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  • MIL-OSI Global: What the presidential candidates have done − and where they stand − on education

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Robert Shand, Assistant Professor of Education, American University

    Donald Trump and Kamala Harris present dueling platforms for U.S. education. Getty Images

    When it comes to education policy, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris not only have mostly distinct visions but also distinct track records.

    Harris is calling for a wider role for the federal government and larger investment to improve educational opportunities. Trump is focused on reducing the federal role in education and relying upon states, localities and parents to make educational decisions and investments.

    At the same time, there are some commonalities, including the growing importance of career and technical education. What follows is a review of what the two candidates have done in the world of education while in office.

    On higher education

    The candidates share a concern about the high cost of higher education. But they have different visions for how to address those costs. As California’s attorney general, Harris secured a US$1.1 billion judgment against Corinthian Colleges for false advertising. The judgment provides refunds for students who were misled by claims about job placement rates, program offerings and military affiliations.

    Whereas Harris has pursued for-profit colleges for fraud, Trump has focused on promoting innovation by reducing regulation and expanding alternatives to traditional higher education. This includes making it easier for online, faith-based and for-profit institutions to be accredited.

    As part of the Biden administration, Harris has pursued student loan debt forgiveness. She has also strongly signaled her support for expanding access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This follows her having co-sponsored legislation for debt-free college as a United States senator.

    The administration has faced challenges to the constitutionality of the loan forgiveness initiative on the grounds that the president does not have the authority under present law to unilaterally cancel debt. Opponents have also said any debt forgiveness would have to be authorized by Congress. Critics say further that loan forgiveness does not address the root causes of rising costs of higher education. Loan forgiveness could cause further price increases if institutions thought that students would care less about the cost of college in anticipation of having their debt forgiven.

    Trump created two entities to advise the federal government on workforce development and training needs: a council of federal officials and an advisory board of business leaders.

    In 2019, Trump signed a bipartisan bill to make permanent $250 million in annual federal funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, that was previously subject to annual renewal.

    Harris has called for reducing degree requirements for federal jobs. She also promoted job training programs as an alternative to incarceration in her Back on Track initiative as attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017.

    As attorney general and then a U.S. senator from California, she called for greater oversight of advertising by for-profit colleges and debt forgiveness for former students of for-profit colleges. She also supported expanding federal aid to public and nonprofit colleges, including free community colleges and large grants to HBCUs.

    On K-12 education

    The 2024 Trump campaign platform calls for sweeping changes to K-12 education policy. This includes universal school choice and more parental control over schools, which would entail allowing parents across the country to use educational funds to pay for private school through vouchers or tax credits if they chose. It also features a drastically reduced federal role in education. In fact, Trump wants to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Many of these plans, such as direct election of school principals by parents, are unlikely to come to fruition due to the fact that schools in the United States are mainly under state and local control.

    Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Trump expanded college savings 529 plans to allow parents to save up to $10,000 per year tax-free for K-12 private school tuition.

    While president, Trump made several other proposals that could foreshadow his future plans. These proposals include creating a $5 billion federal tax credit for private school tuition, cutting the budget for the U.S. Department of Education in annual budget requests and turning the Title I allocation for supplemental services for students in poverty, such as smaller classes or tutoring, into a block grant to states.

    The Biden administration has sought to expand federal funding for full-service community schools.
    Full-service community schools are public schools that receive additional funding and staffing to help address the academic needs of students as well as factors outside of school, such as access to health care and healthy food, that affect learning.

    The Biden administration also expanded Title IX gender discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

    As a candidate for the presidential nomination in 2019, Vice President Harris also called for federal funding to provide teachers with an average of a $13,500 raise, though she has not made a similar call in this campaign.

    As California attorney general, Harris made reducing chronic absenteeism a signature issue when she led the In School and On Track anti-truancy initiative. This initiative included additional funding to districts and schools to use data to better understand and monitor absenteeism and to communicate with parents about the importance of school attendance.

    The data and communication-focused approach was an evolution from her initial approach as San Francisco district attorney, which placed more emphasis on prosecuting parents for truancy.

    On early childhood learning

    Neither Trump nor Harris has a significant record of tangible actions when it comes to early childhood education. Project 2025, which Trump has disavowed but was written by close allies of the former president, calls for eliminating Head Start, a federally funded, locally run, early childhood learning program to support low-income families.

    Although Trump made several similar proposals to cut funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant by about 5%, they were not passed into law by Congress.

    Harris has made calls for free, universal prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds, but the Biden administration was not able to get its early childhood proposals through Congress.

    More recent studies of some universal pre-K programs have raised questions about how long the academic gains from early childhood programs persist. On net, however, the evidence from the highest-quality studies for high-quality early childhood programs in general, and the Head Start program in particular, suggests that they improve cognitive skills among children.

    Robert Shand 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. What the presidential candidates have done − and where they stand − on education – https://theconversation.com/what-the-presidential-candidates-have-done-and-where-they-stand-on-education-239555

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Scholar’s new rap album seeks to turn the tables on the ‘masters’ from the Old South

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By A.D. Carson, Associate Professor of Hip-Hop, University of Virginia

    Could the path to the Ph.D. run through the recording studio? Ratchapon Supprasert via iStock / Getty Images Plus

    Usually when a rap artist comes out with a new album, it’s released by a record label as part of their career as an entertainer. For Dr. A.D. Carson, a professor of hip-hop at the University of Virginia, his latest album – “Owning My Masters (Mastered): The Rhetorics of Rhymes & Revolutions” – represents a capstone in his academic career.

    Published and released in October 2024 by University of Michigan Press, the album and digital archive features two volumes of hip-hop music, an annotated timeline, several videos and a digital book. The album – originally submitted to Clemson University in South Carolina as Carson’s doctoral dissertation – has been mastered. In the following interview with The Conversation U.S., Carson explains the significance of the project and what it means for hip-hop in the world of academe.

    ‘Owning My Masters’ seems like a deep play on words. Is it?

    Yes. The Latin word “magister” was used to describe a master or teacher in ancient Rome. I earned a master’s degree before enrolling in my doctoral program, so I own that. People probably know that the final step in the process of composing an album is called mastering. In that process, a master version of the recording is created. This is what gets duplicated and released on streaming services, vinyl or whatever way you receive music.

    It’s not always guaranteed that an artist owns the rights to those recordings, but I own all of my music.

    Also, the album was written in South Carolina at Clemson University, which is located on a former plantation owned by the slaveholding U.S. politician John C. Calhoun. Buildings there are named for people who had owned, enslaved and trafficked people; fought in the Civil War to preserve the right to traffic people; and lynched Black people. Earning a terminal degree from a place with that kind of reprehensible history seemed like a way to figuratively own those so-called slave masters and so-called masters and teachers.

    Who is your audience for this album?

    I’m always thinking about multiple audiences. For lovers of hip-hop, the album demonstrates the power and promise I feel listening to albums that have influenced me. For academics, I believe it is the future of research. Academic credentials have been used by folks to perpetuate the idea that expertise looks and sounds a certain way, and this project infiltrates that system to disprove that idea.

    If you’re interested in learning about hip-hop, academia and how arguments are made, the album can be instructive, challenging, entertaining and educational.

    The album had to pass through a doctoral dissertation defense committee and then academic peer review. But before then, I posted drafts on SoundCloud to get feedback from regular folks who use that site to listen to new music.

    What kind of themes does the album address?

    My Ph.D. is in rhetorics, communication and information designs, so it’s also about rap rhetorics – including emphasis on the local and how hip-hop can preserve information like histories and counter-histories.

    Since I had moved to Clemson, and was feeling anxiety about leaving home in Illinois, I wrote “Dissertation (Part 1: The Introduction)” early on in the process. And because I lived in that South Carolina college town, “See the Stripes” is a song about Clemson’s history and its present. The song and its video moved through Clemson’s communities, but then, as protests were happening on campuses across the world, it found national and global audiences with whom the subject matter resonates. When students were finally able to get Calhoun’s name removed from the honors college in 2020, they acknowledged their work was continuing efforts since “See the Stripes.”

    More generally, the album is about form and content. With its form, it demonstrates knowledge production using hip-hop creative and compositional practice. The contents interrogate ideas of home, history, historical imagination, citizenship, political contradictions, race and humanness.

    The album is presented in chronological order from the time I arrived on campus in 2013 until I finished my coursework and submitted the 34-song project to my dissertation committee.

    Owning My Masters (Mastered) Vol. One by A.D. Carson

    Owning My Masters (Mastered) Vol. Two by A.D. Carson

    How would you measure its success?

    I would say earning a Ph.D., earning tenure and having the album count as my academic work qualify as success. Those are things that sound kind of selfish, but I think are incredibly significant for hip-hop and for the ways we think about expertise and success in the culture.

    To me, success is being able to make a living creating challenging and thought-provoking music that doesn’t have to abide by traditional notions of success like sales charts or commercial music awards. I also measure success by the inquiries and applications of students who want to do similar kinds of critical thinking and making. When those people are able to launch and sustain careers, that’s a measure of success in my eyes as well.

    Why haven’t we seen more albums in academia?

    Change in academia comes at a glacial pace, it seems.

    Audiences associate expertise, especially regarding subjects that are considered academic, with how people have demonstrated their understanding of the matters in writing, like traditional theses, dissertations, books and essays. I believe this is connected to the histories in the U.S. that link credibility with formal education and literacy. This is difficult to separate from the history of Black folks being legally prohibited from learning to read.

    While music has long been one of the ways information is recorded and passed from one generation to the next, in my experience, music itself is still not taken as seriously as a form of scholarship as writing books or essays about music.

    These previously excluded forms of scholarship can change the ways people regard academia. In my mind, music sits alongside other scholarly forms that emphasize academic prose. I believe universities should make space and resources available for students to explore it the same way. More generally, I think citing more albums as scholarship – the same way journal articles and academic monographs are cited – would also be transformative.

    A.D. Carson 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. Scholar’s new rap album seeks to turn the tables on the ‘masters’ from the Old South – https://theconversation.com/scholars-new-rap-album-seeks-to-turn-the-tables-on-the-masters-from-the-old-south-241895

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The ‘Courage Tour’ is attempting to get Christians to vote for Trump − and focused on defeating ‘demons’

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael E. Heyes, Associate Professor and Chair of Religion, Lycoming College

    Evangelist Lance Wallnau addresses people at the ‘Courage Tour’ rally. Michael E. Heyes, CC BY

    As a scholar of religion, I attended the “Courage Tour,” a series of religious-political rallies, when it made a stop in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, from Sept. 27-28, 2024.

    From what I observed, the various speakers on the tour used conservative talking points – such as the threat of communism and LGBTQ+ “ideologies” taking over education – and gave them a demonic twist. They told people that diabolical forces had overtaken America, and they needed to expel them by ensuring Donald Trump was elected.

    The tour is attempting to get those Christians to vote for Trump. The tour has moved through several battleground states such as Arizona, Michigan and Georgia, drawing several thousand people at every site.

    The tour is not only focused on defeating Democrats but also on defeating demons. The idea that demons exert a hold over the material world is a key feature of the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, worldview. The NAR is a loose group of like-minded charismatic Christian churches and religious leaders – sometimes termed “prophets” – who want to see Christians dominate all walks of life.

    As someone who recently finished a book on the intersection of demons and politics, “Demons in the USA: From the Anti-Spiritualists to QAnon,” I was eager to see this combination for myself. I believe it would be a mistake to think that the New Apostolic Reformation is a fringe group with no real influence.

    The influence and reach

    The group has an associated nonprofit organization known as Ziklag – named for a town in the Hebrew Bible that is an important site associated with David’s kingship – with deep pockets for the movement’s goals. A ProPublica investigation found that the group had already spent US$12 million “to mobilize Republican-leaning voters and purge more than a million people from the rolls in key swing states, aiming to tilt the 2024 election in favor of former President Donald Trump.”

    The Southern Poverty Law Center calls the New Apostolic Reformation “the greatest threat to U.S. democracy that you have never heard of.”

    The diffuse nature of NAR membership and its rapid growth make it difficult to gauge followers: Estimates have placed the number of NAR adherents between 3 million and 33 million, but individuals who may not label themselves as part of the NAR might nevertheless agree with the group’s theology.

    Moreover, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s presence at the meeting I attended is also a tacit and significant endorsement for this group.

    The ‘Seven Mountain Mandate’

    According to NAR’s theology, there are “seven mountains” that govern areas of worldly influence, and Christians are destined to occupy all of them. These mountains are religion, government, family, education, media, entertainment and business.

    Known as the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” this “prophecy” first rose to prominence in 2013 with the publication of “Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate,” written by Bill Johnson, lead pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California, and member of the NAR, and Lance Wallnau, NAR prophet and one of the founders of the Courage Tour. In the book, the Seven Mountain Mandate is trumpeted as a message received directly from God.

    The NAR perceives the majority of these mountains as currently occupied by diabolical spiritual forces. To counter these forces, the NAR engages in “spiritual warfare,” which are acts of Christian prayer that are used to defeat or drive out demons.

    As religion scholar Sean McCloud writes, these prayers can be taken from “handbooks, workshops and hands-on participation in deliverance sessions.” Deliverance sessions involve diagnosing and expelling demons from an individual.

    Alternatively, it is not uncommon for pastors to incorporate spiritual warfare into church services. For example, in a much-reported sermon, Paula White-Cain, the former spiritual adviser to Trump, commanded all “satanic pregnancies to miscarry.” In the sermon’s context, satanic pregnancies were not literal pregnancies. Instead, White-Cain was praying for the failure of satanic plots “conceived” by the devil.

    In NAR theology, all Christians are embattled by demons, and spiritual warfare is a necessary part of life. As scholar of religion André Gagné writes, the NAR sees spiritual warfare as happening on three “levels.”

    The ground level occurs in a case of individual exorcism or deliverance, a kind of “one-on-one” battle with demons. The second level is the occult level, in which believers seek to counter what they believe to be demonic movements such as shamanism and New Age thought. Finally, there is the strategic level in which the movement does battle with powerful spirits whom they believe control geographic areas at the behest of Satan.

    Friday night on the Courage Tour.

    The Courage Tour

    The Courage Tour is part of a strategic-level act of spiritual warfare: Stumping for Trump is really about exerting Christian influence over the “government mountain” that followers of the NAR believe to be occupied by the devil.

    According to the speakers on the tour, America is in trouble: It is currently being run by “the Left,” or Democrats, a group that is slowly pushing the U.S. toward communism, a system of government in which private property ceases to exist and the means of production are communally owned.

    It claims that the Left wants to see this shift occur because it is populated by “cultural Marxists.” This is part of a far-right conspiracy theory that suggests all progressive political movements are indebted to the ideas of Karl Marx, whose Communist Manifesto is most closely associated with communism.

    In more extreme forms of communism, nation-states disappear – an idea reflected in speakers’ frequent criticism of “globalism,” which was generally defined as a single, worldwide governmental structure. The group rejects globalism on the grounds that God instituted nation-states as a divinely ordained form of government.

    Wallnau described globalism as a sign of the beast and the end of days, and claimed that “the intent of that Marxist element in our country is to collapse our borders.”

    Promotional sign on the Courage Tour for My Faith Votes, an organization that encourages voters to vote biblically.
    Michael E. Heyes, CC BY

    Demonizing queerness

    The speakers further claimed that this demonic Marxism was perverting the educational system in the United States. For example, numerous speakers criticized schools for supposedly indoctrinating or “evangelizing” children with “LGBTQ ideologies.”

    Wallnau even suggested that the “trans movement” began “in the days of Noah” when the fallen angels of Genesis 6 married human women and had hybrid children. This echoes a discussion Wallnau and Rick Renner had on the “Lance Wallnau Show,” linking such “ideologies” to fallen angels and the Apocalypse.

    This negative view of nontraditional gender and sexual orientations is a long-lived feature of the group. John Weaver, a scholar of religion, notes in his book “The New Apostolic Reformation” that the group’s ideas are indebted to conservative theologian Rousas John Rushdoony, who supported the death penalty for homosexuals.

    Likewise, religion scholar Damon T. Berry writes that members of the movement believe that “demonic spirits” are “acting to subvert the will of God through aspects of culture like the toleration of homosexuality, abortion, addiction, poverty and political correctness.”

    Wallnau encouraged the audience on the Courage Tour to “fight for your families because I don’t want to leave behind a demonic train wreck for my children.”

    As hard as it is to believe, one of the most important questions of the election might well be – how many Americans believe in demons?

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

    – ref. The ‘Courage Tour’ is attempting to get Christians to vote for Trump − and focused on defeating ‘demons’ – https://theconversation.com/the-courage-tour-is-attempting-to-get-christians-to-vote-for-trump-and-focused-on-defeating-demons-241335

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why vote for Harris or Trump? A cheat sheet on the candidates’ records, why their supporters like them and why picking one or the other makes sense

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Amy Lieberman, Politics + Society Editor, The Conversation

    Voters cast their ballots in Dearborn, Mich., on Oct. 29, 2024. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

    If you are still undecided and mulling your pick for president, there are clear differences between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris that are important to understand.

    The Conversation has published stories from more than a dozen scholars looking at the records of the two candidates.

    We had an anthropologist provide our readers with a window into why both Trump and Harris supporters favor their presidential pick.

    And we have also looked at why, even if you don’t like either candidate, it still doesn’t make sense to sit out the election.

    Here is a roundup of stories to help you evaluate the candidates:

    Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz campaign in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Oct. 28, 2024.
    Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

    Harris’ and Trump’s records

    It’s no surprise that Harris and Trump have contrasting records on policy issues like LGBTQ+ rights and gun violence. The differences don’t stop there.

    While Harris has consistently supported protecting and expanding abortion rights, Trump took actions while president that made it harder for people to get an abortion, explains legal scholar Rachel Rebouché.

    And while Harris has consistently opposed the death penalty, Trump has supported it, explains political science scholar Austin Sarat.

    In other cases, their differences are not as clear-cut. Both candidates have supported restricting immigration to the U.S., writes immigration scholar William McCorkle. And both of them tried to lower drug prices, writes pharmacy practice scholar C. Michael White.

    Here are some stories to explain the candidates’ records on other issues: education, space policy, the Ukraine war, artificial intelligence, science research funding, clean energy, drug prices, health care, oil and gas production, foreign policy and labor.

    Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance appear at a 9/11 memorial event in New York City on Sept. 11, 2024.
    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    Why people like Trump and Harris

    Alex Hinton, an anthropologist who researches both the far right and political polarization in the U.S., helped answer why, after all of the controversies and alleged wrongdoing, people still support Trump.

    “Many people have thoughtful reasons for voting for Trump, even if their reasoning – as is also true for those on the left – is often inflamed by populist polarizers and media platforms,” Hinton writes.

    There are a few central factors that keep Trump’s supporters loyal. These include the fact that some people recall – whether accurately or not – having more money when Trump was president, and that the economy seemed better. They are upset about immigration. And some supporters like his outlandish persona.

    And then there’s the other side to understand: Why people are voting for Harris. Hinton explained that many people deeply dislike and distrust Trump, as well as the extreme direction they think he can take the country.

    “In contrast, they contend that Harris combines steady leadership with a message of change, calm, honesty and hope for a better future,” he writes.

    Harris’ support of abortion rights and health care, as well as her commitment to international alliances and bipartisan governing, are other reasons people want her as their president.

    “Some voters also support Harris because they see her as a candidate of change,” Hinton writes. After Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee, “voters across a range of demographics were immediately galvanized by her relative youth, biracial identity, articulateness and positive message of change and possibility, as opposed to fear.”

    A woman drops off her ballot in Norwalk, Calif., on Oct. 28, 2024.
    Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

    Why it still makes sense to vote

    It’s possible that none of this information resonates with undecided voters and that they are considering backing a third-party candidate instead, or not voting at all.

    But the logic that an individual vote won’t matter anyway is not accurate, according to behavioral economics scholar Daniel F. Stone.

    Every single vote matters, especially in an election like this one that is incredibly close in all of the important swing states, Stone says. This matters if the difference between Harris and Trump is just 5,000 votes in a state like Pennsylvania, for example.

    “So, if the 10,000 unhappy voters do vote for one of the two major-party candidates, they can swing the election,” Stone writes.

    Even if someone boycotts an election and doesn’t support either of the two viable candidates, “One of them is going to win whether you like it or not,” Stone writes.

    .

    – ref. Why vote for Harris or Trump? A cheat sheet on the candidates’ records, why their supporters like them and why picking one or the other makes sense – https://theconversation.com/why-vote-for-harris-or-trump-a-cheat-sheet-on-the-candidates-records-why-their-supporters-like-them-and-why-picking-one-or-the-other-makes-sense-242437

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: WHO Will Answer the Call? | U.S. Army

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    : Erica Parker, AMVID

    General of the Army Douglas MacArthur spoke to the cadets at U.S. Military Academy on May 12, 1962 and gave what would become known as his “Duty, Honor, Country” speech.

    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 #DutyHonorCountry #GeneralMacArthur

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwvoOyYD32k

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from President Joe  Biden on Third Quarter 2024  GDP

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today’s GDP report shows how far we’ve come since I took office—from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression to the strongest economy in the world. Since I took office, the economy has grown 12.6%, we’ve had the lowest average unemployment in 50 years, nearly 16 million jobs have been created, and incomes have risen $4,000 more than inflation. While critics thought we’d need a recession to lower inflation, instead we’ve grown around 3% a year on average, while inflation has fallen to the level right before the pandemic.
    We need to keep building on this progress. Instead, Congressional Republicans are proposing across-the-board tariffs that would cost families nearly $4,000 a year, reignite inflation, and kill hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Vice President and I are fighting to lower costs on everyday goods—from housing and groceries to health care and child care—while Republicans fight for more tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations. The best way to grow the economy is from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Head of the Kirov Military Medical Academy Evgeny Kryukov became an Honorary Doctor of the Polytechnic University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    At the meeting of the Academic Council of the Polytechnic University on October 30, a ceremony was held to present the diploma and mantle of the Honorary Doctor of SPbPU to the head of the S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy (VMedA), Lieutenant General of the Medical Service, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Evgeny Kryukov.

    The decision to award the honorary title to Evgeny Kryukov was made unanimously by the members of the Academic Councilmeeting on May 24 this year.

    Evgeny Vladimirovich graduated with a gold medal from the military medical faculty of the Gorky Medical Institute, served in the Black Sea Fleet as a doctor and head of the medical service of a submarine. He was a senior resident and head of the therapeutic department, chief therapist, and since 2009 – head of the Naval Hospital named after Academician N. I. Pirogov. From 2014 to 2020, he headed the Main Military Clinical Hospital named after Academician N. N. Burdenko. In 2020, he was appointed to the post of head of the Military Medical Academy named after S. M. Kirov.

    Evgeny Vladimirovich is a legendary man who has visited all the hot spots, a doctor with a capital letter. In our difficult times, he heads the Military Medical Academy named after Sergei Mironovich Kirov, famous for the names of outstanding scientists and healers. It is the highest honor for us to accept you, Evgeny Vladimirovich, into our ranks as an Honorary Doctor of the Polytechnic University, – the rector of SPbPU, chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrei Rudskoy opened the ceremony.

    The new Honorary Doctor of the University was presented by the University Scientific Secretary Dmitry Karpov: Today, the large family of Polytechnicians welcomes a man for whom caring for the lives of others has become his life’s work. Often, saving lives. Evgeny Vladimirovich is a military doctor: from the Crimean Medical Institute and the Military Medical Faculty of the Gorky Medical Institute, which he graduated with honors, to the title of Honored Doctor of Russia and veteran of military service. Evgeny Vladimirovich is a scientist: since 1994 – Candidate of Medical Sciences, since 2004 – Doctor of Sciences, since 2016 – Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the Department of Medical Sciences, since 2022 – Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the specialty of “military field therapy”. The author of more than six hundred scientific papers, prepared eleven candidates and doctors of science.

    Dmitry Karpov noted that Evgeny Kryukov contributed to the formation of a system for providing troops in armed conflicts, the creation of principles for interaction between military and civilian healthcare, and the adjustment of the scientific process to the needs of the army and navy.

    Dmitry Anatolyevich also said that Yevgeny Vladimirovich made a significant contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and participated in the trials of the Sputnik V vaccine. As the head of the Main Military Clinical Hospital at the time, Yevgeny Kryukov put on a protective suit and carried out procedures in the red zone himself to understand the operating conditions of medical personnel. For his dedicated work during the pandemic, he received the specially established Pirogov Order. Yevgeny Vladimirovich’s awards also include the Certificate of Honor of the President of the Russian Federation (2021), the Order of Honor (2022) and “For Military Merit” (2024).

    Evgeny Kryukov significantly strengthened the ties of the Military Medical Academy with the Russian Academy of Sciences and relevant international organizations. In conclusion of the presentation, Dmitry Karpov expressed confidence that such a connection will also be strengthened with the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    After all the welcoming words, the rector of the Polytechnic gave the command: Bring in the Honorary Doctorate Diploma, the mantle and the medal!

    According to tradition, the doctoral gown and cap were brought into the hall of the Academic Council by students dressed in the uniform of polytechnics of the early 20th century. The ceremony was accompanied by the Gaudeamus anthem performed by the Polyhymnia choir. Yevgeny Vladimirovich was also presented with a book about the Honorary Doctors of the Polytechnic — his page is already in it.

    In his response, Evgeny Kryukov thanked the members of the Academic Council for the honor of being elected as an Honorary Doctor of the country’s leading engineering university.

    Our cooperation in medicine dates back about sixty years, when the Department of Biophysics was created at the Polytechnic University. In 1997, the outstanding professor of the Military Medical Academy Vladimir Olegovich Samoilov headed the faculty of medical physics at your university, – said Evgeny Vladimirovich. – Over this time, more than a hundred people have been awarded the high honor of becoming Honorary Doctors of the Polytechnic University, mainly representatives of engineering and exact sciences. Today’s event is especially valuable for me, because for the first time a doctor has been elected Honorary Doctor of the Polytechnic University. First of all, this is, of course, the merit of scientific schools, professors of the Military Medical Academy, the merit of all military medicine. Your decision demonstrates the unity of science, the army and society. Probably, it was this unity that allowed our country to win victories over enemies in all historical periods, preserve its cultural identity and gave a powerful incentive to the scientific and technical development of the country. It is symbolic that this event is taking place on the eve of the great holiday of National Unity Day.

    At the end of the ceremony, the rector of the Polytechnic invited Evgeny Kryukov, as an Honorary Doctor, to support the tradition and give a lecture to the students.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Statement from President Joe  Biden on Third Quarter 2024  GDP

    Source: The White House

    Today’s GDP report shows how far we’ve come since I took office—from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression to the strongest economy in the world. Since I took office, the economy has grown 12.6%, we’ve had the lowest average unemployment in 50 years, nearly 16 million jobs have been created, and incomes have risen $4,000 more than inflation. While critics thought we’d need a recession to lower inflation, instead we’ve grown around 3% a year on average, while inflation has fallen to the level right before the pandemic.

    We need to keep building on this progress. Instead, Congressional Republicans are proposing across-the-board tariffs that would cost families nearly $4,000 a year, reignite inflation, and kill hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Vice President and I are fighting to lower costs on everyday goods—from housing and groceries to health care and child care—while Republicans fight for more tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations. The best way to grow the economy is from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol.

    The leaders discussed recent developments and expressed their deep concern and condemnation over North Korea’s troop deployment to support Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

    The Prime Minister and the President welcomed Canada and Korea’s first High-Level Foreign and Defence Policy Dialogue (2+2) between ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence later this week. They also noted the value of our growing defence partnerships and reaffirmed the importance of bilateral co-operation on regional and global issues, including in the Indo-Pacific.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and President Yoon agreed to remain in close contact and looked forward to meeting soon.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Ministerial statement on the Investment Canada Act review of Cleveland-Cliffs acquisition of Stelco

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, made the following statement:

    October 30, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario 

    Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, made the following statement:

    “Foreign investment encourages economic growth, innovation, and employment opportunities in Canada. At the same time, the Government of Canada has a responsibility to make sure the most significant foreign investments will benefit Canadians. 

    “On July 15, 2024, Stelco Holdings Inc. and Cleveland-Cliffs announced an agreement pursuant to which Cleveland-Cliffs would acquire all of the outstanding shares of Stelco.  

    “Following an extensive review under the Investment Canada Act, yesterday, I approved the investment. This approval is contingent on a significant package of binding, five-year-long undertakings to support Cleveland-Cliffs’ net benefit case which it provided as part of the review process, including:

    • To respect Stelco’s historic brand by carrying on operations under the name, “Stelco, a Cleveland-Cliffs Company”;
    • To maintain Stelco’s head office in Hamilton, with responsibility for Stelco’s day-to-day operations;
    • To continue to employ at least the same number of unionized employees and the vast majority of non-unionized employees as were employed when the transaction was announced;
    • To honour all existing collective bargaining agreements and Stelco’s employee benefit and pension commitments;
    • To make significant capital and research and development expenditures in support of Stelco’s operations; and
    • To ensure Stelco’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emission intensity do not increase and continue to be at least 25 percent below the global average for integrated steel mills.

    “While Canada welcomes foreign investment, the Government is committed to considering all factors laid out in the Investment Canada Act when reviewing transactions to ensure they are beneficial to Canadian workers and Canada’s economic interests.”

    Media Relations
    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
    media@ised-isde.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Mobilizes Across Wisconsin to Drive Voter Turnout, Safeguard Democracy

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM continues to ramp up efforts across Wisconsin in collaboration with the state AFL-CIO and other affiliates to mobilize union households ahead of the upcoming elections. The initiative focuses on encouraging voters to support candidates who prioritize infrastructure development, good jobs, and the protection of union rights, ultimately aiming to build a stronger economy for all.

    IAM members from across the state, including Milwaukee, La Crosse, and Green Bay have actively engaged in grassroots efforts, canvassing neighborhoods and making phone calls to amplify the voice of union voters. Through these direct outreach efforts, the union is committed to informing and energizing the community around pro-labor candidates who align with their values and goals.

    “As Election Day approaches, the IAM remains dedicated to ensuring that union voices are heard loud and clear: Every vote matters,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “It’s about more than just this election; it’s about shaping a future where working families can thrive.” 

    https://x.com/MachinistsUnion/status/1846967457128333531

    The IAM District 66 office in La Crosse is serving as a key organizing hub, where members gather to strategize and prepare for conversations with union voters. 

    https://x.com/MachinistsUnion/status/1849925211401093358

    “We believe it’s crucial for our members and their families to understand the importance of their vote,” said IAM Midwest Territory Grand Lodge Representative Brian Simmons. “Supporting candidates who back working families and union rights is vital for safeguarding our democracy and advancing our collective interests.”

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pumpkin Patch Paradox

    Source: US National Oceanographic Data Center

    The autumn season, also known as fall, is meteorologically defined in the Northern Hemisphere as the three month period of September through November and represents a season of transition. Summer heat transitions to crisp, cool days; the colors of the leaves transition from green to different hues of yellow, orange, and red; the length of daylight shortens; and our wardrobe transitions from tank tops and shorts to sweaters and long pants. We also begin noticing pumpkins decorating many homes across the U.S. during this time of year.

    Pumpkins are a staple of the autumn season and pumpkin-picking is a tradition enjoyed by many across the U.S. We decorate our homes with pumpkins and fall flowers such as Chrysanthemums, create jack-o-lanterns as Halloween approaches, and pumpkin food items (e.g., pies, lattes, coffee, soups, and many more) are abundant and can be found most anywhere we go.

    Fig 1. Pumpkin production by State for 2021. (Source: USDA Economic Research Service) 

    Pumpkins are produced across all states. However, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Illinois is the top pumpkin-producing state (Fig. 1), harvesting close to 30% of all the pumpkins produced across the U.S. While Illinois produces the most pumpkins, close to 80% of the pumpkins harvested there are processed and canned for products such as pumpkin puree, while the other states sell mostly fresh pumpkins that are used for decoration.

    Weather impacts on pumpkin production

    Like any other crop, deciding when to begin planting pumpkins can be tricky. In order to have pumpkins by autumn, farmers usually begin planting from late May to early July, depending on the location. And after planting, 120 days later, pumpkins are typically harvested.

    Despite their hard exterior, pumpkins are very sensitive to weather conditions.

    Frost/freeze: If farmers plant too early in the spring, when below-freezing temperatures can still occur, then there is a chance that the plant is susceptible to frost, and this could cause the plant to die. Frost or freeze episodes are usually less of a concern during autumn, when temperatures begin to drop, since the plants have reached maturity and the damage is much less.

    Extreme heat: If it is too hot during summer, this could lead to wilted plants or potentially cause the pumpkin flowers to fall. In order for plants to produce crops, pollination needs to occur. However, during very warm days, the pumpkin flowers stay open for shorter periods of time, affecting the effectiveness of pollination.

    Extreme wet conditions: If it rains too much and the soil is extremely wet, this could lead to a delay in planting during spring or harvesting during autumn. Very wet conditions can also lead to nutrient deficiencies, delayed maturity of the plant, and also increases the chance of the development of plant disease such as mildew.

    All of these examples can lead to significantly fewer pumpkins than normal. However, extremely wet conditions have the biggest impact on pumpkin production, and are usually pumpkin farmers’ top weather-related concern. It has been reported that during the very wet years, especially during late summer and early fall, when pumpkins are reaching their maturity, pumpkin growers tend to see that the fruit quality decreases, there are fewer pumpkins, and more disease spreads across the plants.

    Fig. 2. Fresh pumpkin availability per capita for the period of 2000–2023. (Source: USDA Economic Research Service)

    While the production of pumpkins can fluctuate from year to year due to weather, there was a visible reduction in pumpkin availability in 2015 (Fig. 2). This was mainly due to heavy rains that affected the Midwest region during the crucial time for pumpkin planting.

    While the months of May and July were wetter-than-normal for Illinois, the month of June was extremely wet (Fig. 3). June 2015 is Illinois’s wettest June on record with a total of 9.44 inches of rain—which is 5.35 inches more than normal. June 2015 is also Illinois’ second-wettest month for any month on record, trailing behind September of 1962 (9.62 inches).

    Fig. 3. Map of the “Statewide Precipitation Anomalies” for June 2015. (Source: NCEI Climate at a Glance)

    During the three-month period of May–July during 2015, Illinois averaged 20.04 inches of rain, which is 8.24 inches more than normal, and ranked as the wettest May–July period in the state’s 130-year record.

    The very wet conditions during the planting season flooded fields and caused disease and mildew to spread. Eventually, when drier conditions returned, farmers replanted, but the damage was done and the yield of pumpkins was much lower. Overall, this led to slightly more than a 50% reduction in Illinois’s production of pumpkins (from 652 million pounds to close to 318 million pounds of pumpkins).

    Fig. 4. Map of statewide precipitation anomalies for the three-month period of May–July 2015. (Source: NCEI Climate at a Glance)

    Climate change and pumpkin production

    “Climate change is projected to reduce the availability and affordability of nutritious food, with impacts being unevenly distributed across society.” – Fifth National Climate Assessment

    The Earth’s climate is warming and despite the overall global temperature increase seeming to be small, its effects can be significant at the local level.

    The U.S. is not exempt from the effects of climate change. The contiguous U.S. annual average temperature has increased 0.16°F per decade since 1895; however, it is close to three times more (0.46°F) since 1981. Meanwhile, precipitation totals at the national-level have increased at 0.17 inch per decade since 1895 and no increase is evident since 1981.

    Fig. 5. U.S. annual (a) temperature and (b) precipitation anomalies for the period of 1895–2023. (Source: NCEI Climate at a Glance)

    A warmer climate will affect agricultural production, including pumpkins, across the U.S. through changes in the frequency and intensity of certain extreme events. The Midwest, which is known for its significant agricultural production, is already seeing the effects of climate change. The region has observed increased temperatures, longer growing seasons, and increased intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall events that lead to floods. The increasing warmer temperatures and the shifting of the growing seasons are also leading to larger pest populations that can harm crops and affect the production.

    Extreme events are projected to continue to increase in intensity and frequency, putting agricultural production and availability at greater risk. 

    Agricultural adaptation practices

    While climate change is affecting many aspects of our lives, including our food security, farmers are preparing themselves for changes through agricultural adaptation. Agricultural adaptation is when farmers adjust their agricultural practices to reduce the effects of weather and climate change during crop production.

    Across the Midwest, many pumpkin growers have implemented additional water resources (e.g. stock ponds, wells, among others) to help mitigate the effects of drought and protect their pumpkins and other crops. Some have implemented what is known as biological controls, which refers to using natural predators (e.g. spiders), parasites, or other living organisms that are found in the ecosystem to control certain pests from harming the crops.

    While pumpkin farming, as well as other agricultural practices, are facing challenges as our climate continues to warm, farmers and scientists are continuously working together to better understand the impacts and how they can address those to continue successful farming and producing pumpkins (and other crops) for our nation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: La Paradoja del Huerto de Calabazas

    Source: US National Oceanographic Data Center

    La estación del otoño se define meteorológicamente en el hemisferio norte como el período de tres meses de septiembre a noviembre y representa una estación de transición. El calor del verano se transforma en días frescos; los colores de las hojas cambian de verde a diferentes tonos de amarillo, naranja y rojo; la duración de la luz del día se acorta; y nuestro vestuario cambia de camisetas sin mangas y pantalones cortos a suéteres y pantalones largos. También comenzamos a notar calabazas que decoran muchos hogares en los EE. UU. durante esta época del año.

    Las calabazas son comunes durante la temporada de otoño y visitar fincas para escoger calabazas es una tradición que disfrutan muchas personas en los EE. UU. Decoramos nuestras casas con calabazas y flores de otoño como las crisantemos, creamos linternas de calabaza cuando se acerca Halloween y los alimentos de calabaza (por ejemplo, pasteles, café, sopas y muchos más) son abundantes y se pueden encontrar en cualquier lugar al que vayamos.

    Fig 1. Producción de calabaza por estado en el 2021. (Fuente: USDA Economic Research Service) 

    Las calabazas se producen en todos los estados. Sin embargo, según el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (conocido como USDA por sus siglas en inglés), Illinois es el principal estado productor de calabazas (Fig. 1), ya que cosecha cerca del 30% de todas las calabazas producidas en los Estados Unidos. Aunque Illinois produce la mayor cantidad de calabazas, cerca del 80% de las calabazas que se cosechan allí se procesan y se enlatan para productos como puré de calabaza, mientras que los otros estados venden principalmente calabazas frescas que se usan para decoración.

    El tiempo afecta la producción de calabazas

    Como cualquier otro cultivo, decidir cuándo empezar a sembrar calabazas puede ser complicado. Para tener calabazas en otoño, los agricultores suelen empezar a sembrar desde finales de mayo hasta principios de julio, dependiendo del lugar. Y 120 días después de sembrar las semillas, normalmente se cosechan las calabazas.

    A pesar de su duro exterior, las calabazas son muy sensibles a las condiciones del tiempo.

    Heladas: Si los agricultores siembran demasiado pronto en la primavera, cuando todavía pueden darse temperaturas bajo cero, existe la posibilidad de que la planta sea susceptible a las heladas, y esto podría provocar su muerte. Las heladas o episodios de congelación suelen ser menos preocupantes durante el otoño, cuando las temperaturas empiezan a bajar, ya que las plantas han alcanzado la madurez y el daño es mucho menor.

    Calor extremo: Si hace demasiado calor durante el verano, esto podría provocar que las plantas se marchiten o que las flores de la calabaza se caigan. Para que las plantas produzcan cosechas, es necesario que se produzca la polinización. Sin embargo, durante los días muy cálidos, las flores de la calabaza permanecen abiertas durante períodos de tiempo más cortos, lo que afecta a la eficacia de la polinización.

    Condiciones de humedad extrema: Si llueve demasiado y el suelo está extremadamente húmedo, esto podría provocar un retraso en la siembra durante la primavera o un retraso en la cosecha durante el otoño. Las condiciones muy húmedas también pueden provocar deficiencias de nutrientes, un retraso en la madurez de la planta y también aumentan la posibilidad de desarrollo de enfermedades de las plantas como el moho.

    Todos estos ejemplos pueden resultar en una cantidad significativamente menor de calabazas de lo normal. Sin embargo, las condiciones extremadamente húmedas tienen el mayor impacto en la producción de calabazas y son la principal preocupación de los agricultores de calabazas. Se ha informado de que durante los años muy húmedos, especialmente a fines del verano y principios del otoño, cuando las calabazas están alcanzando su madurez, los agricultores de calabazas tienden a ver que la calidad de la fruta disminuye, hay menos calabazas y se propagan más enfermedades en las plantas.

    Fig. 2. Disponibilidad de calabaza fresca per cápita durante el período 2000–2023. (Fuente: Servicio de Investigación Económica del USDA)

    Aunque la producción de calabazas puede fluctuar de un año a otro debido al tiempo, hubo una reducción visible en la disponibilidad de calabazas en el 2015 (Fig. 2). Esto se debió principalmente a las fuertes lluvias que afectaron la región del Medio Oeste durante el momento crucial para la siembra de calabazas.

    Los meses de mayo y julio fueron más húmedos de lo normal en Illinois y el mes de junio fue extremadamente húmedo (Fig. 3). Junio ​​del 2015 es el junio más húmedo registrado en Illinois con un total de 9.44 pulgadas de lluvia, que es 5.35 pulgadas más de lo normal. Junio ​​del 2015 también es el segundo mes más húmedo de Illinois de todos los meses registrados, detrás de septiembre del 1962 (9.62 pulgadas).

    Fig. 3. Mapa de las anomalías de precipitación en todo los estados para junio del 2015. (Fuente: NCEI Climate at a Glance)

    Durante el período de tres meses de mayo a julio del 2015, Illinois tuvo un promedio de 20.04 pulgadas de lluvia, que es 8.24 pulgadas más de lo normal, y se clasificó como el período de mayo a julio más húmedo en los 130 años de registro del estado.

    Las condiciones muy húmedas durante la temporada de siembra inundaron los campos y provocaron la propagación de enfermedades y moho. Finalmente, cuando regresaron las condiciones más secas, los agricultores volvieron a sembrar, pero el daño ya estaba hecho y la producción de calabazas fue mucho menor. En general, esto provocó una reducción de poco más del 50% en la producción de calabazas de Illinois (de 652 millones de libras a cerca de 318 millones de libras de calabazas).

    Fig. 4. Mapa de anomalías de precipitación a nivel estatal para el período de tres meses de mayo a julio del 2015. (Fuente: NCEI Climate at a Glance)

    El cambio climático y la producción de calabaza

    “Se proyecta que el cambio climático reducirá la disponibilidad y asequibilidad de alimentos nutritivos y que sus impactos se distribuyan de forma desigual en la sociedad”. – Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima

    El clima de la Tierra se está calentando y, a pesar de que el aumento general de la temperatura global parece ser pequeño, sus efectos pueden ser significativos a nivel local.

    Los Estados Unidos no está exento de los efectos del cambio climático. La temperatura media anual de los Estados Unidos contiguos ha aumentado 0.16°F por década desde 1895; Sin embargo, es casi tres veces más (0.46°F) desde 1981. Mientras tanto, los totales de precipitaciones a nivel nacional han aumentado a un ritmo de 0.17 pulgadas por década desde 1895 y no hay ningún aumento evidente desde 1981.

    Fig. 5. Anomalías anuales de (a) temperatura y (b) precipitación en EE. UU. durante el período de 1895 a 2023. (Fuente: NCEI Climate at a Glance)

    Un clima más cálido afectará la producción agrícola, incluyendo la de calabazas, en todo los EE. UU. a través de cambios en la frecuencia e intensidad de ciertos eventos extremos. El Medio Oeste, que es conocido por su producción agrícola, ya está viendo los efectos del cambio climático. La región ha observado un aumento de las temperaturas, temporadas de crecimiento más largas y una mayor intensidad y frecuencia de eventos de lluvias intensas que provocan inundaciones. El aumento de las temperaturas y el cambio de las temporadas de crecimiento también están generando poblaciones de plagas más grandes que pueden dañar los cultivos y afectar la producción.

    Se proyecta que los eventos extremos seguirán aumentando en intensidad y frecuencia, poniendo en mayor riesgo la producción y la disponibilidad agrícolas.

    Prácticas de adaptación agrícola

    Aunque el cambio climático está afectando muchos aspectos de nuestras vidas, incluyendo nuestra seguridad alimentaria, los agricultores se están preparando para los cambios mediante la adaptación agrícola. La adaptación agrícola es cuando los agricultores ajustan sus prácticas agrícolas para reducir los efectos del tiempo y el cambio climático durante la producción de cultivos.

    En el Medio Oeste, muchos productores de calabazas han implementado recursos hídricos adicionales (por ejemplo, estanques de almacenamiento, pozos, entre otros) para ayudar a mitigar los efectos de la sequía y proteger sus calabazas y otros cultivos. Algunos han implementado lo que se conoce como controles biológicos, que se refiere al uso de depredadores naturales (por ejemplo, arañas), parásitos u otros organismos vivos que se encuentran en el ecosistema para controlar ciertas plagas que dañan los cultivos.

    Aunque el cultivo de calabazas, así como otras prácticas agrícolas, enfrentan desafíos a medida que nuestro clima continúa calentándose, los agricultores y los científicos trabajan juntos continuamente para comprender mejor los impactos y cómo pueden abordarlos para continuar cultivando y produciendo calabazas (y otros cultivos) exitosamente para nuestra nación.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: OIP Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 Sunshine Week FOIA Awards

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    The Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy (OIP) is pleased to announce that nominations are open for the 2025 Sunshine Week FOIA Awards, recognizing the contributions of FOIA professionals from around the government.  Each year, the number of nominations submitted to OIP to recognize the exceptional achievements of federal FOIA employees grows.  As such, OIP is opening the nomination window earlier this year than in previous years to allow more time for review of submissions.

    As the Attorney General recognized in his FOIA Guidelines issued in March 2022, “[t]he federal government could not process the hundreds of thousands of FOIA requests that are received every year without its dedicated FOIA professionals.”  Agency FOIA professionals are at the center of ensuring successful FOIA administration and we look forward to celebrating the work of these individuals from around the government.  For this year’s event, OIP is seeking nominations for five categories of awards:

    • Exceptional Service by a FOIA Professional or Team of FOIA Professionals
    • Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee
    • Exceptional Advancements in IT to Improve the Agency’s FOIA Administration
    • Exceptional Advancements in Proactive Disclosure of Information
    • Lifetime Service Award

    Nominations can be submitted by agencies or by a member of the public.  All nominations are due to OIP by Friday, December 6th, 2024. 

    Awardees will be recognized during the Department’s 2025 Sunshine Week event on March 17th, 2025.

    Submission Guidelines

    All agency personnel are eligible for the awards listed below. These personnel can include Government Information Specialists, supervisors, FOIA attorneys, FOIA administrative specialists, or other staff at the agency that meet the award category criteria.

    We invite nominations for these awards from agencies as well as members of the public. Agency submissions should be made by the agency’s principal FOIA contact or Chief FOIA Officer.

    Nominations must include:

    • The full name, title, agency (or organization if applicable), and contact information for the person submitting the nomination,
    • The name(s) of the individual(s) they are nominating,
    • The award category that best reflects the nominee(s)’ accomplishments,
    • A summary, not to exceed two single-spaced pages, that describes the nominee’s or group’s accomplishments, why the individual or group should receive the award, what they have done that sets them apart, and how their actions benefited FOIA administration, and
    • A short abstract (100 words or less) that briefly outlines the nominee’s accomplishments.

    Nominations must be submitted to DOJ.OIP.FOIA@usdoj.gov with the subject line “2025 Sunshine Week FOIA Award Nomination” by December 6, 2024.

    Award Categories

    Award for Exceptional Service by a FOIA Professional or Team of FOIA Professionals

    • Recognizing exemplary performance by a FOIA professional or team of FOIA professionals in carrying out the agency’s administration of the FOIA. This award recognizes those individuals or teams whose exceptional contributions have significantly benefited FOIA administration. These benefits could include increased efficiency, greater use of technology, reduced backlogs, improved timeliness, and increased proactive disclosures.

    Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee

    • Recognizing exceptional performance and notable contributions in carrying out the agency’s FOIA responsibilities by a new employee with fewer than three years of work in FOIA.

    Exceptional Advancements in IT to Improve the Agency’s FOIA Administration

    • Recognizing exceptional achievements in making greater use of technology to make information more accessible.  These efforts could include the implementation of new and advanced technologies to increase efficiencies as well as to improve proactive disclosures and the online availability of information.

    Exceptional Advancements in Proactive Disclosure of Information

    • Recognizing exceptional achievements by an agency or team of professionals at the agency to proactively make more information available online.  These efforts can include both the posting of more information online and steps taken to make that information more useful to the public.

    Lifetime Service Award

    • Recognizing an agency FOIA professional with at least 20 years of work in FOIA administration who has demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication in the administration of the FOIA throughout their career.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: DTE Energy earns top score in Customer Satisfaction for Business Natural Gas Service in Midwest from J.D. Power

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Detroit, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DTE Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, is ranked “#1 in Customer Satisfaction with Business Natural Gas Service in the Midwest” in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study.

    In addition to ranking DTE first overall in customer satisfaction, customers placed DTE highest in the individual study factors of Price and Corporate Citizenship.

    DTE’s top score in the Price study factor reflects the efforts the company takes to keep natural gas service affordable for customers. DTE has saved its customers millions of dollars by buying natural gas before it’s needed, often when prices are lower, and storing it underground until customers need it. This smooths out natural gas costs and protects customers from sudden price spikes.

    DTE’s corporate citizenship efforts were also singled out by business customers as best in the Midwest region. DTE has consistently fostered a culture of community involvement and, in 2023 alone, nearly 4,000 of its employees volunteered more than 75,000 hours with 862 nonprofit organizations throughout Michigan.

    Additionally, in 2023 the DTE Energy Foundation — the philanthropic arm of DTE — supported nearly 300 non-profit organizations across Michigan focused on driving positive, meaningful change in key areas like jobs, equity, human needs and the environment.

    “We’re focused on improving lives for our customers and communities while also keeping natural gas service safe, reliable and affordable,” said Bob Richard, president and chief operating officer, DTE Gas. “We truly value the trust that nearly 90,000 businesses across the state place in us, and we will continue to invest in our system to keep meeting their needs and helping Michigan’s local economies grow.”

    DTE is helping to foster business development by expanding natural gas service to rural communities throughout northern and greater Michigan, making them more attractive locations for business growth. Further, DTE invested $2.7 billion with Michigan businesses in 2023, creating and sustaining more than 12,000 jobs across the state.

    DTE remains committed to customer satisfaction and has consistently expanded its list of services for business customers. These include:

    • A range of energy efficiency programs that serve thousands of businesses annually, helping them optimize their energy use, reduce operational costs and enhance sustainability.
    • A dedicated business call center that connects business customers directly with DTE representatives who are knowledgeable about the unique energy needs of businesses.
    • An enhanced web experience for business customers allowing them to manage their accounts 24/7. 

    About DTE Energy
    DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers across Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes energy businesses focused on custom energy solutions, renewable energy generation, and energy marketing and trading. DTE has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction goals to meet aggressive targets and is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy, emission reductions and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, x.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ChargeUp Accelerator for Battery Startups Opens Application Period for Cohort 2

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BINGHAMTON, N.Y., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — New Energy New York (NENY) has opened applications for the second cohort of ChargeUp. The six-month accelerator program is designed to support startups working on battery innovations to help them advance their technology development and their business. Early-stage U.S. companies that are working on battery innovations anywhere in the supply chain are encouraged to apply. Companies accepted into the accelerator will receive $25,000, connections to investors, and opportunities for follow-on investment, including up to $100,000 in vouchers for technical development. Each month, participation in the Binghamton-based accelerator includes one week of in-person instructional workshops and regional tours of supply chain partners and three weeks of virtual activities, such as instruction provided by industry and business experts, pitch coaching, regional showcases, and building out each company’s data room so they are ready for investment.

    The program follows the success of the inaugural cohort of companies that includes Ateios Systems, Fermi Energy, MITO Materials and Standard Potential.

    “ChargeUp stands as a flagship accelerator for battery startup companies. Completing the program, we emerged with significant tasks ahead but equipped with essential know-how. Additionally, the ChargeUp network proved tremendously beneficial, enabling us to establish pivotal business relationships. I strongly recommend this program to any battery startup considering joining an accelerator to enhance their growth and success,” said Ray Xu, Co-Founder and CTO of Fermi Energy.

    The initiative is part of a $4.5 million grant awarded to NextCorps from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF-2334103) to test an accelerator model focused on technology commercialization for early-stage, deep-tech businesses, and strengthen economic development within region-specific technology hubs located across the U.S. The accelerator is based on curriculum and learnings from two of NextCorps’ proven accelerators: Luminate, the world’s largest accelerator for startups developing technologies enabled by optics, photonics and imaging, and the Manufacturing Accelerator, which helps early-stage companies reduce the risk, waste, and cost associated with getting hardware from prototype to mass production. The methodology used by both programs leverages university, community, and industrial involvement to guide and speed the delivery of emerging technologies.

    ChargeUp will follow a similar format, and will be run by Binghamton University’s Koffman Southern Tier Incubator. During the program, companies will receive over 200 hours of curriculum that will prepare them to become investment-ready by mastering business due diligence, design for manufacturing, complex supply chains, product pricing, and other topics. The accelerator also will connect them to resources within the region’s rapidly growing battery industry cluster, which has been federally designated as a battery tech hub, and New York State’s efforts to pioneer critical energy storage technologies through the NENY project.

    “The Binghamton region and our network of partners are internationally recognized for its expertise in energy storage. This accelerator will continue to attract the best startups and talent to the region, and connect them to the benchmark assets and expertise available here to change the trajectory of their business and technology commercialization. We had a very successful inaugural cohort and plan to build off the first year of running this program,” said Bandhana Katoch, Assistant Vice President, Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnership at Binghamton University.

    Since 2017, the Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator program has fostered over 60 startup companies. Binghamton University, through its Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships, is leading the NENY initiative, with the cornerstone project, Battery-NY, for the development of a battery technology and prototyping center in the Southern Tier of NY.

    Startups applying to ChargeUp must be incorporated, have at least two people working full time on the business, and should have proven their core technology, preferably having developed a working prototype. ChargeUp Cohort 2 begins in April 2025 and concludes in October 2025. Virtual info sessions will be held November 13 and December 10, 2024 and on January 8, 2025, to help companies assess if the program is right for their business.

    To apply to ChargeUp, go here.

    “Our world is facing energy storage issues that are affecting almost every industry. Testing our proven accelerator methodologies within battery innovation to solve these pressing challenges, and doing so within a rich, industry-leading battery ecosystem makes perfect sense,” said Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Managing Director, Luminate NY. “We’re eager to support the ChargeUp accelerator and to assess the impact it has on improving success rates for bringing novel technologies to market.”

    For more information on ChargeUp, visit https://newenergynewyork.com/programs/chargeup-accelerator/

    For more information about Binghamton University’s Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, visit thekoffman.com.

    For more information on NextCorps, visit nextcorps.org.

    For more information about Binghamton’s New Energy New York initiative, go to newenergynewyork.com.

    For more information about NSF grants, visit nsf.gov.

    Media Contact
    Kari Bayait
    kbayait@binghamton.edu
    607-725-5975

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9af0d78d-54d3-4f3b-8e9c-da6eedf25490

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Pax8 Tops the Denver Business Journal Fast 50 List in 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pax8, the leading cloud commerce marketplace, today announced it has been named the second fastest-growing company in the Extra Large category on the Denver Business Journal’s (DBJ) 2024 Fast 50 List. The DBJ Fast 50 List recognizes the region’s fastest-growing companies and brightest entrepreneurs. This is Pax8’s fifth year on the DBJ Fast 50 list. 

    “We are excited about Pax8’s continuous growth trajectory and honored to be recognized by the Denver Business Journal over the years for our strong performance as a global company headquartered in Colorado,” said Nick Heddy, President at Pax8. “Our innovation in building the cloud commerce marketplace of the future, combined with creating a great place to work for our employees are the keys to our growth and success.” 

    This year’s DBJ Fast 50 list recognized Pax8 as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Extra Large category for companies with more than $150 million in revenue. The for-profit companies must be privately held and headquartered in one of the seven surrounding counties of Denver. In 2024, Fast 50 recognized privately-owned companies based on revenue from 2021 to 2023. Pax8’s revenue growth was 58 percent, and the company increased its workforce from 981 to 1,624 employees over that two-year period.

    For a complete list of Fast 50 honorees, please visit the 2024 Fast 50 Extra Large list.

    To learn more about Pax8, please visit www.pax8.com.

    About Pax8
    Pax8 is the technology marketplace of the future, linking partners, vendors, and small to midsized businesses (SMBs) through AI-powered insights and comprehensive product support. With a global partner ecosystem of over 35,000 managed service providers, Pax8 empowers SMBs worldwide by providing software and services that unlock their growth potential and enhance their security. Committed to innovating cloud commerce at scale, Pax8 drives customer acquisition and solution consumption across its entire ecosystem.

    Follow Pax8 on Blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube

    Media Contact:
    Kristen Beatty
    Sr. Director of Public Relations
    kbeatty@pax8.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Electrify Expo Scheduled To Ignite Austin with an Unforgettable Grand Finale

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Electrify Expo returns to the iconic Circuit of the Americas, offering an unparalleled opportunity to ride, drive, and demo the most exciting electric cars, trucks, e-motorcycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, and customized EVs—across 1 million square feet of festival space
    • Feel the rush on the specially designed off-road dirt course in the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, experiencing its incredible power and performance firsthand
    • The Track Experience powered by Austin Energy will give attendees the ultimate bucket list experience to feel the thrill of their favorite EVs on the legendary race track
    • Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10; tickets can be purchased online or in person

    AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Electrify Expo, North America’s largest electric vehicle (EV) festival, will return to Austin for its final stop of the 2024 tour on November 9-10 at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Everything’s bigger in Texas, and this year’s event promises to be the largest yet, featuring 1 million square feet of thrilling EV experiences at one of the country’s most iconic motorsport venues. Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to get behind the wheel of the world’s leading electric vehicles, from the GMC HUMMER to the Nissan ARIYA to the Tesla Cybertruck.

    For the first time ever, attendees will experience the adrenaline rush of the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally on a specially designed dirt course with a professional driver to feel the thrill of the vehicle’s effortless electric performance off-road. The dirt course has obstacles, bumps and high-speed tight turns to showcase how the vehicle was purposefully designed for off-road adventures.

    “The Mustang Mach-E Rally was tailor-built for off-pavement performance and thrill seekers,” said Tom Somerville, Marketing Director, Enthusiast Electric Vehicles at Ford Motor Company. “The Mustang Mach-E Rally is the first electric vehicle from Ford to take Mustang freedom and fun to dirt roads. The car handles so well in loose corners and on dirt, that we want Electrify Expo attendees in Austin to feel the difference that this electric SUV can offer. Plus, we’re excited to chat with folks about our Ford Power Promise program, which helps take the guesswork out of home charging with a complimentary charger and standard installation so they can fill up at home and are ready to go on whatever adventure each day has in store.”

    Special Attractions for Austin:

    • The Track Experience Powered by Austin Energy: Get behind the wheel of top EVs on the legendary race track!
    • Experience the Tesla Cybertruck: Witness this highly anticipated vehicle throughout the weekend.
    • GMC Makes its Austin Debut: Check out the GMC HUMMER EV and Sierra EV Denali, making their first appearance at Electrify Expo.
    • Electric Dirt Bike Zone: Feel the thrill of electric dirt bikes as you blaze through a custom-designed dirt track.
    • LSV Demo Zone: Hop in and take a spin with the newest, high-tech electric golf carts.
    • Rivian’s Full Lineup: Test drive the all-new R2 and R3 alongside the popular R1T and R1S.
    • Amazon Recharge Zone: Join a full weekend of programming addressing common EV questions and dispelling myths.
    • Electrify Showoff: Marvel at the most radical customized EVs and get inspired to personalize your own ride!

    “Austin is my hometown and this year we’re pulling out all the stops,” said BJ Birtwell, CEO and founder of Electrify Expo. “With the ever-growing popularity of EVs in Texas, we invite skeptics, enthusiasts, curious onlookers and thrill seekers – to join us for a weekend of exciting experiences for all ages in an outdoor festival environment.”

    Electrify Expo has grown to become the Nation’s leading event for all forms of electric transportation. Whether you crave speed, style or comfort, you’ll find plenty to explore including:

    • Ford: Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, E-Transit
    • GMC: HUMMER EV, Sierra EV Denali
    • Lexus: 2024 RZ 450e, 2024 RX 450h+, 2024 NX 450h+, 2024 TX 550h+
    • Lucid: Air models
    • Nissan: ARIYA, LEAF
    • Porsche: Taycan
    • Rivian: R1T, R1S, R2, R3
    • Tesla: Cybertruck, Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y
    • Toyota: Grand Highlander Hybrid, Prius Prime, RAV 4 Prime, bZ4X, Sienna HV
    • Volvo: EX30, C40 Recharge, XC40 Recharge, EX90
    • Polestar: Polestar 3 and 4

    In addition to automakers, Austin attendees will be treated to an exciting lineup of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other micromobility offerings from top brands on two and four wheels, including:

    • SUPER 73
    • GoTrax Bikes + Scooters
    • Stacyc
    • JackRabbit
    • Landmaster
    • Amazon
    • Austin Energy
    • Anker
    • and many more

    For a full brand lineup, visit https://www.electrifyexpo.com/austin.

    Electrify Expo gates will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 9-10, with a full day of fun concluding at 5 p.m. each day. Tickets for Electrify Expo are available to purchase in person and online.

    For more information and to purchase tickets to Electrify Expo visit www.electrifyexpo.com. Media interested in attending may request credentials by emailing ee@skyya.com.

    About Electrify Expo
    Electrify Expo is North America’s largest outdoor electric vehicle (EV) festival showcasing the latest technology and products in electrification including startup and legacy EVs, electric motorcycles, bikes, scooters, skateboards, boats, surfboards and more. The festival addresses one of the most challenging barriers to mass adoption of electric vehicles – understanding how electric transportation works – with meaningful consumer experiences behind the wheel or in the seat on thrilling demo courses. Top brands from around the world exhibit and attend Electrify Expo’s events to meet consumers at all stages on their path to electrification. 2024 events will take place in Long Beach and San Francisco, Calif., Phoenix, Denver, New York, Seattle, Orlando, and Austin, Texas. To stay up to date on the latest news and announcements from Electrify Expo, visit www.electrifyexpo.com and follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

    Media Contact
    Skyya PR
    ee@skyya.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/04b88cf9-9ccd-4a50-b506-a84d6f2346f0

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Rapsodo Enhances Its MLM2PRO’s Simulated Golf Experience, Introducing Improved Graphics and Junior Tee Locations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ST. LOUIS, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rapsodo, the leading developer of golf and baseball ball-flight monitors and simulators, today announces the launch of enhanced graphics for gameplay and the addition of junior tee placements within its Mobile Launch Monitor 2 Pro (MLM2PRO) for premium MLM2PRO members.

    With access to more than 30,000 simulated golf courses – even ones the pros play – and virtual driving ranges, the MLM2PRO is designed to give complete visibility into a player’s game. Users can practice their skills and improve their game anytime, anywhere by having access to simulated courses, ranges as well as tracking key performance metrics. The new enhanced graphics and addition of the junior tee boxes improve the user experience and expand the MLM2PRO’s accessibility features, so golfers at every skill level and age can experience near real-life course conditions during a simulated round.

    By understanding the desire for golfers to be fully immersed in their simulation rounds, Rapsodo improved the user experience by enhancing the graphics across its simulated courses. The new version improves the visuals on the course by updating the elevation, trees and course texture. The renovated platform now more closely mimics real-world play for every MLM2PRO premium member.

    To ensure MLM2PRO premium members are provided the best experience possible, Rapsodo developed a Level of Detail Assessment that quickly tests the processing capabilities of the device in use and provides a customized recommendation for course play. The suggested setting determines the best level of detail that can be supported without causing performance issues. The MLM2PRO is compatible with either a phone or a tablet, so there’s no need to purchase more expensive equipment, and the new detail assessment provides a great experience for all users no matter which device they choose. The test takes approximately one minute and runs only during the initial use when a Rapsodo member launches Courses, Range or Target Range.

    Additionally, as golf’s popularity continues to rise among young athletes, demand for golf technology suitable for junior players has increased. Rapsodo’s latest update adds junior tee placements to each simulated course to accommodate different skill levels and ages. When beginning a round, golfers will have the option to choose from three new sets of tees: Junior 75, Junior 125 and Junior 175. Tee placements start in the middle of the fairway with the numeric value representing the distance from the tee to the center of the green. This will allow beginners to play a simulated course that better represents their real-life game experience. This will allow parents to play at distances they’re used to while also allowing their kids to start from shorter positions, bringing more fun for the whole family to enjoy together.

    “As an industry, we’re seeing more people seek less traditional avenues to play golf as the gamification of the sport rises at every level,” said Pete Gibbons, director of golf at Rapsodo. “The latest updates to the MLM2PRO enhance the game experience for our players so they can ensure their simulated round better represents their real-life play. The addition of junior tees also means that golfers at every level can improve their game as they would on the real course. This is another fun feature that opens the door for the whole family to play a simulated round together.”

    A media kit with images the enhanced simulation of junior tees and graphics can be found here.

    Rapsodo products are available for purchase on Rapsodo.com.

    About Rapsodo
    Rapsodo defies limits with affordable, professional-grade technology to enhance the way athletes play across the world. Used by MLB teams, NCAA Division I Champions, and elite PGA coaches, Rapsodo technology has earned multiple MyGolfSpy’s Best Of Golf Awards and the Official Player Development Partner of USA Baseball, affirming Rapsodo’s leadership in golf, baseball, and softball tech. Do what you didn’t think was possible. Play Without Limits. Play with Rapsodo. Discover more at Rapsodo.com.

    Media Contact:
    Amanda Rooney
    Uproar PR for Rapsodo
    arooney@uproarpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: TRM Labs and Flashpoint Join Forces to Enhance Visibility into Cyberattacks Involving Cryptocurrencies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TRM Labs, a global leader in blockchain intelligence, and Flashpoint, a global leader in threat intelligence, have joined forces to integrate their intelligence networks and give customers unprecedented visibility into cybercriminal activity on blockchain networks.

    Disrupting criminal networks is increasingly vital to keep the crypto ecosystem safe from illicit actors and allow it to grow for lawful users. According to a report from TRM Labs, in 2023, criminals handled over USD 34 billion in cryptocurrency. However, by leveraging advanced threat and blockchain intelligence tools, governments and law enforcement agencies have been able to heavily disrupt criminal networks.

    TRM Labs makes it easier for investigators to uncover connections between disparate data sources by reducing the need for manual intelligence checks across multiple platforms. Through this strategic partnership, TRM Labs has integrated Flashpoint’s data directly into its blockchain intelligence platform.

    Investigators that use TRM Labs will now benefit from Flashpoint’s threat intelligence data within TRM Forensics, including comprehensive details on threat actors, malicious content, illicit forum conversations, and both current and historical information from dark web and social media sources. Users with a Flashpoint license can dive deeper into these insights using Flashpoint’s Ignite Threat Intelligence Platform.

    “This integration enables investigators to quickly access TRM and Flashpoint’s threat intelligence in one place, accelerating their ability to detect illicit activity, identify threat actors, and recover stolen funds,” said Esteban Castaño, CEO of TRM Labs.

    “Our partnership with TRM Labs illustrates the remarkable potential of uniting blockchain intelligence and threat data to outmaneuver cyber adversaries,” said Josh Lefkowitz, CEO and founder of Flashpoint. “By integrating our industry-leading data into TRM Labs Forensics, investigators are equipped with deep insight into threat actors within the crypto ecosystem, enhancing their ability to detect and disrupt illicit activities within blockchain networks.”

    This partnership bolsters TRM Labs’ threat intelligence that includes Chainabuse, the largest crypto-related scam and fraud victim reporting platform.

    For more information about this partnership and how it can help enhance investigative outcomes, please visit TRM Labs at https://trmlabs.com.

    About TRM Labs

    TRM Labs provides blockchain intelligence to help government agencies investigate and build cases for digital asset fraud and financial crime. TRM’s blockchain intelligence platform includes solutions to follow the money, identify illicit actors, build cases, and construct an operating picture of threats. TRM is trusted by a growing number of leading agencies worldwide who rely on TRM for their blockchain intelligence needs. TRM is based in San Francisco, CA, and is hiring across engineering, product, sales, and data science. To learn more, visit www.trmlabs.com.

    About Flashpoint

    Flashpoint is the leader and largest private provider of threat data and intelligence. We empower mission-critical businesses and governments worldwide to decisively confront complex security challenges, reduce risk, and improve operational resilience amid fast-evolving threats. Through the Flashpoint Ignite platform, we deliver unparalleled depth, breadth and speed of data from highly relevant sources, enriched by human insights. Our solutions span cyber threat intelligence, vulnerability intelligence, geopolitical risk, physical security, fraud and brand protection. The result: our customers safeguard critical assets, avoid financial loss, and protect lives. Discover more at flashpoint.io.

    RedIron PR for Flashpoint
    Kari Ritacco, kari@redironpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Flourish Launches Integration with Salesforce Sales Cloud and Financial Services Cloud

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Flourish, a platform that provides innovative access to financial products that help registered investment advisors (“RIAs”) improve their clients’ financial outcomes, today announced an integration with Salesforce Financial Services Cloud, the leading automated customer relationship management (CRM) software for financial services, allowing RIAs to prefill Flourish application information using data stored in Salesforce. The integration also extends to three leaders in the Salesforce ecosystem for RIAs: Practifi, Salentica Elements CRM, and XLR8 CRM.

    CRM solutions like Salesforce help thousands of financial advisors efficiently manage client data, automate marketing efforts, and build client relationships. Over 850 RIAs use Flourish Cash, which helps clients earn competitive rates on their held-away cash while benefiting from enhanced FDIC insurance coverage through its Program Banks. By integrating with Salesforce, and a suite of integrated applications built specifically for the financial advisor community, advisors can seamlessly access data, streamline operations, and enhance the overall client experience. These integrations are active and in use today.

    “Our goal is to seamlessly integrate Flourish into the systems RIAs are already using today to give valuable time back to advisors,” said Max Lane, Flourish CEO. “Adding Salesforce, the number one CRM by market share, makes it even easier for  advisors to help their clients earn more on their held away cash while simultaneously growing their practices.” 

    Simplifying client onboarding by pre-filling information eliminates friction and better enables firms to effortlessly incorporate Flourish Cash into their businesses–especially when an increasing number of firms are embracing ‘held-away cash’ in their holistic planning practices. After all, RIAs know that clients want high yield on their cash: 92% of advisors report that their clients have expressed interest in high yield cash accounts.   

    Over 850 RIAs managing over $1.6 trillion in combined assets trust Flourish to help them bring more assets into their orbit. The Flourish platform allows advisors to feature their firm’s branding as well as providing client-friendly marketing materials, robust and customizable compliance resources, premium customer support, and more. 

    Flourish has deep integrations across the RIA ecosystem, allowing advisors to incorporate our products into their existing workflows while seamlessly serving clients. To learn more about Flourish’s integrations with the RIA techstack, including Salesfroce, please visit: https://info.flourish.com/integration-partners. 

    About Flourish
    Flourish builds technology that empowers financial advisors, improves financial lives and retirement outcomes, and delivers new and innovative investment options to advisors. Today, the Flourish platform supports more than $6 billion in assets under custody and is used by more than 850 wealth management firms representing more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. Flourish is wholly-owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). For more information, visit www.flourish.com. 

    Forward Looking Statements
    This press release may contain forward looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied.

    This feedback may not be representative of the experience of other customers, and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.

    Flourish is an online platform through which investors can access financial services and products. Flourish’s offerings are provided by different entities and are subject to different terms, investor protections, and risks. Flourish Cash is offered by Flourish Financial LLC, a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member. Flourish Financial LLC is not a bank. Check the background of Flourish Financial LLC and its personnel on FINRA’s BrokerCheck. Flourish Crypto is offered by Paxos Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited purpose trust company regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services that provides custody and execution services for the Flourish Crypto accounts, and Flourish Digital Assets LLC, registered in New York as a commodity broker-dealer and provides website and other services and support for Flourish Crypto accounts. Paxos is not an affiliate of Flourish. Flourish Annuities refers generally to the annuity platform operated by Flourish Technologies LLC, where applicable, and to Flourish Insurance Agency LLC in its capacity as a licensed insurance producer providing insurance services related to such platform. Flourish Insurance Agency LLC does business in California under the name Flourish Digital Insurance Agency. An annuity is an insurance contract. Annuities shown on the platform are sold through Flourish Insurance Agency LLC, a licensed insurance producer, with offices in Jersey City, New Jersey, and are issued by one or more approved licensed life insurance companies. The Flourish entities mentioned above are affiliates. Flourish Cash, Flourish Crypto, and Flourish Annuities accounts are separate accounts and only assets in Flourish Cash accounts may be eligible for protection by the FDIC or SIPC. Please review the Legal section of our website, and the disclosures provided with each Flourish service or product, for further information.

    The cash balance in a Flourish Cash account will be swept from the brokerage account to deposit account(s) at one or more third-party banks that have agreed to accept deposits from customers of Flourish Financial LLC (Program Banks). The accounts at Program Banks will pay a variable rate of interest. Flourish Cash currently has a tiered interest rate structure and currently has one tier in effect, as set forth in  the program summary. Each annual percentage yield (APY) may change at any time. The Flourish Cash interest rate(s) could be lower than the rate that could be earned by opening a deposit account directly with a Program Bank. The cash balance in a Flourish Cash account that is swept to one or more Program Banks is eligible for FDIC insurance, subject to FDIC rules, including FDIC aggregate insurance coverage limits. FDIC insurance will not be provided until the funds arrive at the Program Bank. Flourish Cash’s current Program Banks can be found here. For additional information regarding FDIC coverage, visit https://fdic.gov/ and https://www.flourish.com/advisors.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Apple Products Less Likely to be Impacted by Outages, Kandji Data Reveals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • 77% of IT professionals agree Apple products are easier to secure than Windows and Android
    • 72% believe that Apple products are more secure than other end-user devices
    • 59% report that Apple products are less likely to be impacted by widespread cyber outages

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — While cyberattacks continue to rise, the majority of IT professionals (72%) believe that Apple products are more secure than other end-user devices, according to a new survey released today by Kandji, the Apple endpoint management and security platform. Despite the growing threats, the security benefits of Apple products remain a contributing factor to Apple’s growth in the enterprise, with over three-fourths of IT professionals reporting that Apple products are easier to secure than other end-user devices, and the majority (59%) stating that they are less likely to be impacted by widespread cyber outages.

    The third annual “Apple in the Enterprise” survey explores Apple’s continued growth in the enterprise, the security and reliability benefits of Apple products, and how IT professionals feel about the use and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.

    Commissioned by Kandji and conducted by Dimensional Research, the global survey gathered insights from more than 300 IT professionals with responsibility for the management and delivery of Apple products to employees at a company with more than 1,000 employees and more than 500 end-user devices – including more than 100 C-level (CIO, CTO, CISO, etc.) executives. Key findings include:

    Increased iPad, iPhone, and Mac Use Adds to Continued Apple Product Growth in Enterprise

    • 73% of organizations report that the number of Apple products has increased over the last year, driven primarily by employee preference (76%), security (50%), and reliability (43%).
    • 80% of C-level executives report that Apple growth is driven by employee demand.
    • 69% of organizations report that use of iPhone has increased over the last year, driven primarily by employee preference (73%), reliability (56%), and security (56%).
    • 45% of organizations report that the use of iPad has increased over the last year, driven primarily by mobility needs (75%) and hybrid/remote work (61%).
    • 67% of IT professionals expect Apple Vision Pro to be a business productivity solution, not just a personal entertainment unit.

    Security Remains Key Benefit of Apple Device Use

    • 77% of IT professionals agree Apple products are easier to secure than Windows and Android.
    • 72% of IT professionals believe that Apple products are more secure than other end-user devices.
    • 59% of IT professionals report that Apple products are less likely to be impacted by widespread cyber outages.
    • 58% of IT professionals say security is a top benefit received from use of Apple products, a notable 10% increase from 2023.

    Despite Concerns About Artificial Intelligence Overall, IT Professionals Believe Apple Does More to Protect End-User Privacy

    • 92% of IT professionals have concerns about AI, citing worries about errors/inaccuracies (68%), privacy (66%), and security (64%).
    • 72% of C-level executives report concerns about AI causing errors.
    • 71% of IT professionals say when it comes to AI, Apple does more to protect end-user privacy than other vendors.
    • 67% of companies have implemented restrictions around the use of AI, including published policies (69%), access controls (65%), and user education (59%).
    • 54% of IT professionals say IT operations and security share the responsibility of managing restrictions on the use of AI.

    “It’s become abundantly clear that no business is immune to cyberattacks. But there are choices IT and security leaders can make that reduce the risk and impact these bad actors have on the overall organization, one of which is to expand their adoption of Apple products,” said Adam Pettit, CEO and co-founder of Kandji. “Amid the evolving threat landscape, the confidence IT professionals place in Apple products speaks volumes about their irrefutable advantages and resilience. Apple’s commitment to security remains a driving force behind its growth, especially as AI reshapes the workplace. I am excited to witness the limitless potential and business value Apple continues to bring to the enterprise.”

    To download a full copy of the report, please visit https://www.kandji.io/apple-in-the-enterprise-report/.

    Survey Methodology
    This survey was conducted by Dimensional Research and commissioned by Kandji. A total of 314 qualified participants completed the survey. All participants had direct responsibility for
    selection, delivery, or management of Apple devices to employees and worked at a company with more than 500 end-user devices and more than 1,000 employees. Participants represented a wide range of job levels, industries, and global regions. This survey included over 100 C-level (CIO, CTO, CISO, etc.) executives.

    Helpful Links

    About Kandji
    Kandji is the Apple endpoint management and security platform. Kandji empowers companies to manage and secure Apple devices in the enterprise and at scale. By centrally securing and managing your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices, IT and InfoSec teams can save countless hours of manual, repetitive work with features like one-click compliance templates and more than 150 pre-built automations, apps, and workflows. Learn more at http://www.kandji.io.

    Media Contact
    Erica Anderson
    Offleash for Kandji
    pr@kandji.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Fortinet Delivers AI-Enhanced Data Protection and Insider Risk Management

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    News Summary
    Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced the general availability of FortiDLP, a next-generation data loss prevention (DLP) and insider risk management solution. Based on Next DLP’s innovative technology and integration into the Fortinet Security Fabric, the new solution bolsters Fortinet’s overall portfolio of DLP capabilities. FortiDLP enables effective management of data security, dynamic enforcement of data protection, and enhanced visibility of insider threats at scale for large enterprise customers.

    “In an era when data protection is paramount, FortiDLP offers a next-gen solution that combines AI-enhanced detection and insider risk management to secure sensitive information,” said John Maddison, chief marketing officer at Fortinet. “By leveraging an AI-powered data protection solution with the help of generative AI, security teams can anticipate risks, streamline incident response, and mitigate threats faster than legacy DLP solutions. Protecting your data from both internal and external threats starts with visibility and proactive prevention, and FortiDLP delivers that protection on day one.”

    Traditional DLP Solutions Fall Short for CISOs
    Gartner® recently predicted in its latest Market Guide for Data Loss Prevention that, “By 2027, 70% of CISOs in larger enterprises will adopt a consolidated approach to address both insider risk and data exfiltration use cases.” However, CISOs and security teams continue to struggle with traditional DLP challenges, like managing data silos and dispersed data with a growing hybrid workforce, navigating cumbersome and rigid policies to classify data, slow performance of legacy tools, and the increasing risk posed by malicious insiders having access to sensitive data.

    What Sets FortiDLP Apart from Legacy DLP Solutions
    Fortinet’s answer to traditional DLP challenges is FortiDLP, an AI-enhanced, cloud-native endpoint data protection solution that enables customers to address all their data protection requirements with a single solution. With the recent acquisition of Next DLP, Fortinet adds a powerful data protection solution to the Fortinet Security Fabric, giving security teams a more effective way to prevent data leaks and loss, detect behavior-related threats, train employees to make risk-informed decisions and comply with security policies. The solution also addresses employees’ use of unsanctioned SaaS applications and guards against data leakage when employees use shadow AI (unapproved GenAI tools). Some of the key features that set FortiDLP apart from the competition include:

    • Shadow AI Data Protection: FortiDLP enables employees to safely use publicly available GenAI tools, such as OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and others. Administrators can set policy actions to alert employees to proper data handling practices while allowing them to continue using these tools. The result is a balance between enabling greater productivity while securing the organization against sharing sensitive corporate data with these tools.
    • Day One Data Visibility and Protection: FortiDLP provides automated data movement visibility and protection from day one with out-of-the-box policies and machine learning embedded at the endpoint for baselining, with contextual and content inspection that works even if endpoints are disconnected from the network.
    • Insider Risk Protection: FortiDLP can identify actions, behaviors, and other indicators and apply appropriate policy actions to identify and stop insiders from disclosing sensitive data outside of the organization. Security teams can also monitor individual user risk with the solution by identifying, analyzing, and capturing employee activity when sensitive data is accessed and/or policies are violated.
    • SaaS Application Data Protection: FortiDLP provides comprehensive visibility into user interactions with data in the cloud and maintains protection as data moves out of the cloud. The solution builds a comprehensive risk-scored inventory of SaaS applications utilized across an organization, with insights into data ingress, egress, and credentials. It also fortifies defenses against potential data breaches from business data exposure via unauthorized application usage.
    • Origin-Based Data Protection: FortiDLP provides instant visibility into data exposure risk with Secure Data Flow, which complements traditional content and sensitivity classification-based approaches with origin-based data identification, manipulation detection, and data egress controls. Security teams can track and prevent data egress from endpoints and unmanaged mobile devices to USB drives, printers, and SaaS apps like Slack, Office 365, and Google Workspace.
    • Risk-Informed User Education: Administrators can configure policies and actions that include the presentation of customizable messages to educate users on the importance of safeguarding sensitive data while also enabling mechanisms that drive accountability for employee behavior.
    • AI-Powered Guidance: The FortiDLP AI-powered assistant enhances incident analysis by using FortiAI to summarize and contextualize data associated with observed high-risk activity, mapped to the MITRE Engenuity Insider Threat Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) Knowledge Base for easy consumption by analysts and peers.

    As part of its ongoing commitment to offering customers enterprise-grade data protection, Fortinet plans to sell FortiDLP as a stand-alone solution in addition to adding advanced AI-driven data loss prevention capabilities to its security service edge (SSE) offering and integrate additional insider risk and data protection capabilities across the Fortinet Security Fabric.

    FortiDLP is based on the next-generation, cloud-native SaaS data protection platform from Next DLP. Next DLP was recognized as a Representative Vendor in the 2023 Gartner Market Guide for Data Loss Prevention1 and the 2023 Gartner Market Guide for Insider Risk Management Solutions.2

    Additional Resources

    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

    1Gartner Market Guide for Data Loss Prevention, Ravisha Chugh, Andrew Bales, 4 September 2023.

    2Gartner Market Guide for Insider Risk Management Solutions, Brent Predovich, 13 November 2023.

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

    Copyright © 2024 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCSPM, FortiCWP, FortDAST, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFlex FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiGuest, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPoint, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSEC, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiStack, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM and FortiXDR. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ServiceTrade 2024 Benchmark Reports Reveal Fire Protection and Mechanical Service Customers Outperform Industry Peers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DURHAM, N.C., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ServiceTrade, Inc., a leading software platform for commercial mechanical and fire system service contractors, is pleased to announce the release of its 2024 ServiceTrade Benchmark Reports. The annual reports provide commercial fire and mechanical contractors with critical insights to evaluate their business performance against peers, enabling them to identify optimization opportunities and strengthen their businesses. 

    The 2024 ServiceTrade Benchmark Reports offer a data-driven analysis of the operational performance of US and Canada-based commercial fire and mechanical contractor businesses. Specifically, the reports reveal contractors’ performance in year-over-year revenue, driven by smart strategies such as uncovering proactive pull-through revenue opportunities from existing customers, prioritizing high-value work, and optimizing back-end processes. The reports also provide insights and proven best practices to help contractors take advantage of operational trends and identify sustainable growth, revenue performance, and efficiency opportunities. 

    ServiceTrade Customers Outperform Industry Average

    Per the reports, ServiceTrade customers consistently outperform industry averages. The reports measure two key industry sectors: fire protection and commercial mechanical HVAC service. 

    The median YoY growth rate for mechanical contractors using the ServiceTrade platform was 12.3%, while top performers (those in the 75th percentile) grew at 30.1%. This far outpaces the industry average CAGR for heating and air conditioning contractors’ revenue in the US market, which has shown minimal overall growth of less than 1% over the last five years. Looking forward, the US HVAC services market is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.4% during 2024-2030. 

    In the fire industry, the median YoY growth rate for ServiceTrade customers was 14.9%, while top performers grew at 33.2%. This far outpaces the industry average performance. Fire Protection contractors’ revenue has contracted at a rate of 1.6% over the last 5 years, despite a post-Covid jump of 1.2% in 2023. 

    “As the leading provider of field service management software for commercial contractors, we’re proud to provide the industry with these comprehensive benchmarks,” said Shawn Mims, VP of Marketing at ServiceTrade. “The ServiceTrade annual benchmark reports are known for critical data and market insights that help companies focus on the right strategies, tactics and opportunities to improve their business performance.”

    The full ServiceTrade Benchmark Reports are available for free download:

    To learn more about ServiceTrade:

    About ServiceTrade:
    ServiceTrade, Inc. is a software platform for commercial mechanical, fire, and life safety contractors. During a chronic skilled labor shortage, ServiceTrade helps commercial contractors increase profit by improving service and project operations, increasing technician productivity, selling more service agreements, and growing customer loyalty. Located in Durham, North Carolina, ServiceTrade was founded in 2012 to automate and streamline the commercial mechanical and fire protection industry and has grown to have more than 1,300 customers. More than 10% of the commercial or industrial buildings in the United States are serviced by contractors using ServiceTrade. Learn more at www.servicetrade.com.

    Sources: 

    Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in the US – Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029), IBIS World, July 2024 

    US HVAC Services Market Size and Share Analysis – Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2024-2030) PS Market Research

    U.S. Fire Protection System Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Detection, Suppression, Response, Analysis, Sprinkler System), By Service, By Application, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 – 2030, Grandview Research, February 2024

    Fire Protection and Security System Installation Contractors in the US – Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029), IBIS World, January 2024

    Contact:
    Media@KTCMarketingandPR.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Summit State Bank Reports Net Income of $626,000 for Third Quarter 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA ROSA, Calif., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Summit State Bank (the “Bank”) (Nasdaq: SSBI) today reported net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 of $626,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1,821,000, or $0.27 per diluted share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023. Net operating income before credit loss provision and income tax was $2,122,000 for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to $2,520,000 for the third quarter ended 2023.

    In September 2024 the Bank declared its eighty-third consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

    “In this time of economic uncertainty, the Board is focused on balancing its commitment to shareholders while also building capital, increasing liquidity and positioning the Bank to create long-term value,” said Brian Reed, President and CEO. “As such, the Bank is not announcing a dividend for the third quarter of 2024.”

    Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights (at or for the three months ended September 30, 2024)

    • Net operating income before credit loss provision and income tax increased quarter-to-date to $2,122,000 for Q3 2024 when compared to $1,955,000 in Q1 2024 to $1,267,000 in Q2 2024.
    • Operating expenses decreased in the third quarter of 2024 to $6,181,000 compared to $6,926,000 in the third quarter of 2023.
    • The improvement in net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 was offset by a $1,320,000 provision for credit losses.
    • Net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $626,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to $1,821,000, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023 and $928,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.
    • The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.66% on September 30, 2024 which is based on estimating credit losses for the life of the loans in the portfolio.
    • The Bank maintained strong total liquidity of $458,554,000, or 41.0% of total assets as of September 30, 2024. This includes on balance sheet liquidity (cash and equivalents and unpledged available-for-sale securities) of $148,499,000 or 13.3% of total assets, plus available borrowing capacity of $310,055,000 or 27.7% of total assets.
    • The Bank remains well-capitalized and all regulatory capital ratios were well above minimum requirements on September 30, 2024.
    • Net loans decreased $14,832,000 to $917,367,000 at September 30, 2024, compared to $932,199,000 one year earlier and increased $3,853,000 compared to $913,514,000 three months earlier.
    • Total deposits decreased 3% to $1,002,770,000 at September 30, 2024, compared to $1,030,836,000 at September 30, 2023, and increased 4% when compared to the prior quarter end of $966,587,000.
    • Book value was $14.85 per share, compared to $13.77 per share a year ago and $14.44 in the preceding quarter.

    Operating Results

    For the third quarter of 2024, the annualized return on average assets was 0.23% and the annualized return on average equity was 2.48%. This compared to an annualized return on average assets of 0.63% and an annualized return on average equity of 7.59%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2023.

    Summit’s net interest margin was 2.71% in the third quarter of 2024 and 2.80% in the third quarter of 2023. Interest and dividend income increased 0.3% to $14,977,000 in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $14,931,000 in the third quarter of 2023. The slight increase in interest income is attributable to a $763,000 increase in interest on loans offset by a decrease of $671,000 in interest on deposits with banks and a decrease in interest on investment securities of $45,000.

    “Our earnings have been substantially impacted by the high interest rate environment that continues to put upward pressure on our funding costs,” said Reed. “The cost of deposits was 3.05% during the third quarter, compared to 2.95% during the preceding quarter, as customers continue to focus on higher yields. The recent rate decrease by the Federal Reserve will help alleviate some of the pricing pressures, but rates remain elevated. We have been actively implementing programs to reduce cost of funds while preserving our local deposit relationships.”

    Noninterest income decreased in the third quarter of 2024 to $1,030,000 compared to $1,496,000 in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease is primarily attributed to the Bank recognizing $474,000 in gains on sales of SBA and USDA guaranteed loan balances in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $1,046,000 in gains on sales of SBA and USDA guaranteed loan balances in the third quarter of 2023.

    Operating expenses decreased in the third quarter of 2024 to $6,181,000 compared to $6,926,000 in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in the accrual employee bonus expenses of $238,000, a reduction in stock appreciation rights expense of $179,000, a decrease in marketing expense of $113,000 and a decrease of $75,000 in legal expense.

    Balance Sheet Review

    Net loans decreased 2% to $917,367,000 at September 30, 2024, compared to $932,199,000 at September 30, 2023, and decreased 0.4% compared to June 30, 2024. The Bank’s largest loan types are commercial real estate loans which make up 78% of the portfolio, “secured by farmland” totaling 9% of the portfolio, and 8% in commercial and industrial loans. Of the commercial real estate total, approximately 32% or $235,000,000 is owner occupied and the remaining 68% or $491,000,000 is non-owner occupied. The portfolio is well diversified between industries with no significant concentrations, including office space which totals $116,300,000.

    Total deposits decreased 3% to $1,002,770,000 at September 30, 2024, compared to $1,030,836,000 at September 30, 2023, and increased 4% when compared to the prior quarter end. At September 30, 2024, noninterest bearing demand deposit accounts decreased 9% compared to a year ago and represented 19% of total deposits; savings, NOW and money market accounts increased 6% compared to a year ago and represented 48% of total deposits, and CDs decreased 10% compared to a year ago and comprised 33% of total deposits. The decrease in deposits is a result of the Bank managing its liquidity levels and asset growth. The average cost of deposits was 3.05% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 2.63% in the third quarter of 2023.

    Shareholders’ equity was $100,662,000 at September 30, 2024, compared to $97,949,000 three months earlier and $93,439,000 a year earlier. The increase in shareholders’ equity compared to a year ago was primarily due to a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive loss on securities of $4,790,000 and an increase of $2,145,000 in retained earnings. At September 30, 2024 book value was $14.85 per share, compared to $14.44 three months earlier, and $13.77 at September 30, 2023.

    Summit State Bank continues to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “well-capitalized” with average equity to assets of 9.10% at September 30, 2024, compared to 9.04% at June 30, 2024, and 8.24% at September 30, 2023. The increase compared to September 2023 was due to the Bank’s retention of capital which is exceeding asset growth.

    Credit Quality

    “Our primary focus has been managing asset quality and reducing portfolio risk,” said Reed. “Our nonperforming loans, which are concentrated in the “secured by farmland” category, remain elevated as we work with our customers to cure or payoff these loans. The Bank is committed to acting so it can replace this segment of the portfolio with performing loans. Our commercial real estate portfolios continue to perform well.”

    Nonperforming assets were $41,971,000, or 3.75% of total assets, at September 30, 2024. This compared to $40,994,000 in nonperforming assets at June 30, 2024, and $35,267,000 in nonperforming assets at September 30, 2023. There are three specific relationships totaling $32,200,000, and one real estate owned for $5,130,000, that together make up 89% of nonperforming assets portfolio. These three relationships are “secured by farmland” and the Bank has specific reserves set aside based on current appraised values net of any costs.

    There were no net charge-offs during the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $1,347,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and net recoveries of $10,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023. Net charge-offs for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were related to a loan taken into real estate owned.

    For the third quarter of 2024, consistent with factors within the allowance for credit losses, the Bank recorded a $1,320,000 provision for credit loss expense for loans, a $8,000 reversal of credit losses for unfunded loan commitments and a $19,000 reversal of credit losses on investments. This compared to a $27,000 reversal of credit loss expense on loans, a $5,000 reversal of credit losses on unfunded loan commitments and a $27,000 provision for credit losses on investments in the third quarter of 2023.

    The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.66% on September 30, 2024, and 1.61% on September 30, 2023. The increase is due to a provision for credit losses on loans of $1,320,000 recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2024. The provision covers a $1,000,000 specific loan reserve and $300,000 general pool loan reserve.

    About Summit State Bank

    Summit State Bank, a local community bank, has total assets of $1.1 billion and total equity of $101 million at September 30, 2024. Headquartered in Sonoma County, the Bank specializes in providing exceptional customer service and customized financial solutions to aid in the success of local small businesses and nonprofits throughout Sonoma County.

    Summit State Bank is committed to embracing the diverse backgrounds, cultures and talents of its employees to create high performance and support the evolving needs of its customers and community it serves. At the center of diversity is inclusion, collaboration, and a shared vision for delivering superior service to customers and results for shareholders. Presently, 60% of management are women and minorities with 60% represented on the Executive Management Team. Through the engagement of its team, Summit State Bank has received many esteemed awards including: Top Performing Community Bank by American Banker, Best Places to Work in the North Bay by North Bay Business Journal, Corporate Philanthropy Award by the San Francisco Business Times, Hall of Fame by North Bay Biz Magazine, and Diversity in Business. Summit State Bank’s stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol SSBI. Further information can be found at www.summitstatebank.com.

    Forward-looking Statements

    The financial results in this release are preliminary. Final financial results and other disclosures will be reported in Summit State Bank’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024 and may differ materially from the results and disclosures in this release due to, among other things, the completion of final review procedures, the occurrence of subsequent events or the discovery of additional information.

    Except for historical information contained herein, the statements contained in this news release, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not necessarily limited to fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, government regulations and general economic conditions, and competition within the business areas in which the Bank will be conducting its operations, including the real estate market in California and other factors beyond the Bank’s control. Such risks and uncertainties could cause results for subsequent interim periods or for the entire year to differ materially from those indicated. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s view only as of the date hereof. The Bank undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

    Contact: Brian Reed, President and CEO, Summit State Bank (707) 568-4908

                       
    SUMMIT STATE BANK
    STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands except earnings per share data)
                       
                       
              Three Months Ended
              September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
              (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
                       
    Interest and dividend income:          
      Interest and fees on loans $ 13,594     $ 13,083     $ 12,831  
      Interest on deposits with banks   592       451       1,263  
      Interest on investment securities   663       709       708  
      Dividends on FHLB stock   128       128       129  
          Total interest and dividend income   14,977       14,371       14,931  
    Interest expense:          
      Deposits   7,563       7,046       6,895  
      Federal Home Loan Bank advances   4       137       10  
      Junior subordinated debt   138       94       94  
          Total interest expense   7,705       7,277       6,999  
          Net interest income before provision for credit losses   7,272       7,094       7,932  
    Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on loans   1,320       6       (27 )
    (Reversal of) credit losses on unfunded loan commitments   (8 )     (26 )     (5 )
    (Reversal of) provision for credit losses on investments   (19 )     4       27  
          Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit          
          losses on loans, unfunded loan commitments and investments   5,979       7,110       7,937  
    Non-interest income:          
      Service charges on deposit accounts   241       227       231  
      Rental income   60       60       61  
      Net gain on loan sales   474       270       1,046  
      Other income   255       244       158  
          Total non-interest income   1,030       801       1,496  
    Non-interest expense:          
      Salaries and employee benefits   3,988       4,039       4,362  
      Occupancy and equipment   420       443       432  
      Other expenses   1,773       2,145       2,132  
          Total non-interest expense   6,181       6,627       6,926  
          Income before provision for income taxes   828       1,284       2,507  
    Provision for income taxes   202       356       686  
          Net income $ 626     $ 928     $ 1,821  
                       
    Basic earnings per common share $ 0.09     $ 0.14     $ 0.27  
    Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.09     $ 0.14     $ 0.27  
                       
    Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding   6,719       6,719       6,697  
    Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding   6,719       6,719       6,705  
                       
                     
    SUMMIT STATE BANK
    STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands except earnings per share data)
                     
                     
              Nine Months Ended
              September 30, 2024     September 30, 2023
              (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)
                     
    Interest and dividend income:        
      Interest and fees on loans $ 39,952       $ 39,152  
      Interest on deposits with banks   1,405         3,618  
      Interest on investment securities   2,084         2,143  
      Dividends on FHLB stock   386         293  
          Total interest and dividend income   43,827         45,206  
    Interest expense:        
      Deposits   21,396         17,114  
      Federal Home Loan Bank advances   332         177  
      Junior Subordinated Debt   325         281  
          Total interest expense   22,053         17,572  
          Net interest income before provision for credit losses   21,774         27,634  
    Provision for credit losses on loans   1,311         373  
    (Reversal of) credit losses on unfunded loan commitments   (99 )       (3 )
    (Reversal of) provision for credit losses on investments   (20 )       27  
          Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit        
          losses on loans, unfunded loan commitments and investments   20,582         27,237  
    Non-interest income:        
      Service charges on deposit accounts   701         653  
      Rental income   180         139  
      Net gain on loan sales   1,257         2,481  
      Other income   641         1,630  
          Total non-interest income   2,779         4,903  
    Non-interest expense:        
      Salaries and employee benefits   12,210         12,354  
      Occupancy and equipment   1,348         1,326  
      Other expenses   5,651         5,886  
          Total non-interest expense   19,209         19,566  
          Income before provision for income taxes   4,152         12,574  
    Provision for income taxes   1,203         3,652  
          Net income $ 2,949       $ 8,922  
                     
    Basic earnings per common share $ 0.44       $ 1.33  
    Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.44       $ 1.33  
                     
    Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding   6,712         6,694  
    Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding   6,712         6,697  
                     
                     
    SUMMIT STATE BANK
    BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands except share data)
                     
                     
            September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
            (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
                     
    ASSETS          
                     
    Cash and due from banks $ 80,928     $ 40,142     $ 86,604  
          Total cash and cash equivalents   80,928       40,142       86,604  
                     
    Investment securities:          
      Available-for-sale, less allowance for credit losses of $38, $57 and $0          
      (at fair value; amortized cost of $86,225, $96,407 and $97,099)   76,205       83,105       80,312  
                     
    Loans, less allowance for credit losses of $15,466, $14,145 and $15,243   917,367       913,514       932,199  
    Bank premises and equipment, net   5,251       5,306       5,334  
    Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock (FHLB), at cost   5,889       5,889       5,541  
    Goodwill     4,119       4,119       4,119  
    Other Real Estate Owned   5,130       5,130       –  
    Affordable housing tax credit investments   7,698       7,942       8,360  
    Accrued interest receivable and other assets   16,204       16,898       19,705  
                     
          Total assets $ 1,118,791     $ 1,082,045     $ 1,142,174  
                     
    LIABILITIES AND          
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
                     
    Deposits:          
      Demand – non interest-bearing $ 192,371     $ 183,181     $ 210,258  
      Demand – interest-bearing   212,214       218,124       201,516  
      Savings   45,845       42,974       54,317  
      Money market   219,593       212,750       193,080  
      Time deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC insurance limit   80,801       74,744       72,836  
      Other time deposits   251,946       234,814       298,829  
          Total deposits   1,002,770       966,587       1,030,836  
                     
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   –       3,500       –  
    Junior subordinated debt   5,931       5,927       5,916  
    Affordable housing commitment   4,061       4,061       4,435  
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities   5,367       4,021       7,548  
                     
          Total liabilities   1,018,129       984,096       1,048,735  
                     
    Shareholders’ equity          
      Preferred stock, no par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized;          
      no shares issued and outstanding   –       –       –  
      Common stock, no par value; shares authorized – 30,000,000 shares;          
      issued and outstanding 6,776,563, 6,784,099 and 6,784,099   37,677       37,623       37,389  
      Retained earnings   70,012       69,651       67,867  
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net   (7,027 )     (9,325 )     (11,817 )
                     
          Total shareholders’ equity   100,662       97,949       93,439  
                     
          Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,118,791     $ 1,082,045     $ 1,142,174  
                     
    Financial Summary
    (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
                 
        As of and for the
        Three Months Ended
        September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    Statement of Income Data:            
    Net interest income   $ 7,272     $ 7,094     $ 7,932  
    Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on loans     1,320       6       (27 )
    (Reversal of) credit losses on unfunded loan commitments   (8 )     (26 )     (5 )
    (Reversal of) provision for credit losses on investments   (19 )     4       27  
    Non-interest income     1,030       801       1,496  
    Non-interest expense     6,181       6,627       6,926  
    Provision for income taxes     202       356       686  
    Net income   $ 626     $ 928     $ 1,821  
                 
    Selected per Common Share Data:            
    Basic earnings per common share   $ 0.09     $ 0.14     $ 0.27  
    Diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.09     $ 0.14     $ 0.27  
    Dividend per share   $ 0.04     $ 0.12     $ 0.12  
    Book value per common share (1)   $ 14.85     $ 14.44     $ 13.77  
                 
    Selected Balance Sheet Data:            
    Assets   $ 1,118,791     $ 1,082,045     $ 1,142,174  
    Loans, net     917,367       913,514       932,199  
    Deposits     1,002,770       966,587       1,030,836  
    Average assets     1,098,469       1,078,700       1,155,007  
    Average earning assets     1,063,476       1,049,254       1,123,951  
    Average shareholders’ equity     99,962       97,548       95,180  
    Nonperforming loans     36,841       35,864       35,267  
    Net loans (charged-off) recovered     –       (1,067 )     10  
    Other real estate owned     5,130       5,130       –  
    Total nonperforming assets     41,971       40,994       35,267  
                 
    Selected Ratios:            
    Return on average assets (2)     0.23 %     0.35 %     0.63 %
    Return on average common shareholders’ equity (2)     2.48 %     3.82 %     7.59 %
    Efficiency ratio (3)     74.45 %     83.94 %     73.46 %
    Net interest margin (2)     2.71 %     2.71 %     2.80 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio     9.94 %     10.22 %     9.65 %
    Tier 1 capital ratio     9.94 %     10.22 %     9.65 %
    Total capital ratio     11.66 %     12.08 %     11.49 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     9.18 %     9.31 %     8.47 %
    Common dividend payout ratio (4)     42.34 %     87.96 %     43.82 %
    Average shareholders’ equity to average assets     9.10 %     9.04 %     8.24 %
    Nonperforming loans to total loans     3.95 %     3.87 %     3.72 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     3.75 %     3.79 %     3.09 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans     1.66 %     1.52 %     1.61 %
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans     41.98 %     39.44 %     43.22 %
         
    (1) Total shareholders’ equity divided by total common shares outstanding.    
    (2) Annualized.    
    (3) Non-interest expenses to net interest and non-interest income, net of securities gains.        
    (4) Common dividends divided by net income available for common shareholders.    
         
                 
    Financial Summary
    (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
               
        As of and for the
        Nine Months Ended
        September 30, 2024     September 30, 2023
        (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)
    Statement of Income Data:          
    Net interest income   $ 21,774       $ 27,634  
    (Reversal of) provision for credit losses on loans     1,311         373  
    (Reversal of) provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments   (99 )       (3 )
    (Reversal of) provision for credit losses on investments   (20 )       27  
    Non-interest income     2,779         4,903  
    Non-interest expense     19,209         19,566  
    Provision for income taxes     1,203         3,652  
    Net income   $ 2,949       $ 8,922  
               
    Selected per Common Share Data:          
    Basic earnings per common share   $ 0.44       $ 1.33  
    Diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.44       $ 1.33  
    Dividend per share   $ 0.28       $ 0.36  
    Book value per common share (1)   $ 14.85       $ 13.77  
               
    Selected Balance Sheet Data:          
    Assets   $ 1,118,791       $ 1,142,174  
    Loans, net     917,367         932,199  
    Deposits     1,002,770         1,030,836  
    Average assets     1,088,413         1,149,441  
    Average earning assets     1,056,714         1,117,877  
    Average shareholders’ equity     98,333         93,461  
    Nonperforming loans     36,841         35,267  
    Net loans (charged-off) recovered     (1,066 )       31  
    Other real estate owned     5,130         –  
    Total nonperforming assets     41,971         35,267  
               
    Selected Ratios:          
    Return on average assets (2)     0.36 %       1.04 %
    Return on average common shareholders’ equity (2)     4.00 %       12.76 %
    Efficiency ratio (3)     78.23 %       60.13 %
    Net interest margin (2)     2.74 %       3.31 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio     9.94 %       9.65 %
    Tier 1 capital ratio     9.94 %       9.65 %
    Total capital ratio     11.66 %       11.49 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     9.18 %       8.47 %
    Common dividend payout ratio (4)     64.23 %       27.36 %
    Average shareholders’ equity to average assets     9.03 %       8.13 %
    Nonperforming loans to total loans     3.95 %       3.72 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     3.75 %       3.09 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans     1.66 %       1.61 %
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans     41.98 %       43.22 %
         
    (1) Total shareholders’ equity divided by total common shares outstanding.    
    (2) Annualized.    
    (3) Non-interest expenses to net interest and non-interest income, net of securities gains.      
    (4) Common dividends divided by net income available for common shareholders.    

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Exciting Opportunity to Leverage Triller’s Underutilized Assets to Create Next-Gen Entertainment Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, NY, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Triller Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ILLR) (“Triller Group” or “the Company”) today announced the release of its latest Fact Sheet, providing initial insights into the Company’s mission to become the next generation Entertainment Platform.

    “I could not be more excited about our future prospects, as an App, as a brand and as a group of leading-edge companies”, said Bob Diamond, Chairman of the Board. “We have the disruptive fighting brand in BKFC, the next generation streaming platform in TrillerTV, sophisticated AI tools helping Presidential candidates and NFL franchises find their audiences, and an App upon which we will build an integrated vertical video and connected TV multimedia entertainment platform.”

    With the creator economy valued at a massive $180 billion and experiencing robust growth, Triller Group is well positioned to address emerging issues driven by ongoing technological disruption. Issues such as creators or professional content providers struggling to protect, leverage, or monetize their content. Or users looking for better ways to discover and engage with exciting new content. These unmet needs of creators, brands and users create huge market opportunities for Triller Group.

    As the Company develops and implements strategies to meet these needs, Triller Group is not starting from scratch. The Company already has a strong foundation with powerful assets and brands in vertical video (Triller App), connected TV (TrillerTV) and content and events (BKFC) that foster passionate user engagement through authenticity and trust. The transformation journey has already started as evidenced by the fact that the Company has:

    • A content-rich Triller App, with 36% of users actively creating content.
    • A highly sophisticated, AI-driven suite of tools and services, currently serving top creators and leading brands globally on the Triller App and across the social media landscape.
    • More than 3,000 events live-streamed annually without a glitch through TrillerTV.
    • Proof of concept with BKFC, the world’s fastest-growing combat league, featuring highly successful events and unique content made accessible across all media distribution channels, including vertical video and connected TV, on a global scale.

    As Triller Group connects and integrates these underleveraged assets, Triller Group will start to occupy a truly unique position as an entertainment platform, translating into unparalleled value for all our stakeholders.

    Over the next few weeks, the Company will provide further updates as an experienced management team renowned for its execution and integrity is being put into place under the leadership of Kevin McGurn, the Company’s previously announced incoming CEO. More details on the transformation plan and associated business plan will also be provided during a planned investor and media day in November 2024.

    Triller Group is excited to embark on this journey to redefine entertainment and create unparalleled opportunities for creators, brands and audiences alike.

    The Fact Sheet is available on the Company’s Investor Relations page at the following address: https://trillercorp.com/ir/.

    About Triller Group Inc.

    Triller Group is a US-based company that operates two main businesses: the newly merged US-based social media operations (Triller Corp.), and the legacy operations of the Company in Hong Kong (“AGBA”).

    Triller Corp. is a next generation, AI-powered, social media and live-streaming event platform for creators. Pairing music culture with sports, fashion, entertainment, and influencers through a 360-degree view of content and technology, Triller Corp. uses proprietary AI technology to push and track content virally to affiliated and non-affiliated sites and networks, enabling them to reach millions of additional users. Triller Corp. additionally owns Triller Sports, Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC); Amplify.ai, a leading machine-learning, AI platform; and TrillerTV, a premier global PPV, AVOD, and SVOD streaming service. For more information, visit www.triller.co.

    Established in 1993, AGBA is a leading, multi-channel business platform that incorporates cutting edge machine-learning and offers a broad set of financial services and healthcare products to consumers through a tech-led ecosystem, enabling clients to unlock the choices that best suit their needs. Trusted by over 400,000 individual and corporate customers, the Group is organized into four market-leading businesses: Platform Business, Distribution Business, Healthcare Business, and Fintech Business. For more information, please visit www.agba.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company’s goals and strategies; the Company’s future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us following the consummation of the business combination; expectations regarding our strategies and future financial performance, including its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and our ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in Hong Kong and the international markets the Company plans to serve and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC, the length and severity of the recent coronavirus outbreak, including its impacts across our business and operations. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward–looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

    Investor & Media Relations: 

    Bethany Lai
    ir@triller.co
     investorrelations@triller.co

    Anthony Silverman
    ads@apellaadvisors.com

    # # #

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Haivision Releases Free Video Player for Real-Time ISR Streams

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Haivision Systems Inc. (“Haivision”) (TSX: HAI), a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual collaboration solutions, today announced the general availability of Haivision Play ISR, a free and easily-available desktop video player designed specifically for defense and ISR professionals.

    Haivision Play ISR prioritizes low-latency playback of live video with KLV metadata. It enables users to see events unfolding in real-time with metadata providing more awareness than just video alone. The geospatial information contained within KLV-formatted MISB/STANAG metadata provides the crucial context needed for a more complete understanding of mission-critical situations.

    Combined with market-leading solutions such as the Makito video encoder and Kraken video processing platform, Play ISR completes Haivision’s end-to-end ISR ecosystem by providing customers with a suite of products that support each critical step along ISR video workflows – from contribution from the field of operation, to distribution to command and control centers, and visualization for real-time analysis and decision-making.

    “Playback of low latency video alongside KLV metadata in a free, easy-to-use desktop application, empowers Play ISR users with the real-time situational awareness they need to make faster, more informed decisions in the field,” says John Leipper, Defense Product Manager, Haivision. “This combination of features is unmatched in the market and underscores Haivision’s commitment to supporting the work of defense and ISR teams.”

    Available for download as an application for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, Haivision Play ISR features a user-friendly interface suitable for all users.

    Key features:

    • Playback low-latency video for real-time situational awareness.
    • Decodes and displays KLV-formatted MISB geospatial metadata.
    • View live video encoded in H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC.
    • Play video streams with UDP and SRT protocols.
    • Download for free for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
    • Easily setup and configure.

    Haivision Play ISR equips defense and ISR professionals with the tools they need to make informed decisions in real-time. Download Haivision Play ISR for free today and experience the benefits of low-latency video and KLV metadata for ISR workflows.

    About Haivision
    Haivision is a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual collaboration solutions. Our connected cloud and intelligent edge technologies enable organizations globally to engage audiences, enhance collaboration, and support decision making. We provide high quality, low latency, secure, and reliable live video at a global scale. Haivision open sourced its award-winning SRT low latency video streaming protocol and founded the SRT Alliance to support its adoption. Awarded four Emmys® for Technology and Engineering from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Haivision continues to fuel the future of IP video transformation. Founded in 2004, Haivision is headquartered in Montreal and Chicago with offices, sales, and support located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. To learn more, visit Haivision at haivision.com. 

    Jennifer Gazin
    514.334.5445 ext 8309
    jgazin@haivision.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Flourish Launches Integration with XLR8 RIA CRM Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Flourish, a platform that provides innovative access to financial products that help registered investment advisors (“RIAs”) improve their clients’ financial outcomes, today announced an integration with Concenter Services’ XLR8 CRM, a highly customized version of Salesforce built specifically for financial services firms like RIAs. The integration allows RIAs to leverage the data stored in XLR8/Salesforce to launch and prefill Flourish account applications.

    Financial advisors use XLR8 to efficiently manage client data and automate common processes to help grow their practices and better serve clients. Over 850 RIAs invite their clients to Flourish Cash, giving clients a way to earn more on their held-away cash while ensuring it’s safe with elevated FDIC insurance coverage through its Program Banks. By integrating with XLR8, advisors can seamlessly access Flourish data, streamline operations, and improve the overall client experience. This integration is already active and in use.

    “Our goal is to bring easy access to Flourish throughout the advisor technology ecosystem. With numerous firms already using both XLR8 and Flourish, we are pleased to now integrate to improve the advisor experience,” said Max Lane, Flourish CEO. “Simplifying client onboarding by pre-filling information eliminates friction and better enables firms to effortlessly incorporate Flourish Cash into their practices. RIAs know that clients want to earn more on their cash: 92% of advisors report that their clients have expressed interest in high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs). An invitation to Flourish makes it easy for advisors to provide a solution.”  

    “We’re excited to bring our advisors more valuable services from within the XLR8 platform. This integration makes it easier than ever for advisors to help clients earn more on their cash by leveraging the CRM data that’s already in XLR8. This solution streamlines operations and delivers an improved experience for advisors and clients,” said Maria Pezzino, Business Development Manager at XLR8.

    Over 850 RIAs managing over $1.5 trillion in combined assets trust Flourish to help them bring more assets into their orbit. The Flourish platform allows advisors to feature their firm’s branding as well as provide client-friendly marketing materials, robust and customizable compliance resources, premium customer support, and more. 

    Flourish has deep integrations across the RIA ecosystem, allowing advisors to incorporate our products into their existing workflows while seamlessly serving clients. To learn more about Flourish’s integrations with the RIA techstack, including XLR8, please visit: https://info.flourish.com/integration-partners. 

    About Flourish
    Flourish builds technology that empowers financial advisors, improves financial lives and retirement outcomes, and delivers new and innovative investment options to advisors. Today, the Flourish platform supports more than $6 billion in assets under custody and is used by more than 850 wealth management firms representing more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. Flourish is wholly-owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). For more information, visit www.flourish.com. 

    About Concenter Services 
    Concenter Services, LLC provides CRM software and consulting for Financial Advisory Firms. Concenter Services sells and markets products that run on the Salesforce.com platform. XLR8 is a highly customized CRM overlay to SFDC and is Concenter Services’ flagship product. Concenter Services is a designated Certified Consulting Partner, an ISV Partner, and an OEM Partner with Salesforce. Its professional services team works with firms on migrating CRM data to the XLR8/Salesforce platform, customizing instances of XLR8, and training firm staff to efficiently use XLR8/Salesforce. For more information, visit https://xlr8crm.com/. 

    Forward Looking Statements
    This press release may contain forward looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied.

    This feedback may not be representative of the experience of other customers, and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.

    Flourish is an online platform through which investors can access financial services and products. Flourish’s offerings are provided by different entities and are subject to different terms, investor protections, and risks. Flourish Cash is offered by Flourish Financial LLC, a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member. Flourish Financial LLC is not a bank. Check the background of Flourish Financial LLC and its personnel on FINRA’s BrokerCheck. Flourish Crypto is offered by Paxos Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited purpose trust company regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services that provides custody and execution services for the Flourish Crypto accounts, and Flourish Digital Assets LLC, registered in New York as a commodity broker-dealer and provides website and other services and support for Flourish Crypto accounts. Paxos is not an affiliate of Flourish. Flourish Annuities refers generally to the annuity platform operated by Flourish Technologies LLC, where applicable, and to Flourish Insurance Agency LLC in its capacity as a licensed insurance producer providing insurance services related to such platform. Flourish Insurance Agency LLC does business in California under the name Flourish Digital Insurance Agency. An annuity is an insurance contract. Annuities shown on the platform are sold through Flourish Insurance Agency LLC, a licensed insurance producer, with offices in Jersey City, New Jersey, and are issued by one or more approved licensed life insurance companies. The Flourish entities mentioned above are affiliates. Flourish Cash, Flourish Crypto, and Flourish Annuities accounts are separate accounts and only assets in Flourish Cash accounts may be eligible for protection by the FDIC or SIPC. Please review the Legal section of our website, and the disclosures provided with each Flourish service or product, for further information.

    The cash balance in a Flourish Cash account will be swept from the brokerage account to deposit account(s) at one or more third-party banks that have agreed to accept deposits from customers of Flourish Financial LLC (Program Banks). The accounts at Program Banks will pay a variable rate of interest. Flourish Cash currently has a tiered interest rate structure, as set forth in the rate tier summary. Each annual percentage yield (APY) may change at any time. The Flourish Cash interest rate(s) could be lower than the rate that could be earned by opening a deposit account directly with a Program Bank. The cash balance in a Flourish Cash account that is swept to one or more Program Banks is eligible for FDIC insurance, subject to FDIC rules, including FDIC aggregate insurance coverage limits. FDIC insurance will not be provided until the funds arrive at the Program Bank. Flourish Cash’s current Program Banks can be found here. For additional information regarding FDIC coverage, visit https://fdic.gov/ and https://www.flourish.com/advisors.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Flourish Announces Integration with Practifi

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Flourish, a platform that provides innovative access to financial products that help registered investment advisors (“RIAs”) improve their clients’ financial outcomes, today announced an integration with Practifi, a CRM platform for the wealth management industry. The integration will benefit clients of both Flourish and Practifi. 

    Flourish creates innovative tools that empower financial advisors to expand beyond the portfolio and provide solutions for even more aspects of their clients’ financial lives. Built on Salesforce, Practifi enables advisors to bring together many tools and information wealth management firms need to increase efficiency, better manage relationships, and automate their work. Advisors that utilize both Flourish and Practifi now have the ability for data to flow into Practifi from Flourish Cash, Flourish’s cash management solution built explicitly for RIAs that offers clients competitive interest rates and elevated FDIC insurance through its Program Banks, as well as Flourish Annuities, the first end-to-end annuities solution built explicitly for RIAs and their clients.  

    “This integration makes it easier than ever for advisors to help clients earn more on their cash through Flourish by leveraging their existing CRM data to streamline operations and deliver an improved client experience,” said Adrian Johnstone, CEO of Practifi. “Practifi strives to continually provide more value to RIAs and wealth management firms and this integration with Flourish positively contributes to this strategy.”

    “We’re always looking for ways to help advisors become more efficient while also providing better service to their clients,” said Max Lane, Flourish CEO. “Inviting clients to earn more on their held away savings takes only moments for advisors, and information is pre-filled for clients, making it even easier for them to get started. Both sides win.”

    Over 850 RIAs managing over $1.5 trillion in combined assets trust Flourish to help them bring more assets into their orbit. The Flourish platform allows advisors to feature their firm’s branding as well as provide client-friendly marketing materials, robust and customizable compliance resources, premium customer support, and more. 

    Flourish has deep integrations across the RIA ecosystem, allowing advisors to incorporate our products into their existing workflows while seamlessly serving clients. To learn more about Flourish’s integrations with the RIA techstack, including Practifi, please visit: https://info.flourish.com/integration-partners. 

    About Flourish
    Flourish builds technology that empowers financial advisors, improves financial lives and retirement outcomes, and delivers new and innovative investment options to advisors. Today, the Flourish platform supports more than $6 billion in assets under custody and is used by more than 850 wealth management firms representing more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. Flourish is wholly-owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). For more information, visit www.flourish.com. 

    About Practifi
    Practifi is a CRM purpose-built for the wealth management industry. By unifying data, automating workflows and surfacing actionable insights, Practifi empowers teams to streamline operations, deliver an exceptional client experience and scale their business. With deep industry expertise and a dedication to client-led innovation, Practifi enables organizations across the globe to deepen loyalty with their clients and pioneer the future of wealth management. To learn more, visit practifi.com.

    Forward Looking Statements
    This press release may contain forward looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied.

    This feedback may not be representative of the experience of other customers, and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.

    Flourish is an online platform through which investors can access financial services and products. Flourish’s offerings are provided by different entities and are subject to different terms, investor protections, and risks. Flourish Cash is offered by Flourish Financial LLC, a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member. Flourish Financial LLC is not a bank. Check the background of Flourish Financial LLC and its personnel on FINRA’s BrokerCheck. Flourish Crypto is offered by Paxos Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited purpose trust company regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services that provides custody and execution services for the Flourish Crypto accounts, and Flourish Digital Assets LLC, registered in New York as a commodity broker-dealer and provides website and other services and support for Flourish Crypto accounts. Paxos is not an affiliate of Flourish. Flourish Annuities refers generally to the annuity platform operated by Flourish Technologies LLC, where applicable, and to Flourish Insurance Agency LLC in its capacity as a licensed insurance producer providing insurance services related to such platform. Flourish Insurance Agency LLC does business in California under the name Flourish Digital Insurance Agency. An annuity is an insurance contract. Annuities shown on the platform are sold through Flourish Insurance Agency LLC, a licensed insurance producer, with offices in Jersey City, New Jersey, and are issued by one or more approved licensed life insurance companies. The Flourish entities mentioned above are affiliates. Flourish Cash, Flourish Crypto, and Flourish Annuities accounts are separate accounts and only assets in Flourish Cash accounts may be eligible for protection by the FDIC or SIPC. Please review the Legal section of our website, and the disclosures provided with each Flourish service or product, for further information.

    The cash balance in a Flourish Cash account will be swept from the brokerage account to deposit account(s) at one or more third-party banks that have agreed to accept deposits from customers of Flourish Financial LLC (Program Banks). The accounts at Program Banks will pay a variable rate of interest. Flourish Cash currently has a tiered interest rate structure and currently has one tier in effect. Rate and FDIC insurance coverage details can be found in the program summary. Each annual percentage yield (APY) may change at any time. The Flourish Cash interest rate(s) could be lower than the rate that could be earned by opening a deposit account directly with a Program Bank. The cash balance in a Flourish Cash account that is swept to one or more Program Banks is eligible for FDIC insurance, subject to FDIC rules, including FDIC aggregate insurance coverage limits. FDIC insurance will not be provided until the funds arrive at the Program Bank. Flourish Cash’s current Program Banks can be found here. For additional information regarding FDIC coverage, visit https://fdic.gov/ and https://www.flourish.com/advisors.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Wix to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Results on November 20, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Wix to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Results on November 20, 2024

    NEW YORK, October 30, 2024 — Wix.com Ltd. (Nasdaq: WIX), today announced that it will report its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 before the market opens on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Management will host a conference call and webcast that morning at 8:30 a.m. ET to answer questions about the Company’s financial results. Prior to the conference call and webcast, Wix will issue a press release reporting these results along with a shareholder update and additional materials at https://investors.wix.com/.

    About Wix.com Ltd.

    Wix is the leading SaaS website builder platform globally1 to create, manage and grow a digital presence. What began as a website builder in 2006 is now a complete platform providing users with enterprise-grade performance, security and a reliable infrastructure. Offering a wide range of commerce and business solutions, advanced SEO and marketing tools, Wix enables users to take full ownership of their brand, their data and their relationships with their customers. With a focus on continuous innovation and delivery of new features and products, anyone can build a powerful digital presence to fulfill their dreams on Wix.

    For more about Wix, please visit our Press Room

    Investor Relations:
    ir@wix.com

    Media Relations:
    pr@wix.com

    1 Based on number of active live sites as reported by competitors’ figures, independent third-party data and internal data as of H1 2024.

    The MIL Network –