Scientific and Technological Center for Unique Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences is aimed at creating devices and methods for optical information processing in long-wave spectral ranges – infrared and terahertz. Interest in the terahertz range is due to the fact that by 2035 it is planned to create 6G generation information systems. The developments are in demand at domestic industrial enterprises, in institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences and universities.

    The use of a biostimulant composition created by Inessa Lugova (All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Animal Medicines and Feed) has made it possible to improve the qualitative and quantitative indicators of poultry farming, including hatching of chickens and preservation of livestock, as well as to save electricity during egg incubation due to the acceleration effect. The drug is in demand at the country’s leading poultry farms.

    Dmitry Korolev and Vladimir Alferov from the Research Institute of Molecular Electronics have developed the software and hardware of the NE501CD microcontroller, implementing a cryptographically protected protocol for contactless electronic travel documents. The microcontroller is currently being actively implemented in the Troika and Strelka transport cards.

    View the full list of winners of the Moscow Government Prizes for Young Scientists for 2013–2024 you can on the website Andfollow the link.

    Moscow Government Prize for Young ScientistsHow young scientists can receive the Moscow Government Prize

    In 2020, a council of laureates of the Moscow Government Prize for Young Scientists was created.

    “In addition, we have created a Council, which includes 70 award winners. They act as consultants

    under the Department of Education and Science of Moscow and are engaged in educational work. We involve them in such projects as “Scientists in Schools” and the All-Russian Festival SCIENCE 0,” said the Mayor of Moscow in his telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    This is a permanent advisory body whose main tasks are the popularization of science, the involvement of students in scientific activities, and the improvement of the quality of education.

    Moscow is the center of Russian science

    By decision of Vladimir Putin, the years 2022–2031 have been declared in Russia Decade of Science and Technology.

    Moscow has one of the most powerful intellectual and technological potentials among the world’s megacities. The capital is home to 840 scientific organizations — 20.3 percent of all organizations conducting research and development in Russia. Among them are academic and research institutes, national research universities and leading universities of the country.

    Moscow employs 33.3 percent of the country’s scientific personnel, including 44.9 percent of doctors of science and 38.5 percent of candidates of science. 22.3 percent of undergraduates and 42.2 percent of postgraduates in Russia study in the capital’s universities.

    The Moscow government attaches great importance to the development of science and the stimulation of scientific work. The largest project of the coming years in the field of scientific development is the creation of the innovative scientific and technological center of the Moscow State University (MSU) named after M.V. Lomonosov “Vorobyovy Gory”. In 2023, the Lomonosov cluster, the flagship of the MSU innovation center, opened. Its residents are 76 companies, employing more than two thousand employees.

    High-tech companies create developments in the fields of medicine, information and biotechnology, unmanned systems, robotic systems and other areas. Every year, the cluster residents invest more than two billion rubles in scientific research.

    In 2024, the creation of a new campus of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University was completed. As part of the project, 14 buildings with a total area of about 170 thousand square meters were built and restored. The campus includes a central cluster, a multifunctional scientific and educational building, a multifunctional complex “Quantum Park”, a center for biomedical systems and technologies, research and engineering centers, the Palace of Technologies and other buildings, which have all the necessary conditions for modern educational and research activities.

    Large-scale scientific and innovative projects include the construction of a national space center, the creation of production clusters for photonics, electric vehicle manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as support for the development of artificial intelligence technologies.

    47 Moscow technology parks have become a huge space for the development of applied science and innovation, where more than 2,200 high-tech companies have located their production, and over 74.5 thousand jobs have been created there. About a third of the residents of technology parks work in the field of scientific research and certification.

    Four technology parks were created on the basis of research institutes. The Kurchatov Institute technology park conducts research in the field of nuclear physics and genetics, and develops new methods of storing and transmitting data. The Research Institute of Computer Complexes (NIIVK) technology park creates new communication and navigation systems, as well as technologies for the space industry. The Innopark VNIRO technology park conducts research in the field of fisheries and biotechnology and is engaged in new methods of processing and storing food products. The Moscow State University Science Park technology park works in the field of biology, chemistry, physics and other sciences.

    Putin: Moscow has fully fulfilled its obligations to create the MSU clusterDigital platforms and useful services: which projects reached the final of the fourth stream of the capital’s “Academy of Innovators”

    The Moscow Innovation Cluster and its affiliates have become the link between science, business and the state. digital platform i.moscow. The platform unites everyone who wants to create a new product or service. More than 200 thousand users have already registered on it. 40 thousand companies from Moscow and other regions of the country have become participants and partners of the cluster. Thanks to i.moscow, every 10th company engaged in scientific research and development in the field of natural and technical sciences received support from the city. Their revenue is three times higher than that of other companies in the industry.

    In addition, much attention is paid to creating conditions for self-realization of young scientists, engineers, software developers and other specialists involved in the technology business.

    In 2024, a youth entrepreneurship hub opened in Moscow — the first center in Russia for engaging young talents in technology business. The project is aimed at creating a single point of attraction for Moscow youth involved in entrepreneurship, increasing entrepreneurial literacy and the level of public trust in young entrepreneurs.

    Over the past year, over 32,000 participants have joined the project, opening over a thousand new technology businesses in Moscow. Young entrepreneurs can take advantage of the hub’s programs, including:

    — The Academy of Innovators is an international continuous program for the intensive development of technology projects and startups. Students have access to training sessions with leading industry experts in the market, and they can also interact with personal business mentors. In addition, as part of the program, participants find their first customers among city structures and large businesses, and attract their first investments. Currently, the Academy’s digital ecosystem has over 28 thousand participants from more than 300 cities in Russia and about 40 countries around the world. They have founded over 800 new technology businesses in Moscow and attracted over 380 million rubles in funding in the form of investments and grants;

    — “Digital Transformation Leaders” is a Moscow Mayor’s competition for young IT specialists. This is the world’s largest competition for the development of digital solutions for city structures and large businesses. Over six years, more than 40 thousand people have taken part in the competition (hackathon), creating over two thousand digital solutions for customers. Vladimir Putin instructed to scale up the successful practice of holding a hackathon in the regions of Russia. In 2023, regional stages of the competition were held in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and Krasnodar Krai, and Volgograd Oblast and Kamchatka Krai became task setters at the hackathon last year;

    — “Moscow Innovator” is a Moscow Mayor’s competition that promotes the recognition of talented young inventors and scientists. Participants compete for Moscow Mayor’s awards in six priority areas of urban economy and three nominations for different stages of project development. This allows identifying scientific and technological solutions (from promising ideas to finished products). The competition was first held in 2020. Over 11 thousand inventors took part in it during its existence. 174 innovative projects became winners.

    Along with the annual Moscow Government Prize, young scientists and winners of the Moscow Innovator competition can apply for annual grants in the amount of one billion rubles. The funds are intended for scientific teams of the capital’s medical organizations. This is provided for by the city’s ecosystem for supporting scientific research. The operator is the Moscow Center for Innovative Technologies in Healthcare. Over 170 breakthrough studies have been supported in three years. The projects are being implemented, among other things, jointly with leading Russian universities and research organizations.

    Moscow doctors and scientists are developing high-tech methods of diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation and implementing them in the city’s healthcare system. Some of the solutions have been created and applied in clinical practice for the first time in Russia and the world.

    The Moscow government provides financial support to the winners of the regional competition of the Russian Science Foundation in the amount of 50 million rubles annually. We are talking about scientific projects in priority areas for the city, implemented on the basis of scientific organizations and universities in the capital. Since 2022, more than 530 applications have been submitted for participation in the regional competition. 84 scientific teams have become winners.

    In addition, the city allocates grants to universities and scientific organizations. In 2024, 1.176 billion rubles were allocated for events with students within the framework of pre-professional, specialized and additional education programs, career guidance and education, as well as for the development and popularization of science. In particular, the following was provided:

    — 400 grants for the development of a system of specialized and pre-professional training;

    — 35 grants for the popularization of science, as well as for the support and implementation of additional education programs for students, including at centers for technological support of education.

    In 2024, the XIX All-Russian Science Festival Nauka 0 took place, which took place at 100 city venues. The festival events in a mixed format (online and offline) were attended by more than 18.5 million participants.

    The largest joint project of the Moscow Government and the scientific community is pre-professional classes of city schools (engineering, psychological and pedagogical, medical, IT, media and entrepreneurship), in which about 44 thousand schoolchildren study. Leading universities and scientific organizations of the city act as partners of pre-professional classes. Scientists and practitioners are actively involved in teaching in pre-professional classes. Schoolchildren are also introduced to scientific activities in academic classes. The curricula describe the practical application of scientific knowledge and the results of scientific research.

    Since 2013, within the framework of the Moscow Pre-University project, specialized classes for teaching high school students have been opened at Moscow universities. Fifteen universities are participating in the project: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian University of Transport (MIIT), Russian State University for the Humanities, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Kosygin Russian State University, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow State Linguistic University, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow Aviation Institute, Moscow Finance and Law University, State University of Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

    Touch the world of science. How future scientists are trained in academic classes of Moscow schoolsFruit leather, electronic nurse and printer-builder, or What the capital’s innovators have invented

    Under the guidance of university teachers, more than 7.3 thousand schoolchildren engage in practical work in laboratories, conduct educational research projects, and also participate in scientific student associations.

    In 2024, Moscow schools hosted more than 450 lectures by representatives of the scientific community — young scientists and professors of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They were attended by over 12 thousand students. Scientists told schoolchildren about new developments and advanced technologies, and also helped them make an informed choice of an educational trajectory in the field of science.

    Since 2024, the project “In the Center of Science” has been implemented, aimed at creating a community of young scientists in the capital and popularizing science among schoolchildren and teachers. Within its framework, festivals, clubs, trips and laboratory workshops are held, where students can get acquainted with the modern work of scientists and implement their own projects under the guidance of young researchers and teachers of leading universities in Moscow. The project helps teachers open scientific clubs in schools, and allows scientists to exchange experiences and learn about opportunities for professional growth. In 2024, over 10 thousand scientists, students and teachers of Moscow educational organizations took part in its events.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12346050/

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Ed Harbison to Participate in 2025 College Tour Press Conference

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (February 4, 2025) — On Tuesday, February 4, at 1:00 p.m., Senator Ed Harbison (D–Columbus) will join House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley (D–Columbus), House Minority Caucus Chairwoman (D–Atlanta), Rep. Anne Allen Westbrook (D–Savannah) and Rep. Tremaine “Teddy” Reese (D–Columbus) for a 2025 College Tour Press Conference.

    EVENT DETAILS:                      

    • Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
    • Time: 1:00 p.m.
    • Where: 203 Coverdell Legislative Office Building, 18 Capitol Square, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30334
    • This Event is Open to the Public.

    MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

    We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    # # # #

    Sen. Ed Harbison serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on State Institutions and Property. He represents the 15th Senate District, which includes Chattahoochee, Macon, Marion, Schley, Talbot and Taylor counties, as well as a portion of Muscogee County. He may be reached at 404.656.0074 or via email at ed.harbison@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE Mission to Montenegro publishes fifth survey on public trust in State Prosecutor’s Office

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE Mission to Montenegro publishes fifth survey on public trust in State Prosecutor’s Office

    (l-r) Supreme State Prosecutor of Montenegro, Milorad Marković, and Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Jan Haukaas, during the presentation of the public survey “Perception of the State Prosecutor’s Office in Montenegro”, Podgorica, 4 February 2025. (OSCE/Marina Živaljević) Photo details

    The public perception survey, indicates an improvement in the public perception of the State Prosecutor’s Office, but also identifies potential challenges and opportunities for improvement.
    The research shows that 42% of respondents reported a very positive or somewhat positive attitude towards the State Prosecutor’s Office, representing a 9.5% increase compared to the 2023 data. Slightly more than half of the respondents (51%) reported that they consider the State Prosecutor’s Office to be very or somewhat effective in its work, while 53% of respondents believe the Prosecutor’s Office successfully combat corruption, which represents an increase of almost 12% compared to the previous year. The 2024 data shows that a majority of citizens consider corruption and organized crime to be very serious or somewhat serious problems, however, perceptions of political influence and corruption, underscore the need for further reforms to bolster public trust.
    These are some of the findings of a survey on the perception of the State Prosecutor’s Office, commissioned by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and conducted conducted between 15 October to 11 November 2024 by the De Facto agency on a sample of 1,005 adult citizens.
    The data indicates a growing belief among citizens that the State Prosecutor’s Office operates in a transparent manner. According to the data, 55% of citizens rate the prosecution’s work as very or somewhat transparent, representing a 14.9 percentage point increase compared to 2023. Almost two-thirds of citizens have confidence in the Supreme and Special State Prosecutor’s Offices – 64.1% and 64.8%, while high level of trust is also present for the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office – 60%. More than half of the citizens trust the work of the High State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica (57%), while the High State Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje recorded a 5% increase in trust compared to the previous year’s research.
    “The data indicates dynamic changes in the perception of the State Prosecutor’s Office. Almost 61% of respondents perceive the State Prosecutor’s Office as an independent and impartial institution, an increase of 12% compared to 2023, suggests that citizens recognize the contribution of the State Prosecutor’s Office to rule of law,” said Slaven Živković from the De Facto agency during the presentation of the research.
    “Increased transparency in their work and enhanced communication with citizens can contribute to increased public trust in institutions and the rule of law. The Mission is pleased to support this annual survey, and stands ready to continue its support in this and other areas where the Mission can provide its assistance to the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office”, said the Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador Jan Haukaas.
    Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković noted that trust in prosecutor’s offices at all levels rose from 5% to almost 15%. Data also indicates that the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office is increasingly recognized as an impartial and independent institution, that reflects the reform efforts undertaken by the office.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI: Nykredit Realkredit A/S has received the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval of Nykredit’s increase of the qualifying shareholding in Spar Nord Bank A/S – Nykredit Realkredit A/S

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE DOING SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

    Nykredit Realkredit A/S has received the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval of Nykredit’s increase of the qualifying shareholding in Spar Nord Bank A/S.

    4 February 2025

    Nykredit Realkredit A/S has received the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval of Nykredit’s increase of the qualifying shareholding in Spar Nord Bank A/S.

    In accordance with section 4(1) of the Danish Takeover Order1, Nykredit Realkredit A/S (“Nykredit”) announced on 10 December 2024 that Nykredit intended to submit a voluntary public tender offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all shares in Spar Nord Bank A/S (“Spar Nord Bank”), with the exception of Spar Nord Bank’s treasury shares, for a cash price of DKK 210 per share, valuing the aggregated issued share capital of Spar Nord Bank at DKK 24.7 billion.

    On 8 January 2025, Nykredit published the offer document regarding the Offer (the “Offer Document”), as approved by the Danish FSA in accordance with section 11 of the Danish Takeover Order. The Offer Period ends on 19 February 2025 at 23:59 (CET).

    Nykredit has received the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval in accordance with section 61 of the Danish Financial Business Act to increase Nykredit’s qualifying shareholding in Spar Nord Bank up to 100 per cent of the share capital.

    In addition to the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval, the Offer is subject to fulfilment of the conditions set out in section 6.6 of the Offer Document, including approval by the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority and achievement of the 67 per cent acceptance limit.

    It is Nykredit’s view that the shareholders of Spar Nord Bank find the Offer attractive. At the time of this announcement, Nykredit holds 31.1 per cent of the shares in Spar Nord Bank, and Nykredit’s information about acceptances received so far indicates that the 67 per cent acceptance limit stated in the Offer has been reached.

    Nykredit aims to delist Spar Nord Bank from Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S and to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares as soon as possible after completion of the Offer.

    Nykredit expects the Offer to be completed during H1/2025.

    The full terms and conditions of the Offer are contained in the Offer Document. The Offer Document is published in the Danish FSA’s OAM database: https://oam.finanstilsynet.dk/ and can also, with certain restrictions, be accessed at https://www.nykredit.com/en-gb/offer-spar-nord/ and https://www.sparnord.com/investor-relations/takeover-offer.   

    About Spar Nord Bank

    Spar Nord Bank was founded in 1824 and is now a nationwide bank with 58 branches. Spar Nord Bank offers all types of financial services, consultancy and products, focusing its business on retail customers and primarily small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the local areas in which the bank is represented. The bank is also focused on leasing operations and large corporate customers, which are both business areas handled by the head offices.

    Spar Nord Bank has historically been rooted in northern Jutland and continues to be a market leader in this region. However, in the period from 2002 to 2024, Spar Nord Bank has established and acquired branches outside northern Jutland. Over the course of the years, the bank has adjusted its branch network in an ongoing process and now has a nationwide distribution network comprising 58 branches. These 58 branches are distributed on 32 banking areas, each of which is headed by a manager reporting directly to the bank’s executive board.

    The Spar Nord Bank Group consists of two earnings entities: Spar Nord Bank’s branches and the Trading Division. As an entity, the Trading Division serves customers from Spar Nord Bank’s branches as well as large retail customers and institutional clients in the field of equities, bonds, fixed income and forex products, asset management and international transactions. Finally, under the concept Sparxpres, the bank offers consumer loans to personal customers through Sparxpres’ platform as well as debt consolidation loans and consumer financing via retail stores and gift voucher solutions via shopping centres and city associations.

    About Nykredit

    Nykredit Realkredit A/S (“Nykredit”) is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Denmark, company reg. (CVR) no. 12 71 92 80, having its registered office at Sundkrogsgade 25, 2150 Nordhavn, Denmark. Nykredit is a mortgage credit institution and, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary Totalkredit A/S, is a market leader of the Danish mortgage credit market with a market share of some 45.2 per cent. Nykredit offers mortgage financing for private individuals and businesses.

    Nykredit is part of the Nykredit Group, which historically dates back to 1851. In addition to carrying on mortgage credit business, the Group carries on banking business through Nykredit Bank – including banking and wealth management operations – and has a total of around 4,000 employees in Denmark.

    Nykredit is owned by an association of the Nykredit Group’s customers, Forenet Kredit. Forenet Kredit owns close to 80 per cent of Nykredit’s shares. Other major shareholders are five Danish pension funds: Akademikernes Pension AP Pension, PensionDanmark, PFA and PKA.

    Nykredit is known for the advantages offered through the association. Forenet Kredit makes capital contributions to the Nykredit Group when times are good, and Nykredit has decided to pass these on to its customers.

    Since, 2017, Forenet Kredit has paid over DKK 8 billion in capital contributions to the Nykredit Group, and in the period to 2027, Forenet Kredit has provided a further DKK 7 billion.

    Questions and further information

    Any questions concerning the Offer may be directed to:

    Nykredit Bank A/S

    Company reg. (CVR) no.: 10 51 96 08

    Sundkrogsgade 25

    2150 Nordhavn

    Denmark

    Telephone: +45 7010 9000

    and

    Carnegie Investment Bank

    Filial af Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ), Sverige

    Company reg. (CVR) no. 35 52 12 67

    Overgaden Neden Vandet 9B

    1414 Copenhagen K

    Denmark

    E-mail: annette.hansen@carnegie.dk

    For further information about the Offer, please see: https://www.nykredit.com/en-gb/offer-spar-nord/.

    This announcement and the Offer Document are not directed at shareholders of Spar Nord Bank A/S whose participation in the Offer would require the issuance of an offer document, registration or activities other than what is required under Danish law (and, in the case of shareholders in the United States of America, Section 14(e) of, and applicable provisions of Regulation 14E promulgated under, the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Offer is not made and will not be made, directly or indirectly, to shareholders resident in any jurisdiction in which the submission of the Offer or acceptance thereof would be in contravention of the laws of such jurisdiction. Any person coming into possession of this announcement, the Offer Document or any other document containing a reference to the Offer is expected and assumed to independently obtain all necessary information about any applicable restrictions and to observe these.

    This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase securities or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in accordance with the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will be submitted only in the form of the Offer Document approved by the FSA, which sets out the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including information on how to accept the Offer. The shareholders of Spar Nord Bank are advised to read the Offer Document and any related documents as they contain important information.

    Restricted jurisdictions

    The Offer is not made, and acceptance of the Offer to tender Spar Nord Bank Shares is not accepted, neither directly nor indirectly, in or from any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction or would require any registration, approval or any other measures with any regulatory authority not expressly contemplated by the Offer Document (the “Restricted Jurisdictions”). Neither the United States nor the United Kingdom is a Restricted Jurisdiction.

    Restricted Jurisdictions include, but are not limited to: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

    Persons obtaining documents or information relating to the Offer (including custodians, account holding institutions, nominees, trustees, representatives, fiduciaries or other intermediaries) should not distribute, communicate, transfer or send these in or into a Restricted Jurisdiction or use mail or any other means of communication in or into a Restricted Jurisdiction in connection with the Offer. Persons (including, but not limited to, custodians, custodian banks, nominees, trustees, representatives, fiduciaries or other intermediaries) intending to communicate this Offer Document or any related document to any jurisdiction outside Denmark or the United States should inform themselves about these restrictions before taking any action. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the Laws of such jurisdiction, including securities Laws. It is the responsibility of all Persons obtaining this Offer Document, an acceptance form and/or other documents relating to the Offer Document or to the Offer, or into whose possession such documents otherwise come, to inform themselves about and observe all such restrictions.

    Nykredit is not responsible for ensuring that the distribution, dissemination or communication of this Offer Document outside Denmark, the United States and the United Kingdom is consistent with applicable Law in any jurisdiction other than Denmark, the United States and the United Kingdom.

    Important Information for Shareholders in the United States

    The Offer concerns the shares in Spar Nord Bank, a public limited liability company incorporated and admitted to trading on a regulated market in Denmark, and is subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Danish law, including the Danish capital markets act and the Danish takeover order.

    The Offer is being made to shareholders in Spar Nord Bank in the United States in compliance with the applicable US tender offer rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “U.S. Exchange Act”), including Regulation 14E promulgated thereunder, subject to the relief available for a “Tier II” tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Danish law and practice

    Accordingly, US Spar Nord Bank shareholders should be aware that this announcement and any other documents regarding the Offer have been prepared in accordance with, and will be subject to, the disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, the Offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments of Danish law and practice, which may differ materially from those applicable under US domestic tender offer law and practice. In addition, the financial information contained in this announcement or the Offer Document has not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or derived therefrom, and may therefore differ from, or not be comparable with, financial information of US companies.

    In accordance with the laws of, and practice in, Denmark and to the extent permitted by applicable law, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, Nykredit, Nykredit’s affiliates or any nominees or brokers of the foregoing (acting as agents, or in a similar capacity, for Nykredit or any of its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase, or arrange to purchase, outside of the United States, shares in Spar Nord Bank or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such shares in Spar Nord Bank before or during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be announced via Nasdaq Copenhagen and relevant electronic media if, and to the extent, such announcement is required under applicable law. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Denmark, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform US shareholders of Spar Nord Bank of such information.

    In addition, subject to the applicable laws of Denmark and US securities laws, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the financial advisers to Nykredit or their respective affiliates may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Spar Nord Bank, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

    It may not be possible for US shareholders to effect service of process within the United States upon Spar Nord Bank, Nykredit or any of their respective affiliates, or their respective officers or directors, some or all of which may reside outside the United States, or to enforce against any of them judgments of the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or other US law. It may not be possible to bring an action against Nykredit, Spar Nord Bank and/or their respective officers or directors (as applicable) in a non-US court for violations of US laws. Further, it may not be possible to compel Nykredit and Spar Nord Bank or their respective affiliates, as applicable, to subject themselves to the judgment of a US court. In addition, it may be difficult to enforce in Denmark original actions, or actions for the enforcement of judgments of US courts, based on the civil liability provisions of the US federal securities laws.

    The Offer, if completed, may have consequences under US federal income tax and under applicable US state and local, as well as non-US, tax laws. Each shareholder of Spar Nord Bank is urged to consult its independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of the Offer.

    NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN ANY STATE OF THE U.S. HAS APPROVED OR DECLINED TO APPROVE THE OFFER OR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE OFFER OR PROVIDED AN OPINION AS TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANY OFFER DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES.


    1 Executive Order no. 636 of 15 May 2020

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Volodymyr Nosov: WhiteBIT Group Blockchain Ecosystem Grew to 35+ Million Users

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In 2024, the WhiteBIT crypto exchange achieved significant milestones, strengthening its position as a leading player in the crypto industry. The platform became the largest crypto exchange in Europe by traffic, with its annual trading volume reaching a record $2.7 trillion. Additionally, WhiteBIT was the first in the world to receive the highest-level certification under the Cryptocurrency Security Standard (CCSS). Volodymyr Nosov, founder and CEO of WhiteBIT Group, discussed these achievements and prospects in an interview with Finbold.

    According to Nosov, in the fall of 2024, the exchange attracted 33+ million users, the highest figure among European crypto exchanges and the second globally. “This demonstrates customer trust in our platform, as well as recognition of our technological capabilities and security,” said Volodymyr Nosov. He emphasized that security remains a key priority for WhiteBIT. “We became the first crypto exchange in the world to achieve the highest level of CCSS certification. This unique security standard covers all aspects of the exchange’s operations, from protecting user assets to internal procedures and protocols. Trust in a cryptocurrency platform starts with the reliable protection of user data and assets,” stated Nosov. One of the highlights of 2024 was the rapid growth in the value of the WBT Coin, which rose from $10 to $28 within several months. “This growth was organic, driven by market activation and interest from business clients who view WBT as a promising investment,” explained Volodymyr Nosov. Last year, WhiteBIT Group also significantly enhanced its functionality for institutional clients, whose numbers grew to 1,300. “We added 60 new assets to our collateral options, bringing the total to over 80. These include popular coins such as PEPE, SUI, TON, and AAVE, which can also be deposited with interest,” noted Nosov. Regarding plans for 2025, the company is preparing for active expansion in Italy, Croatia, and Kazakhstan, having already secured VASP authorization in these regions. “We are forming partnerships, establishing local infrastructure, and planning to actively develop product offerings in these countries,” Nosov concluded.

    In just a few years, WhiteBIT Group has grown from a crypto exchange into a large-scale ecosystem that integrates advanced solutions in cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies. Today, WhiteBIT Group serves over 35 million users, offering a wide range of products: the centralized WhiteBIT exchange, Whitepay crypto-acquiring, WhiteSwap decentralized exchange, White.market gaming marketplace, gaming projects like Pocket Rocket, WhiteEx card and the Whitechain blockchain with its native WhiteBIT Coin (WBT). The company also develops media projects such as the G.N. News portal and ByHi, the world’s first entertainment and educational YouTube show about cryptocurrency. This breadth of offerings positions WhiteBIT as a true hub of innovation in the crypto sphere.

    About WhiteBIT  
    WhiteBIT is one of the largest European centralized crypto exchanges founded in 2018. The exchange offers 600+ trading pairs, 300+ digital assets, and 9 state currencies. The company is an official partner of FC Barcelona, FC Trabzonspor, ESL Faceit, and VISA. The goal of WhiteBIT is the mass implementation of blockchain technology worldwide.

    Contact

    WhiteBIT
    pr@whitebit.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ddf8dcaa-a9a6-4d05-ad18-aa389f91308e

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The First Step to a Quantum-Safe Future With Samsung Knox

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics has been working on a new form of cutting-edge mobile security, starting from the Galaxy S25 series. Known as post-quantum cryptography (PQC), the technology uses advanced algorithms to future-proof against the potential risks that quantum computing poses to traditional encryption methods.
     
    Samsung Newsroom explored the future of digital security to understand why Samsung is already taking these protective measures.
     

    Eyes on the Horizon
    Quantum computing represents one of the most transformative fields in modern technology, offering unparalleled problem-solving capabilities. By harnessing the power of quantum computers, complex challenges can be solved exponentially faster than with traditional computing — unlocking breakthroughs in numerous industries from medicine to logistics. For instance, quantum algorithms could streamline supply chains or improve punctuality in transportation systems.
     
    However, this immense computational power comes with risks. Because quantum algorithms have the potential to break certain encryption methods used to safeguard today’s data, addressing this vulnerability is critical to ensuring data protection in the future.
     
    While quantum computing is not expected to reach full-scale implementation immediately, early action is essential to protection against “harvest now, decrypt later” threats — where attackers collect data now to decrypt it with future quantum capabilities.
     

    Redefining Standards of Defense
    Samsung has been working on PQC to ensure encrypted data remains secure in a quantum-powered world.
     
    The company is closely following standards recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)1 to defend against quantum computer attacks. For example, the ML-KEM (Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism) algorithm employs lattice-based mathematics — complex multidimensional structures that make encryption keys exceptionally difficult to solve, even for quantum computers. Ideal for secure communication between connected devices, the algorithm provides robust security while optimizing performance and minimizing data exchange.

     
    NIST’s PQC standards secure a wide range of electronic information from confidential emails to e-commerce transactions. For Samsung, they are a way to future-proof cloud data against quantum threats.
     
     
    Samsung’s Strategic Approach
    Committed to protecting user data as technologies such as quantum computing evolve, Samsung is introducing Post-Quantum Enhanced Data Protection (EDP) to Samsung Knox Matrix — the company’s industry-leading protection for connected device ecosystems.
     
    Samsung’s EDP feature currently provides end-to-end encryption for user data when backing up, restoring or syncing personal information through Samsung Cloud.
     
    With the integration of PQC technology to Knox Matrix, another layer of protection has been added — setting a new standard for cloud security on mobile devices. Knox Matrix’s cross-device compatibility will ensure seamless quantum-safe protection for Samsung Cloud backups and synced data across smartphones, TVs and digital appliances.
     
    This feature is available on the new Galaxy S25 series as the first device operating on One UI 7, giving Galaxy users enhanced protection against quantum computing threats.
     

    Samsung Leading a Secure Future
    In an ever-evolving digital landscape, preparing for potential threats is not an option but a necessity. As quantum computing looms on the horizon, the need to future-proof data protection has become increasingly clear.
     
    The Galaxy S25 series is the first in the industry to support PQC-based cloud data protection, raising the bar for data protection in the upcoming quantum computing era. Moving forward, Samsung will continue to pioneer the mobile security industry and create a future where users can enjoy a connected world with peace of mind.
     
     
    1 NIST has finalized its principal set of encryption algorithms designed to withstand cyberattacks from quantum computers. Built for the future, these new standards are specified in the first completed standards from NIST’s Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standardization project.
     
     
    Bibliography
    Announcing Issuance of Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) FIPS 203, Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism Standard, FIPS 204, Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Standard, and FIPS 205, Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Standard. (2024, August 14). Federal Register.
    Retrieved from: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/08/14/2024-17956/announcing-issuance-of-federal-information-processing-standards-fips-fips-203-module-lattice-basedNational Institute of Standards and Technology. (2025, January 2). NIST.
    Retrieved from: https://www.nist.gov/
    NIST Releases First 3 Finalized Post-Quantum Encryption Standards. (2024). NIST.
    Retrieved from: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/08/nist-releases-first-3-finalized-post-quantum-encryption-standards

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Czech Republic: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    The Czech Republic is evolving from a heavily manufacturing-based, export-oriented hub to a more mature and diversified economy. Non-auto manufacturing, energy, and construction, once important Czech engines of growth, have run out of steam, hampered by decelerating productivity growth, higher energy costs, and sluggish demand. The auto industry has shown resilience so far, but the required transition to electric vehicles and exposure to foreign competition are set to exert significant pressures in the coming years. Higher value-added sectors, including ICT services, are constrained by lack of skilled labor and limited access to capital, undermining their ability to compete in global markets.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Urgent action needed to reinforce breast cancer control measures in Africa: World Health Organization (WHO) report

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

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), February 4, 2025/APO Group/ —

    An estimated 135 000 women could lose their lives to breast cancer by 2040 in sub-Saharan Africa if urgent actions are not taken to reverse the trends, a new World Health Organization (WHO) report finds.

    The WHO study assessed breast cancer control capacities in 42 of the 47 countries within the African region, focusing on six critical areas: leadership, governance and financing, health workforce, health information systems, and service delivery. The assessment revealed significant gaps and disparities in breast cancer control across the region highlighting critical shortage of healthcare workers essential for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as limited access to specialized cancer centres, hinderingprogress toward the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) goals.

    The analysis finds that only 5 out of 47 countries in the region have established organized breast cancer screening programmes with many countries still relying on opportunistic screening programmes. Access to pathology in Africa remains limited, with only two countries meeting the standard of one lab per 100 000 people.

    Breast cancer-related deaths in the region are largely driven by late diagnosis and insufficient prevention and care measures. In 2022 alone, 38 out of every 100 000 women were diagnosis with breast cancer and 19 per 100 000 tragically lost their lives to the disease.

    To enhance breast cancer care in the region, the WHO report underscores the urgent need for investment in leadership, governance and financing as fundamental steps. Strengthening these elements will pave the way for advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training and, most importantly, equitable access to essential services.

    The report calls countries to develop and adequately fund comprehensive National Cancer Control Plans, providing a strategic framework for coordinated national efforts to combat breast cancer effectively.

    To address the severe shortage of cancer care healthcare professionals, WHO advocates for the expanding and enhancement of oncology training programs. Building a well-equipped workforce is essential to ensuring high-quality cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services. Beyond workforce development, the report highlights the urgent need for organized breast cancer screening and early diagnosis programmes in countries. Ensuring these programs are accessible to all women in the region is crucial, as early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.  

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Awards recognise Derby’s champions of dignity in care

    Source: City of Derby

    Organisations and individuals that work to promote and protect dignity in Derby have been recognised at a special event. The annual Derby Dignity Tea was held by Derby Safeguarding Adults Board as part of Dignity Action Month.

    Taking place during February, Dignity Action Month promotes upholding dignity, respect, kindness, and compassion in care services. It’s a chance to highlight positive work and create memorable experiences for those receiving care, ensuring they are treated as individuals with choice, control, and purpose.

    The Dignity Tea, held at the Council House, saw a range of professionals recognised for always upholding the dignity of the people they work with. Certificates of recognition were presented by Richard Proctor, Independent Chair of Derby Safeguarding Adults Board, and the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Ged Potter.

    Dignity Awards went to Aspen House Care Home in Littleover, New Lodge Nursing Home in Mickleover and One to One Support Services, which provides specialised in-home care. They all demonstrated how they follow the ‘10 Dignity Dos’ – the values and actions of high-quality services that respect people’s dignity.

    Handyside Court in Alvaston received a Community Respect Award, which recognises community and voluntary sector organisations that demonstrate their ongoing commitment to delivering dignified services.

    Ruth Gipson Sanderson, Housing Manager at Handyside Court, said:

    It means a lot of us to receive this award. We work really hard to make sure Handyside Court is our residents’ home – they’re at the centre of everything we do.

    Handyside Court residents Freda Fletcher, aged 85, and Dennis Shillcock, aged 96, accompanied staff to the event. Freda said:

    My family always say they don’t worry about me because they know I’m safe and happy, and if I need help with anything, the staff are there. They do such a wonderful job.

    This year, for the first time, Dignity Champion Awards were presented to individuals for their efforts to actively promote dignity. Awards went to Tracy Potter from the Alzheimer’s Society, Anna Tyson from Citizens’ Advice, Julie Tomlinson from DHU Healthcare, Jo Collins from Derventio Housing and Lisa Wilson from Derby City Council. Despite their different roles, all the winners demonstrated a person-centred approach in their work, ensuring the voices of patients, residents and families are heard.

    A special award was given to Michelle Payne following her retirement from her role as manager of the Council’s short break respite facility. The award recognised Michelle’s tireless work with service users, families and other professionals to making dignity a priority and her contribution to the work of DSAB.

    Councillor Alison Martin, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, said:

    I’m truly inspired by the work of everyone we’ve recognised today. Our award winners are showing us what it means to treat others with kindness and put them at the heart of decision-making. We’re all caring for others in some way, and hopefully receiving care from others too. Dignity is something we can all contribute to. 

    Every single one of us can play a part in making Derby a more compassionate place. We can all make small changes that can make a big difference.

    Derby Safeguarding Adult Board (DSAB) is a multi-agency partnership committed to working together to ensure that adults who have care and support needs in Derby are supported to safeguard themselves from abuse and can report any concerns they may have.

    Together with partner agencies, DSAB would like to invite everyone in Derby to think about dignity and treating each other with respect in all areas of our lives, not only in care. One way to get involved is to become a Dignity Champion. To find our more, visit the Dignity in Care website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP and Italy partner with the Government of Iraq to boost climate resilience and agricultural livelihoods

    Source: World Food Programme

    BAGHDAD – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a generous contribution from the Italian Government, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), to help Iraqi communities strengthen their resilience to climate change while creating economic opportunities, especially for women.

    This initiative, in collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment, will introduce climate-smart farming techniques, irrigation improvements, and financial support to help farmers and entrepreneurs adapt to climate change.  Rising temperatures, worsening water scarcity, and land degradation have put Iraq’s agricultural sector under increasing strain. Asmuch as 40 percent of arable land in the south is feared to have been lost to desertification, with negative consequences for livelihoods and food security. 

    “Iraq’s farmers and rural communities are on the frontlines of the fight against climate change, and WFP is committed to working with the Government of Iraq to support local governments and communities in developing scalable and sustainable climate solutions,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Iraq Mageed Yahia. “Through this initiative, we are ensuring that smallholder farmers and vulnerable groups have access to better water management, resilient crops, and climate financing. These efforts, alongside early warning systems and disaster risk reduction measures, will help communities withstand environmental shocks and secure long-term food security.” 

    The project will be implemented in Ninewa, Salah al-Din, Thi-Qar, and Basra; facing the harshest effects of climate change and will benefit vulnerable women-led households, crisis-affected people, and smallholder farmers. WFP will introduce efficient irrigation systems, helping farmers cut water use by 40% while boosting productivity as well as training sessions to help farmers transition to drought-resistant crops and better land management practices, ensuring long-term food security and soil preservation. 

    The initiative will also empower women, youth, and persons with disabilities by integrating them into climate adaptation programs, providing technical training, and facilitating access to financial resources to support entrepreneurial ventures. 

    WFP will partner with the Government of Iraq, academia and a number of Italian experts to provide technical solutions, equipment and expertise, to enable more efficient management of ecosystem resources. This can be done through community water ponds, nurseries and afforestation and revegetation initiatives. These approaches contribute to improved agricultural productivity and, subsequently, strengthened food systems. 

    “Climate change poses significant risks to Iraq’s agricultural sector, threatening livelihoods and food security all over the Country, and especially for women-led households” highlighted H.E. Niccolò Fontana, Ambassador of Italy to Iraq. “Various regions across Iraq face the harsh realities of water scarcity, land degradation, and rising temperatures. This project directly addresses these challenges by promoting green skills and expanding the private sector workforce, enhancing agricultural value chains, supporting women’s entrepreneurship in climate-resilient sectors. Italy is proud to commit to fostering a green transition that will benefit not only the environment, but also the population, empowering their communities and nurturing sustainability.” 

    WFP will continue working with the Government of Iraq to support communities affected by climate change by aligning its project implementation with the Government’s priorities, particularly focusing on the addressing unemployment, improving water management in irrigation to drive up production and empower women to seek and maintain sustainable livelihoods.  

     

    #                 #                   # 

     

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. 

     

     

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media 

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bankruptcy Filings Rise 14.2 Percent

    Source: United States Courts

    Total bankruptcy filings rose 14.2 percent, with increases in both business and non-business bankruptcies, in the twelve-month period ending Dec. 31, 2024. This continues an ongoing rebound in filings after more than a decade of sharply dropping totals.

    According to statistics released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, annual bankruptcy filings totaled 517,308 in the year ending December 2024, compared with 452,990 cases in the previous year.

    Business filings rose 22.1 percent, from 18,926 to 23,107, in the year ending Dec. 31, 2024. Non-business bankruptcy filings rose 13.9 percent to 494,201, compared with 434,064 in December 2023.

    Bankruptcy totals for the previous 12 months are reported four times annually.

    For more than a decade, total filings fell steadily, from a high of nearly 1.6 million in September 2010 to a low of 380,634 in June 2022. Total filings have increased each quarter since then, but they remain far lower than historical highs.

    Business and Non-Business Filings,
    Years Ending
    December 31, 2020-2024
    Year Business Non-Business Total
    2024 23,107 494,201 517,308
    2023 18,926 434,064 452,990
    2022 13,481 374,240 387,721
    2021 14,347 399,269 413,616
    2020 21,655 522,808 544,463
    Total Bankruptcy Filings By Chapter,
    Years Ending
    December 31, 2020-2024
    Year Chapter
      7 11 12 13
    2024 310,631 8,884 216 197,244
    2023 261,277 7,456 139 183,956
    2022 225,455 4,918 169 157,087
    2021 288,327 4,836 276 120,002
    2020 378,953 8,333 560 156,377

    The following bankruptcy filings statistics tables are available: 

    • Business and non-business bankruptcy filings for the 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2024 (Table F-2, 12-Month),
    • A comparison of 12-month data ending December 2023 and December 2024 (Table F),
    • Filings for the most recent three months, (Table F-2, 3 Month); and filings by month (Table F-2, October, November, December),
    • Bankruptcy filings by county (Table F-5A).

    For more on bankruptcy and its chapters, view the following resources:

    MIL OSI USA News