Category: Machine Learning

  • MIL-OSI: Global AI In Cybersecurity Market Expected to Reach $219 Billion By 2034 as Frequency of Cyber Threats Increase

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity refers to the use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve the detection, prevention, and response to cyber threats. The AI in cybersecurity market revenue is witnessing rapid growth as organizations increasingly adopt AI-code tools to strengthen their defense mechanisms against evolving cyberattacks. A report from POLARIS MARKET RESEARCH said that: “The global AI in cybersecurity market was valued at USD 25.40 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow from USD 31.38 billion in 2025 to USD 219.53 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 24.1% during the forecast period.” It continued: “One of the key drivers of this market is the rising complexity and frequency of cyber threats, which traditional methods struggle to address. A 2024 report by the International Telecommunication Sector revealed that 8 billion records were breached in 2023, with over 2,800 incidents reported. The average cost of a data breach has increased by 15% in the past three years, totaling approximately USD 3.3 million for small businesses in North America, further boosting the AI in cybersecurity market expansion. Additionally, AI-powered solutions analyze vast volumes of data in real time, identifying irregularities and patterns indicative of potential breaches, thus providing proactive protection. The IoT and the expansion of connected devices generate vast amounts of data and often lack robust security measures, making them vulnerable to exploitation and creating a larger attack surface for cyber threats. A November 2024 CSIS report revealed that the UK’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) identified a three-fold increase in cyberattacks compared to 2023. The NCSC supported 430 incidents, with 89 deemed nationally significant, and recognized China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as key threats. Additionally, AI-powered cybersecurity solutions are crucial in this context as they enable real-time monitoring and threat detection across multiple endpoints.” Active companies in cybersecurity news today include Cycurion Inc. (NASDAQ: CYCU), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS), F5, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV), CyberArk (NASDAQ: CYBR).

    POLARIS MARKET continued: “These solutions can identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring the integrity and security of interconnected systems by leveraging machine learning algorithms. The growing reliance on IoT devices is driving the AI in cybersecurity market demand to safeguard critical infrastructures and sensitive data. Data breaches and unauthorized access lead to substantial financial and reputational damage, making robust cybersecurity measures essential. Thereby encouraging companies to invest in AI tools for cybersecurity. For instance, in August 2024, IBM launched a generative AI cybersecurity assistant to improve threat detection and response, enabling consultants to advance alert investigations. Additionally, AI enhances data protection by using advanced analytics and predictive capabilities to detect vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorized access, with the increasing volume of sensitive information being exchanged and stored digitally. Its ability to adapt to emerging threats and provide automated responses ensures comprehensive security for sensitive information, addressing the critical need for data protection.”

    Cycurion Inc. (NASDAQ:CYCU) Secures $33 Million Contract Renewal to Enhance Cybersecurity for State- Level Public Higher Education Institutions –  Cycurion (“Cycurion” or the “Company”), a trusted leader in IT cybersecurity solutions and AI, announces that it has been awarded a significant contract renewal by a major state-level public higher education group. Under this renewed agreement, Cycurion will deliver comprehensive cybersecurity services to member universities and colleges within the group, ensuring they are equipped to defend their education-focused operations and digital assets against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. The renewal, valued at $33 million over the five-year term, extends Cycurion’s partnership through November 2030.

    Comprehensive Cybersecurity Services As part of this renewed contract, Cycurion will provide an extensive suite of cybersecurity and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) 24x7x365 managed support services, which include:

    •        Enterprise Security Strategy: Developing a holistic approach to security that aligns with institutional goals and protects valuable digital assets

    •        Risk & Vulnerability Assessment & Testing: Continuous evaluation and testing of security measures to identify vulnerabilities and enhance defenses

    •        Disaster Recovery: Strategies and solutions to restore systems and data after disruptive events

    •        Business Continuity Planning: Ensuring ongoing operations during and after a security incident

    •        Forensics and Recovery Services: Comprehensive support for incident investigation and data recovery

    •        Regulatory Compliance Analysis: Assisting institutions in meeting federal and state compliance requirements

    “We are honored to continue serving this key state-level public higher education group customer,” said L. Kevin Kelly, CEO of Cycurion. “The contract underscores the capabilities and value proposition of Cycurion’s suite of managed information technology support services and our commitment to minimizing cybersecurity risk for our education vertical clients.”

    Opportunity for Broader Access In addition to the member institutions of this State- Level Public Higher Education Group, any university or governmental entity across the United States can leverage this contract vehicle to access our cybersecurity services. The contract provides a streamlined pathway for educational and governmental organizations to enhance their cybersecurity posture without the need for an extensive procurement process.   CONTINUED…   Read this entire press release and more news for CYCU at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-cycu/

    In other developments in the markets of note:

    Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) – Google LLC recently announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Wiz, Inc., a leading cloud security platform headquartered in New York, for $32 billion, subject to closing adjustments, in an all-cash transaction. Once closed, Wiz will join Google Cloud.

    This acquisition represents an investment by Google Cloud to accelerate two large and growing trends in the AI era: improved cloud security and the ability to use multiple clouds (multicloud).

    Both cybersecurity and cloud computing are rapidly growing industries with a vast range of solutions. The increased role of AI, and adoption of cloud services, have dramatically changed the security landscape for customers, making cybersecurity increasingly important in defending against emergent risks and protecting national security.

    Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS), the leader in cloud security, recently published its Zscaler ThreatLabz 2025 Phishing Report, analyzing over two billion blocked phishing attempts between January and December 2024 captured by the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™, the world’s largest cloud security platform. The annual report exposes how cybercriminals are using Generative AI to launch surgical, targeted attacks against high-impact business functions – and why a Zero Trust + AI defense strategy is mission critical. The report uncovers a shift from high-volume email blasts to targeted, AI-fueled attacks designed to evade defenses and exploit human behavior. It also offers actionable insight to help organizations defend against this evolving threat landscape.

    “The phishing game has changed. Attackers are using GenAI to create near-flawless lures and even outsmart AI-based defenses,” said Deepen Desai, CSO and Head of Security Research, Zscaler. “Cybercriminals are weaponizing AI to evade detection and manipulate victims, which means organizations must leverage equally advanced AI-powered defenses to outpace these emerging threats. Our research reinforces the importance of adopting a proactive, multi-layered approach—combining robust zero trust architecture with advanced AI-driven phishing prevention—to effectively combat the rapidly evolving threat landscape.”

    F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV) recently unveiled broad cybersecurity enhancements to the F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) that significantly improve organizations’ ability to identify and remediate vulnerabilities and threats to AI and other modern applications. These new enhancements enable enterprises to strengthen security for business-critical applications in an increasingly risky threat landscape. The F5 ADSP is the industry’s only platform that fully converges high-performance load balancing and traffic management with advanced app and API security capabilities.

    The F5 ADSP is the most complete application security offering for enterprises looking to address the increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges inherent in today’s AI-driven hybrid multicloud world. Similar to Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) built to secure endpoints and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platforms built to secure network access, F5’s ADSP is built to consolidate disparate tools for securing apps and APIs into a single comprehensive platform, enabling organizations to simplify their security footprint while offering broader protection against enhanced threats.

    CyberArk (NASDAQ: CYBR), the global leader in identity security, recently announced its 2024 Partner of the Year Award winners. The awards honor top-performing CyberArk partners who have consistently delivered exceptional customer value, spearheading new identity security transformation and adoption to help customers defend against the rapidly expanding attack surface.

    CyberArk partners play a critical role in helping organizations strengthen their identity security programs. By driving value and modernizing customers’ identity security strategies, they position organizations to keep pace with evolving threats—all powered by a unified platform built to secure every identity, across humans, AI and machines. The CyberArk Partner Network is one of the industry’s largest global networks of security-focused partners, with more than 1,800 global systems integrators (GSIs), managed service providers (MSPs), solution providers, strategic outsourcers, advisories and distributors, as well as global and regional marketplaces.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated fifty two hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Cycurion Inc. by a non-affiliated third party.  FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757 

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Flam raises $14M to scale AI infrastructure for brand and marketing industry globally

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Most marketing today still relies on passive consumption over active engagement. In a world where consumer attention is harder to earn than ever, brands are searching for new ways to turn one-way messages into engaging, two-way interactions. Flam is building the infrastructure to make that possible. The company has raised $14 million in Series A funding to scale its AI Infra – making it easy for marketers to turn any touchpoint into an interactive, app-less digital and 3D experience.

    The round was led by RTP Global, with participation from Dovetail and other existing investors, bringing Flam’s total funding to $22 million.

    Flam team: (L to R) CTO Amit Gaiki with founders Shourya Agarwal and Malhar Patil.

    To date, Flam has been transforming advertising by turning traditional ads into interactive MR experiences. A simple QR code Scan or a link will let users instantly immerse in an experience that can showcase a product, tell a story, or unlock a deeper layer of the brand — all without needing to download an app.

    Flam’s platform allowed brands to launch interactive content via QR codes or link on any touchpoint – Digital, Broadcast TV, Mass Media, Retail, OOH, packaging, even WhatsApp messages. One scan or a link click, and consumers are instantly immersed in an experience that can showcase a product, tell a story, or unlock a deeper layer of the brand — all without needing to download an app.

    Starting this year, Flam has been accelerating R&D on its app-less GenAI infrastructure that enables brands to create, publish and measure high-fidelity MR, 3D & Digital experiences in <300 ms on any smartphone. The same infra already powers campaigns for Google, Samsung, Emirates and hundreds of global enterprises and agency powerhouses.

    “Our mission is to turn every touch-point — Digital, Broadcast TV, Mass Media, Retail, Stadium Fan engagements —into an interactive digital experience,” said Shourya Agarwal, co-founder & CEO of Flam. “We are laser focused  to ship the GenAI tools that brands and enterprises have been yearning for. Flam has galvanised marketers around the world now we’re taking it to the next level with a full stack enterprise suite of products across channels; to make them engaging, measurable, interactive.

    The platform is already being used by 100+ global brands including Google, Samsung, Emirates, Britannia, and Mahindra, with real-time mixed reality campaigns that have reached over 380+ million users. From turning product packaging into shareable stories to activating 3D demos on TV ads and billboards, Flam is helping brands create experiences that feel native to how people consume media today.

    Flam will expand its partner program for creative studios and global platforms, enabling Fortune 500 brands to move from pilot to rapid global roll-out . Upcoming product development includes GenAI-driven 3D asset generation, Democratising MR deployment at scale, Enterprise Suite of Products across Industries, and Infrastructure for broadcasters and fan engagement.

    With its Series A secured, Flam aims to redefine how consumers interact with ads, retail aisles, live broadcasts and fan moments—turning content and interfaces into shoppable, shareable experiences that deliver measurable ROI. 

    “This capital unlocks the next chapter of Flam’s deep‑tech roadmap. Our edge‑compute architecture already streams hyperreal mixed‑reality in under 300 ms; the next milestone is a fully generative pipeline that lets brands create, personalise, and publish Digital & 3D experiences on the fly—secure and at scale” AmitGaiki, co‑founder & CTO added.

    Nishit Garg, Partner at RTP Global commented: “The time for MR is now — and Flam is uniquely positioned to lead this wave. What excites us is not just the technology, but the clarity of vision and speed of execution. Shourya, Malhar and team are building a category-defining company—and we’re excited to be part of their journey in this next phase of growth”. While, Amal Parikh, Managing Director at Dovetail added: “With Limitless applications, strong execution and clear vision we believe Flam is set to redefine how brands connect with consumers” said 

    Flam currently employs 120+ people across engineering, AI, creative tech, and go-to-market teams. The company expects to grow to 180+ employees by the end of 2025, with expansion across the U.S., Europe, and Asia already underway.

    “The World is meant to be experienced. Immersive media shouldn’t just be a video,” added Shourya Agarwal. “That said, the creation of immersive media should be as easy and ubiquitous as a video. Flam is here to power enterprises precisely for this.”

    Ends 

    Media images can be found here

    About Flam
    Founded in 2021 by BITS Pilani Alumni, Shourya Agarwal, Malhar Patil, Amit Gaiki, Flam is building a full-stack enterprise suite of GenAI-powered products to redefine how brands engage with audiences. 

    Headquartered in San Francisco in the US and Bengaluru in India, Flam empowers brands, broadcasters, and enterprises to turn any touchpoint—across digital, television, retail, and live events—into interactive, measurable, and engaging gateways. For more information, visit www.flamapp.ai 

    About RTP Global
    RTP Global is an early-stage venture capital firm, backing the founders who use technology to reimagine how the world works. Since 2000, RTP Global has made over 150+ investments worldwide, with one in 10 becoming multi-billion dollar companies and one in 20 publicly trading at over $10bn. Notable investments include Datadog, DeliveryHero, Cred and SumUp. RTP Global has offices in New York, London, Paris, Dubai and Bangalore. For more information on RTP Global, visit www.rtp.vc

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Growing Prevalence of Cyber Threats Causing Tech Companies to Invest Heavily in AI-Powered Cybersecurity Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The Artificial Intelligence (Al) in cybersecurity market is rapidly expanding as organizations increasingly adopt Al-driven solutions to improve threat detection, prevention, and response to evolving cyber risks. The network security segment dominated the Al in cybersecurity market expansion in 2024 due to the critical need to safeguard organizational networks from evolving cyber threats. A report from an industry insider said that: “The global AI in cybersecurity market assessment, based on type, includes network security, endpoint security, application security, and cloud security. The network security segment dominated the AI in cybersecurity market expansion in 2024 due to the critical need to safeguard organizational networks from evolving cyber threats. Securing networks against malware, phishing, and ransomware attacks has become a top priority as enterprises increasingly adopt digital transformation initiatives and cloud-based infrastructures. AI-powered network security solutions excel in real-time traffic analysis, abnormality detection, and proactive threat mitigation, ensuring robust protection of sensitive data and operational continuity. This essential role in securing core systems and communications highlights the network security segment’s dominance. The global AI in cybersecurity market evaluation, based on application, includes identity & access management, risk & compliance management, data loss prevention, unified threat management, fraud detection/ anti-fraud, threat intelligence, others. The data loss prevention segment is expected to witness the fastest AI in cybersecurity market growth during the forecast period due to the rising emphasis on safeguarding sensitive and confidential information.”   Active companies in cybersecurity news today include Cycurion Inc. (NASDAQ: CYCU), Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), Palo Alto Networks® (NASDAQ: PANW), Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO), CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD).

    The report continued: “Organizations face heightened risks of accidental leaks or intentional data breaches with increasing volumes of data being generated and exchanged. AI-driven DLP solutions offer advanced capabilities to monitor, identify, and prevent unauthorized data transfers or exposure, ensuring compliance with strict data protection regulations such as Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and others. This growing need for robust data security across industries positions the DLP segment for accelerated adoption during the forecast period.   North America dominated the AI in cybersecurity market revenue in 2024 due to the region’s advanced technological infrastructure and high adoption of innovative security solutions. The presence of major cybersecurity companies such as IBM and AWS and early adopters of AI-driven technologies across industries such as finance, healthcare, and government especially contributed to market dominance.”

    Cycurion Inc. (NASDAQ:CYCU) Secures $33 Million Contract Renewal to Enhance Cybersecurity for State- Level Public Higher Education Institutions – Cycurion (“Cycurion” or the “Company”), a trusted leader in IT cybersecurity solutions and AI, announces that it has been awarded a significant contract renewal by a major state-level public higher education group. Under this renewed agreement, Cycurion will deliver comprehensive cybersecurity services to member universities and colleges within the group, ensuring they are equipped to defend their education-focused operations and digital assets against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. The renewal, valued at $33 million over the five-year term, extends Cycurion’s partnership through November 2030.

    Comprehensive Cybersecurity Services As part of this renewed contract, Cycurion will provide an extensive suite of cybersecurity and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) 24x7x365 managed support services, which include:

    •        Enterprise Security Strategy: Developing a holistic approach to security that aligns with institutional goals and protects valuable digital assets

    •        Risk & Vulnerability Assessment & Testing: Continuous evaluation and testing of security measures to identify vulnerabilities and enhance defenses

    •        Disaster Recovery: Strategies and solutions to restore systems and data after disruptive events

    •        Business Continuity Planning: Ensuring ongoing operations during and after a security incident

    •        Forensics and Recovery Services: Comprehensive support for incident investigation and data recovery

    •        Regulatory Compliance Analysis: Assisting institutions in meeting federal and state compliance requirements

    “We are honored to continue serving this key state-level public higher education group customer,” said L. Kevin Kelly, CEO of Cycurion. “The contract underscores the capabilities and value proposition of Cycurion’s suite of managed information technology support services and our commitment to minimizing cybersecurity risk for our education vertical clients.”

    Opportunity for Broader Access In addition to the member institutions of this State- Level Public Higher Education Group, any university or governmental entity across the United States can leverage this contract vehicle to access our cybersecurity services. The contract provides a streamlined pathway for educational and governmental organizations to enhance their cybersecurity posture without the need for an extensive procurement process.   CONTINUED…   Read this entire press release and more news for CYCU at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-cycu/

    In other developments in the markets of note:

    Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the leading connectivity cloud company, recently announced a wave of global technology companies, including Asana, Atlassian, Block, PayPal, Sentry, Stripe, and more, are working with Cloudflare to create powerful AI experiences through Anthropic’s AI assistant, Claude. These software companies are enabling Claude and other AI assistants to securely interact with their services on behalf of users, through connections built on Cloudflare Workers. Now users can complete tasks and interact with their favorite business tools through natural conversations with Claude, rather than working directly in the application.

    AI is already transforming the way we work by helping to edit emails, generate code, and analyze data. However, it still often requires the user to switch between multiple applications, tabs, and tools to implement the actions it recommends. For truly autonomous, agentic AI experiences, AI tools should be able to act on the user’s behalf. That can only happen if AI tools can directly interact with business software tools. MCP servers allow AI platforms to connect directly to the popular tools where data resides so the user can send an email, answer a question about a marketing campaign, or create invoices–all without leaving the AI assistant. But delivering reliable, low-latency, and secure access to external tools and data is a significant technical challenge, especially at global scale.

    Palo Alto Networks® (NASDAQ: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, and the National Hockey League (NHL®) recently unveiled Cortex XSIAM® 3.0, the next evolution of its industry-leading SecOps platform, bolstered with proactive exposure management and advanced email security, enabling customers to further consolidate on Cortex for significantly better, faster and more cost-effective security operations.

    Three years ago, Palo Alto Networks anticipated the future of security operations by introducing Cortex XSIAM, which consolidates and normalizes all cybersecurity data to fuel advanced, real-time analytics and automation, making disjointed point products obsolete. The best-selling platform surged past $1 billion cumulative bookings in FY25 Q2, making it our fastest offering to reach this milestone. Earlier this year, Palo Alto Networks doubled down on cloud security with the introduction of Cortex Cloud, converging its industry-leading CNAPP and CDR capabilities on the unified Cortex platform.

    Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) recently announced Incident Prediction, an industry-first security capability that extends Adaptive Protection, a unique feature of Symantec Endpoint Security Complete (SES-C), by leveraging AI to identify and disrupt living-off-the land (LOTL) attacks and other cyberthreats.

    Trained on a catalog of over 500,000 real-world attack chains built by the world-class Symantec Threat Hunter Team, Incident Prediction puts the advantage back in defenders’ hands by: predicting attackers’ behaviors, preventing their next move in the attack chain even when they’re using legitimate software, and then quickly returning the enterprise to its normal state. With Incident Prediction, SES-C delivers exceptional cyber resilience against motivated adversaries.

    CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) recently released its 2025 State of SMB Cybersecurity Report, uncovering a widening gap between cybersecurity awareness and readiness among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). While 93% of SMBs consider themselves knowledgeable about cybersecurity risks and 83% report having a plan in place, just 36% are investing in new tools – and only 11% have adopted AI-powered defenses.

    Based on insights from SMB decision-makers across industries and company sizes, the research reveals that despite rising awareness, most SMBs still lack the budget, tools and in-house expertise to stop modern threats. With attacks becoming more advanced and frequent, SMBs need protection that’s easy to use, affordable to deploy and built to scale with their business.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

    Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia

    Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup

    Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialnewsmedia/

    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated fifty two hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Cycurion Inc. by a non-affiliated third party.  FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757 

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transforming the Royal Navy’s electromagnetic warfare capabilities

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Transforming the Royal Navy’s electromagnetic warfare capabilities

    Dstl has been part of a major MOD programme which will fundamentally change electromagnetic warfare surveillance and anti-ship missile defence capabilities.

    In a significant advancement for UK maritime defence, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has played a crucial role in revolutionising the Royal Navy’s electromagnetic warfare (EW) capabilities through the Maritime EW Programme (MEWP).

    Working alongside industry partners, Dstl has provided operational analysis, technical expertise and advice to help the UK and allies maintain operational advantage.

    Meeting modern challenges

    Modern naval operations face an increasingly crowded and contested electromagnetic environment. In order to better sense and understand this complex picture for improved situational awareness and to better react to growing threats from sophisticated anti-ship missiles and EW systems, the Royal Navy needed to significantly upgrade its capabilities.

    This fundamental reappraisal, informed and spearheaded by Dstl’s evidence and analysis, has led to a comprehensive modernisation programme that addresses the technical capabilities and allows future capability spirals via an open architecture approach; as well as the operational frameworks for maritime EW. MEWP doesn’t just replace equipment, it reimagines how EW integrates into the command chain.

    A 2-pronged approach

    MEWP represents an unprecedented investment in naval EW capabilities, following 2 complementary tracks:

    • Maritime EW System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC), which will replace the Navy’s existing EW system and deliver improved sense and understanding together with advanced EW command and control.
    • EW Counter Measures (EWCM), which will ensure Royal Navy ships are fitted with enhanced decoy launchers (Ancilia) to provide rapid protection (right effect, right place, right time) against hostile threats including modern anti-ship missiles and directed energy weapons.

    Technological leap forward

    The programme represents a generational leap in capabilities. MEWSIC will equip 21 ships, including:

    • 2 Queen Elizabeth class carriers
    • 6 Type 45 destroyers
    • 8 Type 26 frigates
    • 5 Type 31 frigates

    The Type 45, 26 and 31s will each receive 2 Ancilia launchers to ensure complete coverage.

    A key innovation is the shift from fixed decoy launchers to trainable systems that can place the right effector in the right place at the right time to deceive incoming anti-ship missiles. This approach is already generating international interest and is being proposed as a NATO standard.

    HMS Queen Elizabeth and Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond in the North Sea.

    Transforming information processing

    The new technology fundamentally changes how EW information is collected and presented to decision-makers. This will provide:

    • more time to plan
    • more time to react
    • a clearer picture
    • better information
    • a higher level of automation

    Dstl helped drive the shift in EW surveillance capability by defining what needed to be sensed. This included not just threat emissions but also defined the EM operating environment – seeing the wood from the trees – and how command and control needs to use the detected emissions and enabling machine-speed warfare by moving to the use of machine-readable data.

    Dstl has created a new template for describing EW effectors in a digital format, enabling automatic weapon allocation and streamlined threat evaluation. By automating elements of sense and understand, the highly skilled operators are freed to manage ‘on the loop’ rather than struggling with data manipulation ‘in the loop’.

    This improved system provides commanders with enhanced situational awareness, allowing for faster and better-informed decision-making in complex environments.

    Open architecture for future growth

    MEWP adopts an open architecture approach that facilitates continuous innovation and growth throughout the system’s lifecycle. This design choice reduces the barriers to entry for emerging technologies, particularly lower Technology Readiness Level innovations such as novel threat evaluation and weapon assignment algorithms. This enables early testing of improved techniques in areas such as signal detection and processing, command and control, and decision aids for force defence.

    Dstl and its partners are already exploring potential incremental developments, including artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.

    Other longer-term plans under consideration could provide persistent offboard radio frequency countermeasures for task group defence. Dstl has already begun research into potential concepts, including maritime recoverable decoys deployable from uncrewed vehicles.

    Collaborative approach delivering mission success

    The success of MEWP relies on strong relationships across the defence enterprise.

    Dstl’s expertise has been crucial in generating the evidence needed to shift the Royal Navy from fixed EW decoy launchers to more flexible systems. Simultaneously, Dstl has pushed a paradigm shift in the human system interface engaging closely with naval EW operators to understand the current and future challenges they face in relation to data presentation, understanding and decision making. This will enable MEWP to better deal with future challenges, such as the need to deal with directed energy weapons–and to see how technology could be applied to maximise the skills of the human operator.

    Through operational analysis, Dstl provides impartial, evidence to support capability planning and inform equipment procurement decisions, ensuring the Royal Navy receives capabilities that are truly fit for purpose.

    A fundamental shift in approach

    The MEWP programme represents more than just new equipment. It’s a complete rethinking of how EW integrates with naval operations.

    The shift to a new open architecture system will facilitate continuous innovation and development throughout the system’s lifespan. By removing previous constraints in EW information processing, the Royal Navy will be better prepared to face evolving threats in the electromagnetic domain.

    With initial operational capability planned for 2027, this Dstl-supported programme ensures the Royal Navy remains at the forefront of maritime EW capability, able to operate effectively in increasingly challenging environments.

    Find out more about how Dstl delivers mission success through science and technology advantage.

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Phillips 66 Issues Statement Following Glass Lewis and ISS Reports

    Source: Phillips

    Disagrees with ISS’ and Glass Lewis’ Recommendations which Failed to Address Critical Issues Reiterates The Strength Of Phillips 66’s Highly Qualified Board And Nominees

    HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) today announced that it strongly disagrees with the recommendations issued by Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”).
    “We disagree with the recommendations issued by ISS and Glass Lewis,” said the Phillips 66 Independent Directors. “We remain committed to engaging with and listening to our shareholders on the issues in this campaign.”
    The Company notes the following issues and omissions in the reports’ analyses that remain critical factors for shareholders to consider:
    Elliott’s break-up thesis not examined: The reports did not opine on the merits of Elliott’s thesis to break up Phillips 66, which is the primary objective of Elliott’s campaign. In fact, ISS stated clearly that its report “is not an endorsement of a Midstream and/or Chemicals separation.” Supporting Elliott’s directors implicitly supports this risky path and overrides the judgment of Phillips 66’s highly qualified Board. Our Board continually evaluates the portfolio to maximize shareholder value and currently believes that the integrated model is the best path to shareholder value creation. As we always have, we remain committed to regularly and aggressively assessing these options going forward.
    Concerning assessment of director independence: By recommending against Robert Pease, the reports establish a concerning precedent on evaluating director independence.
    The reports suggest a director selected and vetted by a shareholder can be determined to lack independence after one month on the board and one vote. The single vote was for a combined CEO and Chair, a policy that is in place at 44% of S&P 500 companies.1
    This analysis disregards the fact that Mr. Pease’s vote represented his professional judgment as a 30-year corporate leader and ignores the fact that Mr. Pease was carefully evaluated for his qualifications and independence by Elliott. It also fails to apply any scrutiny to Elliott’s self-interested lack of support for its recently supported director.

    Reliance on board analysis from five years ago: ISS acknowledged that Phillips 66 has refreshed its Board substantially since July 2020. Yet, it still claimed that a lack of Board refreshment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic reflects a need for change now.
    Concerning governance overlooked: ISS and Glass Lewis disregarded Elliott’s ongoing efforts to acquire CITGO. The reports also overlook the fact that this pursuit took place concurrently with discussions of a second director appointment. Notably, neither report mentions anything about Elliott’s misleading disclosures and the overlapping relationships of its director nominees. These are unresolved issues that are highly relevant to shareholder considerations.
    Phillips 66 reiterates its commitment to ongoing transformation and governance refreshment. The Company reminds shareholders of key facts including:
    Consistent refreshment: Phillips 66 has added five new independent directors in the past four years to equip the Board with fresh perspectives and independent viewpoints. In its report, ISS acknowledged the Company’s board refreshment efforts, noting “Beginning in July 2020, the pace of board refreshment accelerated rapidly. The board appointed Julie Bushman early that month, Lisa Davis in October 2020, Denise Singleton and Doug Terreson in July 2021, and Greg Hayes in July 2022. Mark Lashier also joined in July 2022 in connection with his succession as CEO. Accompanying these appointments, Ferguson departed in August 2020, and McGraw and Tschinkel departed in March 2021.”
    Strong governance practices: The Board is firmly committed to declassification that would require all directors to stand election each year. The last attempt to do so received approval from 73% of outstanding shares.
    In its report, ISS supported Phillips 66’s declassification proposal, arguing, “The proposed declassification, assuming it can clear the supermajority hurdle, would enhance board accountability to shareholders, and the resubmission of this proposal to a vote after it failed in prior years demonstrates a commitment to shareholders’ interests on the part of management.”

    Early days in transformation strategy: ISS recognizes that Phillips 66 has improved its operating results since Mark Lashier stepped in as CEO on July 1, 2022 and achieved a total shareholder return above that of key competitors. ISS noted, “Since the appointment of Lashier as CEO through May 8, 2025, PSX has outperformed VLO by 20.9 percentage points.” Phillips 66 has made it clear that it is working to improve operations but is not satisfied with its results. In under three years, the Company has made progress on corporate cost takeout, refining performance, asset divestitures and more. These are facts recognized by the reports. These actions reflect a commitment to improvement that is continuing and will lead to further performance improvement and ultimately increased shareholder value.
    Relevant director skills: Phillips 66’s Board composition is closely aligned with the Company’s strategy and the issues raised in this campaign. Of the continuing Directors and nominees, six have refining experience, five have chemicals experience and five have midstream experience. The majority has experience in business transformations, several have expertise in finance and a number are experts in supply chains.2 Notably, the Company’s Directors and nominees have overseen more than $300 billion in “breakup or major divestiture transactions.3
    Phillips 66 encourages shareholders to reach their own informed conclusions.
    Elliott is seeking rapid, irreversible change in pursuit of a short-term thesis that would introduce significant risks to Phillips 66 shareholders. Do not let Elliott’s short-term and misinformed thesis disrupt your consistent and compelling returns.
    Phillips 66 recommends that shareholders use the WHITE proxy card to vote:
    ‘FOR’ only its four nominees using the WHITE proxy card;
    ‘FOR’ management’s proposal to approve the declassification of the Board of Directors, in line with the recommendations from ISS & Glass Lewis;
    ‘AGAINST’ Elliott’s proposal requiring annual director resignations, which implementing would violate Delaware law and put your Board at significant legal and reputational risk.
    The Board strongly recommends that shareholders safeguard their investment in Phillips 66 by casting their vote as soon as possible, regardless of plans to attend the Annual Meeting virtually on May 21, 2025.
    Shareholders may receive materials from Elliott Management that say “Gold proxy card” or “Gold voting instructions” or similar language. Phillips 66 recommends that shareholders DISCARD any Gold voting materials they may receive from Elliott. Shareholders may cancel out any vote made using a Gold proxy card by voting again TODAY using the Company’s WHITE proxy card. Only the latest-dated vote will count.
    About Phillips 66
    Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) is a leading integrated downstream energy provider that manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The company’s portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties, and Renewable Fuels businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. For more information, visit phillips66.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn.
    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to Phillips 66’s operations, strategy and performance. Words such as “anticipated,” “committed,” “estimated,” “expected,” “planned,” “scheduled,” “targeted,” “believe,” “continue,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “objective,” “goal,” “project,” “efforts,” “strategies” and similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on management’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the date they are made. These statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, and you should not unduly rely on them as they involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: changes in governmental policies or laws that relate to our operations, including regulations that seek to limit or restrict refining, marketing and midstream operations or regulate profits, pricing, or taxation of our products or feedstocks, or other regulations that restrict feedstock imports or product exports; our ability to timely obtain or maintain permits necessary for projects; fluctuations in NGL, crude oil, refined petroleum, renewable fuels and natural gas prices, and refining, marketing and petrochemical margins; the effects of any widespread public health crisis and its negative impact on commercial activity and demand for refined petroleum or renewable fuels products; changes to worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect programs including the renewable fuel standards program, low carbon fuel standards and tax credits for renewable fuels; potential liability from pending or future litigation; liability for remedial actions, including removal and reclamation obligations under existing or future environmental regulations; unexpected changes in costs for constructing, modifying or operating our facilities; our ability to successfully complete, or any material delay in the completion of, any asset disposition, acquisition, shutdown or conversion that we have announced or may pursue, including receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals or permits related thereto; unexpected difficulties in manufacturing, refining or transporting our products; the level and success of drilling and production volumes around our midstream assets; risks and uncertainties with respect to the actions of actual or potential competitive suppliers and transporters of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels or specialty products; lack of, or disruptions in, adequate and reliable transportation for our products; failure to complete construction of capital projects on time or within budget; our ability to comply with governmental regulations or make capital expenditures to maintain compliance with laws; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets, which may also impact our ability to repurchase shares and declare and pay dividends; potential disruption of our operations due to accidents, weather events, including as a result of climate change, acts of terrorism or cyberattacks; general domestic and international economic and political developments, including armed hostilities (such as the Russia-Ukraine war), expropriation of assets, and other diplomatic developments; international monetary conditions and exchange controls; changes in estimates or projections used to assess fair value of intangible assets, goodwill and property and equipment and/or strategic decisions with respect to our asset portfolio that cause impairment charges; investments required, or reduced demand for products, as a result of environmental rules and regulations; changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations (including alternative energy mandates); political and societal concerns about climate change that could result in changes to our business or increase expenditures, including litigation-related expenses; the operation, financing and distribution decisions of equity affiliates we do not control; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Phillips 66’s businesses generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Phillips 66 is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
    Additional Information
    On April 8, 2025, Phillips 66 filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”) and its solicitation of proxies for Phillips 66’s director nominees and for other matters to be voted on. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Phillips 66 has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with any solicitation by Phillips 66. PHILLIPS 66 SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT SOLICITATION MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain copies of the Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and other documents (including the WHITE proxy card) filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at Phillips 66’s investor relations website at https://investor.phillips66.com or upon written request sent to Phillips 66, 2331 CityWest Boulevard, Houston, TX 77042, Attention: Investor Relations.
    Certain Information Regarding Participants
    Phillips 66, its directors, its director nominees and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from Phillips 66 shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of such persons and their respective interests in Phillips 66, by securities holdings or otherwise, is available in the Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 8, 2025, including in the sections captioned “Beneficial Ownership of Phillips 66 Securities” and “Appendix C: Supplemental Information Regarding Participants in the Solicitation.” To the extent that Phillips 66’s directors and executive officers who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation have acquired or disposed of securities holdings since the applicable “as of” date disclosed in the Proxy Statement, such transactions have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Ownership of Securities on Form 4 or Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
    1. Matthew Tonello, “2023 Disclosure Practices on Board Leadership and Structure,” Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, May 12, 2025, https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2024/01/18/2023-disclosure-practices-on-board-leadership-and-structure/.2. Source: Company filings, public filings.3. Source: Deal Point Data, Reuters, FactSet, Financial Times, RBC Capital Markets.

    Source: Phillips 66

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Could gravity be evidence that the universe is a computer simulation? My new study suggests so

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Melvin M. Vopson, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Portsmouth

    A star cluster in the constellation Sagittarius seen by the James Webb Space Telescope. NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope

    We have long taken it for granted that gravity is one of the basic forces of nature – one of the invisible threads that keeps the universe stitched together. But suppose that this is not true. Suppose the law of gravity is simply an echo of something more fundamental: a byproduct of the universe operating under a computer-like code.

    That is the premise of my latest research, published in the journal AIP Advances. It suggests that gravity is not a mysterious force that attracts objects towards one another, but the product of an informational law of nature that I call the second law of infodynamics.

    It is a notion that seems like science fiction – but one that is based in physics and evidence that the universe appears to be operating suspiciously like a computer simulation.

    In digital technologies, right down to the apps in your phone and the world of cyberspace, efficiency is the key. Computers compact and restructure their data all the time to save memory and computer power. Maybe the same is taking place all over the universe?

    Information theory, the mathematical study of the quantification, storage and communication of information, may help us understand what’s going on. Originally developed by mathematician Claude Shannon, it has become increasingly popular in physics and is used in a growing range of research areas.

    In a 2023 paper, I used information theory to propose my second law of infodynamics.

    This stipulates that information “entropy”, or the level of information disorganisation, will have to reduce or stay static within any given closed information system. This is the opposite of the popular second law of thermodynamics, which dictates that physical entropy, or disorder, always increases.

    Take a cooling cup of coffee. Energy flows from hot to cold until the temperature of the coffee is the same as the temperature of the room and its energy is minimum – a state called thermal equilibrium. The entropy of the system is a maximum at this point – with all the molecules maximally spread out, having the same energy. What that means is that the spread of energies per molecule in the liquid is reduced.

    If one considers the information content of each molecule based on its energy, then at the start, in the hot cup of coffee, the information entropy is maximum and at equilibrium the information entropy is minimum. That’s because almost all molecules are at the same energy level, becoming identical characters in an informational message. So the spread of different energies available is reduced when there’s thermal equilibrium.

    But if we consider just location rather than energy, then there’s lots of information disorder when particles are distributed randomly in space – the information required to keep pace with them is considerable. When they consolidate themselves together under gravitational attraction, however, the way planets, stars and galaxies do, the information gets compacted and more manageable.

    In simulations, that’s exactly what occurs when a system tries to function more efficiently. So, matter flowing under the influence of gravity need not be a result of a force at all. Perhaps it is a function of the way the universe compacts the information that it has to work with.

    Here, space is not continuous and smooth. Space is made up of tiny “cells” of information, similar to pixels in a photo or squares on the screen of a computer game. In each cell is basic information about the universe – where, say, a particle is – and all are gathered together to make the fabric of the universe.

    If you place items within this space, the system gets more complex. But when all of those items come together to be one item instead of many, the information is simple again.

    The universe, under this view, tends to naturally seek to be in those states of minimal information entropy. The real kicker is that if you do the numbers, the entropic “informational force” created by this tendency toward simplicity is exactly equivalent to Newton’s law of gravitation, as shown in my paper.

    This theory builds on earlier studies of “entropic gravity” but goes a step further. In connecting information dynamics with gravity, we are led to the interesting conclusion that the universe could be running on some kind of cosmic software. In an artificial universe, maximum-efficiency rules would be expected. Symmetries would be expected. Compression would be expected.

    And law – that is, gravity – would be expected to emerge from these computational rules.

    We may not yet have definitive evidence that we live in a simulation. But the deeper we look, the more our universe seems to behave like a computational process.

    Melvin M. Vopson is affiliated with the University of Portsmouth and the Information Physics Institute.

    ref. Could gravity be evidence that the universe is a computer simulation? My new study suggests so – https://theconversation.com/could-gravity-be-evidence-that-the-universe-is-a-computer-simulation-my-new-study-suggests-so-255913

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neag School Honors Faculty and Staff With 2025 Annual Awards

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The Neag School of Education honored several faculty and staff on May 2 with its annual awards recognizing research, teaching, and service. In March, the Neag School’s Dean’s Office solicited nominations from current students, faculty, and staff and presented the awards at the end-of-year School Meeting. The 2025 award recipients are:

    Dean Jason Irizarry presents the 2025 Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award to Adam McCready during the May 2 Neag School meeting. (Shawn Kornegay/Neag School)

    Dr. Perry A. Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award – Adam McCready

    The Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award is awarded annually to a full-time faculty member in the Neag School. Alumnus Perry A. Zirkel ’68 MA, ’72 Ph.D., ’76 JD is a university professor emeritus of education and law at Lehigh University, where he formerly was dean of the College of Education and more recently held the Iacocca Chair in Education. The 2025 award recipient is Adam McCready, an assistant professor-in-residence in the Department of Educational Leadership since 2019.

    McCready is a faculty member for the Neag School’s Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Master of Arts program. His research critically examines the college student experience to identify and challenge oppressive educational structures. He has studied students’ experiences in historically white college social fraternities; college men and masculinities; and the relationship between social media use and students’ attitudes, behaviors, and experiences. His research has been published in Psychology of Men & Masculinities, Research in Higher Education, Innovative Higher Education, Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, and the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice. McCready serves as the editor for the Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice, and previously served as the vice chair for scholarship and research for the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Coalition on Men and Masculinities.

    McCready exemplifies excellence in teaching through his unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the classroom. Since joining the HESA program, McCready has taught diverse core courses, skillfully blending rich scholarship with professional experience. A reflective educator, he thoughtfully incorporates material centering minoritized students and engages in critical conversations about race, gender, sexuality, and disability to better prepare future higher education leaders.

    In Spring 2022, McCready introduced an innovative “ungrading” philosophy, focusing on feedback and reflection rather than numerical scores. This humanizing approach has strengthened student learning while influencing fellow faculty members to rethink their evaluation methods. Known for his flexibility, McCready proactively seeks student feedback and adjusts his courses to meet learners’ evolving needs.

    His thoughtful course preparation, creativity, and deep investment in student success have earned him high student evaluation scores and recognition from UConn and the Neag School’s administration. Students and colleagues alike commend his relational, scholar-practitioner model of teaching.

    Sandra Chafouleas is the recipient of the 2025 Neag School Distinguished Researcher Award. (Neag School photo)

    Distinguished Researcher Award – Sandra Chafouleas

    This award is given to a full professor in the Neag School who, over at least the last 10-year period (at least five consecutive completed years at UConn), has made significant research contributions to their field of study. This year’s recipient is Sandra Chafouleas, a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology.

    Chafouleas is also the Neag Endowed Professor and the founder and co-director of the UConn Collaboratory on School and Child Health (CSCH). Chafouleas focuses on supporting school system implementation of evidence-informed practices and is known for her expertise in areas of integrated health and learning (whole child), school mental health, and social, emotional, and behavioral assessment and intervention.

    As a principal investigator and co-principal investigator, Chafouleas has secured over $20 million to support research, service, and training activities through the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and private foundations. Chafouleas has successfully built and led multidisciplinary and multisite teams in tackling issues in the social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children across pre-K-12 settings. She currently serves as multiple principal investigator on an NIH-funded U24 Network to advance the science of emotional well-being, leading the measurement, training, and mentorship of emerging scholars. Many individuals, including junior faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and students, have benefited from her research team’s leadership as collaborators on research publications, presentations, and grants.

    Chafouleas is also the co-creator of the award-winning Feel Your Best Self program, a free and fun toolkit that teaches 12 simple coping strategies to promote emotion regulation. The program has won numerous awards, including one Gold and three Silver Telly awards. She has authored over 200 publications, which have been cited more than 11,000 times, and regularly serves as a national presenter and invited speaker.

    She is a fellow in the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. She has received multiple recognitions, including a 2022 Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association and selection as the 2023 Reed Fellow at UConn Waterbury. Chafouleas previously served as associate dean for The Graduate School (2012-2014) and the associate dean for research at the Neag School (2014-2016). Prior to becoming a university trainer, she worked as a school psychologist and school administrator in a variety of settings supporting the needs of children with behavior disorders.

    Dean Jason Irizarry presents the 2025 Neag School Early-Career Scholar Award to Zachary Collier during the May 2 Neag School meeting. (Shawn Kornegay/Neag School)

    Outstanding Early-Career Scholar Award – Zachary Collier

    This award is given to a pre-tenured faculty member in the Neag School who has completed at least two consecutive years at UConn. The 2025 recipient is Zachary Collier, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology.

    Collier is a leading scholar in educational statistics, causal data mining, and artificial intelligence applications in missing data analysis. His work addresses critical methodological challenges in education, public health, and special education, with research published in top-tier journals such as Structural Equation Modeling, Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, and Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness.

    Collier has received significant external funding from major agencies, including a $3.1 million NIH grant, a $2.9 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, and awards from the Spencer and James S. McDonnell foundations. In 2025, he was named an Emerging Scholar by Diverse Issues in Higher Education and was a featured mathematician by the Network for Minorities in Mathematical Sciences. That same year, he was appointed as grant reviewer for the IES.

    Beyond his research, Collier is a dedicated educator and mentor known for fostering inclusive, collaborative learning environments. He teaches foundational and advanced courses in statistics and data science and actively supports graduate student development through co-authored research. A staunch advocate for equity in quantitative research, he contributes to initiatives like the InclusiMetrics Conference and is recognized for advancing justice-oriented approaches through QuantCrit and data sensitivity methods.

    Valerie J. Pichette Outstanding Staff Award – Diane Herlihy and Christine North

    Dean Jason Irizarry presents Diane Herlihy with the 2025 Valerie J. Pichette Outstanding Staff Award.

    Named in honor of the late Valerie J. Pichette, this award recognizes an individual or individuals who have gone above and beyond in their work at the Neag School over the past academic year. Pichette had a 30-year history of service to the state of Connecticut, including having served as executive assistant to the Neag School dean for nearly two decades. This year’s recipients are Diane Herlihy and Christine North.

    Herlihy, who joined the Neag School in 2019, is the true definition of a team player. She collaborates with faculty, students, and staff to support others within the Neag School and always brings a positive attitude. As a volunteer and an active member of the Community Building Committee, she has been instrumental in the planning and execution of many events throughout the year, including Undergraduate Commencement.

    She has taken on the responsibilities of other positions multiple times to fill in for colleagues without hesitation and still ensured her work was not affected. Herlihy is always attentive to staff and student needs and is one of the first people willing to help; she seeks out answers to problems and does it all with a caring and determined attitude.

    Dean Jason Irizarry presents Christine North with the 2025 Valerie J. Pichette Outstanding Staff Award.

    North, the sole administrative staff person for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, constantly juggles requests from faculty, students, staff, Neag School administrators, and external stakeholders who call with questions, seek advice, and need help solving problems. She is a stable and calming presence and an essential ingredient in how the department’s business and mission are met.

    Since joining the Neag School in 1996, North has been an important member of the School community, helping others solve problems and raising questions and alternative strategies when relevant. She exhibits institutional loyalty, impressive professionalism, initiative, integrity, a willingness to help with everything and anything, and deeply cares for the culture of the Neag School.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Letter to House AI and Energy Working Group Recommending Permitting Process Reform

    Source: Independent Petroleum Association of America

    Headline: Letter to House AI and Energy Working Group Recommending Permitting Process Reform

    Letter to House AI and Energy Working Group Recommending Permitting Process Reform

    Dear Representative Fedorchak:

    The undersigned organizations are pleased to provide our views in response to your AI and Energy Working Group’s recently circulated Request for Information. We represent companies and workers who build and provide equipment, materials, supplies and services to energy infrastructure development, including facilities essential to natural gas production, transportation and consumption. We comprise the vast industrial and labor supply chain that underpins American energy abundance, reliability and affordability.

    We applaud and stand ready to support your critical work to develop legislative and policy recommendations to ensure that abundant power is available to support data centers critical to American AI dominance.

    Long-term policy durability enshrined in law is critically essential to encourage large, long- term, multi-year investments by developers of energy infrastructure. Our comments below primarily address Pillar One of your Request for Information: American Energy Dominance and AI Energy Demands.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: Wearable Devices Receives U.S. Patent Notice of Allowance for Hybrid Voice and Gesture Control Innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Newly allowed patent extends Wearable Devices’ innovative gesture technology into the domain of voice control

    YOKNEAM ILLIT, ISRAEL, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wearable Devices Ltd. (the “Company” or “Wearable Devices”) (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW), a technology growth company specializing in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered touchless sensing wearables, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has allowed its patent titled “Gesture and Voice-Controlled Interface Device.”

    This patent represents a significant advancement in the Company’s strategic intellectual property (“IP”) portfolio, strengthening global protection for its core innovations in wearable bio-potential sensors. The Company’s IP strategy includes patent families designed to protect a wide spectrum of future applications, ensuring agility in response to emerging global market needs.

    The newly allowed patent enables the integration of gesture recognition with voice control interfaces, introducing personalization features, and combining both neural and voice-based user authentication. This creates a more seamless, secure, and intuitive human-machine interaction.

    The patented technology enables intuitive, hands-free interaction across a wide range of applications. For example, users wearing AI-powered or augmented reality (“AR”) glasses can navigate maps, control audio, and access virtual assistants using natural gestures and voice commands. In smart home applications, a user can use their voice to select a home appliance to control – such as the TV volume or air conditioning temperature – and then use subtle gestures to fine-tune the settings. In multi-user environments, such as smart homes or shared AR systems, the device intelligently recognizes individual users through unique gesture and voice signatures, delivering personalized experiences. In clinical or surgical settings, medical professionals can interact with digital interfaces – scrolling, zooming, or switching views – without compromising sterility, using only in-air gestures and voice cues.

    “Voice control is an essential interface for smart environments, but it often lacks the precision, personalization and the security users need,” said Guy Wagner, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Wearable Devices. “By integrating voice and gesture-based interaction along with neural and voice-based user authentication, we’re bridging that gap, enabling users not only initiate actions by voice but also to fine-tune and personalize device behavior through intuitive gestures. This combination introduces a new dimension of seamless, secure, and intelligent human-computer interaction.”

    About Wearable Devices Ltd.

    Wearable Devices Ltd. is a pioneering growth company revolutionizing human-computer interaction through its AI-powered neural input technology for both consumer and business markets. Leveraging proprietary sensors, software, and advanced AI algorithms, the Company’s innovative products, including the Mudra Band for iOS and Mudra Link for Android, enable seamless, touch-free interaction by transforming subtle finger and wrist movements into intuitive controls. These groundbreaking solutions enhance gaming and the rapidly expanding AR/VR/XR landscapes. The Company offers a dual-channel business model: direct-to-consumer sales and enterprise licensing. Its flagship Mudra Band integrates functional and stylish design with cutting-edge AI to empower consumers, while its enterprise solutions provide businesses with the tools to deliver immersive and interactive experiences. By setting the input standard for the XR market, Wearable Devices is redefining user experiences and driving innovation in one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. Wearable Devices’ ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “WLDS” and “WLDSW,” respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss our IP strategy and the benefits and advantages of it, emerging global market needs and the benefits and advantages of newly patented technology. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the trading of our ordinary shares or warrants and the development of a liquid trading market; our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed on March 20, 2025 and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations Contact
    Michal Efraty
    IR@wearabledevices.co.il

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: POET Appoints Ghazi Chaoui, PhD, as Senior Vice President – Global Manufacturing and Digital Transformation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Company“) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), a leader in the design and implementation of highly-integrated optical engines and light sources for artificial intelligence networks, today announced the appointment of Ghazi M. Chaoui, PhD, MBA as its Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Digital Transformation. Dr. Chaoui recently concluded a multi-year assignment as Chief Procurement Officer of Coherent Corp.

    An industry veteran of nearly 40 years, Dr. Chaoui (widely known as “Ghazi”) brings his considerable experience and stellar reputation to POET as it gears up manufacturing in Penang, Malaysia, where he will be stationed, reporting to Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, POET’s Chairman & Chief Executive Officer.   Ghazi will plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee all operations tied to order fulfillment, and ensure the development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective systems to meet the high demand for 800G and 1.6T transceivers needed by hyperscalers and AI cluster operators. Sundar Natarajan Yoganandan, POET’s Director of External Manufacturing and NPI, also a resident of Malaysia, will report directly to Ghazi.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Ghazi to the POET team,” said Dr. Venkatesan. “Our relationship with Globetronics in Malaysia is off to a strong start, with a suite of wafer-level assembly and test equipment installed and operational. With full production capacity expected to be on line this quarter, this is the ideal time for Ghazi and Sundar to staff an organization in Penang and establish the systems we need to ensure delivery of optical engines to customers. We have established POET Technologies Sdn. Bhd. as a wholly owned subsidiary and have begun resourcing it accordingly.”

    Ghazi holds PhD and MS degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering and an MBA. He began his career as an R&D lead designer and manager with AT&T Bell Labs and AT&T Microelectronics in Reading, PA. Over the next 40 years Ghazi held key manufacturing and supply chain roles in several countries with Lucent Technologies, Corvis Corporation/Broadwin Communications, Infinera, Oclaro, Teraxion, Kaiam Corp. and Macom Technology Solutions Holdings.

    “I am pleased to be joining POET at this time to help build a great company in photonics and optoelectronics, serving many customers that I know well and interacting with many suppliers with whom I have strong relationships,” said Dr. Chaoui. “By semiconductorizing optical engine assembly, I am confident we can supply high performance optical engines at high volumes on time to customers.”

    About POET Technologies Inc.
    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers.  POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET’s Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems.  POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained “Edge” computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles.  POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore.  More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include the Company’s expectations with respect to the success of its senior leadership appointments in Malaysia, the success of its newly established Malaysia subsidiary, the success of its agreement with Globetronics, and the Company’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Company’s technology in current and future products and expectations regarding its successful development of high speed transceiver solutions and its penetration of the Artificial Intelligence hardware markets.

    Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the success of its senior leadership appointments in Malaysia, the success of its newly established Malaysia subsidiary, the success of its agreement with Globetronics, and the completion of its development efforts with its customers, the ability to build working prototypes to the customer’s specifications, and the size, future growth and needs of Artificial Intelligence network suppliers. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the failure of operations in Malaysia to scale to production as expected, the failure of its technology to meet performance requirements, the failure to produce optical engines on time and within budget, the failure of Artificial Intelligence networks to continue to grow as expected, the failure of the Company’s products to be included in products aimed at AI and datacom networks, operational risks in the completion of the Company’s projects, the ability of the Company to generate sales for its products, and the ability of its customers to deploy systems that incorporate the Company’s products. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: VERB Beats All Analysts Q1 2025 Financial Performance Estimates

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Management Delivers Impressive 80% Revenue Growth Quarter-Over-Quarter

    Beats All Revenue and EPS Estimates By A Wide Margin

    Q1 2025 Revenue Exceeds Entire 2024 Annual Revenue

    Closed $8.5 Million Acquisition Of AI Social Commerce Technology Platform Lyvecom

    $5 Million Cash Added To Balance Sheet In Non-Dilutive, Non-Convertible, Preferred Stock Deal

    Zero Debt – Strong Cash Position – Expected To Fund Operations Into 2028 And Beyond

    Increased Growth Projected For Q2 2025

    LAS VEGAS, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verb Technology Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERB) (“VERB” or the “Company”), Transforming the Landscape of Social Commerce, Social Telehealth and Social Crowdfunding with MARKET.live; VANITYPrescribed; GoodGirlRx; and the GO FUND YOURSELF TV Show, today filed its Form 10-Q reporting financial and operating results for the quarter ending March 31, 2025.

    Q1 Highlights

    For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

    • Total Q1 revenue$1.305 million, an increase of $582 thousand, or 80% over Q4 2024; and an increase of $1.298 million, or 18,543%, over the prior year comparable quarter. Represents the greatest amount of revenue generated since the strategic sale of the Company’s direct sales SaaS business unit in June 2023
    • Q1 2025 Revenue Exceeds Entire 2024 Annual Revenue
    • Net loss reduced by $1.0 million, represents an improvement of 29% over the prior year comparable quarter
    • Operating loss reduced by $558 thousand, represents an improvement of 17% over the prior year comparable quarter
    • General and Administrative expenses slight increase of $0.4 million, represents an increase of 12% over prior year; indicates that the Company’s current enhanced financial performance is attributable to increases in revenue – not excessive cost cutting measures
    • ZERO DEBT – All Remaining Debt retired in Q1
    • Closed Acquisition of AI Social Commerce Technology Platform Lyvecom in deal valued at $8.5 Million
    • Opportunistically Added $5 Million in Cash to the Company’s balance sheet through non-dilutive, non-convertible, non-voting, preferred stock deal – replenished all the cash used in Lyvecom acquisition and more
    • Strong Cash Position – expected to fund operations into 2028 and beyond

    Results of Operations

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

    The following is a comparison of the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):

        Three Months Ended March 31,  
        2025     2024     Change  
                   
    Revenue   $ 1,305     $ 7     $ 1,298  
                         
    Costs and expenses                    
    Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below     347       5       342  
    Depreciation and amortization     286       256       30  
    General and administrative     3,331       2,963       368  
    Total costs and expenses     3,964       3,224       740  
                         
    Operating loss from continuing operations     (2,659 )     (3,217 )     558  
                         
    Other income (expense)                    
    Interest income     121             121  
    Unrealized gain on short-term investments     83             83  
    Interest expense     (1 )     (225 )     224  
    Other income (expense), net     18       (3 )     21  
    Total other income (expense), net     221       (228 )     449  
                         
    Net loss   $ (2,438 )   $ (3,445 )   $ 1,007  


    Revenue

    Revenue was $1,305 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $7 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The revenue increase of $1,298, representing an increase of 18,543%, is primarily attributable to revenue received from our MARKET.live business unit services packages and from our Go Fund Yourself business unit which began its operations in July 2024. 

    The table below sets forth our quarterly revenues beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (the first quarter following the sale of our SaaS business unit) through the quarter ended March 31, 2025, which reflects the trend of revenue over the past seven fiscal quarters:

      Q3
    2023
    Q4
    2023
    Q1
    2024
    Q2
    2024
    Q3
    2024
    Q4
    2024
    Q1
    2025
    MARKET.live $       29 29 7 37 103 490 561
    GO FUND YOURSELF $    –  –  – 25 233 744
    CONSOLIDATED $          29 29 7 37 128 723 1,305

    Operating Expenses

    Depreciation and amortization expenses were $286 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $256 for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    General and administrative expenses including stock compensation expense were $3,331 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $2,963 for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Other Income (Expense), net

    Other income, net, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $221, which was primarily attributable to interest income attributable to our short-term highly liquid investments.

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2024

    The following is a comparison of the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (in thousands):

         March 31,
    2025
        December 31,
    2024
        Change  
                       
    Revenue   $ 1,305       $ 723       $ 582    
                             
    Costs and expenses                        
    Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below     347         134         213    
    Depreciation and amortization     286         279         7    
    General and administrative     3,331         4,020         (689 )  
    Total costs and expenses     3,964         4,433         (469 )  
                             
    Operating loss from continuing operations     (2,659 )       (3,710 )       1,051    
                             
    Other income (expense)                        
    Interest income     121         331         (210 )  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments     83         (153 )       236    
    Interest expense     (1 )       (1 )          
    Other income (expense), net     18         164         (146 )  
    Total other income (expense), net     221         341         (120 )  
                             
    Net loss   $ (2,438 )     $ (3,369 )     $ 931    


    Revenue

    Revenue was $1,305 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $723 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The revenue increase of $582, representing an increase of 80%, is primarily attributable to growth from our MARKET.live business unit services packages and from tremendous growth in our Go Fund Yourself business unit.  

    Operating Expenses

    Depreciation and amortization expenses were $286 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $279 for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

    General and administrative expenses including stock compensation expense were $3,331 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $4,020 for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

    Use of Non-GAAP Measures – Modified EBITDA

    In addition to our results under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we present Modified EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. However, Modified EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, income from operations or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. We define Modified EBITDA as net income (loss), plus depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, unrealized (gain) loss on short-term investments, interest expense, financing costs, and other (income) expense, and other non-recurring charges.

    Management considers our core operating performance to be that which our managers can affect in any particular period through their management of the resources that affect our underlying revenue and profit generating operations that period. Non-GAAP adjustments to our results prepared in accordance with GAAP are itemized below. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating Modified EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Modified EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

       
      Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands)   2025       2024  
                   
    Net loss $ (2,438 )   $ (3,445 )
         
    Adjustments    
    Depreciation and amortization   286       256  
    Share-based compensation   958       378  
    Unrealized gain on short-term investments   (83 )      
    Interest expense   1       225  
    Other (income) expense, net   (18 )     3  
    Other costs (a)   256       84  
         
    Total EBITDA adjustments   1,400       946  
    Modified EBITDA $ (1,038 )   $ (2,499 )
                   

    (a) Represents a litigation accrual in 2024. Represents severance costs in addition to acquisition costs incurred for Lyvecom acquisition in 2025.

    We present Modified EBITDA because we believe it assists investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Modified EBITDA in developing our internal budgets, forecasts and strategic plan; in analyzing the effectiveness of our business strategies in evaluating potential acquisitions; and in making compensation decisions and in communications with our board of directors concerning our financial performance. Modified EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, which includes, among others, the following:

    • Modified EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
    • Modified EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
    • Modified EBITDA does not reflect future interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts; and
    • Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Modified EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Overview

    As of March 31, 2025 and 2024, we had the following balances of cash, restricted cash, and highly liquid investments. 

        March 31,
    2025
        December 31,
    2024
     
                 
    Cash   $ 6,275     $ 7,617  
    Restricted Cash     880       878  
    Investments: Government-Backed Securities     3,884       3,731  
    Investments: Corporate Bonds     1,197       1,182  
    Total    $ 12,236     $ 13,408  


    Conference Call Information

    VERB CEO, Rory J. Cutaia will hold a conference call today, May 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the first quarter 2025 results and strategic plans for the remainder of 2025 and beyond. A telephonic replay of the conference call is available from 4:00 p.m. Eastern time today through May 27, 2025.

    VERB Q1 2025 Earnings Call
    Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
    Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (10:00 a.m. Pacific time)

    To access by phone: Please call the conference telephone number 10-15 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization.

    Meeting Link: CLICK HERE
    Toll Free: 1-877-407-4018
    Toll/International: 1-201-689-8471
    Telephonic Replay: Available after 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through May 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

    Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921
    International replay number: 1-412-317-6671
    Replay ID: 13753877

    About VERB
    Verb Technology Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERB), is Transforming the Landscape of Social Commerce, Social Telehealth and Social Crowdfunding with MARKET.live; VANITYPrescribed; GoodGirlRx; and the GO FUND YOURSELF TV Show. The Company operates several business units, each of which leverages its social commerce technology and video marketing expertise. MARKET.live, together with recently acquired AI social commerce technology innovator Lyvecom, is a multi-vendor, livestream social shopping platform that allows brands and merchants to deliver a true omnichannel livestream shopping experience across their own websites, apps, and social platforms. Advanced AI capabilities power real-time user-generated-content creation, automated video content repurposing, and AI-powered virtual live shopping hosts that are virtually indistinguishable from human hosts, capable of real-time audience engagement. Brands utilize our proprietary AI model trained on tens of thousands of video commerce interactions to automate content creation and our intelligent tools designed to optimize merchandising strategies and increase conversion rates. GO FUND YOURSELF is a revolutionary interactive social crowd funding platform and TV show for public and private companies seeking broad-based exposure across social media channels for their crowd-funded Regulation CF and Regulation A offerings. The platform combines a ground-breaking interactive TV show with MARKET.live’s back-end capabilities allowing viewers to tap, scan or click on their screen to facilitate an investment, in real time, as they watch companies presenting before the show’s panel of “Titans”. Presenting companies that sell consumer products are able to offer their products directly to viewers during the show in real time through shoppable onscreen icons. VANITYPrescribed.com and GoodGirlRx.com are telehealth portals, intended to redefine telehealth by offering a seamless, digital-first experience that empowers individuals to take control of their healthcare needs. They were designed and developed to disrupt the traditional healthcare model by providing tailored healthcare solutions at affordable, fixed prices – without hidden fees, membership costs, or inflated pharmaceutical markups. GoodGirlRx.com, a partnership with Savannah Chrisley, a well-known lifestyle personality and advocate for health and wellness, offers customers access to convenient, no-hassle telehealth services and pharmaceuticals, including the new weight-loss drugs, with fixed pricing regardless of dosage, breaking away from the industry’s traditional model of excessive pricing and pharmaceutical gatekeeping.

    The Company is headquartered in Las Vegas, NV and operates full-service production and creator studios in Los Alamitos, California.

    For more information, please visit: www.verb.tech

    Follow VERB and MARKET.live here:
    VERB on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VerbTechCo
    VERB on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VerbTech_Co
    VERB on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verb-tech
    VERB on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0eCb_fwQlwEG3ywHDJ4_KQ

    Sign up for E-mail Alerts here: https://ir.verb.tech/news-events/email-alerts

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This communication contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, or achievements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our annual, quarterly and current reports filed with the SEC and the risk factors included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC today. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations Contact: investors@verb.tech

    Media Contact: info@verb.tech

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2dafa316-c785-42b3-9d3c-7e43a0b4ce58

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Helport AI Launches Helport Remote to Redefine Global Contact Center Management

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AI-Powered Workforce Monitoring Tool Developed for Large-Scale, Global Operations Targets Rapidly Expanding Remote Customer Service Industry

    New Offering Pioneers Intelligent Time Management, Video Monitoring, and Performance Insights Across Borders

    SINGAPORE and MANILA, Philippines and SAN DIEGO, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Helport AI Limited (NASDAQ: HPAI) (“Helport AI” or the “Company”), an AI technology company serving enterprise clients with intelligent customer communication software and services, today announced the launch of Helport Remote, a new workforce monitoring and management tool designed to support the evolving needs of remote contact centers. Engineered specifically for large-scale, multinational contact center operations, Helport Remote aims to empower management teams to achieve greater visibility, control, and efficiency in an increasingly decentralized workforce environment.

    The launch follows Helport AI’s strategic expansion across Southeast Asia and builds upon the Company’s AI-powered innovations in customer communication software. With remote and hybrid work models becoming the norm for contact centers globally, Helport Remote is designed to address critical challenges in agent oversight, time zone scheduling, and operational transparency.

    Bridging the Distance: A Smarter Way to Manage Remote Contact Centers

    Helport Remote combines multiple features into an intuitive and scalable solution for enterprise operations, including:

    • Dual-Interface Architecture: The product consists of an agent-side client and an operations dashboard. The agent client can be installed seamlessly and runs in the background to automatically track working hours, training time, and meeting participation—without disrupting workflow. Meanwhile, the operations dashboard enables dynamic, time zone-aware scheduling, real-time oversight, and flexible resource deployment across regions.
    • Video Monitoring Technology: Leveraging Helport AI’s proprietary WebRTC infrastructure, Helport Remote enables efficient, high-quality video stream monitoring with minimal bandwidth usage. This makes it especially suitable for small and mid-sized businesses concerned about cost, while delivering robust visibility into agent environments. Monitoring intervals and alert methods (e.g., email, SMS) can be customized to meet varying compliance and business needs.
    • Data-Driven Decision Support: As user behavior data is accumulated, Helport Remote generates comprehensive performance reports, including time tracking, compliance analysis, and agent productivity metrics. These reports offer actionable insights to optimize shift planning, elevate service standards, and align agent operations with customer expectations.
    • Security and Scalability: Designed with enterprise-grade security and modular architecture, Helport Remote has the ability to scale with organizations—whether organizations are operating local teams or managing thousands of agents across borders.

    “Our vision with Helport Remote is to bring intelligence, simplicity, and strategic control to the remote operations space,” said Guanghai Li, CEO of Helport AI. “By integrating behavioral data, time-sensitive scheduling, and low-bandwidth video into a single platform, we aim to redefine what it means to manage a global contact center workforce in the age of AI.”

    Built on Decades of Contact Center Expertise

    With deep roots in the contact center industry, Helport AI’s founding team brings decades of experience delivering enterprise technology solutions tailored for customer service and business process outsourcing (BPO) environments. The Company has built an established base of contact center clients across geographic regions, supporting high-volume, compliance-driven operations. Helport AI’s newly established Philippines office, launched in January 2025, serves as a proving ground for innovation—hosting over 100 AI-enabled contact center agents who are actively delivering proofs of concept and servicing a wide range of clients across sectors and geographies. This operational foundation ensures Helport Remote is built on a rich understanding of real-world agent workflows and global service demands.

    Unlocking Global Talent While Staying Compliant

    Helport Remote is expected to be particularly relevant to emerging offshore markets such as the Philippines, where millions of agents serve multinational clients across time zones. Helport Remote seeks to facilitate both operational agility and compliance with statutory work-hour regulations, helping enterprise clients meet service-level agreements while maintaining agent performance and well-being.

    As the contact center industry continues to evolve, Helport Remote reflects Helport AI’s commitment to empowering businesses with tools that match the speed and complexity of the modern service landscape.

    About Helport AI

    Helport AI (NASDAQ: HPAI) is a global technology company serving enterprise clients with intelligent customer communication software and services. Its flagship product, AI Assist, acts as a real-time co-pilot for customer contact teams, delivering smart guidance and tools designed to drive sales, improve customer engagement, and lower costs. The Company’s mission is to empower everyone to work as an expert—using AI to elevate, not replace, human capability. Learn more at www.helport.ai.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking, including, but not limited to, Helport AI’s business strategies, expansion plans, and anticipated results. These statements involve risks and uncertainties based on current expectations and projections. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Helport AI undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Helport AI believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and Helport AI cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in Helport AI’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Media Contact
    Helport AI Investor Relations
    Email: ir@helport.ai
    Website: https://ir.helport.ai/

    External Investor Relations Contact
    Chris Tyson
    Executive Vice President, MZ North America
    Direct: +1 949-491-8235
    Email: HPAI@mzgroup.us
    Website: www.mzgroup.us

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Rocket Software Unveils Innovations to Scale IT Impact Through Resilience, Automation, and AI-Powered Agility

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALTHAM, Mass., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rocket Software, a global technology leader in modernization software, today announced powerful new innovations to its Skills and Efficiency solutions, designed to help enterprises scale IT operations, close the IT skills gap and improve developer experience with intelligence and precision. New product features include automation, productivity-focused tools, and optional AI-driven capabilities, supporting faster development, stronger system performance, and greater IT resilience without adding layers of complexity and risk. By making it easier for developers and infrastructure teams to work more efficiently, the company continues to support businesses in their IT modernization initiatives and transformation journeys.

    These latest innovations from Rocket Software empower customers to:

    • Boost developer efficiency by cutting task time from hours to minutes and accelerating new developer ramp-up from months to weeks.
    • Improve system performance through AI-driven monitoring and anomaly detection for greater reliability across mainframe environments.
    • Reduce IT workload with self-service automation to decrease ticket volume by up to 16%, all while maintaining compliance and security.
    • Strengthen resilience with advanced, point-in-time data recovery that minimizes downtime and protects mission-critical systems.

    Today’s organizations face shifting customer expectations, ongoing talent shortages, and complex hybrid IT environments. That’s why boosting resiliency and agility, especially in mission-critical systems, is a strategic imperative. To meet these challenges, many are turning to AI, automation, and other emerging technologies. According to McKinsey, companies that successfully adopt agile practices can achieve up to 30% gains in efficiency, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and overall performance. And with IT downtime costing more than $5 million per hour in high-risk industries, strengthening infrastructure resilience is now a critical need.

    “IT teams are facing unprecedented demands to deliver more while balancing innovation with operational resilience,” said Phil Buckellew, President, Infrastructure Modernization Business Unit at Rocket Software. “These advancements directly address today’s critical needs – closing the IT skills gap, improving operational efficiency, and enabling modernization without disruption. By aligning cutting-edge technology with business goals, we empower IT leaders to simplify their operations, accelerate business outcomes, and future-proof their organizations, without additional risk.”

    “One of the most pressing challenges facing enterprise IT teams today is the ability to address the IT skills gap while modernizing core systems and scaling operations,” said Stephen Elliot, Group Vice President, I&O, Cloud Operations, and DevOps, IDC. “AI is a powerful tool that allows IT to effectively align itself to the business by delivering greater insights and efficiency.”

    Rocket Software’s approach to enabling IT modernization while reducing the risk of disruption is at the heart of its product development strategy. These advancements reflect the company’s commitment to delivering customer value through innovation, evidenced by the introduction of new optional capabilities for both developers and infrastructure teams, including:

    • Rocket® TMON: Proactively identifies mainframe performance issues and anomalies before they impact operations using AI-powered analytics, machine learning, and KPI measurement to proactively identify performance issues and anomalies before they impact operations.
    • Rocket® Zena™: Empowers non-technical users to automate processes independently, resulting in reduced reliance on IT intervention.
    • Rocket® EDX: Makes document management and search faster and easier with natural language input, done via voice or text.
    • Rocket® Rapid Data Recovery: Reduces downtime through single point in time data recovery.
    • Rocket® MultiValue Developer Assistant: Streamlines the generation, autocompletion, and explanation of MV BASIC code, speeding up time to productivity for new developers from months to weeks.
    • Rocket® Uniface® Developer Assistant : Helps users navigate Uniface documentation, learn the platform faster, generate and explain ProcScript code, and enhance code clarity with comments and plain-language explanations.

    For more information on these product updates, click here.

    To explore the full list of innovations and access additional product-specific information, visit the company’s website here.

    About Rocket Software
    Rocket Software is a global technology leader in modernization and a partner of choice that empowers the world’s leading businesses on their modernization journeys, spanning core systems to the cloud. Trusted by over 12,500 customers and 750 partners, and with more than 3,200 global employees, Rocket Software enables customers to maximize their data, applications, and infrastructure to deliver critical services that power our modern world. Rocket Software is a privately held U.S. corporation headquartered in the Boston area with centers of excellence strategically located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Rocket Software is a portfolio company of Bain Capital Private Equity. Follow Rocket Software on LinkedIn and X or visit www.RocketSoftware.com.

    Media Contact
    Lacey Darrow
    ldarrow@rocketsoftware.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Megaport and NYI Mark 10 Years of Partnership with Expansion to Chicago

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NYI, a provider of hybrid datacenter, network and interconnection services and Megaport, a leading provider of global network connectivity services, are proud to honor ten years of partnership with the addition of Megaport services at the NYI Chicago data center facility in Oak Brook, IL, enhancing network connectivity options for customers with rapidly evolving digital business requirements.

    A unique partnership with a solutions focus

    In a decade that has witnessed significant technological developments and a rapidly changing industry landscape—one in which companies come and go, morph and change—the long, stable partnership between NYI and Megaport is notable in withstanding the test of time while evolving to meet the escalating needs of clients in the digital infrastructure and network connectivity space. At the core of the successful collaboration is a shared dedication to facilitating holistic, custom solutions and delivering seamless customer experiences in an increasingly complex hybrid technology environment, driven by AI and other emerging technologies.

    “NYI was one of our initial locations in New York, and they’ve been an outstanding partner for a decade now. They’re about more than just power and space—they understand the value of delivering market-leading solutions and a great customer experience, making them an ideal partner for Megaport,” says Michael Reid, CEO of Megaport. “Chicago is a booming Tier 1 market, and we’re excited to expand this partnership by adding NYI Chicago to our expansive global ecosystem.”

    Providing easy access to digital infrastructure and connectivity

    Both NYI and Megaport believe in making things simple for customers. While NYI simplifies data center operations by addressing the logistical hurdles involved in deploying digital infrastructure, Megaport simplifies the often arduous task of managing network connectivity. By leveraging a single interface, customers can access a full range of Megaport services including secure, resilient, and scalable connectivity to public and private clouds, seamless data center to data center interconnection, and multi-cloud connectivity—all provisioned within a few clicks using Megaport’s intuitive, on-demand platform.

    “We’re committed to helping facilitate the right connectivity solutions to support our clients’ needs and our ongoing partnership with Megaport helps us achieve that,” adds Phillip Koblence, Co-Founder and COO of NYI. “We are delighted to extend Megaport services to our Midwest customers—offering a real-time, flexible network connectivity platform to support critical hybrid cloud use cases from disaster recovery to AI and IoT.”

    A strategic data center location

    NYI Chicago is strategically located in Oak Brook, midway between Chicago (18 miles to the East) and Aurora (to the west). The fiber rich facility offers a comprehensive portfolio of cloud, colocation, and interconnection solutions, and high touch managed services to companies across industries including finance, healthcare, technology and education. For NYI customers globally, the site supports geographic expansion, regional diversity and business continuity options in the highly desirable Chicago area.

    The integration of Megaport extends NYI Chicago’s premier connectivity capabilities which include a wide range of carriers and low-latency direct connectivity to 350 E. Cermak, a key Midwest interconnection hub. NYI’s highly skilled on-site team can assist with network decision making and the deployment of relevant services associated with Megaport.

    Getting started
    To learn how to optimize your cloud networking, data center and peering capabilities, contact NYI to schedule a demo and free trial of the Megaport platform.

    About Megaport

    Megaport is changing how businesses connect their infrastructure, with one smart and simple platform to manage every connection. Build secure, scalable, and agile networks in just a few clicks, accessing global endpoints and creating private paths in minutes. Trusted by the world’s leading companies, Megaport partners with global service providers, DC operators, systems integrators, and managed services companies, and operates in 930+ enabled locations worldwide. Megaport is ISO/IEC 27001 certified. Join the network revolution at megaport.com.

    About NYI

    NYI is a global provider of hybrid infrastructure, network, and interconnection solutions. The company is known for cutting through the complexity of the IT landscape and facilitating custom solutions to address the critical infrastructure and connectivity needs of clients across industries. NYI is headquartered in New York City and provides enterprise services into key global markets through a trusted ecosystem of partners. To learn more, visit www.nyi.net, contact 800.288.7387 or follow NYI on LinkedIn. Media contact: Iromie Weeramantry, marketing@nyi.net

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4b3afd0f-0120-40e8-b9e7-287042cd3cb0

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Go High Level Review: ‘Exposed!’ Is It Really Worth It? Pros, Cons & Benefits Uncovered!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Dallas, TX, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Welcome to our detailed review of Go High Level CRM, the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and supercharge your business operations. If you’ve been searching for a comprehensive platform to manage your leads, streamline communications, and scale your marketing efforts, this tool promises to deliver everything you need in one place.

    In this article, we’ll share an honest and detailed walkthrough of Go High Level CRM, covering its standout features, ease of use, benefits, and why it’s considered a powerful system for businesses of all sizes. We’ll also explore how it boosts productivity, improves customer engagement, and consolidates multiple tools into one intuitive platform. Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a larger organization, we’ll help you determine if Go High Level CRM is the right fit for you. Stay with us to uncover everything you need to know!

    >> Begin your 14-day Go High Level trial with zero risk and see real benefits in action! 

    Introduction to Go High Level

    Go High Level CRM is an all-in-one customer relationship management system designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency for businesses in various industries. The platform combines a wide range of features, including lead generation, pipeline management, appointment scheduling, and marketing automation, all within a single interface. Its user-friendly design ensures accessibility for entrepreneurs with varying levels of technical expertise, making it a versatile option for both beginners and seasoned professionals.

    Who Should Use it?

    The primary purpose of Go High Level CRM is to provide businesses with a centralized tool to manage and optimize their customer relationships. By consolidating multiple tools and processes into one platform, it helps save time, reduce costs, and eliminate the need for juggling multiple software solutions.

    This platform is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, marketing agencies, and solopreneurs looking to scale their operations and improve customer engagement. Whether you’re managing client campaigns, tracking sales funnels, or nurturing leads, Go High Level CRM is tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses aiming for growth and efficiency. 

    >> Claim your 14-day risk-free Go High Level trial today and see real benefits in action!

    Key Features

    Go High Level CRM is a game-changer for businesses, offering a comprehensive solution that combines a wide array of essential tools into one powerful platform. This all-in-one approach eliminates the need to manage multiple tools, empowering businesses to streamline operations, build stronger customer relationships, and drive significant growth with ease. Let’s explore the standout features that make Go High Level an indispensable platform for modern businesses.

    >> Begin your 14-day Go High Level trial with zero risk and see real benefits in action! 

    1.CRM (Customer Relationship Management)

    GoHighLevel’s CRM is designed to help businesses organize and streamline how they manage leads and customers. It provides tools to track every interaction, keep growing contact lists in order, and automate follow-ups so businesses never miss a chance to connect.

    With advanced pipelines to visualize sales processes, task-setting options to keep teams on track, and detailed client profiles to personalize interactions, GoHighLevel ensures seamless communication and stronger engagement across every touchpoint. Whether you’re nurturing a lead or maintaining existing client relationships, this CRM helps you stay efficient and effective.

    2.Email and SMS Marketing

    GoHighLevel enables businesses to create and manage personalized email and SMS campaigns that foster deeper client connections. Its automation workflows allow businesses to maintain consistent communication, from follow-ups to appointment reminders, with minimal effort. Dynamic templates make it easy to craft professional messages, while real-time analytics help refine campaigns for better performance. With the ability to target specific audiences and track conversions, businesses can optimize their marketing strategies to achieve higher engagement and stronger results.

    3.Sales Funnels

    Simplifying the process of building effective sales funnels, GoHighLevel offers a range of tools to guide potential customers seamlessly through every stage of the sales journey. Businesses can use customizable templates to create funnels tailored to their goals, while split-testing features allow them to experiment with different approaches to maximize success.

    Conversion tracking provides clear insights into how well each funnel performs, helping users fine-tune their strategy for better customer acquisition and retention. Whether you’re selling a product, generating leads, or promoting services, GoHighLevel’s sales funnel builder ensures every step is optimized for success.

    4.Website and Landing Page Builder

    GoHighLevel’s drag-and-drop website and landing page builder makes creating professional, high-performing pages simple—even for those without technical or coding skills. The platform offers mobile-friendly and SEO-optimized designs that help businesses stand out online while capturing leads more effectively.

    Whether it’s designing a brand-new website or creating targeted landing pages for specific campaigns, users can build visually appealing pages that drive traffic and generate results. With endless customization options, businesses can easily align their online presence with their brand identity.

    >> Claim your 14-day risk-free Go High Level trial today and see real benefits in action!

    5.Automation

    Time-consuming tasks like follow-ups, reminders, and appointment scheduling can now be handled automatically with GoHighLevel’s advanced automation tools. By automating repetitive processes, businesses can reduce manual workloads, eliminate errors, and free up their teams to focus on higher-value activities such as building relationships and developing long-term strategies. From email drip campaigns to task assignments, automation ensures consistency and accuracy, making operations smoother and more efficient.

    6.Appointment Scheduling

    Gone are the days of juggling appointment logistics—GoHighLevel’s integrated scheduling system simplifies the process for both businesses and customers. Clients can easily view and book available time slots, while built-in reminders help reduce no-shows and missed appointments.

    The calendar sync feature ensures all bookings are organized and accessible, making appointment management seamless. Whether you’re running a small team or a large operation, this scheduling system helps you stay organized and deliver a smoother experience for your clients.

    7.Reporting and Analytics

    GoHighLevel’s powerful reporting and analytics tools provide businesses with actionable insights to track performance across campaigns, sales funnels, and customer interactions. From identifying trends and measuring ROI to evaluating the effectiveness of marketing efforts, the platform gives users the data they need to make informed, data-driven decisions. Detailed, easy-to-understand reports allow businesses to fine-tune their strategies and focus on what works, ensuring long-term growth and success.

    8.Mobile App and Desktop App

    Managing your business on the go is easier than ever with GoHighLevel’s mobile and desktop apps. These branded apps give users the flexibility to monitor campaigns, communicate with clients, and manage essential tasks from anywhere, at any time. Whether you’re in the office or on the move, the apps provide full access to the platform’s features, ensuring you’re always connected and in control of your operations.

    9.SaaS Mode

    One of GoHighLevel’s most unique features is SaaS mode, which allows businesses to white-label the platform and resell it as their own SaaS solution. This creates an additional revenue stream, enabling users to offer the platform to their clients under their own branding. With SaaS mode, businesses can scale their operations while building a profitable service offering to complement their existing business model. It’s a powerful way to grow revenue and expand into new opportunities.

    Go High Level CRM is more than just a platform—it’s a complete toolkit for businesses looking to operate smarter, simplify processes, and achieve sustainable growth. Whether you’re managing leads, automating tasks, or building an engaging online presence, GoHighLevel equips you with everything you need to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

    Go High Level Pricing and Plans

    Go High Level offers three main pricing plans to fit businesses of all sizes — from solo entrepreneurs to agencies scaling with SaaS. Here’s a breakdown of what you get with each plan:

    1.Starter — $97/month

    Perfect for businesses just getting started and wanting essential tools to grow.

    • All the tools to capture more leads
    • Nurture and close leads into customers
    • Online booking, pipelines, social media calendar, website builder, and more
    • Unlimited contacts and users — no extra cost
    • Set up to three sub-accounts

    2. Unlimited — $297/month

    Designed for agencies and businesses ready to scale without limits.

    • Everything included in the Starter plan
    • API access — connect and integrate with anything
    • Unlimited sub-accounts — manage as many client accounts as you need
    • Branded desktop app — add your own domains and fully customize the platform

    3.SaaS Pro — $497/month

    For those ready to launch and manage a SaaS business with Go High Level.

    • Everything included in the Unlimited plan
    • SaaS mode — automatic sub-account creation
    • Rebilling — set your own pricing and profit margins
    • Rebilling available on Conversation AI

    >> Click Here to Start with the 14-day free trial to explore the platform before committing to a plan.  Whether you’re a small business or a growing agency, Go High Level has a flexible solution for you.

    User Experience and Interface

    Go High Level is designed with usability in mind, providing an intuitive interface that simplifies the onboarding process for new users. The platform offers detailed tutorials, guided setups, and a supportive community to help users quickly familiarize themselves with its features. Whether you’re a tech-savvy professional or a newcomer to SaaS tools, the learning curve is minimal, ensuring you can start using the platform effectively in no time.

    Mobile and Desktop Compatibility

    With full compatibility across both mobile and desktop devices, Go High Level ensures seamless access to your tools wherever you are. The platform’s responsive design adapts effortlessly to various screen sizes, allowing you to manage accounts, communicate with clients, and monitor performance on the go. A dedicated mobile app further enhances accessibility, making it easy to stay connected and responsive, regardless of your location.

    How Go High Level Stands Out in the Market?

    What sets Go High Level apart in the crowded CRM market is its all-in-one approach, providing a centralized platform that integrates marketing, sales, and customer management tools. Unlike many traditional CRMs that focus primarily on data organization, Go High Level empowers users with features like automated marketing campaigns, funnel building, and appointment scheduling, making it a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to streamline their operations.

    Its affordability, combined with its robust functionality, makes it especially appealing to small and medium-sized businesses that want enterprise-grade tools without the hefty price tag.

    >> Click here to claim your FREE 14-day trial of Go High Level and watch it transform your business to the next level!

    Key Competitors and Differences

    When compared to other major players such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM, Go High Level shines in its niche targeting of marketers, agencies, and small business clients. While Salesforce offers extensive customization and enterprise-level capabilities, its complexity and high pricing can be barriers for smaller teams.

    HubSpot, known for its user-friendly interface and inbound marketing focus, often requires add-ons to achieve a similar level of functionality that Go High Level offers out of the box. Similarly, Zoho CRM, while budget-friendly, lacks the depth of marketing automation and integrations that Go High Level provides. By combining marketing, email, SMS, and client management into a single platform, Go High Level eliminates the need for multiple third-party tools, saving businesses both time and money. 

    >> Click here to claim your FREE Go High Level 14-day trial and watch it transform your business to the next level!

    Pros and Cons of Go High Level CRM

    Like any platform, Go High Level comes with its own set of strengths and a few considerations. Fortunately, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, especially for businesses seeking an all-in-one marketing and CRM solution.

    Pros

    • All-in-One Platform: Eliminates the need for multiple tools—CRM, email marketing, funnels, website builder, automation, appointment scheduling, and more are all in one place.
    • Unlimited Features: No caps on contacts, emails, funnels, or users—even with the Starter plan. This allows for unlimited growth without surprise costs.
    • Powerful Automation: Automate tasks like follow-ups, reminders, and campaigns to save time and reduce manual errors.
    • SaaS Mode for Agencies: Unique white-labeling and rebilling features help agencies launch their own SaaS offerings and create new revenue streams.
    • Mobile and Desktop Apps: Fully functional mobile and desktop applications let you manage your business on the go with ease.
    • High Customizability: Customize branding, workflows, funnels, dashboards, and more to suit your business and client needs.
    • Robust Funnel and Website Builder: Build landing pages and websites with a drag-and-drop editor that’s intuitive, even for non-tech-savvy users.
    • Excellent Value for the Price: Offers enterprise-grade functionality at a much lower cost than competitors like Salesforce or HubSpot.
    • Responsive Support and Active Community: While the learning curve exists, support reps and a thriving user community help users get up to speed quickly.

    >> Click here to claim your FREE Go High Level 14-day trial and watch it transform your business to the next level!

    Cons

    • Learning Curve for Beginners: Due to its robust feature set, new users may feel overwhelmed at first. However, this is manageable with tutorials and community support.
    • Interface Can Feel Cluttered: With so many tools in one place, the dashboard may feel busy until you get accustomed to it.
    • Occasional Glitches: Like any evolving platform, minor bugs can occur, but the development team is quick to release updates and improvements.
    • Support Wait Times (During Peak Hours): Some users report delays during peak times. That said, off-hour support is often faster and more attentive.

    User Feedback and Reviews

    Go High Level CRM has built a reputation not just for its robust all-in-one functionality but also for its exceptional customer support—a recurring theme across hundreds of user reviews on platforms like Trustpilot.

    Here’s what real users had to say:

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This Review Is for Hershey – Not Just GHL”

    Mms Zaman – Canada

    “I went back and forth with multiple agents regarding one issue but did not get the exact solution I needed. Then luckily I got connected with Hershey on my next Zoom call—and she nailed it! I was literally surprised by her depth of knowledge and logical understanding. This review is less for GHL and more for Hershey. Keep shining. The industry needs resources like you.”

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Off-Hour Support = Hidden Gem”

    Francisco – Team Mortgage, USA
    (Trustpilot)

    “If you try to log in and get help during regular mid-day hours, be prepared to wait. BUT if you log in later in the day—boom, help arrives fast. The rep I spoke with (forgot the name, my brain was processing info!) was awesome and got my issue resolved. GHL (Go High Level) is amazingly robust, but yeah—it’s like getting a degree to learn it all. Hang in there. It’s worth it!”

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fantastic Onboarding with Saloni”

    Barbara – Canada
    (Trustpilot)

    “I just finished a great onboarding call with Saloni Singh. She was super helpful and patient while setting up the basics and answering all my questions. She explained the platform in a way that aligned with my business goals. I now feel confident taking the next step inside GHL (Go High Level).”

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Raymond Was a Game-Changer!”

    Tuan Luu
    (Trustpilot)

    “Great CRM and world-class support. I spoke with Raymond Sylvester today—he was incredibly helpful in solving my GHL issues and even assisted with some complex business number questions. Can’t say enough good things!”

    >> Try Go High Level risk-free for 14 days and watch it transform your business to the next level!

    My Personal Experience

    I’ve used Go High Level for over a year now, and I can confidently say it’s been one of the best investments I’ve made in my business. Before Go High Level, I was constantly juggling multiple tools to keep things running:

    • An email marketing tool to manage campaigns and nurture leads
    • A CRM to track client interactions and manage customer relationships
    • A funnel builder for creating landing pages and sales funnels
    • A booking tool to schedule calls and appointments
    • A reporting platform to analyze data and measure performance

    It was overwhelming, time-consuming, and costly. Not only was I spending hundreds of dollars each month on these separate tools, but switching between platforms made my processes inefficient and frustrating. It felt like I was always playing catch-up, trying to keep things organized while focusing on growing my business.

    After switching to Go High Level, everything changed. I consolidated all these tools into one intuitive dashboard, which allowed me to simplify my operations and save time. Instead of wasting hours managing disconnected platforms, I could focus on what really matters—delivering value to my clients. On top of that, I saved hundreds of dollars every month by cutting out all the extra subscriptions. 

    The best part? My business results improved across the board. Client engagement skyrocketed, my lead conversions increased, and my overall revenue grew significantly. By streamlining my tools with Go High Level, I was able to work smarter, not harder, and the difference has been incredible. 

    >> Try Go High Level risk-free for 14 days and watch it transform your business to the next level!

    If you’re tired of feeling stuck in a cycle of inefficiency, or if you’re ready to scale your business without the headaches, Go High Level is the solution you’ve been looking for. It’s a game-changer.

    Success Tips for Getting Started

    Here’s how to make the most of your Go High Level experience:

    Start with the Free Trial

    Begin with the free trial to familiarize yourself with the platform’s offerings. >> Click here to claim your FREE Go High Level 14-day trial and watch it transform your business to the next level!. Take your time exploring the features it provides and how they align with your business needs. This trial period is a chance to test out its flexibility and understand which tools will make the biggest impact. Don’t forget to jot down questions or areas where you might need clarification so you can make informed decisions as you move forward.

    Use Tutorials and Templates

    Leverage the extensive library of tutorials and pre-built templates that Go High Level provides. These resources are designed to help you maximize efficiency without a steep learning curve. Templates allow you to create professional, polished campaigns or workflows in no time. Tutorials, on the other hand, offer guidance on advanced functionalities that can help scale your business even faster.

    Automate Your Time-Consuming Tasks

    Focus on automating the tasks that consume the most of your time, such as client follow-ups, email sequences, or appointment scheduling. Automation not only saves you effort but also ensures consistency and reliability in your day-to-day operations. With Go High Level’s automation tools, you can stay focused on strategic priorities rather than manual, repetitive work.

    Customize Funnels and Emails

    Ensure your brand is front and center by customizing your funnels and email campaigns. Add your brand logos, colors, and tone of voice to create a seamless experience for your clients. Personalization within your communication can significantly enhance both engagement and overall results. The platform allows you to easily adjust these elements to align perfectly with your business vision.

    Track and Adjust with Analytics

    The analytics dashboard is one of the most powerful features in Go High Level. Use it to track your campaigns, client interactions, and overall performance. Regularly review this data to identify areas that need improvement or strategies that are working well. By adjusting based on insights, you can continuously optimize your efforts and drive business growth.

    Ready to Transform Your Business?

    Sign up for your FREE 14-day Go High Level trial today and experience the ultimate all-in-one CRM platform. With Go High Level, you can automate your business processes, nurture client relationships, and streamline operations all in one place.

    Take advantage of advanced features like pipeline management, email marketing automation, and a highly customizable dashboard tailored to your needs. Automate your business, close more leads, and watch your revenue grow! Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a team, Go High Level empowers you to work smarter, not harder. Don’t wait — start your free trial today!

    Final Verdict

    Go High Level stands out as a powerful tool designed to simplify and enhance your business processes. Its intuitive platform combines essential features such as automation, customization, and scalability, making it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes. By leveraging its versatile functionalities, you can maximize efficiency, improve client engagement, and ultimately drive growth.

    If you’re looking for a solution that helps you stay ahead in a competitive market while saving time and effort, Go High Level is the answer. Take the first step towards transforming your business operations — start your free trial today and see the results!

    >> Click here to claim your FREE Go High Level 14-day trial and watch it transform your business to the next level!

    FAQ Section

    1. What is Go High Level, and how can it benefit my business?

    Go High Level is an all-in-one sales and marketing platform designed for agency owners and digital agencies. It offers a wide range of tools, including reputation management, lead generation, and two-way communication features like Facebook Messenger and voicemail drops. By integrating directly with various channels and offering awesome product configurations, Go High Level helps you streamline operations, achieve your goals, and stay ahead of your competition.

    2. Can Go High Level support unlimited users?

    Yes! Go High Level is built to scale with your business, which means it supports unlimited users. Whether you’re a small agency or manage a large team, the platform’s core settings are tailored to help everyone accomplish tasks efficiently and effectively, making it an exceptional solution.

    3. How does Go High Level handle payment processing and scheduling?

    Go High Level makes it easy to integrate payment processing directly into your workflows and handle scheduling appointments seamlessly. With its intuitive interface, you can save time by managing everything from a single platform, giving you and your clients a hassle-free experience from opposite sides of the transaction.

    4. Are there alternatives to Go High Level, and how does it stand out?

    While there are other platforms, Go High Level is unique in its combination of features and unparalleled support team. With tools like FB Messenger integration, voicemail drops, reputation management, and custom file configurations, it provides an overview of everything you need to manage your business successfully. Plus, any issues you encounter are resolved quickly, ensuring you are always heard and supported.

    5. Why should you choose GoHighLevel over alternatives?

    When considering GoHighLevel alternatives, it makes sense to evaluate the features, usability, and technology that each platform provides. What truly sets GoHighLevel apart is its ability to seamlessly log all client interactions, giving you a comprehensive view of your business activities. Unlike other platforms, GoHighLevel leverages advanced technology to simplify complex tasks, ensuring you save time and effort. If you’re looking for a system that won’t break your workflow, GoHighLevel delivers a streamlined solution. Its intuitive design and clear explanation of tools empower users to operate efficiently, making it the ultimate choice for modern businesses.

    6. What is GoHighLevel used for?

    GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform for marketing, sales, and customer management. It’s used by businesses (especially agencies and marketers) to consolidate tools like CRM, email marketing, SMS campaigns, appointment scheduling, and even building websites or sales funnels in one place. This helps streamline workflows by managing lead generation, customer follow-ups, and sales processes within a single system.

    7. Is GoHighLevel a good CRM?

    Yes – GoHighLevel includes a robust CRM and is generally considered a good CRM solution, particularly for those who also need marketing automation. Its CRM capabilities (for tracking leads, conversations, and deals) hold up well and have been compared to established platforms like HubSpot or Pipedrive. Keep in mind that because it offers so many features in one, new users might face a learning curve before they can fully leverage its CRM and marketing tools.

    8. Can you actually make money with GoHighLevel?

    Yes, many agencies and marketers generate revenue with GoHighLevel by using it as the backbone for services they offer. GoHighLevel can be rebranded and resold to clients (allowing you to offer your own branded marketing/CRM platform), and its automation tools let you deliver valuable marketing services – for example, running lead campaigns and follow-ups – that clients are willing to pay for. In short, the software itself is a tool; you make money by applying it effectively (such as managing client marketing funnels or providing CRM as a service).

    9. Is GHL (GoHighLevel) better than HubSpot?

    It depends on your needs. HubSpot is a well-known, user-friendly CRM and marketing platform that excels for mid-to-large businesses, but it can be expensive with its tiered pricing. GoHighLevel, on the other hand, is an affordable all-in-one solution designed for agencies and small businesses, offering features like funnel building, SMS marketing, and even the ability to white-label the platform. If you need a highly polished enterprise CRM, HubSpot might be better, but if you want a cost-effective platform that combines many tools (CRM, marketing automation, scheduling, etc.) in one place, GoHighLevel can be a better fit.

    10. Can you send invoices with GoHighLevel?

    Yes, you can send invoices with GoHighLevel. The platform has built-in invoicing capabilities – you can create an invoice inside GoHighLevel and send it to your client, and if you integrate GoHighLevel with QuickBooks, the system will even create a matching invoice in QuickBooks once you mark it as sent in GoHighLevel. This means you’re able to bill clients and track payments directly through GoHighLevel without needing a separate invoicing tool.

    11. Can I build a website in GoHighLevel?

    Yes. GoHighLevel includes a drag-and-drop page builder that lets you create complete websites, not just single landing pages. You can design multi-page websites with menus and custom pages within the platform, which is handy for keeping your main website, landing pages, and marketing funnels all in one system.

    12. Is GoHighLevel good for e-commerce?

    GoHighLevel can handle basic e-commerce needs, but it’s not primarily an e-commerce platform like Shopify. It allows you to sell products or services through order forms and funnels and supports integrations with payment processors (like Stripe) and even Shopify for syncing store data. This is sufficient if you’re doing things like single-product sales, digital products, or service bookings, but for a large online store with a wide product catalog and advanced shopping features, a dedicated e-commerce solution would likely be more suitable (you could still use GoHighLevel alongside it for marketing and CRM).

    13. Does GoHighLevel have an affiliate program?

    Yes. GoHighLevel runs a tiered affiliate program that awards a 40% monthly recurring commission on every referred agency subscription (Tier 1) and an extra 5% on subscriptions from agencies signed up by your own referrals (Tier 2). >> Click Here to Join GoHighLevel Affiliate Program

    14. Is ClickFunnels better than GoHighLevel?

    ClickFunnels is a popular tool specifically for building sales funnels, and it’s very effective if your main goal is to create streamlined, high-converting funnel pages quickly. GoHighLevel, by contrast, also lets you build funnels but offers a much broader suite of features (integrated CRM, email/SMS marketing, appointment scheduling, etc.) in one platform. If you only need a simple funnel builder, ClickFunnels might be easier for that single purpose, but for most businesses that want an all-in-one solution to manage funnels and customer follow-up, GoHighLevel provides more value in a single package.

    GoHighLevel Contact Information
    Company: HighLevel, Inc
    Website: gohighlevel.com
    Phone: +1 (888) 732-4197
    Address: 400 North St. Paul Street Suite 920Dallas, TX 75201, USA
    Email: certifications@gohighlevel.com

    Disclaimer

    The information provided here is for general informational purposes and should not be used to make decisions regarding purchasing or participation in any offers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, there may be typographical errors, outdated references, or inaccuracies. The publisher disclaims any responsibility for errors, omissions, or inaccuracies, and the use of this information is at your own risk.

    This content does not guarantee specific results. Outcomes may differ based on individual circumstances, participation, or external factors. The information presented is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be interpreted as endorsement of any product or service.

    Affiliate Disclosure

    This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, the publisher may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help maintain the content and support the review process.

    All reviews and descriptions reflect the author’s honest opinion, based on available public data, user feedback, and research at the time of writing. The inclusion of affiliate links does not impact the objectivity or integrity of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently and review the full terms and conditions of the offers before participating.

    No warranties, either expressed or implied, are made regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the content. The publisher and affiliated parties expressly disclaim any liability for any consequences arising from the use of the information provided herein.

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung’s slim phone offers distinctly marketable feature among obscure AI use cases, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Samsung’s slim phone offers distinctly marketable feature among obscure AI use cases, says GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    Following the news that Samsung has launched the slim Galaxy S25 Edge phone;

    Anisha Bhatia, Senior Technology Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view:

    Samsung‘s Galaxy S25 Edge is a slim design that will redefine market standards amid competitive pressures. The phone’s sleek profile, measuring just 5.8 mm, stands out as a compelling feature in an era where differentiation is paramount. As original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and telcos navigate the complexities of unclear artificial intelligence (AI) use cases and their monetization, the allure of a marketable feature, such as a slim and lightweight form factor, becomes increasingly significant.

    “The trend towards slimmer smartphones is not a response to consumer demand; it is a strategic tactic by OEMs to carve out a unique identity in an intensely competitive landscape. The $1,099 S25 Edge comes with a hardy titanium body, weighs a light 163 grams, and includes all the multimodal AI features that are available in its parent S25 series of phones. But rival Apple’s anticipated iPhone 17 Air, expected in Fall 2025, is projected to be 5.5mm thin, poised to surpass Samsung in the race for slimness.

    “Apple may leverage the iPhone 17 Air’s slender design to counterbalance its perceived lag in AI features, generating significant market buzz. While the slim phone phenomenon has gained traction in China, its success in other markets, such as Europe and the US, remains uncertain due to varying cultural and consumer preferences. Nevertheless, the global appeal of this trend suggests a burgeoning niche market ripe for exploration by telcos and OEMs alike.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: AI can scan vast numbers of social media posts during disasters to guide first responders

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ademola Adesokan, Postdoctoral Researcher in Computer Science, Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Rescuers need to know ASAP where they’re needed in disasters. AP Photo/Mike Stewart

    When disasters happen – such as hurricanes, wildfires and earthquakes – every second counts. Emergency teams need to find people fast, send help and stay organized. In today’s world, one of the fastest ways to get information is through social media.

    In recent years, researchers have explored how artificial intelligence can use social media to help during emergencies. These programs can scan millions of posts on sites such as X, Facebook and Instagram. However, most existing systems look for simple patterns like keywords or images of damage.

    In my research as an AI scientist, I’ve developed new models that go further. They can understand the meaning and context of posts – what researchers call semantics. This helps improve how accurately the system identifies people in need and classifies situational awareness information during emergencies. The results show that these tools can give rescue teams a clearer view of what’s happening on the ground and where help is needed most.

    From posts to lifesaving insights

    People share billions of posts on social media every day. During disasters, they often share photos, videos, short messages and even their location. This creates a huge network of real-time information.

    How social media can help when a disaster strikes, by the European Commission.

    But with so many posts, it’s hard for people to find what’s important quickly. That’s where artificial intelligence helps. These systems, which use machine learning, can scan thousands of posts every second, find urgent messages, spot damage shown in pictures, and tell real information from rumors.

    During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, people sent over 20 million tweets over six days. If AI tools had been used then, they could have helped find people in danger even faster.

    Training AIs

    Researchers begin by teaching AI programs to understand emergencies. In one study I conducted, I looked at thousands of social media posts from disasters. I sorted them into groups like people asking for help, damaged buildings and general comments. Then, I used these examples to train the program to sort new posts by itself.

    One big step forward was teaching the program to look at pictures and words together. For example, a photo of flooded streets and a message like “we’re trapped” are stronger signals than either one alone. Using both, the system became much better at showing where people needed help and how serious the damage was.

    Finding information is just the first step. The main goal is to help emergency teams act quickly and save lives.

    I’m working with emergency response teams in the United States to add this technology to their systems. When a disaster hits, my program can show where help is needed by using social media posts. It can also classify this information by urgency, helping rescue teams use their resources where they are needed most.

    For example, during a flood, my system can quickly spot where people are asking for help and rank these areas by urgency. This helps rescue teams act faster and send aid where it’s needed most, even before official reports come in.

    AI scans of social media could help guide first responders to where they’re most urgently needed.
    Jon Cherry/Getty Images

    Addressing the challenges

    Using social media to help during disasters sounds great, but it’s not always easy. Sometimes, people post things that aren’t true. Other times, the same message gets posted many times or doesn’t clearly state where the problem is. This mix can make it hard for the system to know what’s real.

    To fix this, I’m working on ways to check a post’s credibility. I look at who posted it, what words they used and whether other posts say the same thing.

    I also take privacy seriously. I only use posts that anyone can see and never show names or personal details. Instead, I look at the big picture to find patterns.

    The future of disaster intelligence

    As AI systems improve, they are likely to be even more helpful during disasters. New tools can understand messages more clearly and might even help us see where trouble is coming before it starts.

    As extreme weather worsens, authorities need fast ways to get good information. When used correctly, social media can show people where help is needed most. It can help save lives and get supplies to the right places faster.

    In the future, I believe this will become a regular part of emergency work around the world. My research is still growing, but one thing is clear: Disaster response is no longer just about people on the ground – it’s also about AI systems in the cloud.

    Ademola Adesokan receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Kummer Institute for Student Success, Research, and Economic Development at the Missouri University of Science and Technology through the Kummer Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship.

    ref. AI can scan vast numbers of social media posts during disasters to guide first responders – https://theconversation.com/ai-can-scan-vast-numbers-of-social-media-posts-during-disasters-to-guide-first-responders-255316

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China and Central Asian countries ready to deepen cooperation in education

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    URUMQI, May 13 (Xinhua) — The first China-Central Asia Education Ministers’ Meeting was held in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Monday, calling for deeper cooperation in areas such as scientific research, vocational education and more.

    Delivering a keynote speech at the meeting, Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng noted that China pays close attention to cooperation with Central Asian countries in the field of education. Over the past two years, the parties have cooperated more closely and achieved fruitful results, he said.

    Regarding deepening China-Central Asia educational cooperation, Huai Jinpeng called for building new platforms for comprehensive exchanges and cooperation, forming a new system of higher education cooperation for joint training of professionals, unleashing the potential of cooperation in vocational education, strengthening cooperation in digital education based on resource sharing, and promoting exchanges between civilizations in China and Central Asian countries.

    As stated by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, Kazakhstan and China have developed fruitful cooperation in scientific research and education and actively promoted exchanges between specialists, while the youth of the two countries are showing growing interest in studying in each other’s countries.

    At the meeting, he also stressed the importance of expanding academic interaction, strengthening cooperation in postgraduate education, and enhancing the integration of artificial intelligence in the education process.

    At the meeting, the Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva proposed the development of cooperation in the field of developing a green economy and environmental education, supporting projects on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, e-commerce and innovative business models, as well as the continuous development of relevant projects in the field of biodiversity and climate change.

    The Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan Rahim Saidzod stated that as the level of informatization of the social sphere increases, Tajikistan will actively promote technological innovations and cooperation in various aspects, including neural networks, robotic automated production, 3D printing, etc.

    Minister of Education of Turkmenistan Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiev noted that Turkmenistan and China maintain an active intercultural dialogue, which has laid a solid foundation for the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation in the field of education.

    The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan Kongratbay Sharipov put forward an initiative to strengthen cooperation in the “China-Central Asia” format in the field of professional education in such specialized areas as agricultural engineering, green logistics, medical technologies, car maintenance, etc.

    Following the meeting, the Working Charter of the Mechanism of the China-Central Asia Education Ministers’ Meeting and the Urumqi Declaration of the China-Central Asia Education Ministers’ Meeting were adopted.

    The meeting announced the establishment of the China-Central Asia Alliance for the Integration of Education and Production and the Central Asian branch of the Global Institute for Teacher Education, as well as the launch of several projects in the research field.

    Meanwhile, a number of memorandums and agreements between educational institutions were signed at the event. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denmark: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    May 13, 2025

    A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

    The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    Copenhagen, Denmark:

    Denmark’s strong growth has continued, primarily driven by pharmaceutical exports, while domestic demand has remained relatively sluggish. Staff expects output growth to moderate in the near term as external demand weakens. Direct impacts from U.S. tariffs are expected to be limited, but heightened trade tensions and trade policy uncertainty pose risks to the outlook. Denmark’s robust institutions, competitive and relatively diversified economic structure, strong fiscal position, and highly educated workforce all reinforce its resilience to external shocks. In this context, the policy priorities are as follows.

    • Uphold fiscal sustainability amid rising defense and aging-related expenditures.
    • Ensure financial stability by vigilantly monitoring risks, maintaining a prudent capital-based macroprudential policy setting, and tightening borrower-based measures.
    • Further intensify structural reforms to support high levels of income and sustain the welfare state.

    Economic outlook and risks

    1. Staff anticipates a gradual moderation in GDP growth. Output growth is projected to decline from 3.7 percent in 2024 to 2.9 percent in 2025 and further to 1.8 percent in 2026. Export growth, including pharmaceutical exports, is expected to slow, while the full reopening of the Tyra natural gas and oil field will provide a temporary uplift. The U.S. is a key trading partner; however, exports produced in Denmark passing through customs account for only 3 percent of total exports, limiting the direct impact of U.S. tariffs on the Danish economy. Domestic demand is expected to gradually strengthen, driven by increased public expenditures and a modest recovery in private consumption due to improved consumer purchasing power. Beyond 2026, medium-term growth is projected at around 1.5 percent, reflecting a maturing pharmaceutical sector and a declining working-age population. Labor market pressures have eased, with inflation anticipated to stay around 2 percent.
    2. Risks to growth are on the downside. External risks dominate the outlook. A reversal of globalization, including higher trade barriers and deepening geoeconomic fragmentation, would put the Danish economy at risk. Global uncertainty, including the intensification of regional conflicts, would dampen consumer and business confidence, weighing on domestic demand. Upside risks to growth include a faster-than-expected resolution of trade and geopolitical tensions, as well as stronger pharmaceutical exports.

    Maintaining fiscal sustainability amid rising defense and aging-related spending

    1. The fiscal surplus is expected to decline significantly. In February, the authorities announced a temporary rise in defense spending from 2¼ percent of GDP in 2024 to 3¼ percent in 2025 and 2026, returning to 2¼ percent by 2033. This increase adds to already planned personal income tax cuts and increased expenditures related to health, long-term care, and climate. As a result, staff projects the overall surplus to fall from 4½ percent of GDP in 2024 to 1¼ percent in 2025 and further to ½ percent of GDP in 2026. Although labor market pressures have eased, and fiscal multipliers for the planned measures are likely to be low, the resulting fiscal stimulus could be stronger than warranted by macroeconomic circumstances. Given these risks, the authorities should continue to exercise robust spending controls and save any revenue above budget forecasts for the remainder of 2025.
    2. Given Denmark’s robust fiscal position, the announced temporary increase in defense spending is manageable from a public finance sustainability perspective. Denmark has long anticipated rising spending pressures from an aging population and has successfully reduced its debt-to-GDP ratio to below 30 percent, down from nearly 50 percent a decade ago. Furthermore, a significantly higher-than-expected fiscal surplus in 2024 provides additional room to accommodate the increased defense spending. In the staff’s baseline scenario, the structural balance is expected to remain above the -1 percent of GDP floor over the medium term, consistent with Denmark’s fiscal rules and a stable debt-to-GDP ratio.
    3. However, significantly higher and more persistent increases in defense spending would require adjustment measures to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. These adjustment measures should be growth-friendly while ensuring fairness to preserve the welfare state. Specifically:
    • While both expenditure and revenue measures should be explored, given the already high tax burden, priority should be given to spending measures. To this end, an in-depth assessment of expenditures should be conducted to identify low-priority or inefficient spending, as well as the opportunity to enhance public administration efficiency by leveraging digitalization and AI.
    • Structural reform programs should be vigorously pursued to boost labor supply and enhance productivity. In this context, further raising the retirement age in line with improved life expectancy is vital to ensure fiscal sustainability.
    • The structural balance floor of -1 percent of GDP under current national fiscal rules should be respected.

    Safeguarding financial stability

    1. Although systemic risks have been contained, heightened global risks warrant continued vigilance in monitoring financial sector risks. Banks are well-capitalized, with strong profitability, asset quality, and liquidity. To further strengthen the resilience of the financial system, the authorities should (i) ensure that banks maintain robust provisioning practices for credit risks, including a thorough examination of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 9 modeling practices; (ii) complete the ongoing review of internal ratings-based models promptly, followed by supervisory actions based on the results, and implement the EU’s CRR III/CRD VI as planned; (iii) continue efforts to enhance resilience against cyberattacks; and (iv) ensure that the Financial Supervisory Authority is adequately staffed across a full range of skills and experiences to deliver its mandates.
    2. Capital-based macroprudential policy is broadly appropriate, but borrower-based measures should be tightened to address pockets of vulnerabilities. Given heightened global risks and the fragile commercial real estate (CRE) sector, the 2.5 percent countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) and the 7 percent sector-specific systemic risk buffer, introduced in June 2024 to mitigate risks in the CRE sector, should remain in place for now. To address pockets of vulnerabilities in mortgages, the authorities should consider lowering the maximum loan-to-value ratio below the current 95 percent. In addition, incentives for bigger mortgages should be reduced by lowering the tax deductibility of mortgage interest expenses.
    3. The risks posed by non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) should be closely monitored and assessed. The authorities have increased their focus on the NBFI sector in financial stability assessments. Given the considerable size and extensive interconnectedness of NBFIs within the financial system, as well as their susceptibility to market vulnerabilities, the authorities should continue strengthening the oversight framework for NBFIs. Key priorities include: (i) finalizing the supervisory order on the stress-testing framework for insurance and pension firms; (ii) developing a framework for systemic risk assessment that covers both banks and NBFIs; and (iii) ensuring that insurance and pension companies provide clear advice to clients about financial and longevity risks when selling non-guaranteed products.
    4. Addressing outstanding recommendations in the 2020 Financial Stability Assessment Program would further strengthen financial sector oversight and crisis management. The authorities have made significant strides in implementing numerous recommendations, especially in bank and insurance supervision and systemic liquidity. Important outstanding recommendations relate to systemic risk oversight and the governance of the resolution authorities.

    Pursuing structural reforms

    1. Structural reforms should be further intensified to sustain high levels of income, preserve fiscal space, and sustain the welfare state. Over the past several decades, Denmark has benefited significantly from globalization, including reduced trade barriers and expanded global value chains. However, these conditions may shift due to rising geopolitical and trade tensions. An aging population would also weigh on potential growth. All these concerns underscore the pressing need for Denmark to reinforce structural reform efforts. Specifically,
    • Strengthening policies to support entrepreneurship while harnessing the benefits of digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Staff welcomes the progress made in implementing a new entrepreneurship strategy launched in June 2024 to support start-ups and scale-ups. Denmark excels in digitalization and is well-positioned to leverage the benefits of AI. In this regard, the authorities should continue reviewing the legal and technical barriers to AI adoption while ensuring sound ethical principles. While Denmark’s flexicurity model is well-suited to facilitate possible labor reallocation across sectors, the implications of digital technologies on labor markets, including job displacement, should be closely monitored.
    • Continuing efforts to ensure a sufficient labor supply with the right skills, such as IT, health, and long-term care professionals. The authorities’ ongoing focus on labor market reforms is appropriate, including recent initiatives to (i) reform education curricula to equip students with digitalization skills; (ii) enhance vocational education and training; and (iii) make the active labor market policy framework more cost-effective while maintaining the strengths of the Danish flexicurity model. Other policy priorities include: (i) aligning the foreign worker recruitment schemes, especially the salary requirement limit and the positive list, with labor market needs; and (ii) ensuring the effectiveness of integration programs to help foreign workers and families successfully integrate into Danish society.
    1. A deeper EU single market could boost Denmark’s business dynamism and potential growth. The EU single market, Denmark’s most important trade area, is fragmented. Deepening EU integration will enhance the benefits of economies of scale and network effects, thus expanding the market for Danish businesses. Simultaneously, the authorities should make efforts to reduce domestic regulatory burdens on businesses (e.g., reporting requirements) while balancing the costs and benefits of these regulations. Denmark’s commitment to supporting multilateral and transparent trade policies that promote mutually beneficial cooperation in global trade, knowledge, and investment flows is commendable.
    2. Strengthening climate adaptation will support sustainable growth. Due to its coastal location and flat topography, Denmark is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion, necessitating a well-designed long-term adaptation plan. The government is developing National Climate Adaptation Plan II, which focuses on enhanced coastal and groundwater protection, urban flood management, and the assessment of infrastructure needs, including financing responsibilities among central and local governments and the private sector. Simultaneously, the authorities are encouraged to reform the property insurance scheme (“Storm Surge Scheme”) to make insurance premiums risk-based.

    The mission thanks the authorities and private sector counterparts for their accommodative flexibility, warm hospitality, and candid and high-quality discussions. The IMF team is especially grateful to the Danmarks Nationalbank for its assistance with meeting and logistical arrangements.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Boris Balabanov

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/12/mcs-denmark-staff-concluding-statement-of-the-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI USA: What They’re Saying: Investing in NYC Transportation

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul recently signed new legislation as part of the FY26 Enacted Budget to make transformative investments in transportation infrastructure. In keeping with her record of leading on pro-transit investments, the FY26 Enacted Budget includes historic investments in New York City’s public transportation system with the biggest capital investment in New York’s transportation history by fully funding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) $68.4 billion 2025-29 Capital Plan.

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Millions of New Yorkers rely on the MTA every day, both passengers downstate and manufacturers upstate who rely on MTA contracts to support their employees. This budget is forward thinking about the future needs of the MTA and I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s leadership in making these investments possible to create the kind of modern system New Yorkers deserve.”

    State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “A functioning public transit system is essential to a functioning New York City and State. I applaud Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie for working together to fully fund the MTA’s $68.4 billion Capital Plan. Under this agreement we will be able to make more subway stations accessible, including many stations in my district, modernize the signal system to reduce wait times, and purchase more electric buses. These changes will make a tremendous difference to the millions of people across the tristate area who use our public transit system every single day.”

    State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “It’s never been more important to invest in our transit system. With so much uncertainty in Washington, New Yorkers are looking to us to offer the safe, reliable, accessible service that they need and deserve. That means new trains, upgraded signals, and long-overdue investments in station elevators and other improvements. This is a long-term investment in the future of our city, our economy and our communities, and I’m glad to work with Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the legislature to deliver it.”

    State Senator Robert Jackson said, “Our subways and buses are not luxuries—they are lifelines. Fully funding the MTA’s Capital Plan is more than an investment in concrete and steel; it’s a commitment to working people, to mobility, to equity. For the essential workers who kept this city alive, for the students racing to class, for the elders who deserve dignity in every ride—this is what putting people first looks like. This robust investment will help the MTA deliver on that promise: expanding ADA accessibility at subway stations across the district I serve, upgrading to clean electric bus fleets, and strengthening the rails and roads that keep my constituents moving. I’m proud to support a plan that moves New Yorkers forward—not just in transit, but in justice.”

    State Senator Cordell Cleare said, “We are hoping that this funding will extend to much needed projects like the Second Avenue Subway expansion, and other long-requested and necessary MTA accessibility upgrades and transportation alternatives, plus efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and pressing forward with modernizing the subway system and improving overall air quality. My constituents in the 30th District are awaiting the implementation of these improvements.”

    State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “I’m proud to have advocated for the full funding of the $68 billion MTA Capital Plan. This pro-transit investment will result in infrastructure improvements that will benefit my constituents, including Midtown tunnel upgrades and Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) modernization. I’m grateful to advocates, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Governor Hochul for this funding to move our city and state forward.”

    Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick said, “The MTA is vital not only to New York City residents who depend on it for their daily commute, but for the entire metro area. Many New Yorkers rely on the MTA to enter the city to work, dine, and recreate. Fully funding the MTA capital plan will provide the resources that are needed to expand and modernize services, while increasing the environmental benefits gained by supporting a reliable public transit system. I thank Governor Hochul for her work in securing this critical funding.”

    Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn said, “Public transportation is critical for many of my constituents, and for the millions of New Yorkers (and beyond) who rely on MTA’s infrastructure to keep moving forward. I applaud Governor Hochul and my colleagues for passing this legislation to make critical, record-high investments to improve transit for all New Yorkers, with a fully-funded 2025-29 Capital Plan. These prudent policies and transformative investments will ensure New York City’s largest public transportation system is continually improving, modernizing, and making our commutes better – all while creating good-paying jobs.”

    Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia said, “This historic investment in our transit infrastructure is a game changer for the Bronx. Fully funding the MTA’s Capital Plan means safer and more reliable service for our residents who rely on public transportation every day. I’m proud to support a budget that delivers the resources our communities need.”

    Assemblymember Brian Cunningham said, “A fully funded MTA Capital Plan is an important step toward delivering the transit improvements our communities deserve. For residents in my district, systemwide investments in accessibility and upgraded infrastructure will mean more dependable service and stronger connections to opportunity. The Interborough Express will bring new, much-needed transit options to Brooklyn residents who have long lacked efficient cross-borough service. This plan lays the groundwork for meaningful improvements in my district of Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, as well as across New York City’s transit system.”

    Assemblymember Tony Simone said, “The 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan is essential for both riders and our local economy. This historic investment by Governor Hochul and the Legislature will address the significant infrastructure issues our aging system faces, enabling it to make large strides towards becoming a truly 21st century system worthy of our great city.”

    Assemblymember George Alvarez said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul for her strong support for, and meaningful investment in, New York City’s public transit system. The Governor clearly understands that improvements in transit translate to more opportunity, a better quality-of-life, and a stronger economy for all New Yorkers.”

    New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said, “For decades, Albany underfunded the MTA and neglected the needs of our transit system, creating a multibillion-dollar backlog of deferred maintenance that led to several preventable system failures — most notably, the infamous ‘Summer of Hell’ in 2017. By fully funding the 2025-2029 Capital Plan, the FY2026 Budget brings much-needed stability to the MTA’s finances and will deliver billions in subway accessibility, safety, and state-of-good repair improvements. Thanks to the efforts of Governor Hochul and the Legislature, a more accessible, reliable, and safer transit system is finally within reach.”

    Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, “There is no New York City without mass transit, so I am thrilled that this year’s state budget will fully fund the MTA’s 2025-29 Capital Plan. This plan will improve service, safety, and reliability for the millions of New Yorkers who take transit every day, with investments like making at least 60 stations fully accessible, modernizing signals to speed up service, replacing 40+ year old subway cars, and more. I commend the Governor, legislature, and MTA for getting this done.”

    New York City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala said, “I commend Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to strengthening public transit infrastructure across New York City. The full funding of the MTA’s $68.4 billion Capital Plan marks a historic investment that will directly benefit the people of East Harlem and the South Bronx—communities that rely heavily on our transit system every single day. This funding will improve service, accessibility, and safety, helping to close long-standing transit equity gaps and ensuring that our constituents can commute, work, and live with the reliability and dignity they deserve.”

    Council Member Gale Brewer said, “This investment in the MTA is a huge win for New Yorkers who rely on public transit every day. Fully funding the Capital Plan means safer, more reliable service, and long-overdue upgrades that will benefit every borough. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and continued commitment to a more equitable, accessible, and resilient transportation system.”

    Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA Executive Director Lisa Daglian said, “The region’s riders have a lot to be thankful for in the state budget. Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Heastie clearly understand the importance of the MTA to the millions of New Yorkers who use transit everyday, to our economy, and to employers across New York State. We are grateful for their steadfast support. Fully funding the 2025-29 MTA Capital Plan ensures the $1.5 trillion asset that keeps our region moving is kept in a state of good repair and brought into the 21st century – especially important in light of unwarranted threats to transportation programs from the federal government. Funding critical safety programs and support services will help riders feel and be safe underground — progressing what we have already begun to see. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Hochul and the Legislature to advance more equitable access to affordable transit, especially for the New Yorkers who need it most.”

    Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Ben Furnas said, “A fully-funded MTA Capital Plan is existential for the future of our city. Congratulations to Governor Hochul and the legislature for their leadership. New York as we know it is only possible with mass transit. Our bridges and subways need to be brought into a state of good repair, and we need to be able to expand bus and train service in order to grow as a city without adding more cars to the road.”

    Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled Executive Director Joe Rappaport said, “A fully funded 2025-2029 capital budget means the MTA will meet its legal requirement to add elevators at dozens of stations across the city. It will get the MTA closer to meeting its ultimate goal of making virtually all subway stations accessible, as it agreed to do as part of a 2022 settlement with disability advocates, including BCID. It’ll also pay for other improvements that all riders need, whether or not they have a disability. We applaud Gov. Hochul’s and the legislature’s vision in passing this vitally needed funding.”

    Regional Plan Association President and CEO Tom Wright said, “As RPA’s recent research has shown, the 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan will enable the region’s 2.1 million riders who live in the MTA service area and regularly take transit to work to earn $187 billion in wages, powering the economy of the New York region. Thanks to the determination and dedication of Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature, all the region’s riders will be able to rely on the vital infrastructure investments secured in this year’s New York State budget that will make taking transit more reliable, comfortable, safe, and accessible.”

    Riders Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum said, “Public transit riders organized and Governor Hochul and the legislature heard us loud and clear. This budget builds on New York’s successful congestion relief program to keep fixing the subway that millions of us depend on every day. We’re grateful to the governor for her leadership in funding and maintaining a safe, affordable, reliable, accessible public transit system for all New Yorkers.”

    General Contractors Association of New York Executive Director Robert G. Wessels said, “We have worked hard in Albany, Washington, and right here in New York City to support funding for many MTA Capital Programs since its first five year plan in 1982, yet this one is particularly satisfying given its extraordinary level of investment. We commend the Governor for her efforts in getting this done, and our over 250 members and 25,000 skilled trades workers look forward to continuing to help New York rebuild and expand the nation’s premier transportation system.”

    New York Building Congress President and CEO Carlo Scissura said, “We are thrilled to see our partners in state government heed our industry’s call to ensure the MTA gets the funding it needs for the world class transit future New Yorkers deserve. Fully funding the MTA’s 2025–2029 Capital Program in the State Budget will generate over $106 billion in economic activity and support nearly 73,000 good-paying jobs across New York State, while delivering much-needed improvements to our transit infrastructure. The Capital Plan is essential to the continued growth of the region and is one of our strongest economic drivers. Building Congress members are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work building a transportation network we can continue to be proud of. We thank Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and the entire legislature for their leadership and commitment to New York’s future.”

    Felice Farber Executive Director Subcontractors Trade Association said, “We applaud Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart Cousins and the state legislature for their leadership in passing a budget that fully funds the MTA capital program. This critical investment not only ensures a safer, more reliable, and modernized transit system for millions of New Yorkers, but also fuels job growth and economic opportunity across the state. For subcontractors and small businesses, full funding means expanded access to projects, more predictable work pipelines, and a stronger foundation for long-term growth and innovation in the transportation infrastructure sector.”

    American Institute of Architects New York Chapter Executive Director Jesse Lazar said, “AIANY applauds Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, and the Members of the New York State Legislature for their demonstrated commitment to our public transportation system. This investment in the 2025-2029 Capital Plan will have critical impacts on the resiliency of our transit system with signal modernization and new rail cars as well as valuable expansion projects such as the Interborough Express. The design community is eager to continue its work with the MTA to ensure our region’s infrastructure is well-maintained and quality is prioritized.”

    Real Estate Board of New York President Jim Whelan said, “A world class transit infrastructure network is essential for attracting and retaining residents and businesses, and will help encourage investment for new real estate developments. REBNY commends the Governor and State Legislature for outlining a sustainable funding plan for the MTA as part of the budget.”

    Associated General Contractors of New York State President and CEO Mike Elmendorf said, “The fact that the enacted state budget fully funds the MTA Capital Program is welcome news for New York’s commuters and economy. This, coupled with the budget’s inclusion of increased funding for core NYSDOT capital needs and for local roads and bridges—highlights just how critical infrastructure is to our communities and economy. We commend Governor Hochul and the Legislature for recognizing this reality and for their forward-looking action.”

    American Council of Engineering Companies of New York President and CEO John T. Evers said, “New York’s economic future depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of our transportation systems, and that’s why we would like to applaud the steadfast leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and our legislative leaders for their diligent work to significantly increase in the budget of $800 million for the state Department of Transportation’s Capital Plan and adopt the five-year MTA Capital Plan. This funding will enable necessary upgrades to our aging network of roads, bridges and tunnels statewide, ensuring millions of New Yorkers can move forward in a safer and more sustainable manner. Improving our infrastructure means improving our quality of life, and as leaders in design and engineering, our members commend our government partners for securing the funds to better protect generations to come.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    May 13, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    New features include Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store, Magnifier for Mac, Braille Access, and Accessibility Reader; plus innovative updates to Live Listen, visionOS, Personal Voice, and more

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced new accessibility features coming later this year, including Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which will provide more detailed information for apps and games on the App Store. Users who are blind or have low vision can explore, learn, and interact using the new Magnifier app for Mac; take notes and perform calculations with the new Braille Access feature; and leverage the powerful camera system of Apple Vision Pro with new updates to visionOS. Additional announcements include Accessibility Reader, a new systemwide reading mode designed with accessibility in mind, along with updates to Live Listen, Background Sounds, Personal Voice, Vehicle Motion Cues, and more. Leveraging the power of Apple silicon — along with advances in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence — users will experience a new level of accessibility across the Apple ecosystem.

    “At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we’re proud of the innovations we’re sharing this year. That includes tools to help people access crucial information, explore the world around them, and do what they love.”

    “Building on 40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple, we are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “Powered by the Apple ecosystem, these features work seamlessly together to bring users new ways to engage with the things they care about most.”

    Accessibility Nutrition Labels Come to the App Store

    Accessibility Nutrition Labels bring a new section to App Store product pages that will highlight accessibility features within apps and games. These labels give users a new way to learn if an app will be accessible to them before they download it, and give developers the opportunity to better inform and educate their users on features their app supports. This includes VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. Accessibility Nutrition Labels will be available on the App Store worldwide, and developers can access more guidance on the criteria apps should meet before displaying accessibility information on their product pages.

    “Accessibility Nutrition Labels are a huge step forward for accessibility,” said Eric Bridges, the American Foundation for the Blind’s president and CEO. “Consumers deserve to know if a product or service will be accessible to them from the very start, and Apple has a long-standing history of delivering tools and technologies that allow developers to build experiences for everyone. These labels will give people with disabilities a new way to easily make more informed decisions and make purchases with a new level of confidence.”

    An All-New Magnifier for Mac

    Since 2016, Magnifier on iPhone and iPad has given users who are blind or have low vision tools to zoom in, read text, and detect objects around them. This year, Magnifier is coming to Mac to make the physical world more accessible for users with low vision. The Magnifier app for Mac connects to a user’s camera so they can zoom in on their surroundings, such as a screen or whiteboard. Magnifier works with Continuity Camera on iPhone as well as attached USB cameras, and supports reading documents using Desk View.

    With multiple live session windows, users can multitask by viewing a presentation with a webcam while simultaneously following along in a book using Desk View. With customized views, users can adjust brightness, contrast, color filters, and even perspective to make text and images easier to see. Views can also be captured, grouped, and saved to add to later on. Additionally, Magnifier for Mac is integrated with another new accessibility feature, Accessibility Reader, which transforms text from the physical world into a custom legible format.

    A New Braille Experience

    Braille Access is an all-new experience that turns iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro into a full-featured braille note taker that’s deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. With a built-in app launcher, users can easily open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device. With Braille Access, users can quickly take notes in braille format and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, a braille code often used in classrooms for math and science. Users can open Braille Ready Format (BRF) files directly from Braille Access, unlocking a wide range of books and files previously created on a braille note taking device. And an integrated form of Live Captions allows users to transcribe conversations in real time directly on braille displays.

    Introducing Accessibility Reader

    Accessibility Reader is a new systemwide reading mode designed to make text easier to read for users with a wide range of disabilities, such as dyslexia or low vision. Available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, Accessibility Reader gives users new ways to customize text and focus on content they want to read, with extensive options for font, color, and spacing, as well as support for Spoken Content. Accessibility Reader can be launched from any app, and is built into the Magnifier app for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, so users can interact with text in the real world, like in books or on dining menus.

    Live Captions Arrive on Apple Watch

    For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, Live Listen controls come to Apple Watch with a new set of features, including real-time Live Captions. Live Listen turns iPhone into a remote microphone to stream content directly to AirPods, Made for iPhone hearing aids, or Beats headphones. When a session is active on iPhone, users can view Live Captions of what their iPhone hears on a paired Apple Watch while listening along to the audio. Apple Watch serves as a remote control to start or stop Live Listen sessions, or jump back in a session to capture something that may have been missed. With Apple Watch, Live Listen sessions can be controlled from across the room, so there’s no need to get up in the middle of a meeting or during class. Live Listen can be used along with hearing health features available on AirPods Pro 2, including the first-of-its-kind clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature.

    An Enhanced View with Apple Vision Pro

    For users who are blind or have low vision, visionOS will expand vision accessibility features using the advanced camera system on Apple Vision Pro. With powerful updates to Zoom, users can magnify everything in view — including their surroundings — using the main camera. For VoiceOver users, Live Recognition in visionOS uses on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, find objects, read documents, and more.1 For accessibility developers, a new API will enable approved apps to access the main camera to provide live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation in apps like Be My Eyes, giving users more ways to understand their surroundings hands-free.

    Additional Updates

    • Background Sounds becomes easier to personalize with new EQ settings, the option to stop automatically after a period of time, and new actions for automations in Shortcuts. Background Sounds can help minimize distractions to increase a sense of focus and relaxation, which some users find can help with symptoms of tinnitus.
    • For users at risk of losing their ability to speak, Personal Voice becomes faster, easier, and more powerful than ever, leveraging advances in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence to create a smoother, more natural-sounding voice in less than a minute, using only 10 recorded phrases. Personal Voice will also add support for Spanish (Mexico).2
    • Vehicle Motion Cues, which can help reduce motion sickness when riding in a moving vehicle, comes to Mac, along with new ways to customize the animated onscreen dots on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
    • Eye Tracking users on iPhone and iPad will now have the option to use a switch or dwell to make selections. Keyboard typing when using Eye Tracking or Switch Control is now easier on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro with improvements including a new keyboard dwell timer, reduced steps when typing with switches, and enabling QuickPath for iPhone and Vision Pro.
    • With Head Tracking, users will be able to more easily control iPhone and iPad with head movements, similar to Eye Tracking.
    • For users with severe mobility disabilities, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS will add a new protocol to support Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs), an emerging technology that allows users to control their device without physical movement.
    • Assistive Access adds a new custom Apple TV app with a simplified media player. Developers will also get support in creating tailored experiences for users with intellectual and developmental disabilities using the Assistive Access API.
    • Music Haptics on iPhone becomes more customizable with the option to experience haptics for a whole song or for vocals only, as well as the option to adjust the overall intensity of taps, textures, and vibrations.
    • Sound Recognition adds Name Recognition, a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to know when their name is being called.
    • Voice Control introduces a new programming mode in Xcode for software developers with limited mobility. Voice Control also adds vocabulary syncing across devices, and will expand language support to include Korean, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Turkish, Italian, Spanish (Latin America), Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan), English (Singapore), and Russian.
    • Live Captions adds support to include English (India, Australia, UK, Singapore), Mandarin Chinese (Mainland China), Cantonese (Mainland China, Hong Kong), Spanish (Latin America, Spain), French (France, Canada), Japanese, German (Germany), and Korean.
    • Updates to CarPlay include support for Large Text. With updates to Sound Recognition in CarPlay, drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can now be notified of the sound of a crying baby, in addition to sounds outside the car such as horns and sirens.
    • Share Accessibility Settings is a new way for users to quickly and temporarily share their accessibility settings with another iPhone or iPad. This is great for borrowing a friend’s device or using a public kiosk in a setting like a cafe.

    Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day with Apple

    Apple Retail is introducing dedicated tables spotlighting accessibility features on a variety of devices in select store locations throughout the month of May. Additionally, Apple offers accessibility sessions year-round through Today at Apple for deeper learning, tips, and feature customization. Sessions can be scheduled at all Apple Store locations worldwide through Group Booking or by visiting a nearby store.

    Apple Music shares the story of artist Kiddo K and the power of music haptics for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, unveils updates to its Haptics playlists, and launches a brand-new playlist featuring ASL interpretations of music videos alongside Saylists playlists.

    Apple Fitness+ welcomes Chelsie Hill as a guest in a Dance workout with Fitness+ trainer Ben Allen. Hill is a professional dancer and founder of Rolettes, an L.A.-based wheelchair dance team that advocates for disability representation and women’s empowerment. The workout is available now in the Fitness+ app.

    Apple TV+ shares a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new Apple Original film Deaf President Now!, which premieres on Apple TV+ on May 16. The documentary tells the story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard about, which unfolded across eight tumultuous days in 1988. At the world’s only Deaf university, four students must find a way to lead an angry mob — and change the course of history.

    Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, Apple TV, and Apple News will spotlight stories of people with disabilities and those who are working to make the world more accessible for everyone.

    The App Store is sharing a collection of apps and games designed to be accessible to everyone, in addition to featuring the story of Klemens Strasser, a developer guided by a philosophy of making accessible apps and games like The Art of Fauna.

    The Shortcuts app adds Hold That Thought, a shortcut that prompts users to capture and recall information in a note so interruptions don’t derail their flow. The Accessibility Assistant shortcut has been added to Shortcuts on Apple Vision Pro to help recommend accessibility features based on user preferences.

    New videos on the Apple Support accessibility playlist include features like Eye Tracking, Vocal Shortcuts, and Vehicle Motion Cues, as well as a library of videos to help everyone personalize their iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro to work best for them.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Live Recognition should not be relied on in high-risk or emergency situations, in circumstances where the user may be harmed or injured, or for navigation.
    2. Personal Voice can only be used to create a voice that sounds like the user on device, using their own voice, and for their own personal, noncommercial use.

    Press Contacts

    Will Butler

    Apple

    willbutler@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    May 13, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    New features include Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store, Magnifier for Mac, Braille Access, and Accessibility Reader; plus innovative updates to Live Listen, visionOS, Personal Voice, and more

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced new accessibility features coming later this year, including Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which will provide more detailed information for apps and games on the App Store. Users who are blind or have low vision can explore, learn, and interact using the new Magnifier app for Mac; take notes and perform calculations with the new Braille Access feature; and leverage the powerful camera system of Apple Vision Pro with new updates to visionOS. Additional announcements include Accessibility Reader, a new systemwide reading mode designed with accessibility in mind, along with updates to Live Listen, Background Sounds, Personal Voice, Vehicle Motion Cues, and more. Leveraging the power of Apple silicon — along with advances in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence — users will experience a new level of accessibility across the Apple ecosystem.

    “At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we’re proud of the innovations we’re sharing this year. That includes tools to help people access crucial information, explore the world around them, and do what they love.”

    “Building on 40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple, we are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “Powered by the Apple ecosystem, these features work seamlessly together to bring users new ways to engage with the things they care about most.”

    Accessibility Nutrition Labels Come to the App Store

    Accessibility Nutrition Labels bring a new section to App Store product pages that will highlight accessibility features within apps and games. These labels give users a new way to learn if an app will be accessible to them before they download it, and give developers the opportunity to better inform and educate their users on features their app supports. This includes VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. Accessibility Nutrition Labels will be available on the App Store worldwide, and developers can access more guidance on the criteria apps should meet before displaying accessibility information on their product pages.

    “Accessibility Nutrition Labels are a huge step forward for accessibility,” said Eric Bridges, the American Foundation for the Blind’s president and CEO. “Consumers deserve to know if a product or service will be accessible to them from the very start, and Apple has a long-standing history of delivering tools and technologies that allow developers to build experiences for everyone. These labels will give people with disabilities a new way to easily make more informed decisions and make purchases with a new level of confidence.”

    An All-New Magnifier for Mac

    Since 2016, Magnifier on iPhone and iPad has given users who are blind or have low vision tools to zoom in, read text, and detect objects around them. This year, Magnifier is coming to Mac to make the physical world more accessible for users with low vision. The Magnifier app for Mac connects to a user’s camera so they can zoom in on their surroundings, such as a screen or whiteboard. Magnifier works with Continuity Camera on iPhone as well as attached USB cameras, and supports reading documents using Desk View.

    With multiple live session windows, users can multitask by viewing a presentation with a webcam while simultaneously following along in a book using Desk View. With customized views, users can adjust brightness, contrast, color filters, and even perspective to make text and images easier to see. Views can also be captured, grouped, and saved to add to later on. Additionally, Magnifier for Mac is integrated with another new accessibility feature, Accessibility Reader, which transforms text from the physical world into a custom legible format.

    A New Braille Experience

    Braille Access is an all-new experience that turns iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro into a full-featured braille note taker that’s deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. With a built-in app launcher, users can easily open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device. With Braille Access, users can quickly take notes in braille format and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, a braille code often used in classrooms for math and science. Users can open Braille Ready Format (BRF) files directly from Braille Access, unlocking a wide range of books and files previously created on a braille note taking device. And an integrated form of Live Captions allows users to transcribe conversations in real time directly on braille displays.

    Introducing Accessibility Reader

    Accessibility Reader is a new systemwide reading mode designed to make text easier to read for users with a wide range of disabilities, such as dyslexia or low vision. Available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, Accessibility Reader gives users new ways to customize text and focus on content they want to read, with extensive options for font, color, and spacing, as well as support for Spoken Content. Accessibility Reader can be launched from any app, and is built into the Magnifier app for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, so users can interact with text in the real world, like in books or on dining menus.

    Live Captions Arrive on Apple Watch

    For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, Live Listen controls come to Apple Watch with a new set of features, including real-time Live Captions. Live Listen turns iPhone into a remote microphone to stream content directly to AirPods, Made for iPhone hearing aids, or Beats headphones. When a session is active on iPhone, users can view Live Captions of what their iPhone hears on a paired Apple Watch while listening along to the audio. Apple Watch serves as a remote control to start or stop Live Listen sessions, or jump back in a session to capture something that may have been missed. With Apple Watch, Live Listen sessions can be controlled from across the room, so there’s no need to get up in the middle of a meeting or during class. Live Listen can be used along with hearing health features available on AirPods Pro 2, including the first-of-its-kind clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature.

    An Enhanced View with Apple Vision Pro

    For users who are blind or have low vision, visionOS will expand vision accessibility features using the advanced camera system on Apple Vision Pro. With powerful updates to Zoom, users can magnify everything in view — including their surroundings — using the main camera. For VoiceOver users, Live Recognition in visionOS uses on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, find objects, read documents, and more.1 For accessibility developers, a new API will enable approved apps to access the main camera to provide live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation in apps like Be My Eyes, giving users more ways to understand their surroundings hands-free.

    Additional Updates

    • Background Sounds becomes easier to personalize with new EQ settings, the option to stop automatically after a period of time, and new actions for automations in Shortcuts. Background Sounds can help minimize distractions to increase a sense of focus and relaxation, which some users find can help with symptoms of tinnitus.
    • For users at risk of losing their ability to speak, Personal Voice becomes faster, easier, and more powerful than ever, leveraging advances in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence to create a smoother, more natural-sounding voice in less than a minute, using only 10 recorded phrases. Personal Voice will also add support for Spanish (Mexico).2
    • Vehicle Motion Cues, which can help reduce motion sickness when riding in a moving vehicle, comes to Mac, along with new ways to customize the animated onscreen dots on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
    • Eye Tracking users on iPhone and iPad will now have the option to use a switch or dwell to make selections. Keyboard typing when using Eye Tracking or Switch Control is now easier on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro with improvements including a new keyboard dwell timer, reduced steps when typing with switches, and enabling QuickPath for iPhone and Vision Pro.
    • With Head Tracking, users will be able to more easily control iPhone and iPad with head movements, similar to Eye Tracking.
    • For users with severe mobility disabilities, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS will add a new protocol to support Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs), an emerging technology that allows users to control their device without physical movement.
    • Assistive Access adds a new custom Apple TV app with a simplified media player. Developers will also get support in creating tailored experiences for users with intellectual and developmental disabilities using the Assistive Access API.
    • Music Haptics on iPhone becomes more customizable with the option to experience haptics for a whole song or for vocals only, as well as the option to adjust the overall intensity of taps, textures, and vibrations.
    • Sound Recognition adds Name Recognition, a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to know when their name is being called.
    • Voice Control introduces a new programming mode in Xcode for software developers with limited mobility. Voice Control also adds vocabulary syncing across devices, and will expand language support to include Korean, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Turkish, Italian, Spanish (Latin America), Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan), English (Singapore), and Russian.
    • Live Captions adds support to include English (India, Australia, UK, Singapore), Mandarin Chinese (Mainland China), Cantonese (Mainland China, Hong Kong), Spanish (Latin America, Spain), French (France, Canada), Japanese, German (Germany), and Korean.
    • Updates to CarPlay include support for Large Text. With updates to Sound Recognition in CarPlay, drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can now be notified of the sound of a crying baby, in addition to sounds outside the car such as horns and sirens.
    • Share Accessibility Settings is a new way for users to quickly and temporarily share their accessibility settings with another iPhone or iPad. This is great for borrowing a friend’s device or using a public kiosk in a setting like a cafe.

    Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day with Apple

    Apple Retail is introducing dedicated tables spotlighting accessibility features on a variety of devices in select store locations throughout the month of May. Additionally, Apple offers accessibility sessions year-round through Today at Apple for deeper learning, tips, and feature customization. Sessions can be scheduled at all Apple Store locations worldwide through Group Booking or by visiting a nearby store.

    Apple Music shares the story of artist Kiddo K and the power of music haptics for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, unveils updates to its Haptics playlists, and launches a brand-new playlist featuring ASL interpretations of music videos alongside Saylists playlists.

    Apple Fitness+ welcomes Chelsie Hill as a guest in a Dance workout with Fitness+ trainer Ben Allen. Hill is a professional dancer and founder of Rolettes, an L.A.-based wheelchair dance team that advocates for disability representation and women’s empowerment. The workout is available now in the Fitness+ app.

    Apple TV+ shares a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new Apple Original film Deaf President Now!, which premieres on Apple TV+ on May 16. The documentary tells the story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard about, which unfolded across eight tumultuous days in 1988. At the world’s only Deaf university, four students must find a way to lead an angry mob — and change the course of history.

    Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, Apple TV, and Apple News will spotlight stories of people with disabilities and those who are working to make the world more accessible for everyone.

    The App Store is sharing a collection of apps and games designed to be accessible to everyone, in addition to featuring the story of Klemens Strasser, a developer guided by a philosophy of making accessible apps and games like The Art of Fauna.

    The Shortcuts app adds Hold That Thought, a shortcut that prompts users to capture and recall information in a note so interruptions don’t derail their flow. The Accessibility Assistant shortcut has been added to Shortcuts on Apple Vision Pro to help recommend accessibility features based on user preferences.

    New videos on the Apple Support accessibility playlist include features like Eye Tracking, Vocal Shortcuts, and Vehicle Motion Cues, as well as a library of videos to help everyone personalize their iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro to work best for them.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Live Recognition should not be relied on in high-risk or emergency situations, in circumstances where the user may be harmed or injured, or for navigation.
    2. Personal Voice can only be used to create a voice that sounds like the user on device, using their own voice, and for their own personal, noncommercial use.

    Press Contacts

    Will Butler

    Apple

    willbutler@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pension schemes back British growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Pension schemes back British growth

    Mansion House Accord unlocks up to £50 billion investment for the economy, with first commitments to invest in the UK.

    • More ambitious targets than 2023 Mansion House Compact will unlock investment into UK businesses and major infrastructure projects, including clean energy developments. 

    • Comes ahead of Pensions Investment Review final report, which will create megafunds to drive more investment, boost pension pots and grow the economy through the Plan for Change.

    Up to £50 billion of investment for UK businesses and major infrastructure projects is set to be unlocked through a new agreement with Britain’s biggest pension funds, as the Government goes further and faster to drive growth through the Plan for Change.

    Seventeen workplace pension providers managing around 90 percent of active savers’ defined contribution pensions will sign the Mansion House Accord at a roundtable with the Chancellor and Minister for Pensions in the City of London today (Tuesday 13 May). 

    Signatories to the Accord will pledge to invest 10 percent of their workplace portfolios in assets that boost the economy such as infrastructure, property and private equity by 2030. At least 5 percent of these portfolios will be ringfenced for the UK, expected to release £25 billion directly into the UK economy by 2030.  

    This investment could support clean energy developments across the country, delivering greater energy security and helping to lower household bills, as well as delivering growth finance to Britain’s world-leading science and technology businesses – creating jobs, boosting businesses and putting more money into people’s pockets.

    Pension savers will also benefit from the commitment to invest in private markets. Comparable Australian schemes invest significantly more in private markets and domestic companies than UK schemes, and research suggests greater investment in private markets can deliver security through diversified asset holdings and potentially drive higher returns. 

    The pledge follows hot on the heels of securing trade agreements with India and the US, which will add billions of pounds to the UK economy and protect thousands of steel and car manufacturing jobs, as well as a fourth interest rate cut since last Summer. This demonstrates the UK’s strength in navigating a changing world, going further and faster through our Plan for Change to drive growth and put more money into people’s pockets.

    Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

    Through our Plan for Change, we are choosing to back British businesses and British workers. I welcome this bold step by some of our biggest pension funds, which will unlock billions for major infrastructure, clean energy, and exciting startups — delivering growth, boosting pension pots, and giving working people greater security in retirement.

    Torsten Bell, Minister for Pensions, said:

    Pensions matter hugely, they underpin not just the retirements we all look forward to, but the investment our future prosperity depends on. I hugely welcome the pensions industry decision to invest in more productive assets, from growing companies to infrastructure. This supports better outcomes for savers and faster growth for Britain.

    Today’s announcement is more ambitious than the 2023 Mansion House Compact, where eleven funds committed to the aim of investing 5 percent of their workplace defined contribution default funds – the off-the-shelf funds providers offer to the vast majority of savers – in unlisted companies by 2030. The new commitment involves the vast majority of the industry and brings more assets into scope, doubles the target from 5 percent to 10 percent, and includes a specific commitment to investing 5 percent in the UK. 

    Progress against the commitment will be monitored and the initiative will be reinforced by measures to be announced in the upcoming final report of the Pensions Investment Review. The final report will tackle fragmentation in the UK pension system, creating pension megafunds that take advantage of scale and consolidation like Australian and Canadian funds do, to invest in productive assets like private markets and big infrastructure projects.  

    Some pension funds have already indicated privately that they will go beyond the targets agreed through the Mansion House Accord, which could lead to even more direct investment in the UK economy – and is particularly welcomed by the government. 

    Today’s commitment comes alongside progress in the government’s efforts to help pension savers benefit from the opportunities of investing in UK growth. The British Business Bank has now received regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority to deliver the British Growth Partnership – which will provide UK pension funds and other institutional investors with access to the Bank’s extensive pipeline of UK venture capital opportunities. 

    The government will continue working with the industry to make sure pension schemes deliver the best possible value for savers — while driving the investment needed to deliver growth and put more money into people’s pockets.

    Yvonne Braun, Director of Policy, Long-Term Savings, Health and Protection at the ABI, said:

    As major investors, the pensions industry already plays a vital role in driving growth in the UK and globally. The Accord formalises the industry’s ambition to invest more in private markets to diversify investments, support innovation and infrastructure, and ensure prosperity.  Investments under the Accord will always be made in savers’ best interests. It is now critical that Government supports the industry’s ambition, by facilitating a pipeline of suitable investment opportunities, tackling barriers to investments, and delivering wider pension reforms effectively.

    Alastair King, Lord Mayor of London, said:

    The Mansion House Accord builds on the strong foundations of the Compact and signals a step change in ambition: more signatories, deeper allocations to private markets, and a clearer commitment to backing UK assets. That includes a renewed focus on revitalising the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange as well as the Aquis Exchange, which play a critical role in supporting high-growth companies that drive innovation, jobs and productivity. If we want those firms to scale in the UK, we must ensure they have the capital to do so. This is not just about better pension outcomes, it is about building a more dynamic, competitive investment ecosystem. Delivering long-term, sustainable growth is crucial and the City of London Corporation is delighted to have partnered with industry and Government to bring this ambition to life.

    Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the PLSA, said:

    UK pension schemes already invest billions in UK growth assets. This accord demonstrates the collective ambition of the DC sector to do even more, as well as its confidence that the UK will provide the right opportunities to invest, consistent with schemes’ fiduciary duty to members. The Government, in its turn, has committed to take action to ensure there is a strong pipeline of investable assets for pension schemes. With everyone playing their part, there is great potential to boost returns for savers while providing vital funding to productive growth areas.


    More information

    • This is a voluntary expression of intent by seventeen signatories. The Mansion House Accord has been jointly led by the ABI, City of London Corporation and the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association. 

    • Signatories to the new commitment include: Aegon, Aon, Aviva, Legal & General, LifeSight, M&G, Mercer, Natwest Cushon, Nest, NOW: Pensions, Phoenix Group, Royal London, Smart Pension, the People’s Pension, SEI, TPT Retirement Solutions and the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). 

    • The signatories to the Accord have stated that £252 billion of assets are subject to the pledge. Based on historical growth rates (which have been halved to reflect a maturing market (17% per annum)) and reflecting further consolidation in the pensions market, this could rise to around £740 billion by 2030.  

    • The £50 billion and £25 billion cash estimates for investment unlocked are indicative and assume current private market investment levels are at 3.5%, of which 40% is UK-based. These are increased to 10% and 50% respectively by 2030 in line with the Accord.   

    • Some providers have indicated they may exceed the private markets investment targets in the Accord, which could lead to additional investment.  

    • Investments will support UK growth sectors, including clean energy infrastructure and innovative small businesses. 

    • Government Actuary Department Analysis from 2024 found that a portfolio with greater exposure to private markets – including infrastructure and private equity – delivered stronger returns than a baseline portfolio comprised largely of overseas equities.   

    • The Pensions Investment Review interim report was published at Mansion House 2024, with the final report due Spring 2025. 
    • Pictures will be published on HMT’s Flickr following the signing event.

    Stakeholder commentary:

    Andy Briggs, Phoenix Group CEO, said:

    This Mansion House Accord will unlock investment in UK private markets while helping deliver better long-term returns and retirements for millions of pension savers. The new commitments have the potential to strengthen the economy by fuelling the growth of British businesses and boosting investment in critical infrastructure.  

    Phoenix Group has already taken a lead by launching Future Growth Capital — the first private market investment manager formed to deliver the commitments made in the initial Mansion House Compact — committing £2.5bn over three years to the UK’s most exciting, innovative and fastest growing companies. The Accord is the natural next step, and we’re proud to play our part in delivering better outcomes for our customers and for the wider society.

    Patrick Heath-Lay, Chief Executive Officer of People’s Partnership, provider of People’s Pension, said:

    People’s Pension has a vital role to play in the exciting, shared vision for the future of the pensions’ industry, which will see bigger, stronger, value-driven schemes that will deliver better value to their members. By signing this Accord, we are reaffirming how seriously we take our commitment to delivering better outcomes, as well as helping to drive UK economic growth.

    David Lane, Chief Executive of TPT Retirement Solutions, said:

    By reaching an agreement with pension providers to invest in UK productive finance in a mutually beneficial way, the Government can achieve its objective and support better outcomes for scheme members. Many pension schemes already invest in productive finance, and most are open to investing more in the UK. Investment in assets such as infrastructure, transportation, housing, venture capital and private markets can play an important role in improving risk-adjusted returns for members while also contributing to economic growth. 

    Meeting the Government’s objectives while also maintaining fiduciary duty and ensuring strong returns for members are not mutually exclusive ambitions. However, hurdles remain around value for money considerations and the availability of suitable investment opportunities. These should be a focus for Government policy to spur more investment. The most pressing issue to deal with is that provider pricing practices leave very little room in the annual management charge for investment fees. There needs to be a shift to a value for money approach that considers the returns from an investment and not just its fees.

    Jelena Croad, Head of LifeSight GB, said:

    Signing up to the Mansion House Accord is a significant step for LifeSight. We believe that private market investments can increase overall returns as part of a diversified portfolio and have already begun investing in this way.  

    Our ability to invest in private markets, without increasing existing fee agreements, showcases our dedication to providing the best possible outcomes for our members. We are excited to be part of this initiative and look forward to contributing to the growth of the economy in which our members live.  

    We are pleased that the government acknowledges the need to increase the pipeline for UK private market investment opportunities. This recognition aligns with our mission to support the growth of innovative firms and sustainable infrastructure within the UK, ultimately enhancing the retirement incomes of millions of UK pension savers.  

    For LifeSight members, these investments are being made as part of our main default funds, ensuring that our members benefit from high-quality investment opportunities.

    Steve Charlton, a member of SPP’s DC Committee and DC Managing Director at SEI, said:

    Due to ongoing collaboration and open dialogue between the industry and the UK government, we have become comfortable with the proposed changes to the Mansion House reforms. This accord demonstrates our collective ambition to have a consolidated workplace pension environment that provides flexibility and choice for pension funds to invest where they see opportunity, whilst balancing their responsibility to members. 

    We welcome the government’s commitment to ensure a good flow of investable opportunities for pension schemes. This mitigates our previous concerns about the risks of high-priced, poor-quality investments in an environment where the originally proposed investable opportunities are scarce. It enables everyone to play their part in helping to deliver better member outcomes and drive economic growth.

    Lorna Blyth, Managing Director – Investment Proposition at Aegon UK, said: 

    Aegon UK is proud to be a signatory of the Mansion House Accord, which aligns with our aim to deliver better long-term outcomes for our pension scheme members. 

    We are committed to ensuring our customers can access and share in the potential growth and success of new, innovative companies as part of diversified portfolios. Leveraging our partnership with the British Business Bank, along with our scale and expertise, we are dedicated to developing investment solutions that improve the retirement outcomes of the millions of members of the defined contribution pension schemes we support. We’ve made significant progress in becoming a DC provider fit for the future – but our journey doesn’t end here. 

    The Accord is a key element of the Government’s growth agenda, alongside other initiatives likely to transform the UK’s DC pensions market. It comes as the conclusions of the Pensions Investment Review are expected imminently and further fundamental changes are expected in the Pension Schemes Bill later this spring. This makes it essential that the Government adopts a pragmatic approach to implementation. Realistic timeframes and a steady supply of high-quality UK investment opportunities across all private asset classes are crucial for ensuring success. This includes collaborating with more organisations such as the British Business Bank to provide access to diverse types of private assets – from private equity to infrastructure, which are all vital for optimising member benefits and developing investment portfolios designed for long term growth.

    Amanda Blanc DBE, Aviva Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

    This is a major opportunity for the pension and investment industry to support UK growth while delivering improved outcomes for pension savers. As a significant investor in private markets, Aviva has recently launched a number of funds to give over four million workplace pension customers even greater opportunity to invest in UK assets, including innovative, early-stage businesses, and we want to do much more.

    Jo Sharples,  CIO, DC Solutions at Aon, said:

    We believe that investing in private assets will benefit pension scheme members by delivering better expected returns over the long-term, ultimately resulting in higher retirement outcomes. The new Mansion House Accord is a great step forward in achieving this and is a fantastic example of how the UK pensions industry can work together to break down barriers to enable greater investment in private assets.

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Delinea Begins FedRAMP High Authorization Process for Secret Server

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Delinea, a pioneering provider of solutions for securing human and machine identities through centralized authorization, has initiated the FedRAMP High authorization process for Secret Server, an industry-leading Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution. Delivered in partnership with UberEther, Secret Server’s pending designation will enable Delinea to further its commitment to securing the public sector through modern, enterprise-grade PAM capabilities.

    FedRAMP High is reserved for best-in-class solutions that safeguard the U.S. government’s most sensitive, unclassified data in any cloud environment. Achieving this certification will ensure Delinea’s Secret Server meets the most stringent security and risk management standards required by U.S. federal agencies.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with Delinea to deliver a FedRAMP High Authorized PAM solution tailored to the U.S. federal government,” said Matt Topper, CEO at UberEther. “With identity-based attacks on the rise, this collaboration allows us to tackle the evolving security challenges of the public sector head-on. Together, we’re redefining identity security with innovative, flexible solutions designed to protect mission-critical cloud environments.”

    Delinea has teamed up with UberEther as a strategic deployment partner, combining seamless PAM capabilities with secure infrastructure expertise. Secret Server is designed to help organizations protect critical access and eliminate identity-based threats by enabling IT administrators to:

    • Store privileged credentials in a centralized, encrypted vault;
    • Uncover all service, application, administrator, and root accounts;
    • Automate provisioning, enforce password complexity, and rotate credentials;
    • Delegate access through RBAC, workflows, and approvals for third parties; and
    • Implement session launching, proxies, monitoring, and recording.

    “Identity has become one of the primary attack vectors in the age of AI. As federal agencies modernize their environments to meet Zero Trust principles and government mandates, they need security partners they can trust to support the mission,” said Art Gilliland, CEO at Delinea. “UberEther has been a fantastic partner and shares our unwavering commitment to operating and developing solutions with the highest levels of security. Together, we’ll deliver innovative identity security solutions that meet FedRAMP High standards, demonstrating our dedication to the U.S. government.”

    Delinea has been named a leader in the top five leading analyst reports for PAM, including Gartner, Forrester, KuppingerCole, EMA, and Frost & Sullivan. To learn more about Delinea’s Secret Server solution and sign up for a demo, visit: https://delinea.com/products/secret-server

    About Delinea

    Delinea is a pioneer in securing human and machine identities through intelligent, centralized authorization, empowering organizations to seamlessly govern their interactions across the modern enterprise. Leveraging AI-powered intelligence, Delinea’s leading cloud-native Identity Security Platform applies context throughout the entire identity lifecycle – across cloud and traditional infrastructure, data, SaaS applications, and AI. It is the only platform that enables you to discover all identities – including workforce, IT administrator, developers, and machines – assign appropriate access levels, detect irregularities, and respond to threats in real-time. With deployment in weeks, not months, 90% fewer resources to manage than the nearest competitor, and a 99.995% uptime, the Delinea Platform delivers robust security and operational efficiency without compromise. Learn more about Delinea on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.   

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Golar LNG Limited Q1 2025 results presentation – Date change

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Due to a newly scheduled official State visit to the GTA Hub in Mauritania and Senegal, which will be attended by senior management, Golar’s Q1 2025 results will be released before the NASDAQ opens on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. In connection with this the webcast presentation will be held at 1:00 P.M (London Time) on Tuesday May 27, 2025. The presentation will be available to download from the Investor Relations section at www.golarlng.com

    We recommend that participants join the conference call via the listen-only live webcast link provided. Sell-side analysts interested in raising a question during the Q&A session that will immediately follow the presentation should access the event via the conference call by clicking on this link. We recommend connecting 10 minutes prior to the call start. Information on how to ask questions will be given at the beginning of the Q&A session. There will be a limit of two questions per participant.

    a. Listen-only live webcast link
    Go to the Investors, Results Centre section at www.golarlng.com and click on the link to “Webcast”. To listen to the conference call from the web, you need to have a sound card on your computer, but no special plug ins are required to access the webcast. There is a “Help” link available on the webcast pages for anyone who may have issues accessing.

    b. Teleconference

    Conference call participants should register to obtain their dial in and passcode details. This process eliminates wait times when joining the call.

    When you log in, you can either dial in using the provided numbers and your unique PIN, or select the “Call me” option and type in your phone number to be instantly connected to the call. Use the following link to register.

    Please download the presentation material from www.golarlng.com (Investors, Results Centre) to view it while listening to the conference.

    If you are not able to listen at the time of the call, you can assess a replay of the event audio for a limited time on www.golarlng.com (Investors, Results Centre).

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Atsign’s NoPorts Solution Creates First “Invisible Cloud” on Amazon Web Services (AWS)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Atsign today announced the successful deployment of an “invisible cloud” environment on Amazon Web Services (AWS), leveraging its innovative NoPorts technology. This breakthrough delivers a new level of security and privacy for AWS customers, making their cloud infrastructure undetectable to unauthorized parties.

    Atsign’s NoPorts technology, built on the atPlatform, changes how devices and applications connect. By eliminating the need for open inbound ports, NoPorts removes the most common attack vector exploited by cybercriminals. This “zero trust by design” approach ensures that only authenticated and authorized entities can communicate, creating a secure and private environment.

    Key Benefits of Invisible Clouds on AWS with NoPorts:

    • Unparalleled Security – NoPorts provides connectivity without requiring any open inbound ports, rendering cloud instances invisible to public internet scans and attacks.
    • Enhanced Privacy – By removing open ports, NoPorts significantly reduces the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access, giving organizations greater control over their sensitive information.
    • Zero Trust Architecture – NoPorts is built on Atsign’s atPlatform, a zero trust foundation that requires cryptographic authentication for every connection. This eliminates the reliance on traditional perimeter defenses and establishes a more robust security model.
    • Seamless Connectivity – Despite its invisibility, the cloud remains fully functional. NoPorts enables secure and private communication between authorized individuals and services, without disrupting existing workflows.
    • Protection for a Wide Range of Cloud Services – NoPorts can make a wide array of cloud-hosted services invisible, including:
      • APIs
      • Databases
      • Web applications
      • AI/ML models
      • AI agents
      • Microservices
      • IoT applications
      • Edge computing deployments

    “This is a significant advancement in cloud security,” said Barbara Tallent, CEO of Atsign. “Extending our invisible cloud capabilities to AWS, the industry’s leading cloud platform, empowers even more organizations to protect their most valuable assets. NoPorts redefines cloud security by making data and infrastructure inherently inaccessible to attackers. Now, organizations can confidently deploy their most sensitive applications and data, including cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies, with the assurance that they are shielded from unauthorized access.”

    The ability to create invisible clouds on AWS provides organizations with a powerful new tool to combat the ever-increasing threat of cyberattacks. By eliminating open ports, NoPorts dramatically reduces the attack surface, making it significantly more difficult for malicious actors to gain access to sensitive data and critical systems.

    About NoPorts

    NoPorts eliminates network & security vulnerabilities by securing connections between people, entities, and things, making them invisible to would-be attackers by eliminating network attack surfaces. Built on Atsign’s atPlatform, NoPorts provides a zero trust architecture, end-to-end encryption, and no reliance on cumbersome security layers, enabling seamless and secure communication across virtually any environment. Organizations gain scalability, operational efficiency, and stronger security—all while reducing costs and complexity. For more information, visit NoPorts.com.

    About Atsign

    At Atsign, we believe that people, entities, and things—including AI—should connect securely and directly, while always being invisible to bad actors. By enabling communications without open ports and centralized servers, the atPlatform empowers developers and organizations to build applications with “invisible” security built in, placing data and device control back into the hands of their owners. Atsign is the creator of the atPlatform, the most robust infrastructure available for “invisible networking” and secure, private, peer-to-peer connectivity. Learn more at Atsign.com.

    For More Information Contact

    Scott Hetherington
    Atsign
    Scott@Atsign.com
    844-827-0985

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump guts low-income energy assistance as summer heat descends and electricity prices rise

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Conor Harrison, Associate Professor of Economic Geography, University of South Carolina

    Cities like Houston get high humidity in addition to the heat, making summer almost unbearable without cooling. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

    The U.S. is headed into what forecasters expect to be one of the hottest summers on record, and millions of people across the country will struggle to pay their power bills as temperatures and energy costs rise.

    A 2023 national survey found that nearly 1 in 4 Americans were unable to pay their full energy bill for at least one month, and nearly 1 in 4 reported that they kept their homes at unsafe temperatures to save money. By 2025, updated polling indicated nearly 3 in 4 Americans are worried about rising energy costs.

    Conservative estimates suggest that utilities shut off power to over 3 million U.S. households each year because the residents cannot pay their bills.

    This problem of high energy prices isn’t lost on the Trump administration.

    On the first day of his second term in 2025, President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency by executive order, saying that “high energy prices … devastate Americans, particularly those living on low- and fixed incomes.”

    Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright raised concerns about utility disconnections and outlined a mission to “shrink that number, with the target of zero.”

    Yet, the administration’s 2026 budget proposal zeros out funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, the federal program that administers funding to help low-income households pay their utility bills. And on April 1, 2025, the administration laid off the entire staff of the LIHEAP office.

    During the hottest periods, even nighttime temperatures might not drop below 90 in Phoenix. Without air conditioning, homes can become dangerously hot.
    Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

    Many people already struggle to cobble together enough help from various sources to pay their power bills. As researchers who study energy insecurity, we believe gutting the federal office responsible for administering energy bill assistance will make it even harder for Americans to make ends meet.

    The high stakes of energy affordability

    We work with communities in South Carolina and Tennessee where many residents struggle to heat and cool their homes.

    We see how high energy prices force people to make dangerous trade-offs. Low-income households often find themselves choosing whether to buy necessities, pay for child care or pay their utility bills.

    One elderly person we spoke with for our research, Sarah, explained that she routinely forgoes buying medications in order to pay her utility bill. Another research participant who connects low-income families to energy bill assistance in Tennessee said: “I’ve gone into these homes, and it’s so hot. Your eyes roll in the back of your head. It’s like you can’t breathe. How do you sit in here? It’s just unreal.”

    Unfortunately, these stories are increasingly common, especially in low-income communities and communities of color.

    Electricity prices are predicted to rise with worsening climate change: More frequent heat waves and extreme weather events drive up demand and put pressure on the grid. Furthermore, rising energy demand from data centers – supercharged by the increasing energy use by artificial intelligence – is accelerating price increases.

    Shrinking resources for assistance

    LIHEAP, created in 1981, provides funding to states as block grants to help low-income families pay their utility bills. In fiscal year 2023, the program distributed US$6.1 billion in energy assistance, helping some 5.9 million households avoid losing power connections.

    The program’s small staff played critical roles in disbursing this money, providing implementation guidelines, monitoring state-level fund management and tracking and evaluating program effectiveness.

    A long line of utility customers wait to apply for help from the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program in Trenton, N.J., in 2011. In 2023, around 6 million households benefited from LIHEAP.
    AP Photo/Mel Evans

    LIHEAP has historically prioritized heating assistance in cold-weather states over cooling assistance in warmer states. However, recent research shows a need to revisit the allocation formula to address the increasing need for air conditioning. The layoffs removed staff who could direct this work.

    It is unlikely that other sources of funding can fill in the gaps if states do not receive LIHEAP funds from the federal government. The program’s funding has never been high enough to meet the need. In 2020, LIHEAP provided assistance to just 16% of eligible households.

    Our research has found that, in practice, many households rely on a range of local nonprofits, faith-based organizations and informal networks of family and friends to help them pay their bills and keep the power on.

    For example, a research participant named Deborah reported that when faced with a utility shut-off, she “drove from church to church to church” in search of assistance. United Way in South Carolina received over 16,000 calls from people seeking help to pay their utility bills in 2023.

    These charitable services are an important lifeline for many, especially in the communities we study in the South. However, research has shown that faith-based programs do not have the reach of public programs.

    Without LIHEAP, the limited funds provided by nonprofits and the personal connections that people patch together will be stretched even thinner, especially as other charitable services, such as food banks, also face funding cuts.

    What’s ahead

    The $4.1 billion that Congress allocated to LIHEAP for the 2025 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, has already been disbursed. Going forward, however, cuts to LIHEAP staff affect its ability to respond to growing need. Congress now has to decide if it will kill the program’s future funding as well.

    Maricopa County in Arizona, home to Phoenix, illustrates what’s at stake. Annual heat-related deaths have risen 1,000% there in the past decade, from 61 to 602. Hundreds of these deaths occurred indoors.

    Cooling becomes essential during Arizona’s extreme summers. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, reported more than 600 heat-related deaths in 2024.
    AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

    We believe gutting LIHEAP puts the goal of energy affordability for all Americans – and Americans’ lives – in jeopardy. Until more affordable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can be scaled up, an expansion of federal assistance programs is needed, not a contraction.

    Increasing the reach and funding of LIHEAP is one option. Making home weatherization programs more effective is another.

    Governments could also require utilities to forgive past-due bills and end utility shut-offs during the hottest and coldest months. About two dozen states currently have rules to prevent shut-offs during the worst summer heat.

    For now, the cuts mean more pressure on nonprofits, faith-based organizations and informal networks. Looking ahead to another exceptionally hot summer, we can only hope that cuts to LIHEAP staff don’t foreshadow a growing yet preventable death toll.

    Etienne Toussaint, a law professor at the University of South Carolina, and Ann Eisenberg, a law professor at West Virginia University, contributed to this article.

    Conor Harrison receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

    Elena Louder receives funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

    Nikki Luke receives funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. She previously worked at the U.S. Department of Energy.

    Shelley Welton receives funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

    ref. Trump guts low-income energy assistance as summer heat descends and electricity prices rise – https://theconversation.com/trump-guts-low-income-energy-assistance-as-summer-heat-descends-and-electricity-prices-rise-256194

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: Auto and Property Insurance Shopping in First Quarter 2025 Elevated Compared to One Year Ago

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Auto insurance shopping in Q1 2025 increased 10% compared to the same period in 2024. Home insurance shopping was up 5% year over year, according to TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) research.

    While the trend of elevated shopping levels has been consistent for some time, a key difference emerged over the last quarter for auto insurance. Higher-risk consumers are once again the most active shoppers for the first time since Q4 2021. Insurers may have returned to traditional practices of focusing rate increases on higher risk segments, rather than across the board.

    As a result, higher-risk customers are still shopping for lower rates, while mid- and low-risk customers may have seen their rates stabilize. These findings and more are included in TransUnion’s latest quarterly Insurance Personal Lines Trends and Perspectives Report.

    “As rates have settled for the majority of auto insurance customers, we are experiencing a return to historical insurance shopping patterns, which correlate price sensitivity closely to relative insurance risk,” said Patrick Foy, senior director of strategic planning for TransUnion’s Insurance business. “However, uncertainty in the cost and availability of parts for vehicle and home repairs, could eventually lead to a return of broad-based price increases, and weather-related catastrophes—while still unpredictable—have also become a far more common and costly phenomenon.”

    The report notes that natural disasters have increased substantially, with 27 observed $1 billion dollar-plus disasters in 2024. This is more than double the 2010-2019 average of 13 disasters per year. The overall 2024 total cost was around $183 billion—also more than double the average annual cost in the 2010s.1 

    Generational shifts in homeownership
    The home insurance landscape is facing other changes as well. In 2009 more than half of Gen X consumers owned homes. However, in 2024, only 41% of Millennials at a similar age were homeowners. This is primarily due to the increasing size and cost of housing inventories that led to delays in homeownership or have priced many young adults out of the housing market entirely.

    As a result, there is a shift in home composition, with two- and even three-generation households becoming more common. Only 38% of credit-active occupants were living alone as of 2024, compared to 45% in 2009. Consumers seem to expect this trend to continue. According to a recent TransUnion consumer survey,18% of Gen X, 26% of Millennials and 35% of Gen Z plan to provide financial support to parents and grandparents in the next five years.2

    “As consumers are readjusting their lifestyles in the face of new economic realities, insurers must also become flexible with their policy offerings,” said Foy. “Multi-generational households represent a different risk profile as well as a different audience segment for their marketing.”

    By acknowledging this emerging trend in household composition, insurers can design products that more effectively price the inherent risks. They can also design advertising campaigns that better reach and resonate with their desired customers.

    Insurers can achieve more effective marketing with TransUnion’s TruAudience® suite of marketing solutions that help with identity resolution, audience building and measurement.

    Read the latest Insurance Personal Lines Trends and Perspectives Report.

    1. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | Time Series | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
    2. 2025 TransUnion Insurance Summit Consumer Survey

    About TransUnion’s Insurance Personal Lines Trends and Perspectives Report
    This quarterly publication examines trends in the personal lines insurance industry, including shopping, migration, violation, credit-based insurance stability and more. The Trends and Perspectives Report research is based almost entirely on TransUnion’s extensive internal data and analyses. It includes information on insurance shopping transactions from October 2023 to March 2025. However, the report excludes shopping data from insurance customers in California, Hawaii (auto), Massachusetts (auto), and Maryland (property), where credit-based insurance scoring information is not used for insurance rating or underwriting.

    About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)
    TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world. http://www.transunion.com/business

     

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Microchip Opens Registration for its 25th Annual MASTERs Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHANDLER, Ariz., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) today announces that registration is now open for its MASTERs Conference in North America, the premier technical training event for embedded design engineers. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the annual MASTERS Conference, once again taking place at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona, from August 4–7, 2025.

    MASTERs is short for “Microchip Annual Strategic Technical Exchange and Review” and is tailored to provide exceptional peer-to-peer technical training and insights taught by the company’s subject-matter experts. Engineers at all levels of experience will have access to over 80 classes on a wide range of embedded design topics including AI/ML, MCUs/MPUs, FGPAs, PCB design, RTOS, connectivity, security, power management and more.

    Throughout the conference dates, attendees can explore the “Ask the Experts” area with over 30-instructor led demos. This area will consist of stations dedicated to specific technologies including embedded software, MCU systems, analog, FPGAs, motor control, power conversion, wireless connectivity and other topics. The interactive setup aims to ignite fresh thinking, sharing of ideas and problem-solving to drive designs and projects forward.

    There will also be ample networking opportunities with fun evening activities on the agenda. A highlight of the 25th anniversary will be held the evening of August 4, when Steve Sanghi, Microchip’s president and CEO, will deliver a keynote, followed by dinner.

    “MASTERs is more than just a conference, it’s an immersive experience where engineers and developers expand their technical expertise, connect with industry leaders and spark innovation in an environment designed to inspire,” said Joe Krawczyk, senior corporate vice president of Microchip Technology’s worldwide client engagement. “Whether they are refining a concept or finalizing a design, engineers at every level walk away with practical insights and tools to accelerate their most ambitious projects.”

    The conference will be held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, an AAA Five Diamond resort with lush grounds, serene lagoons, six sparkling pools and world-class golf. While attending the world-class conference, attendees can also unwind and enjoy a vacation atmosphere.

    To register and learn more about MASTERs, visit the conference webpage.

    MASTERs Registration and Pricing Information

    Registration pricing is all inclusive for the MASTERs Conference 2025, with a discounted rate of $2,183 if attendees register by May 31, 2025, for three days of training. Beginning June 1, 2025, the rate increases to $2,425. Registration includes entry to the conference courses of the attendee’s choice, access to class materials, accommodation at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for three nights with meals and evening entertainment. All potential attendees must register by July 14, 2025. Discounts are available for select registrants. For more information and to register visit the conference webpage.

    Resources

    High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):
    Image: www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/54502279888/sizes/l

    About Microchip Technology:
    Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control and processing solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve over 100,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

    Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Northstrive Biosciences Signs Binding Term Sheet with Modulant Biosciences for Exclusive Global Animal Health Licensing of EL-22

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Binding term sheet grants Modulant Biosciences exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize EL-22 for animal health, enabling a first-of-its-kind probiotic approach to muscle preservation in livestock.
    • This collaboration represents a strategic opportunity for Northstrive to monetize the intellectual property of EL-22 in the animal health sector. If EL-22 is successfully developed and brought to market, the license could become a long-term revenue-generating asset.

    NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northstrive Biosciences Inc. (“Northstrive”), a subsidiary of PMGC Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ELAB) (the “Company,” “PMGC,” “we,” or “our”), today announced the signing of a binding term sheet with Modulant Biosciences LLC (“Modulant”). This binding term sheet outlines the terms for a future definitive licensing agreement for Northstrive’s licensing of certain intellectual property rights related to EL-22 in the field of animal health. This license would allow Modulant to use the relevant intellectual property for uses in animal health (“Intellectual Property”), including use as a feed additive. Excluding the Republic of Korea, the license would be worldwide and exclusive, and give Modulant the exclusive right to sub-license the relevant intellectual property globally.

    The Intellectual Property consists of those patents and applications set forth in the definitive licensing agreement, including at least: (i) U.S. Patent 8,470,551, (ii) U.S. Patent Application No. 19/19,191,246, and (iii) U.S. Patent Application No. 19/191,258. The definitive licensing agreement will establish a framework for the parties’ collaboration, sharing of intellectual property, and commercialization oversight, with a focus on livestock and other veterinary markets.

    “Targeting the myostatin pathway with a probiotic approach could be a breakthrough for achieving improved body composition in livestock and companion animals,” said Modulant Biosciences CEO Tom Campi. “The licensing of EL-22 will enable us to evaluate the muscle-building properties of the modified lactobacillus casei for treating livestock and supporting the industry’s environmental efforts.”

    Modulant Biosciences is led by Tom Campi, a seasoned biotechnology executive with extensive experience in animal drug development and commercialization. Dr. Campi is board certified by the American College of Poultry Veterinarians and has previously worked for Elanco Animal Health and Huvepharma. His more than 25-year career path has included roles in poultry technical consulting, leadership roles in US and European regulatory affairs and technology acquisitions.

    As part of the financial terms, Modulant will pay Northstrive a share of all revenues generated from sublicensing and commercial activities. Northstrive will receive a percentage of all such revenues until a certain dollar limit, after which the royalty rate will decrease. The definitive licensing agreement will also include provisions for the parties’ co-ownership of new intellectual property developed by Modulant, certain sublicensing rights, and annual updates from Modulant about licensing and commercialization efforts for the licensed technology.

    The parties intend to finalize and execute the definitive license agreement in the coming months, pending necessary approvals from Northstrive’s head licensor for certain intellectual property rights related to EL-22.

    About Northstrive Biosciences Inc.

    Northstrive Biosciences Inc., a PMGC Holdings Inc. company, is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and acquisition of cutting-edge aesthetic medicines. Northstrive’s lead asset, EL-22, leverages an engineered probiotic approach to address obesity’s pressing issue of preserving muscle while on weight loss treatments, including GLP-1 receptor agonists. For more information, please visit www.northstrivebio.com.

    About PMGC Holdings Inc.

    PMGC Holdings Inc. is a diversified holding company that manages and grows its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, investments, and development across various industries. Currently, our portfolio consists of three wholly owned subsidiaries: Northstrive Biosciences Inc., PMGC Research Inc., and PMGC Capital LLC. We are committed to exploring opportunities in multiple sectors to maximize growth and value. For more information, please visit https://www.pmgcholdings.com.

    About Modulant Biosciences LLC

    Modulant Biosciences is a biotechnology company specializing in veterinary medicine innovation. Led by Dr. Tom Campi, Modulant is focused on developing novel drugs and biologics for livestock and companion animals. Currently, Modulant’s synergistic pipeline includes first in class antivirals for livestock and companion animals and a “One Drug for All Cancers” platform.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “potential,” “would” and “future” or similar expressions such as “look forward” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, activities of regulators and future regulations and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. These and other risks are described more fully in PMGC’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

    IR Contact:
    IR@pmgcholdings.com

    The MIL Network