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Category: Machine Learning

  • MIL-OSI: Helport AI to Host First Half Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results Conference Call on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE and SAN DIEGO, March 28, 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, will hold a conference call on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss its results for the first half of fiscal year 2025 ended December 31, 2024, ongoing initiatives, and recent milestones. A press release detailing these results will be issued prior to the call.

    Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Guanghai Li, and President and Interim Chief Financial Officer Amy Fong, will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer session. The conference call will be accompanied by a presentation, which can be viewed during the webcast or accessed via the investor relations section of the Company’s website here.

    To access the call, please use the following information:

    Date: Monday, March 31, 2025
    Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time
    Toll-free dial-in number: 1-800-274-8461
    International dial-in number: 1-203-518-9814
    Conference ID (Required for Entry): HELPORT
       

    Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact MZ Group at 1-949-491-8235.

    The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay at
    https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1712485&tp_key=f52524cadf and via the investor relations section of the Company’s website here.

    A replay of the webcast will be available after 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time through July 1, 2025.

    Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921
    International replay number: 1-412-317-6671
    Replay ID: 11158521
       

    About Helport AI

    Helport AI (NASDAQ: HPAI) is an AI technology company dedicated to optimizing customer communication through its digital platform and intelligent software solutions. Offering enterprise-level customer contact services, Helport AI’s mission is to empower everyone to work as an expert. Learn more at www.helport.ai.

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

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

    The MIL Network –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: A Letter From Independent Director Bob Pease to Phillips 66 Shareholders

    Source: Phillips

    HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) today released the following letter from Independent Director Bob Pease to the Company’s shareholders:
    Shareholders of Phillips 66:
    I joined the Phillips 66 Board of Directors in February 2024. My appointment came as a result of an agreement between Elliott Management and Phillips 66. At the time, Elliott Management said I would bring to the Board “extensive experience in refining and energy more broadly.”
    Now Elliott wants me off the Board.
    Today I’m writing you, our shareholders, to lay out the truth about the Phillips 66 Board and why my own view of Elliott’s campaign for change at the Phillips 66 has evolved.
    I’ll start first with why I agreed to join the Phillips 66 Board in this relatively unusual manner. I’m a refinery guy first and foremost, holding numerous leadership roles, particularly in downstream businesses. When I joined the Board, Elliott’s primary demand was for Phillips 66 to improve its performance in refining. My experience was a perfect fit. Joining the Board then with Elliott’s endorsement felt like a win-win.
    I worried that joining a board with the endorsement of a well-known activist hedge fund may not be the best way to win the hearts and minds of other board members. I have been around long enough to know human nature, so I believed it would take some time to have an impact on this Board.
    I was wrong. My experience, insight and voice were immediately welcomed. In fact, I was encouraged early on to look closely at refining plans and challenge management.
    The level of debate, in-depth analysis and looking under every stone that I have seen so far on this Board is exactly what shareholders should want in the Board room.
    The Phillips 66 Board has delivered strong operational performance in refining while constantly exploring opportunities to create value across the full portfolio. Our integrated model has delivered synergies between the businesses and less volatile cash flows – it is a competitive advantage. We have set ambitious goals and are committed to maintaining best-in-class asset integrity while delivering a secure, competitive, and growing dividend; pursuing further accretive growth; and returning over 50% of our net operating cash flow to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
    You simply don’t achieve results like this without a high functioning, deeply engaged Board.
    In my view, it was Elliott’s inconsistent engagement that has proven most peculiar. There would be long silences, followed by rapid public action. What I saw from the Board was a clear commitment to getting to the right answer but a real struggle to understand and engage with an apparently highly distracted shareholder in Elliott.
    We have only been met with a declaration that there were “no next steps” and then continued public assaults, even while Elliott refused to allow us to meet their nominees. Then came their notification that Elliott would in fact be running four nominees for election at the 2025 Annual General Meeting. With my re-nomination to the Board confirmed, that meant I would be targeted for replacement by Elliott’s nominees, just a year after they publicly supported me. I do not know why Elliott now wants me off the Board.
    The Phillips 66 Board is committed to shareholder value creation.
    We are committed to challenging management to deliver results. We are committed to acting, when necessary, but we are not a group that makes sweeping, irreversible costly change in response to short-term market fluctuations and speculative valuations.
    We will always act in the best interest of our long-term shareholders for long-term value creation.
    Sincerely,
    Bob Pease Independent Director
    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 document 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 March 26, 2025, Phillips 66 filed a preliminary 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. The Proxy Statement is in preliminary form and Phillips 66 intends to file and mail to shareholders of record entitled to vote at the 2025 Annual Meeting a definitive proxy statement and other documents, including a WHITE proxy card. Phillips 66 may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding its solicitation of proxies for the 2025 Annual Meeting. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement or 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 March 26, 2025, and will be included in Phillips 66’s definitive proxy statement, once available, 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.

    Source: Phillips 66

    MIL OSI Economics –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: Conference of Large Non-Banking Financial Companies

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank held a Conference for the large-sized Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) on March 28, 2025, in Chennai. Chairpersons of the Audit Committee of the Board (ACB), MD & CEOs and the Statutory Auditors of the NBFCs attended the Conference. The Conference was a part of the series of supervisory engagements that the Reserve Bank has been having with key stakeholders of its Regulated Entities. The theme of the Conference was ‘Shared Vision, Shared Responsibility: Strengthening the NBFCs’. The Conference was attended by over 200 participants.

    Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank, Shri Swaminathan J, and Shri Charanjot Singh Nanda, President, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), addressed the participants. Executive Directors in-charge of the Regulatory, Supervisory and Enforcement functions of the Reserve Bank also participated in the Conference.

    Deputy Governor Shri Swaminathan, in his address, acknowledged the important role that is being played by NBFCs in the financial ecosystem and the role of Chairpersons of the ACB and Statutory Auditors in ensuring the integrity of financial statements. He emphasised that risk-taking must be prudent and well planned, and never beyond the risk absorption capacity of the entity concerned. Deputy Governor exhorted the NBFCs to proactively adopt fairness in lending and recovery supported by a robust grievance redress mechanism. He also conveyed expectations from auditors on maintaining the audit rigour and adhering to the highest standards of objectivity, transparency and ethics.

    The President, ICAI emphasised the contribution needed from the Chartered Accountancy profession and urged them to live up to the trust reposed on the profession. He touched upon various initiatives taken by the Institute in capacity building of Chartered Accountants, especially with respect to adoption of technology in auditing.

    The Conference included detailed presentations on the concerns observed in NBFCs and the regulatory expectations and a technical session on usage of data analytics in auditing. A Panel Discussion was also held involving MD & CEOs of select NBFCs on the topic of ‘Emerging issues and challenges under Ind AS’.

    The Conference concluded with an interactive session for the participants with senior officials of RBI.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2501

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Lufthansa Group airlines boost customer services for summer

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    The Lufthansa Group is boosting the customer services provided by its hub airlines – for rebooking, online baggage tracking, services and information in the event of irregularities and more – with the start of this year’s summer schedules.

    “We’re there for our customers, offering them an optimum all-round range of services throughout their air travel experience,” confirms Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx. “Now more than ever, our guests can swiftly and simply plan every aspect of their own air travel. And, should those plans change at short notice, they can count on extensive flexibility and support. Our customers and their needs will now be even more firmly centerstage; and their whole air travel experience with our hub airlines will be further enhanced.” 

    The range of digital services that are available via the Lufthansa Group airlines app – which was recently named the world’s ‘Best Airline App’ – has been particularly substantially expanded over the past few months. The app can not only be used to swiftly and easily modify individual travel plans: it also provides more extensive support to travelers in the event of any short-notice schedule change. To take just one example: If a flight is scheduled to operate with an aircraft equipped with the new Allegris First and Business Class cabins and the aircraft is subsequently changed, travelers who have booked a seat in the cabin concerned will have their seat reservation fee automatically refunded if the seat category they have chosen is no longer available.

    Far simpler and more flexible travel preparations

    In a further innovation, customers whose travel plans change can now quickly and easily rebook themselves via the usual digital channels – even if they already have a reserved seat – instead of contacting the Service Center as they have had to do in the past. With any such rebooking, their seat reservation will be retained; and should this not be possible, their reservation fee will be automatically refunded.

    To take full advantage of all such services and options, customers are urged to install the Lufthansa Group airlines app and use it to create their own Travel ID. The Travel ID offers a wide range of benefits and helps tangibly facilitate the air travel process – by storing travel document details and other personal data, for instance, for both past and future bookings. Further services will be gradually added. Customers with a Travel ID can also be offered personalized information and tailored alternatives should their original travel plans unexpectedly change. More than 15 million customers have already created their own digital Travel ID profile.

    A further new facility introduced this month and now available on the app and elsewhere enables travelers with a multi-person booking to cancel the ticket for an individual group member and have its price refunded in line with the applicable fare conditions. Also available online is a new service providing details of immigration guidelines and passport or visa requirements for international travelers. And in yet another innovation, sports baggage and pets destined for carriage in the cabin can now also be booked quickly and conveniently online.

    New services in the event of flight irregularities or baggage delays

    Any traveler who loses their original seat reservation as a result of an aircraft change for the flight concerned will now be actively issued with a new seat and informed of the change. They may then further modify their seat reservation online if they wish to do so.

    Customers traveling with an AirTag can now also securely share the location of their checked baggage with the Lufthansa Group’s baggage tracing teams via the usual digital channels should it be misdirected or mislaid, to help speed up its retrieval and delivery. This new facility supplements the options already available to customers on their airlines’ apps to verify their current baggage status.

    In a further new feature, any Lufthansa Group airline customer wishing to submit a suggestion or a claim for compensation can now do so using a new and improved online form which will automatically check the details they enter for any discrepancies, to help expedite its subsequent processing.  

    A new Help Center for service inquiries and requests

    A new Help Center has also been added to the Lufthansa Group airlines’ websites and apps to offer customers tailored travel solutions and respond to their specific service inquiries and requests. Travelers with more urgent concerns – such as a flight within the next eight hours – are offered more prioritized personal Service Center support. The AI Chat Assistant can provide the answers to many service questions – not only in English, but also in German, French, Italian or Spanish. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Vicon’s new markerless system enabling Dreamscape Immersive’s latest VR experience

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    28 March 2025

    Oxford Metrics plc

    (“Oxford Metrics” or the “Group”)

    Vicon’s new markerless system enabling Dreamscape Immersive’s latest VR experience

    New location-based VR technology to launch at Dreamscape’s Geneva flagship store in partnership with Swiss research partner, Artanim

    Oxford Metrics plc (LSE: OMG), the smart sensing and software company servicing life sciences, entertainment, engineering and smart manufacturing markets, announces that Vicon, its motion capture division, will be powering Dreamscape’s latest Location Based Virtual Reality (“LBVR”) experience, with its recently launched Vicon Markerless system.

    For Dreamscape, markerless motion capture can now provide a more true-to-life adventure than any other immersive VR experience by allowing more free-flowing movement and exploration without the need for markers and less user gear. Bringing smoother user journeys, this technological upgrade also has a major impact on staff operations and will ultimately facilitate Dreamscape’s international locations rollout.

    Located exclusively at their flagship store in Geneva, this new technology will be implemented across all industry sectors where Dreamscape is active including Entertainment, Education and Corporate solutions.

    Entitled ‘The House of Wonders’, the new six person, markerless and multimodal LBVR experience has been created in partnership with Audemars Piguet, the Swiss haute horlogerie manufacturer. ‘The House of Wonders’ experience delves participants into the hidden depths of enchanting workshops, where they meet a cast of passionate artisans and participate in the creation of a mechanical marvel. The VR technology bringing the experience to life was developed in collaboration with Artanim, the Swiss research institute.

    Imogen O’Connor, Oxford Metrics CEO commented on the collaboration: “Hot off the heels of our markerless launch, it’s great to announce that our innovative technology will be powering Dreamscape’s latest VR experience. Collaborating with Dreamscape on this project offered Vicon a unique opportunity to continue our work with a world leader in Location Based Virtual Reality and demonstrates the value of our markerless motion capture technology. This is only the beginning. Vicon’s system is a first-of-its-kind platform for markerless motion capture for creators, story tellers and 3D artists across Location Based Virtual Reality, Game, Film and Episodic TV.”

    Commenting on the new experience, Caecilia Charbonnier, Co-founder & CIO of Dreamscape, said: “We’ve long anticipated the moment when markerless motion capture could transition from concept to reality, reaching the level of precision needed to unlock its full potential. With Vicon’s decades-long legacy of setting the gold standard in motion capture technology and Dreamscape’s unwavering mission to create seamless, immersive experiences, our collaboration on this project was a natural fit.”

    The collaboration between Vicon and Artanim was key to ensure the desired requirements for the VR use case were met.

    Sylvain Chagué, co-founder and CTO of Artanim and Dreamscape, said: “Delivering best in class virtual body ownership and immersion in VR demands both accurate tracking and very low latency. We dedicated substantial R&D efforts to evaluating computational performance of machine learning-based tracking algorithms, carefully implementing and refining this multi-modal tracking solution – seamlessly integrating full-body markerless motion capture and VR headset tracking for an unparalleled experience.”  

    For further information please contact:

    Oxford Metrics +44 (0) 1865 261860
    Imogen O’Connor, CEO  
    Zoe Fox, CFO
    Emma Colven, Head of Communications
     
    FTI Consulting +44 (0)20 3727 1000
    Matt Dixon / Emma Hall / Jemima Gurney  

    About Oxford Metrics

    Oxford Metrics is a smart sensing and software company that enables the interface between the real world and its virtual twin. Our smart sensing technology helps over 10,000 customers in more than 70 countries, including all of the world’s top 10 games companies and all of the top 20 universities worldwide. Founded in 1984, we started our journey in healthcare, expanded into entertainment, winning an OSCAR® and an Emmy®, moved into defence, engineering and smart manufacturing. We have a strong track record of creating value by incubating, growing and then augmenting through acquisition, unique technology businesses.

    The Group trades through its market-leading division Vicon, Industrial Vision Systems, and recently acquired, The Sempre Group. Vicon is a world leader in motion measurement analysis to thousands of customers worldwide, including Red Bull, Imperial College London, Dreamscape Immersive, Industrial Light & Magic, and NASA. Industrial Vision Systems is a specialist in machine vision software and technology for high precision, automated quality control systems trusted by blue-chip, smart manufacturing companies across the globe including BD, DePuy, Jaguar Land Rover, Johnson & Johnson, Zytronic and Alkegen. Sempre is a measurement specialist solving manufacturing challenges across multiple industries. Through their expert in-house consultants and partnerships with over 25 well-known manufacturers including Jenoptik, Renishaw and Micro-Vu, Sempre offers an extensive range of products and software to customers in aerospace, automotive, medical, energy and precision engineering.

    The Group is headquartered in Oxford with offices in the United Kingdom, United States and Germany. Since 2001, Oxford Metrics (LSE: OMG), has been a quoted company listed on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. For more information about Oxford Metrics, visit www.oxfordmetrics.com.

    About Dreamscape

    Dreamscape Immersive is a world-leading VR company pioneering immersive experiences for entertainment, enterprise, and education.

    Dreamscape combines the emotional power of Hollywood storytelling, the visceral excitement of major theme parks and cutting-edge motion capture technology to create stories and worlds that push the boundaries of virtual reality.

    Dreamscape was founded in 2017 by technology experts, cinematic heavyweights, and live events professionals. The company’s location-based VR venues began rolling out across the United States and the Middle East in December 2018 to unprecedented audience enthusiasm. Most recently, Dreamscape introduced Dreamscape Learn, a new partnership with the nation’s leading innovator in education Arizona State University, to transform learning through exploration. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with its European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about Dreamscape, visit our site at: dreamscapeimmersive.com.

    About Artanim

    A Swiss leading non-profit center in motion capture technologies, Artanim Foundation was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 2011. The foundation pursues two strategic lines of research related to motion capture:

    • Virtual and augmented reality: Artanim develops virtual or augmented reality applications that emphasize on real-time interaction and virtual characters animation using state-of-the-art technologies. Part of this R&D effort has resulted in the commercial exploitation of story-based full-roam VR experiences as offered by Dreamscape, the leading VR company, leveraging Artanim’s breakthrough VR platform to create the ultimate immersive experience for location-based entertainment and education.
    • Medical research: Artanim combines motion capture with 3D medical imaging to better understand individualized human joint structures and to improve diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

    Besides its research activities, Artanim develops award-winning interactive installations that can exploit the potential of virtual and augmented reality, user performance and interactive control to provide new ways of experiencing digital content. For more information about Artanim, visit: artanim.ch.

    About Reach announcements

    This is a RNS Reach announcement. Reach is an investor communication service aimed at assisting listed and unlisted companies to distribute media only / non-regulatory news releases into the public domain. Information required to be notified under the AIM Rules, Market Abuse Regulation or other regulation would be disseminated as an RNS regulatory announcement and not on Reach.

    The MIL Network –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Tornadoes Rip Through Mississippi 

    Source: NASA

    On March 13, an expansive upper-level trough moved into the U.S. High Plains, Upper Midwest, and Midwest and began colliding with warm, moist air over the Mississippi Valley. The interaction helped fuel a major storm system that spread severe thunderstorms across several states. Many of these were supercells, a type of long-lived storm with a powerful rotating updraft. These storms often generate destructive tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds.
    Among the hardest-hit states was Mississippi, where 18 tornadoes touched down during the outbreak. These included one EF-4, one EF-3, seven EF-2, seven EF-1, and two EF-0 rated events. The onslaught damaged nearly 1,000 homes and dozens of businesses and farms, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
    In some areas, damage was even visible to the Landsat 8 satellite. The images above, captured by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on March 22, 2025, show a lengthy damage track extending roughly 55 miles (90 kilometers), from near Progress in the southwestern part of the state toward Williamsburg. Assessments of the damage by the National Weather Service led them to assign the event an EF-4 rating, making this one of the strongest tornadoes of the outbreak. They estimated peak winds of 170 miles (274 kilometers) per hour in some areas.

    Photographs taken from the ground show how fierce winds lopped off trees, flipped cars and trucks, and tore homes from their foundations. The photograph above, from NOAA’s Damage Assessment Toolkit, shows a grove of trees with their tops sheared off and damaged cabins near Paradise Ranch RV Resort, in one of several areas in Mississippi that experienced widespread destruction.
    Three other smaller tornado tracks are also visible in the Landsat images: an EF-3 track from Tylertown to Goss, an EF-2 track from Melba to Moscos, and an EF-2 track from Bassfield to Williamsburg. In a rare occurrence, the Bassfield tornado even crossed paths with the EF-4 track, about 41 minutes after the first tornado passed, leaving an X-shaped pattern of damage in a forested area in Covington County (see below).

    One location in western Covington County just north of Spring Hill School Road was struck twice by tornadoes just 41 minutes apart this past Saturday afternoon.The first tornado was more narrow as it approached the end of its path. The next storm that followed was wider. pic.twitter.com/mzzaJZAzRw
    — NWS Jackson MS (@NWSJacksonMS) March 21, 2025

     
    The severe weather brought destruction to other states as well. According to news reports, the weather system produced at least 112 tornadoes that touched down in 14 states between March 14 and 16, taking dozens of lives, flattening scores of homes, and disrupting power supplies. Of those, at least 44 were classified as “strong” tornadoes, meaning they produced at least EF-2 damage on the Enhanced Fujita scale. For comparison, the United States typically sees 95 tornadoes in all of March.
    In the wake of these storms, the NASA Disasters Program provided multiple types of satellite imagery to the Southern Region of the National Weather Service to support their damage assessment process. National Weather Service damage assessments serve as the official record of the path and strength of each tornado and are used to inform state and federal disaster declarations, help emergency responders prioritize aid, and validate and improve early warning systems. Identifying damaged areas and tornado tracks can be challenging in rural areas with limited road access, but satellite data helps provide a more complete picture.
    At NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC), researchers are also harnessing satellite data to identify atmospheric patterns that can indicate severe weather on the ground. The NASA team is developing an open-source machine learning model that uses geostationary satellite data to identify potential overshooting cloud tops and above-anvil cirrus plumes, features that often appear at the tops of storms roughly 10 minutes before the most severe weather hits. According to Kristopher Bedka, an atmospheric scientist at LaRC, tracking the features can provide valuable lead time that saves lives and property.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Photograph from NOAA’s Damage Assessment Toolkit, taken by a member of a National Weather Service storm survey team. Story by Adam Voiland.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release-Dead Turtle Photo Highlights Need to Report It When You See It, March 27, 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release-Dead Turtle Photo Highlights Need to Report It When You See It, March 27, 2025

    Posted on Mar 27, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

         JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    DAWN CHANG
    CHAIRPERSON

    DEAD TURTLE PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO 

    REPORT IT WHEN YOU SEE IT

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 27, 2025

    HONOLULU – A social media post from an “anonymous participant” on a Hawai‘i-based Facebook page shows a dead sea turtle with its shell missing. So far the post, which can’t be verified for its veracity, has generated more than 3,000 reactions and 660 comments.

    The person who posted the image says he/she walks Hau Bush beach in ‘Ewa Beach daily. “I have never seen anything like this until tonight,” the post said.

    The problem for federal and state law enforcement agencies is, the incident was not reported to them directly, which makes it difficult for officers to build a case and pursue prosecution.

    Chief Jason Redulla of the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) explained, “We have the DLNR TipApp which allows people who see suspected violations to report them when they see them. Witness information and photographs can help us investigate a case and potentially bring charges.”

    The DLNRTipApp did receive an after-the-fact notification which just copied the original social media post.

    DLNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and NOAA also have reporting hotlines for violations against marine mammals, such as sea turtles (see below).

    Added Brian Neilson, administrator of the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), “We know it’s frustrating when people only report violations via social media and nothing happens. Unfortunately, in most cases there’s not enough information to conduct thorough investigations.” DAR also encourages witnesses of criminal violations to report them when they see them.

    People who report violations by phone or on the app can also do so anonymously. Using either method, reporting parties are prompted to provide the who, what, when, and where needed by law enforcement for successful prosecutions. The person who witnessed the dead, shell-less turtle is encouraged to follow-up by contacting either DLNR, FWS, or NOAA law enforcement to provide more information.

    “Most of these egregious violations that we become aware of through social media channels, rarely have the necessary information, so we can’t even know where to begin looking,” Redulla added. “Without the perpetrator coming forward and self-reporting, or without a specific location, date and time, our hands are unfortunately tied,” he said.

    DLNR, FWS, and NOAA encourage everyone who spends time in and around the ocean to download the free reporting application and to input reporting hotlines into their phone directories so reports to authorities can be received quickly.

    “We really need everyone’s kōkua to find people who are committing crimes against our protected marine species,” Neilson said. Green sea turtles are protected and listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

    # # #

    RESOURCES

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR)

    Facebook screenshot – Dead Turtle (image may be disturbing to viewers):

    Attached

    To report suspected violations:

    ·      Download the DLNRTip App on your Apple or Android Smart Phone

    ·      DLNR 24-Hour Hotline: 808-643-DLNR (3-5-6-7)

    ·      NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: 888-256-9840

    Media Contact:

    Dan Dennison

    Communications Director

    Hawaiʻi Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G Are Now Available Worldwide

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today announced the global availability1 of the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G, marking a significant step toward opening up new possibilities for even more users through advanced mobile AI technology. This is the first Galaxy A series to feature Awesome Intelligence – a comprehensive and intuitive mobile AI experience that offers powerful and fun AI-powered tools2 for easy search and amazing visual experiences.
     
    “As Samsung continues to lead the way in mobile AI, we are committed to bringing its power to even more users, providing new ways to explore and capture the world around them through Awesome Intelligence,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “With the launch of the new Galaxy A series, we look forward to more people benefitting from smart and fun mobile experiences that unleash their creativity, all while ensuring the security and reliability users expect from us.”
     
    The latest Galaxy A series brings users Galaxy’s fan-favorite AI-powered features. Enhanced Circle to Search with Google3 offers a seamless way to find answers, enabling users to instantly bring information to their fingertips with a simple gesture. With Object Eraser,4 users can easily remove unwanted elements from photos for a cleaner, more polished look. For those who enjoy customizing their photos even further, Filters5 can create unique effects inspired by their favorite images. Available only on Galaxy A56 5G within the Galaxy A series, Best Face6 allows users to select the best expressions from multiple frames and combine them into a single photo so everyone looks their best.

     
    Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G feature a 6.7-inch7 FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits,8 offering a vivid and immersive viewing experience in any environment. A 5,000mAh battery powers all three models, allowing users to enjoy every moment for longer. Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G deliver enhanced performance, with a larger vapor chamber9 that ensures smoother multitasking, gaming and video playback. The new Galaxy A series also provides an extra, fortified layer of device safety, transparency and user choice with Samsung Knox Vault. Additionally, these devices are built for long-term use and peace of mind, with support for up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates.
     
    The new Galaxy A series will be available globally through carriers, retailers and Samsung.com starting March 28, and will come in a range of stylish color options.10 Galaxy A56 5G is available in Awesome Lightgray, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive and Awesome Pink. Galaxy A36 5G comes in Awesome Lavender, Awesome Black, Awesome White and Awesome Lime. Galaxy A26 5G is available in Black, White, Mint and Peach Pink.
     

     

     

     

     
    For more information about Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsung Mobile Press and Samsung.com.
     
     

    1 Availability may vary by country, region and carrier.2 Samsung Account login may be required to use certain features. Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by Intelligent features. Availability of features may vary depending on the region/country, OS/One UI version, device model and carrier.3 Service availability may vary by country, language and device model. Requires an internet connection. Users may need to update Android and Google app to the latest version. Results may vary depending on visual or audio matches. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Works on compatible apps and surfaces, and with ambient music only. Will not identify music coming through headphones or if phone volume is off.4 Results may vary based on the images and the object the user is trying to remove.5 Filters feature is unavailable in the 3:4 64MP aspect ratio setting. Its availability might differ based on device model and software version. Filter availability may vary based on resolution and aspect ratio settings.6 Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Best Face feature is available exclusively on the Galaxy A56 5G device from the Galaxy A series. Best Face is only available for photos taken with Motion Photo turned on. The feature does not generate new facial expressions but selects from frames within the Motion Photo video clip. It can recognize up to five people per image and suggest up to three alternative expressions per person.7 Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.5″ accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and the camera hole.8 1,200 nits in High Brightness Mode (HBM).9 Compared to previous generation.10 Color and model availability may vary depending on country, region or carrier.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: NSFW AI Role Play Chatbot with Multisensory Features Unveiled by JuicyChat.AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JuicyChat.AI has launched its next-generation NSFW AI Role Play Chatbot, blending AI-generated visuals, voice synthesis, and advanced memory tools to elevate interactive storytelling. The platform, designed for immersive narrative creation, now leads the niche NSFW AI Chat market with its 2025 updates.

    Dynamic Media Integration in NSFW AI Role Play

    The NSFW AI Role Play Chatbot uses state-of-the-art LLMs to generate real-time images and audible dialogue during chats. Users can prompt scene-specific artwork or customize character voices to mirror evolving storylines. For instance, a sci-fi narrative might auto-generate concept art of alien worlds while producing synthetic voices tailored to a robot persona’s personality.

    “We’re merging text, sound, and visuals to create living stories,” said JuicyChat.AI’s CTO. “The AI adjusts outputs based on pacing—subtle whispers for drama, booming tones for action.”

    Presona Card: Precision-Built Role Play Profiles

    A revamped Presona Card system lets users craft detailed character profiles, including backstories, quirks, and relationship dynamics. The new Pin Memory feature bookmarks pivotal interactions, transforming cards into personalized “memory diaries” that retain plot twists and emotional beats. Enhanced context memory ensures bots recall even minor details, like a character’s favorite weapon or a hidden grudge, deepening role play immersion.

    Beta testers report 82% higher narrative consistency compared to older tools, with cards spanning genres from noir detectives to mythical creatures.

    Creator-First NSFW AI Chat Ecosystem

    JuicyChat.AI has attracted many of well-known creators, who specialize in NSFW AI Role Play Chatbot content and create more than 100k bots. These creators leverage Presona Cards to design original characters, share script templates, and build interconnected story universes.

    Secure, Scalable NSFW AI Chat Access

    All chats are end-to-end encrypted. The website has memberships of different prices to choose from, providing personalized services. Recent server upgrades reduce latency to 0.1 seconds during peak traffic.

    Analysts credit JuicyChat.AI’s dominance to its hybrid focus on creativity and discretion, a gap in the broader NSFW AI Chat landscape.

    Explore the NSFW AI Role Play Chatbot at JuicyChat.AI, where stories unfold through words, voices, and visuals.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef5752c6-d683-475a-877f-2c4dcb41747c

    The MIL Network –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Prospect Capital’s Credit Ratings Reaffirmed Investment Grade by Morningstar DBRS with Stable Trend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: PSEC) (“Prospect”, “our”, or “we”) today announced that Morningstar DBRS (“DBRS”) has reaffirmed Prospect’s investment grade issuer and long term senior debt credit ratings at BBB(low), and assigned a revised trend of Stable.

    “We are very pleased that Morningstar DBRS, which has rated Prospect for many years, has reaffirmed our investment grade credit ratings,” said Grier Eliasek, President and Chief Operating Officer at Prospect.

    “Our strong business profile is supported by a multi-decade track record, over $21 billion invested across 400+ investments, $4.7 billion in cumulative principal bond repayments, diversified access to multiple capital markets including our $2.1 billion credit facility with 48 institutional banks, and disciplined deal execution with a less than 1% book to look ratio out of over 3,000 origination opportunities per annum,” said Mr. Eliasek.

    “With low 0.40x debt to equity leverage, high employee ownership, strong counterparty relationships, a majority senior secured loan book, low 0.4% nonaccruals, and a 13% unlevered investment level gross cash internal rate of return for exited investments as of our latest reporting period, we believe our platform is well-positioned for the future,” said Mr. Eliasek.

    “Prospect Capital was recently named ‘One of the Best Places to Work in the Private Capital Industry’ by Mergers & Acquisitions, with our world-class team deserving the credit for delivering these positive results over many years,” said Mr. Eliasek.

    About Prospect Capital Corporation
    Prospect is a business development company lending to and investing in private businesses. Prospect’s investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments.

    Prospect has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Prospect has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

    Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, whose safe harbor for forward-looking statements does not apply to business development companies. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are highly likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under our control, and that we may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from any forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.

    Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) is the discount rate that makes the net present value of all cash flows related to a particular investment equal to zero. IRR is gross of general expenses not related to specific investments as these expenses are not allocable to specific investments. Investments are considered to be exited when the original investment objective has been achieved through the receipt of cash and/or non-cash consideration upon the repayment of a debt investment or sale of an investment or through the determination that no further consideration was collectible and, thus, a loss may have been realized. Prospect’s gross IRR calculations are unaudited. Information regarding internal rates of return are historical results relating to Prospect’s past performance and are not necessarily indicative of future results, the achievement of which cannot be assured.

    For further information, contact:
    Grier Eliasek, President and Chief Operating Officer
    grier@prospectcap.com
    Telephone (212) 448-0702

    The MIL Network –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Hyperscale Data Completes First Installation of Nvidia GPUs for HPC Customer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), today is proud to announce the successful installation of its first Nvidia GPU deployment for a new Silicon Valley-based cloud services provider. This milestone marks a significant step in the Company’s strategic transformation of its Michigan data center into a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (“AI”) and high-performance computing (“HPC”) facility.

    The initial deployment of Nvidia GPUs is part of a broader initiative to build an infrastructure that supports the growing computational demands of enterprise and cloud-native applications. The Company’s Michigan data center currently utilizes approximately 28 megawatts, with plans to grow to approximately 340 megawatts over the next several years to meet the energy requirements of advanced AI and HPC workloads, reinforcing the Company’s position to be at the forefront of data center innovation.

    William B. Horne, Chief Executive Officer of Hyperscale Data, commented, “The first successful installation of these servers for our customer is a large step in the right direction for the Company and its transition to a pure play data center business. We are very proud of the progress made so far and will continue to dedicate our efforts towards building out a world class data center to service the evolving needs of the AI industry.”

    For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data’s public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov.

    About Hyperscale Data, Inc.

    Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging AI ecosystems and other industries. Hyperscale Data’s subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. (“ACG”), is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact.

    Hyperscale Data intends to completely divest itself of ACG on or about December 31, 2025, at which time, it would solely be an owner and operator of data centers to support HPC services. Until that happens, the Company provides, through ACG and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an artificial intelligence software platform, social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, ACG is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data’s headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 240, Las Vegas, NV 89141.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    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. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company’s business and financial results are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at www.hyperscaledata.com.

    Hyperscale Data Investor Contact:
    IR@hyperscaledata.com or 1-888-753-2235

    The MIL Network –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Foreign aid cuts could mean 10 million more HIV infections by 2030 – and almost 3 million extra deaths

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Rowan Martin-Hughes, Senior Research Fellow, Burnet Institute

    CI Photos/Shutterstock

    In January, the Trump administration ordered a broad pause on all US funding for foreign aid.

    Among other issues, this has significant effects on US funding for HIV. The United States has been the world’s biggest donor to international HIV assistance, providing 73% of funding in 2023.

    A large part of this is the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which oversees programs in low- and middle-income countries to prevent, diagnose and treat the virus. These programs have been significantly disrupted.

    What’s more, recent funding cuts for international HIV assistance go beyond the US. Five countries that provide the largest amount of foreign aid for HIV – the US, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands – have announced cuts of between 8% and 70% to international aid in 2025 and 2026.

    Together, this may mean a 24% reduction in international HIV spending, in addition to the US foreign aid pause.

    We wanted to know how these cuts might affect HIV infections and deaths in the years to come. In a new study, we found the worst-case scenario could see more than 10 million extra infections than what we’d otherwise anticipate in the next five years, and almost 3 million additional deaths.

    What is HIV?

    HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. HIV can be transmitted at birth, during unprotected sex or thorough blood-to-blood contact such as shared needles.

    If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a condition in which the immune system is severely damaged, and which can be fatal.

    HIV was the world’s deadliest infectious disease in the early 1990s. There’s still no cure for HIV, but modern treatments allow the virus to be suppressed with a daily pill. People with HIV who continue treatment can live without symptoms and don’t risk infecting others.

    A sustained global effort towards awareness, prevention, testing and treatment has reduced annual new HIV infections by 39% (from 2.1 million in 2010 to 1.3 million in 2023), and annual deaths by 51% (from 1.3 million to 630,000).

    Most of that drop happened in sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic was worst. Today, nearly two-thirds of people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, and nearly all live in low- and middle-income countries.

    HIV can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
    MaryBeth Semosky/Shutterstock

    Our study

    We wanted to estimate the impact of recent funding cuts from the US, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands on HIV infections and deaths. To do this, we used our mathematical model for 26 low- and middle-income countries. The model includes data on international HIV spending as well as data on HIV cases and deaths.

    These 26 countries represent roughly half of all people living with HIV in low- and middle income countries, and half of international HIV spending. We set up each country model in collaboration with national HIV/AIDS teams, so the data sources reflected the best available local knowledge. We then extrapolated our findings from the 26 countries we modelled to all low- and middle-income countries.

    For each country, we first projected the number of new HIV infections and deaths that would occur if HIV spending stayed the same.

    Second, we modelled scenarios for anticipated cuts based on a 24% reduction in international HIV funding for each country.

    Finally, we modelled scenarios for the possible immediate discontinuation of PEPFAR in addition to other anticipated cuts.

    With the 24% cuts and PEPFAR discontinued, we estimated there could be 4.43 million to 10.75 million additional HIV infections between 2025 and 2030, and 770,000 to 2.93 million extra HIV-related deaths. Most of these would be because of cuts to treatment. For children, there could be up to an additional 882,400 infections and 119,000 deaths.

    In the more optimistic scenario in which PEPFAR continues but 24% is still cut from international HIV funding, we estimated there could be 70,000 to 1.73 million extra new HIV infections and 5,000 to 61,000 additional deaths between 2025 and 2030. This would still be 50% higher than if current spending were to continue.

    The wide range in our estimates reflects low- and middle-income countries committing to far more domestic funding for HIV in the best case, or broader health system dysfunction and a sustained gap in funding for HIV treatment in the worst case.

    Some funding for HIV treatment may be saved by taking that money from HIV prevention efforts, but this would have other consequences.

    The range also reflects limitations in the available data, and uncertainty within our analysis. But most of our assumptions were cautious, so these results likely underestimate the true impacts of funding cuts to HIV programs globally.

    Sending progress backwards

    If funding cuts continue, the world could face higher rates of annual new HIV infections by 2030 (up to 3.4 million) than at the peak of the global epidemic in 1995 (3.3 million).

    Sub-Saharan Africa will experience by far the greatest effects due to the high proportion of HIV treatment that has relied on international funding.

    In other regions, we estimate vulnerable groups such as people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and trans and gender diverse people may experience increases in new HIV infections that are 1.3 to 6 times greater than the general population.

    The Asia-Pacific received US$591 million in international funding for HIV in 2023, which is the second highest after sub-Saharan Africa. So this region would likely experience a substantial rise in HIV as a result of anticipated funding cuts.

    Notably, more than 10% of new HIV infections among people born in Australia are estimated to have been acquired overseas. More HIV in the region is likely to mean more HIV in Australia.

    But concern is greatest for countries that are most acutely affected by HIV and AIDS, many of which will be most affected by international funding cuts.

    Rowan Martin-Hughes receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. He has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.

    Debra ten Brink has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.

    Nick Scott receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. He has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.

    – ref. Foreign aid cuts could mean 10 million more HIV infections by 2030 – and almost 3 million extra deaths – https://theconversation.com/foreign-aid-cuts-could-mean-10-million-more-hiv-infections-by-2030-and-almost-3-million-extra-deaths-253017

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Anastasiya Zavyalova, Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Rice University

    Demonstrators protest the foreign influence law in front of the Georgian Parliament building on May 28, 2024. Nicolo Vincenzo Malvestuto/Getty Images

    Autocracy is on the move worldwide and becoming more resilient.

    One of the driving forces behind this phenomenon is something scholars call “authoritarian learning,” a process by which autocratic leaders study each other and adapt tactics based on what appears to work, and how to proceed when they encounter resistance.

    Take Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party has steered the Caucasus nation from a path toward democracy back to autocracy – and it has done so by learning from Russia. In particular, it adopted a “foreign agent” law in May 2024 – legislation that came straight from Vladimir Putin’s playbook.

    Sold to the public as increasing transparency, the legislation has been utilized to persecute Georgia’s opposition and arrest dissidents with impunity.

    As researchers examining the structure and effects of autocratic regimes, we view Georgia’s first year of its foreign agent law as an example of how politicians are not only learning the tactics of Russian authoritarianism but improving on them in a shorter time frame.

    Bouncing from Europe to Russia

    Georgia’s current ruling party came to power after then-President Mikheil Saakashvili enacted a major series of reforms in the 2000s. Saakashvili, who was jailed in 2021 under highly contested charges, inherited a Georgia seen as a failing and corrupt state tethered to Russia.

    The reform-minded politicians of Saakashvili’s government set the country on a pro-Western path. But after Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008, a socially conservative coalition under the banner Georgian Dream won the parliamentary elections in 2012.

    Georgian Dream was buoyed by the fortune of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a Russian citizen until 2011. The party capitalized on the public’s fatigue after a decade of Saakashvili’s necessary but intense reforms. The new coalition married a promise for continuing the pro-Western reforms, but with a more traditional, conservative approach to social issues.

    This appeal to traditional Georgian values won support in rural communities and carried the coalition to an absolute majority in Parliament in 2016. Since then, Georgian Dream has adopted pro-Russian rhetoric, accusing a “global war party” of running the West. Increasing attacks on the European Union, in particular, have been a part of a broader strategy to bring Georgia back into Russia’s orbit.

    The Georgian Dream progression in power has mirrored that of Putin in Russia. In 2012, Putin signed a “foreign agents” law that originally targeted NGOs receiving foreign funding and alleged to be engaged in political activity.

    The Kremlin equated this law to the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, in the United States, and justified it as a means to increase transparency around foreign involvement in Russia’s internal affairs.

    Unlike FARA, however, Russia’s version of the law neither required establishing a connection between foreign funding and political activity nor provided a clear definition of political activity.

    This vagueness allowed for a wide range of NGOs deemed undesirable by the Kremlin to be labeled as “foreign agents.” The result was the suppression of NGO activities through financial, administrative and legal burdens that led to their liquidation or departure from the country.

    Over the years, this law has reduced Russian civil society’s ability to independently voice and address issues that its population faces.

    Yearlong slide into autocracy

    Georgian Dream passed a very similar foreign agent law on May 28, 2024, after overcoming a presidential veto. It forced NGOs receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register with the Ministry of Justice as “serving the interests of a foreign power.”

    Activists opposing the law have been physically assaulted, and the law has been utilized against what the ruling party has described as “LGBT propaganda.”

    The law fits a wider political landscape in which the ruling party has moved to restrict freedom of the press, prosecuted political opponents and postponed Georgia’s European Union candidate status despite the overwhelming majority of Georgians being pro-EU.

    Protestors take part in a pro-European rally in Warsaw, Poland, on April 30, 2024.
    Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Improving on Russian authoritarians

    Three critical factors played a role in allowing for the foreign agent law in Russia to expand its reach: the power imbalance between the Russian government and NGOs, limited action by international authorities, and delayed media attention to the issue.

    At the time the law was passed, civil society inside Russia itself was split. Some foresaw the dangers of the law and engaged in collective action to oppose it, while others chose to wait and see.

    As it happened, the law and the accompanying repressive apparatus spread to a broader range of targets. In 2015, Putin signed a law that designated an “undesirable” status to foreign organizations “on national security grounds”; in 2017, an amendment expanded the targets of the law from NGOs to mass media outlets; and at the end of 2019, the law allowed the classification of individuals and unregistered public associations – that is, groups of individuals – as mass media acting as foreign agents. By July 2022, the foreign funding criterion was excluded and a status of a foreign agent could be designated to anyone whom the Russian authorities deemed to be “under foreign influence.”

    Russia’s experience highlights the process of early stages of authoritarian consolidation, when state power quashes independent sources of power, and political groups and citizens either rally around the government or go silent. The foreign agent law in Russia was passed only after the protests that accompanied the 2012 elections, which returned Putin to the presidency for the third term.

    In Georgia, the ruling government borrowed from Russia’s lead – after backing down from its first attempt to pass a foreign agent law in the face of massive protests, it pushed it through before the elections.

    The law was then used to raid NGOs sympathetic to the opposition days before the October 2024 parliamentary election. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said before the elections that in the event of Georgian Dream’s victory, it would look to outlaw the pro-Western opposition, naming them “criminal political forces.”

    In the wake of President Donald Trump’s suspension of USAID assistance in February 2025, Georgian Dream has seized the opportunity to expand its war on civil society, echoing Russian, Chinese and American far-right conspiracy rhetoric that foreign-funded NGOs were fomenting revolution. To combat such phantoms, Georgian Dream has passed new legislation that criminalizes assembly and protest.

    A springboard for repression

    The foreign agent law has been a springboard for repressive activities in both Russia and Georgia, but while it took Russia a decade to effectively use the law to crush any opposition, Georgian Dream is working on an expedited timetable.

    Although the EU has suspended direct assistance and closed off visa-free travel for Georgian officials as a result of the law, Trump’s turn toward pro-Russian policies has made it more difficult to obtain Western consensus in dislodging the Georgian government from its authoritarian drift.

    Georgia’s experience, following the Russian playbook, illustrates how authoritarians are learning from each other, utilizing the rule of law itself against democracy.

    Christopher A. Hartwell has received funding from the Institute for Humane Studies and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

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

    – ref. First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame – https://theconversation.com/first-year-of-georgias-foreign-agent-law-shows-how-autocracies-are-replicating-russian-model-and-speeding-up-the-time-frame-250878

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing Intl Film Festival announces star-studded jury, lineup and events

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Organizers have announced the Tiantan Award jury panel and additional details for the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), set for April 18-26 in Beijing.

    Organizers reveal the jury panel for the Tiantan Award main competition of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival during a press conference in Beijing, March 27, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the BJIFF Organizing Committee] 

    Prominent Chinese filmmaker Jiang Wen will chair the seven-member jury, organizers revealed at a press conference in Beijing on March 27.

    Jiang, known for his award-winning works “In the Heat of the Sun” (1994) and “Let the Bullets Fly” (2010), also gained international recognition for his role as Baze Malbus in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016).

    His experience includes serving as a competition juror at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2003 and the Venice International Film Festival in 2013. In 2017, Jiang became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The following year, he presided as jury president at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

    The BJIFF’s Tiantan Award main competition jury will include Chinese American director and actor Joan Chen, British director David Yates, Chinese mainland actor Ni Ni, Finnish director Teemu Nikki, Swiss director and actor Vincent Perez, and Chinese art director Tim Yip from China’s Hong Kong. The panel will select winners across 10 categories, including best feature film, best director and best screenplay. All awards will be presented at the festival’s closing ceremony and gala.

    The competition received a record 1,794 feature film submissions from 103 countries and regions, marking a 19% increase over last year’s 1,509 entries. International submissions accounted for 1,608 films, comprising nearly 90% of all entries and reflecting exceptional diversity in genre and thematic scope.

    Fifteen films have been shortlisted for the final competition, including three Chinese entries: Hao Ming and Li Peiran’s “Better Me, Better You,” Li Yongyi’s “Deep in the Mountains,” and Zhang Qi’s “Trapped.”

    International selections for the competition include Emine Yildirim’s “Apollon by Day Athena by Night” (Turkey), Sora Hokimoto’s “BAUS: The Ship’s Voyage Continues” (Japan), Maria Brendle’s “Frieda’s Case” (Switzerland), Tim Ellrich’s “In My Parents’ House” (Germany), Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s “Loveable” (Norway), Tobias Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget’s “Nawi: Dear Future Me” (Kenya/Germany), Sophie Deraspe’s “Shepherds” (Canada/France), Andrea Segre’s “The Great Ambition” (Italy/Belgium/Bulgaria), Ivan Fund’s “The Message” (Argentina/Spain/Uruguay), Charlie McDowell’s “The Summer Book” (Finland/United Kingdom/United States), Noëlle Bastin and Baptiste Bogaert’s “Vitrival – The Most Beautiful Village in the World” (Belgium), and Hadi Mohaghegh’s “Vortex” (Iran/Czech Republic).

    The festival is supported by the China Film Administration and hosted by the Beijing municipal government and China Media Group. It will include star-studded opening and closing ceremonies featuring red-carpet shows.

    The festival’s core forums will delve into key topics, including intellectual property development, industry innovation, audience-driven storytelling and emerging film technologies. Additionally, the event will offer masterclasses conducted by acclaimed directors Jiang Wen and Jia Zhangke, along with French cinema icon Isabelle Huppert.

    The official poster for the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, designed by the renowned art director Huo Tingxiao. [Photo courtesy of the BJIFF Organizing Committee] 

    The festival also includes the Beijing Film Panorama, a highly anticipated program showcasing nostalgic classics, new blockbusters and previously unreleased films in China. This year, it will celebrate the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema and the 130th anniversary of world cinema.

    It will feature 18 thematic sections with nearly 300 exceptional international films across about 900 screenings at 33 premium venues in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. These venues span commercial theaters, arthouse cinemas and cultural spaces. Initial confirmed films include a Robert Altman centenary retrospective, as well as works by Jiri Menzel, Andrei Tarkovsky and the late David Lynch.

    The BJIFF will feature a diverse lineup with hundreds of events, including a film carnival, pitch sessions for emerging filmmakers and cross-industry collaborations that merge cinema with music, fashion and gastronomy.

    Additional highlights include cutting-edge tech showcases, programs focused on short films, sports films, works by female directors, and young filmmakers, plus creative markets, an AI-generated film competition unit, and a university student film festival.

    This year, Switzerland serves as the Country of Honor to commemorate 75 years of China-Switzerland diplomatic relations, with a special Swiss Film Week. The festival will also introduce its inaugural China Film Global Distribution and Promotion Awards, recognizing 10 domestic and international distributors for their outstanding work in promoting Chinese cinema globally and enhancing both its commercial reach and cultural impact.

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Anniversary Statement: Rans S6-ESD XL, G-MZBU

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Anniversary Statement: Rans S6-ESD XL, G-MZBU

    Departed runway during landing and overturned, Yatesbury Airfield, Wiltshire, 30 March 2024

    This statement provides an update on the ongoing AAIB investigation into an accident involving a Rans S6-ESB which departed the runway during landing, overturned and suffered substantial damage at Yatesbruy airfield, Wiltshire.

    The draft report has been produced and consultation comments received.  The final report will be published in the near future.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Katapult Delivers Double-Digit Gross Originations Growth in the Fourth Quarter, Above Outlook

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Strong Holiday Season Performance; Momentum Continuing into 2025
    Establishes 2025 Outlook; Expects Growth to Continue in Q1 2025

    PLANO, Texas, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Katapult Holdings, Inc. (“Katapult” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: KPLT), an e-commerce-focused financial technology company, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    “We had a great fourth quarter, which included stronger-than-expected gross originations growth and 50% growth in application volume,” said Orlando Zayas, CEO of Katapult. “The fourth quarter holiday season is an incredibly important time for many of our merchant-partners and the Katapult marketplace delivered, including more than 100% year-over-year gross originations growth during the Cyber 5 period in 2024. This growth was driven by a number of initiatives including targeted and co-branded marketing campaigns and the launch of new app features that enhance the customer experience. Given our high repeat customer rate and the incremental sales we’re generating for our merchant-partners, we are confident that retailers, partners and consumers alike understand the value Katapult brings to the table.”

    “Prior to the launch of our app, we relied on direct and waterfall merchants to send us consumers and we developed a consistent track record for converting this traffic to the benefit of our merchant-partners. When we launched the Katapult app two years ago, we believed we could transform our operating model from a single-input driven business to a two-sided marketplace with a multidimensional growth engine. Our fourth quarter results demonstrated the progress we are making toward this goal. Customers are engaging more and more frequently with our marketplace, and during the fourth quarter, this led to approximately 61% of our gross originations starting in the Katapult app marketplace. The two-sided Katapult app marketplace, powered by KPay (Katapult Pay (R)), has become a reliable shopping destination for consumers across the US and a growth partner for durable goods merchants. We are excited about our potential and are looking forward to a great 2025.”

    Operating Progress: Recent Highlights

    • Successfully transitioning business model to two-sided marketplace and increasing platform velocity
      • ~61% of fourth quarter gross originations started in the Katapult app marketplace, making it the single largest customer referral source
      • Customer satisfaction remained high and Katapult had a Net Promoter Score of 58 as of December 31, 2024
      • 61.5% of gross originations for the fourth quarter of 2024 came from repeat customers1
    • Grew consumer engagement by adding app functionality and features and executing targeted marketing campaigns
      • Lease applications grew 50% year-over-year in the fourth quarter driven by new and existing customers
      • KPay gross originations grew approximately 52% year-over-year in the fourth quarter; 41% of total gross originations were transacted using KPay
      • Launched Metro by T-Mobile(R) (December 2024), Zales(R) (January 2025) and Rooms to Go(R) (February 2025) in the Katapult app marketplace, bringing the total number of merchants in our ecosystem to 33.
    • Strong progress against merchant engagement initiatives
      • Direct and waterfall gross originations, which represented 68% of total fourth quarter originations, grew approximately 44%, excluding the home furnishings and mattress category
      • Continued to expand our waterfall partnerships by onboarding 11 new merchants, including eight that are new to the Katapult app marketplace and three that already had a direct integration with Katapult
      • Together with several merchant-partners, we launched co-branded, co-promoted marketing campaigns that helped drive gross originations during the Cyber 5 period higher by more than 100% compared with the same period of last year
    • Entered new partnerships focused on expanding our applicant pool and providing consumers with more reasons to engage with the Katapult app marketplace

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

    (All comparisons are year-over-year unless stated otherwise.)

    • Gross originations were $75.2 million, an increase of 11.3%. Excluding the home furnishings and mattress category within our direct/waterfall channel, gross originations grew 50% year-over-year.
    • Total revenue was $63.0 million, an increase of 9.4%
    • Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter decreased 37.4%. Our fixed cash operating expenses2, which exclude litigation settlement expenses, decreased approximately 7.1%.
    • Net loss was $9.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, an improvement compared with net loss of $14.6 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Adjusted net loss2 was $8.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to an adjusted net loss of $6.3 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2023
    • Adjusted EBITDA2 loss was $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to Adjusted EBITDA2 loss of $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year performance was driven largely by higher cost of sales related to rapid, faster-than-expected gross originations growth in the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • Katapult ended the quarter with total cash and cash equivalents of $16.6 million, which includes $13.1 million of restricted cash. The Company ended the quarter with $82.8 million of outstanding debt on its credit facility.
    • Write-offs as a percentage of revenue were 9.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and are within the Company’s 8% to 10% long-term target range. This compares with 8.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    2024 Financial Highlights

    (All comparisons are year-over-year unless stated otherwise.)

    • Gross originations were $237 million, an increase of 4.7%
    • Total revenue was $247 million, an increase of 11.6%
    • Total operating expenses decreased 11.0%. Excluding litigation settlement expenses, total operating expenses decreased 17.0%. Our fixed cash operating expenses2, which exclude litigation settlement expenses, decreased approximately 7.1%.
    • Net loss was $26 million, an improvement compared with net loss of $37 million for 2023
    • Adjusted net loss2 was $17 million, an improvement compared to an adjusted net loss of $23 million for 2023
    • Adjusted EBITDA2 was $5 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA2 loss of $2 million in 2023
    • Write-offs as a percentage of revenue were 9.2% in 2024 and are within the Company’s 8% to 10% long-term target range. This compares with 9.2% in 2023.

    [1] Repeat customer rate is defined as the percentage of in-quarter originations from existing customers.
    [2] Please refer to the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure and Certain Other Data” section and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation tables below for more information.  

    First Quarter and Full Year 2025 Business Outlook

    The Company is continuing to navigate a challenging macro environment particularly within the home furnishings category. Given the current breadth of our merchant selection as well as our plans to introduce new merchants to the Katapult App Marketplace during 2025, our strategic marketing and our strong consumer offering, we believe we are well positioned to deliver continued growth in 2025. We continue to believe that we have a large addressable market of underserved, non-prime consumers, and it’s important to note that lease-to-own solutions have historically benefited when prime credit options become less available.

    Given our quarter-to-date progress, Katapult expects the following results for the first quarter of 2025:

    • Approximately 11% year-over-year increase in gross originations
    • Approximately 10% year-over-year increase in revenue
    • Approximately $3 million of positive Adjusted EBITDA

    Based on the macroeconomic assumptions above and the operating plan in place for the full year 2025, Katapult expects to deliver the following results for full year 2025:

    • We expect gross originations to grow at least 20%

      This outlook does not include any material impact from prime creditors tightening or loosening above us and assumes that there are no significant changes to the macro environment.

      Both our first quarter and full year outlooks assume that the gross originations for the home furnishings and mattress category does not improve materially from our 2024 performance.

    • We also expect to maintain strong credit quality in our portfolio. This will be driven by ongoing enhancements to our risk modeling, onboarding high quality new merchants through integrations, and repeat customers engaging with Katapult Pay
    • Revenue growth is expected to be at least 20%
    • Finally with the continued execution of our disciplined expense management strategy combined with our growing top-line, we expect to deliver at least $10 million in positive Adjusted EBITDA

    “During 2024, we delivered strong top-line growth while continuing to lean into fiscal discipline and as a result, we were able to generate our first full year of Adjusted EBITDA profitability since 2021,” said Nancy Walsh, CFO of Katapult. “Since we have a two-sided marketplace business model, we can continue to scale our revenue without adding commensurate expenses. This means that in times of rapid revenue growth, as we are expecting in 2025, we can meaningfully accelerate our Adjusted EBITDA flow-through. We are executing well across the breadth of our two-sided marketplace and we expect to build on this momentum throughout 2025.”

    Conference Call and Webcast

    The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 AM ET on Friday, March 28, 2025, to discuss the Company’s financial results. Related presentation materials will be available before the call on the Company’s Investor Relations page at https://ir.katapultholdings.com. The conference call will be broadcast live in listen-only mode and an archive of the webcast will be available for one year.

    About Katapult

    Katapult is a technology driven lease-to-own platform that integrates with omnichannel retailers and e-commerce platforms to power the purchasing of everyday durable goods for underserved U.S. non-prime consumers. Through our point-of-sale (POS) integrations and innovative mobile app featuring Katapult Pay(R), consumers who may be unable to access traditional financing can shop a growing network of merchant partners. Our process is simple, fast, and transparent. We believe that seeing the good in people is good for business, humanizing the way underserved consumers get the things they need with payment solutions based on fairness and dignity.

    Contact

    Jennifer Kull
    VP of Investor Relations
    ir@katapult.com 

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements included in this Press Release and on our quarterly earnings call that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potentially,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: in this Press Release and on our associated earnings call, statements regarding our first quarter of 2025 and full year 2025 business outlook and underlying assumptions, the expectation that the home furnishings category will not materially improve in the first quarter or throughout 2025, statements regarding our expectations for 2025, the impact of KPay on customer acquisition and our relationship with existing customers, the durability and timing of macroeconomic headwinds, the impact of our integrations within third-party waterfalls and our relationships with new merchant-partners on gross originations and financial expectations beyond 2025. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this Press Release, and on the current expectations of our management and are not predictions of actual performance.

    These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, our ability to refinance our indebtedness and continue as a going concern, the execution of our business strategy and expanding information and technology capabilities; our market opportunity and our ability to acquire new customers and retain existing customers; adoption and success of our mobile application featuring Katapult Pay; the timing and impact of our growth initiatives on our future financial performance; anticipated occurrence and timing of prime lending tightening and impact on our results of operations; general economic conditions in the markets where we operate, the cyclical nature of customer spending, and seasonal sales and spending patterns of customers; risks relating to factors affecting consumer spending that are not under our control, including, among others, levels of employment, disposable consumer income, inflation, prevailing interest rates, consumer debt and availability of credit, consumer confidence in future economic conditions, political conditions, and consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security and willingness and ability of customers to pay for the goods they lease through us when due; risks relating to uncertainty of our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; risks related to the concentration of a significant portion of our transaction volume with a single merchant partner, or type of merchant or industry; the effects of competition on our future business; meet future liquidity requirements and complying with restrictive covenants related to our long-term indebtedness; the impact of unstable market and economic conditions such as rising inflation and interest rates; reliability of our platform and effectiveness of our risk model; data security breaches or other information technology incidents or disruptions, including cyber-attacks, and the protection of confidential, proprietary, personal and other information, including personal data of customers; ability to attract and retain employees, executive officers or directors; effectively respond to general economic and business conditions; obtain additional capital, including equity or debt financing and servicing our indebtedness; enhance future operating and financial results; anticipate rapid technological changes, including generative artificial intelligence and other new technologies; comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business, including laws and regulations related to rental purchase transactions; stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations applying to our business, including with respect to rental purchase transactions and privacy regulations; maintain and grow relationships with merchants and partners; respond to uncertainties associated with product and service developments and market acceptance; the impacts of new U.S. federal income tax laws; material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which, if not identified and remediated, could affect the reliability of our financial statements; successfully defend litigation; litigation, regulatory matters, complaints, adverse publicity and/or misconduct by employees, vendors and/or service providers; and other events or factors, including those resulting from civil unrest, war, foreign invasions (including the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict), terrorism, public health crises and pandemics (such as COVID-19), trade wars, or responses to such events; our ability to meet the minimum requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market; and those factors discussed in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 that we filed with the SEC.

    If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this Press Release or on our quarterly earnings call. All forward-looking statements contained herein or expressed on our quarterly earnings call are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

    Key Performance Metrics

    Katapult regularly reviews several metrics, including the following key metrics, to evaluate its business, measure its performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make strategic decisions, which may also be useful to an investor: gross originations, total revenue, gross profit, adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA.

    Gross originations are defined as the retail price of the merchandise associated with lease-purchase agreements entered into during the period through the Katapult platform. Gross originations do not represent revenue earned. However, we believe this is a useful operating metric for both Katapult’s management and investors to use in assessing the volume of transactions that take place on Katapult’s platform.

    Total revenue represents the summation of rental revenue and other revenue. Katapult measures this metric to assess the total view of pay through performance of its customers. Management believes looking at these components is useful to an investor as it helps to understand the total payment performance of customers.

    Gross profit represents total revenue less cost of revenue, and is a measure presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a description and presentation of adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures utilized by management.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    To supplement the financial measures presented in this press release and related conference call or webcast in accordance with GAAP, the Company also presents the following non-GAAP and other measures of financial performance: adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss) and fixed cash operating expenses. The Company believes that for management and investors to more effectively compare core performance from period to period, the non-GAAP measures should exclude items that are not indicative of our results from ongoing business operations. The Company urges investors to consider non-GAAP measures only in conjunction with its GAAP financials and to review the reconciliation of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to its comparable GAAP financial measures, which are included in this press release.

    Adjusted gross profit represents gross profit less variable operating expenses, which are servicing costs, and underwriting fees. Management believes that adjusted gross profit provides a meaningful understanding of one aspect of its performance specifically attributable to total revenue and the variable costs associated with total revenue.

    Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net loss before interest expense and other fees, interest income, change in fair value of warrants and loss on issuance of shares, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software, provision of impairment of leased assets, loss on partial extinguishment of debt, stock-based compensation expense, and litigation settlement and other related expenses.

    Adjusted net loss is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net loss before change in fair value of warrants and loss on issuance of shares, stock-based compensation expense, and litigation settlement and other related expenses.

    Fixed cash operating expenses is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as operating expenses less depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software, stock-based compensation expense, litigation settlement and other related expenses, net and variable lease costs such as servicing costs and underwriting fees. Management believes that fixed cash operating expenses provides a meaningful understanding of non-variable ongoing expenses.

    Adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss are useful to an investor in evaluating the Company’s performance because these measures:

    • Are widely used to measure a company’s operating performance;
    • Are financial measurements that are used by rating agencies, lenders and other parties to evaluate the Company’s credit worthiness; and
    • Are used by the Company’s management for various purposes, including as measures of performance and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

    Management believes that the use of non-GAAP financial measures, as a supplement to GAAP measures, is useful to investors in that they eliminate items that are not part of our core operations, highly variable or do not require a cash outlay, such as stock-based compensation expense. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating operating performance and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the business, are important in comparing current results with prior period results and are useful to investors and financial analysts in assessing operating performance. However, these non-GAAP measures exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing Katapult’s financial results. Therefore, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to revenue, net loss, gross profit, cash flows from operations or other measures of profitability, liquidity or performance under GAAP. You should be aware that Katapult’s presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
    (amounts in thousands, except per share data)
           
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                   
    Revenue              
    Rental revenue $ 62,031     $ 56,735     $ 243,978     $ 218,347  
    Other revenue   932       823       3,216       3,241  
    Total revenue   62,963       57,558       247,194       221,588  
    Cost of revenue   55,557       48,657       201,423       179,881  
    Gross profit   7,406       8,901       45,771       41,707  
    Operating expenses:              
    Servicing costs   1,156       1,118       4,589       4,311  
    Underwriting fees   814       549       2,304       1,919  
    Professional and consulting fees   631       1,247       5,201       6,694  
    Technology and data analytics   1,740       1,642       7,170       6,905  
    Compensation costs   4,376       5,396       20,076       22,732  
    General and administrative   3,208       2,594       10,866       10,938  
    Litigation settlement, net   314       7,000       3,666       7,000  
    Total operating expenses   12,239       19,546       53,872       60,499  
    Loss from operations   (4,833 )     (10,645 )     (8,101 )     (18,792 )
    Loss on partial extinguishment of debt   —       —       —       (2,391 )
    Interest expense and other fees   (4,849 )     (4,271 )     (18,851 )     (17,822 )
    Interest income   148       363       1,163       1,697  
    Change in fair value of warrant liability   (5 )     36       17       807  
    Loss before income taxes   (9,539 )     (14,517 )     (25,772 )     (36,501 )
    Provision for income taxes   (30 )     (112 )     (143 )     (165 )
    Net loss $ (9,569 )   $ (14,629 )   $ (25,915 )   $ (36,666 )
                   
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   4,518       4,130       4,347       4,088  
                   
    Net loss per common share – basic and diluted $ (2.12 )   $ (3.54 )   $ (5.96 )   $ (8.97 )
                                   
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
       
      December 31,
        2024       2023  
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,465     $ 21,408  
    Restricted cash   13,087       7,403  
    Property held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment   67,085       59,335  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   6,731       4,491  
    Litigation insurance reimbursement receivable   —       5,000  
    Total current assets   90,368       97,637  
    Property and equipment, net   253       327  
    Security deposits   91       91  
    Capitalized software and intangible assets, net   2,076       1,919  
    Right-of-use assets, non-current   383       888  
    Total assets $ 93,171     $ 100,862  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 1,491     $ 903  
    Accrued liabilities   17,372       24,146  
    Accrued litigation settlement   2,199       12,000  
    Unearned revenue   4,823       4,949  
    Revolving line of credit, net   82,582       —  
    Term loan, net, current   30,047       —  
    Lease liabilities   179       297  
    Total current liabilities   138,693       42,295  
    Revolving line of credit, net   —       60,347  
    Term loan, net, non-current   —       25,503  
    Other liabilities   828       95  
    Lease liabilities, non-current   444       614  
    Total liabilities   139,965       128,854  
    STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT      
    Common stock, 0.0001 par value– 250,000,000 shares authorized; 4,446,540 and 4,072,713 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively   —       —  
    Additional paid-in capital   101,657       94,544  
    Accumulated deficit   (148,451 )     (122,536 )
    Total stockholders’ deficit   (46,794 )     (27,992 )
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit $ 93,171     $ 100,862  
                   
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (dollars in thousands)
       
      Year Ended December 31,
        2024       2023  
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net loss $ (25,915 )   $ (36,666 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization   140,636       126,533  
    Depreciation for early lease purchase options (buyouts)   29,061       25,784  
    Depreciation for impaired leases   24,962       22,019  
    Change in fair value of warrants and other non-cash items   (256 )     (807 )
    Stock-based compensation   5,759       7,034  
    Loss on partial extinguishment of debt   —       2,391  
    Amortization of debt discount   3,104       2,760  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs, net   220       277  
    Accrued PIK interest expense   1,440       1,555  
    Amortization of right-of-use assets   318       355  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
    Property held for lease   (201,189 )     (183,695 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (2,053 )     3,610  
    Litigation insurance reimbursement receivable   5,000       (5,000 )
    Accounts payable   588       (361 )
    Accrued liabilities   (6,775 )     4,419  
    Accrued litigation settlement   (7,055 )     12,000  
    Lease liabilities   (288 )     (387 )
    Unearned revenues   (126 )     765  
      Net cash used in operating activities   (32,569 )     (17,414 )
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Purchases of property and equipment   (54 )     (20 )
    Additions to capitalized software   (1,249 )     (954 )
      Net cash used in investing activities   (1,303 )     (974 )
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Proceeds from revolving line of credit   34,421       14,297  
    Principal repayments on revolving line of credit   (12,406 )     (11,551 )
    Principal repayment on term loan   —       (25,000 )
    Payments of deferred financing costs   —       (34 )
    Repurchases of restricted stock   (613 )     (355 )
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options   211       1  
      Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   21,613       (22,642 )
    Net (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (12,259 )     (41,030 )
    Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period   28,811       69,841  
    Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 16,552     $ 28,811  
    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:      
    Cash paid for interest $ 13,709     $ 13,014  
    Cash paid for income taxes $ 270     $ 206  
    Deferred financing costs included in accrued liabilities $ —     $ 481  
    Issuance of warrants to purchase common stock in connection with debt refinancing $ —     $ 4,060  
    Issuance of common stock in connection with litigation settlements $ 1,756     $ —  
    Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ —     $ 471  
    Cash paid for operating leases $ 359     $ 513  
                   

    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES AND CERTAIN OTHER DATA (UNAUDITED)
    (amounts in thousands)

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                   
    Net loss $ (9,569 )   $ (14,629 )   $ (25,915 )   $ (36,666 )
    Add back:              
    Interest expense and other fees   4,849       4,271       18,851       17,822  
    Interest income   (148 )     (363 )     (1,163 )     (1,697 )
    Change in fair value of warrants   5       (36 )     (17 )     (807 )
    Provision for income taxes   30       112       143       165  
    Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software   287       454       1,219       1,133  
    Provision for impairment of leased assets   1,921       1,508       2,227       1,727  
    Loss on partial extinguishment of debt   —       —       —       2,391  
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,331       1,356       5,759       7,034  
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses, net   226     $ 7,000       3,666       7,000  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ (1,068 )   $ (327 )   $ 4,770     $ (1,898 )
                                   
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                   
    Net loss $ (9,569 )   $ (14,629 )   $ (25,915 )   $ (36,666 )
    Add back:              
    Change in fair value of warrants   5       (36 )     (17 )     (807 )
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,331       1,356       5,759       7,034  
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses, net   226       7,000       3,666       7,000  
    Adjusted net loss $ (8,007 )   $ (6,309 )   $ (16,507 )   $ (23,439 )
                                   
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024     2023     2024     2023
                   
    Total operating expenses $ 12,239   $ 19,546   $ 53,872   $ 60,499
    Less:              
    Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software   287     454     1,219     1,133
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,331     1,356     5,759     7,034
    Servicing costs   1,156     1,118     4,589     4,311
    Underwriting fees   814     549     2,304     1,919
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses, net   226     7,000     3,666     7,000
    Fixed cash operating expenses $ 8,425   $ 9,069   $ 36,335   $ 39,102
                           
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024     2023     2024     2023
                   
    Total revenue $ 62,963   $ 57,558   $ 247,194   $ 221,588
    Cost of revenue   55,557     48,657     201,423     179,881
    Gross profit   7,406     8,901     45,771     41,707
    Less:              
    Servicing costs   1,156     1,118     4,589     4,311
    Underwriting fees   814     549     2,304     1,919
    Adjusted gross profit $ 5,436   $ 7,234   $ 38,878   $ 35,477
                           

    CERTAIN KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS

    (in thousands) Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024     2023     2024     2023
    Total revenue $ 62,963   $ 57,558   $ 247,194   $ 221,588
                           

    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC.
    GROSS ORIGINATIONS BY QUARTER

        Gross Originations by Quarter
    ($ millions)   Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4
    FY 2024   $ 55.6   $ 55.3   $ 51.2   $ 75.2
    FY 2023   $ 54.7   $ 54.7   $ 49.6   $ 67.5
    FY 2022   $ 46.7   $ 46.4   $ 44.1   $ 59.8
    FY 2021   $ 63.8   $ 64.4   $ 61.0   $ 58.9

    The MIL Network –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft Opens First Filling Station in the Republic of Tyva

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Rosneft has opened the first multifunctional filling station of the Zerno format in the city of Kyzyl, the capital of the Republic of Tuva. The complex is equipped with modern equipment that allows comfortably filling about a thousand cars per day with popular types of fuel – AI-92, AI-95 and Euro-5 diesel fuel.

    The new filling station is located in a dynamically developing area of the city. The convenient location of the facility, high-quality fuel, customer-oriented service and 24-hour operation will allow residents and visitors of the city to refuel their cars, have a snack and buy related products for the road at any time. The complex is equipped with a store and a cafe under the Zerno brand, where the emphasis is on technology and comfort. The premises are divided into functional zones, which increases the speed and convenience of customer service, and digital services, including the Rosneft Gas Station mobile application, allow you to remotely refuel your car and make payments in various ways.

    From the first days of the filling station’s operation, customers will have access to the Rosneft network of filling stations’ loyalty program, “Family Team”, which makes refueling a car more profitable. For example, program participants will have access to an attractive offer on fuel until the end of April. In addition, motorists can accumulate bonus points when paying at filling stations and with program partners. Accumulated points can be used to pay for fuel, goods in stores and cafes in the Rosneft retail network.

    The development of multifunctional filling stations is one of Rosneft’s key priorities in the retail business. The company is introducing modern digital technologies and expanding various types of service for fast and comfortable customer service.

    Reference:

    The retail network of NK Rosneft is the largest in the Russian Federation in terms of geographic coverage and number of stations. It covers 62 regions of Russia. The Company’s network of petrol stations includes about 3,000 stations.

    JSC Khakasnefteprodukt VNK manages Rosneft filling stations and gas stations in the Republics of Khakassia and Tyva.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft March 28, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Consumer expo expected to be biggest ever

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

    The upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo, to be held from April 13 to 18 in Haikou, Hainan province, is expected to attract the highest number of participants compared with past editions, which points to the confidence of global consumer enterprises in China, the Ministry of Commerce said.

    The event, the largest consumer goods expo in the Asia-Pacific region, will become China’s first significant international expo this year, and an important platform for the country to further boost consumption and expand high-quality development, said the ministry, the co-organizer of the expo.

    In the recently delivered Government Work Report, boosting consumption was listed as a top priority among this year’s tasks.

    “This year, the expo is expected to attract the participation of more than 1,700 companies and over 4,100 brands from 71 countries and regions. This scale far exceeds the previous four editions,” said Sheng Qiuping, vice-minister of commerce, at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

    Hainan Free Trade Port is a pioneer in China’s opening-up efforts. An FTP system focused on trade and investment liberalization as well as facilitation will be “basically established” in Hainan by 2025, according to the plan.

    The holding of the consumer expo, coupled with the policies of the FTP, is expected to help drive the growth of duty-free shopping, catering, accommodation, and tourism consumption in Hainan, promoting its development into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination, the ministry said.

    This year, the United Kingdom will serve as the guest of honor, and the UK, France, Switzerland and Slovakia will showcase their products in the form of national exhibition groups, according to the local government of Hainan.

    In addition, different provinces and cities across the country will showcase popular domestic products and time-honored brands. In addition to the exhibition of products, services consumption — such as healthcare and wellness, sporting events and artificial intelligence — will also be highlights of the event this year.

    “With the hosting of four editions of the consumer expo, international consumer enterprises have increasingly felt the charm of the Hainan FTP and felt that the door of China’s reform and opening-up is opening increasingly wider,” said Gu Gang, vice-governor of Hainan.

    In the first two months, total retail sales of consumer goods in China reached 8.37 trillion yuan ($1.15 trillion), up 4 percent year-on-year, and the growth rate was 0.5 percentage point higher than the whole year figure of last year, the ministry said.

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Initiative for boosting sustainable development via digital sci-tech released at Zhongguancun Forum

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

    Initiative for boosting sustainable development via digital sci-tech released at Zhongguancun Forum

    BEIJING, March 28 — Participants at a parallel forum of the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing unveiled an initiative on Thursday, calling for global collaboration to leverage digital science and technology to accelerate sustainable development and address global challenges.

    Nearly 200 representatives from international organizations, as well as domestic and foreign scholars, attended the International Forum on Sciences for Sustainable Development, which is one of the activities of UNESCO’s “International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033).”

    The Beijing Initiative on Digital Science and Technology for Sustainable Development released at the forum outlines key objectives, including promoting innovative applications of digital sci-tech in sustainable development, and expanding the use of big data, artificial intelligence, space technology and the Internet of Things to address challenges — such as biodiversity conservation, climate change, disaster risk reduction and poverty alleviation.

    The initiative emphasizes the development of digital tools to optimize energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and enhance natural resource management capabilities.

    The initiative also proposes building global platforms for sharing digital resources and technologies, strengthening the role of digital tools in policy formulation, and promoting public engagement and education concerning sustainability through digital means.

    A highlight of the initiative is the proposal to launch international big-science programs on digital sustainable development — aiming to unite global research institutions, governments and private sectors to establish collaborative platforms for cross-border technology R&D, data sharing and standard-setting. These programs will prioritize technology transfer and capacity-building, particularly for developing nations, to ensure equitable and inclusive global cooperation.

    Guo Huadong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director-general of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, said that digital technologies and open data are pivotal to solving sustainability challenges.

    Highlighting data-sharing achievements, Guo noted that China launched SDGSAT-1, the world’s first satellite dedicated to serving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, on Nov. 5, 2021. Since its launch, the satellite has captured over 420,000 data scenes — which were freely shared worldwide.

    According to Guo, China had met the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 52 percent of its environmental indicators by 2022 — well ahead of schedule. Beijing, China’s capital, ranks first nationwide in terms of environmental SDG indicators, with average PM2.5 concentration showing an annual average reduction rate of 7.56 percent from 2015 to 2023, according to satellite observations.

    Scientists from 104 countries have utilized the data supplied by SDGSAT-1 to inform research efforts and in policy making. Applications span urban planning, environmental monitoring, agricultural monitoring and disaster response. Notable projects enabled by this satellite include the development of sustainability data products for BRICS nations, the conducting of SDG assessments for African countries, and analysis of light pollution on the Iberian Peninsula.

    “In the future, a satellite constellation is expected to be built to serve as a sharper ‘eye in space’ for global sustainable development,” Guo added.

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: AI continues to permeate team collaboration and communications platforms, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    AI continues to permeate team collaboration and communications platforms, says GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    The recent Enterprise Connect 2025 event covered trends in team collaboration and communications as well as product and service announcements from a variety of competitors. As in recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the discussion, demonstrating that the technology continues to play an oversized role on competitors’ platforms, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Gregg Willsky, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Technology & Services at GlobalData, comments: “The COVID-19 pandemic drove the ascent of team collaboration and communications platforms, and competitors responded with successive rounds of feature wars. Cooler heads eventually prevailed, and a ‘truce’ was issued in the form of interoperability between rival platforms. Now, things have come full circle with competitors reaching deep into the AI ‘treasure trove’ and circulating AI features platform-wide.”

    At this year’s event, agentic AI was the hottest topic. Agentic AI is an advanced form of AI that stretches beyond merely generating content, featuring agents that perform tasks independently on behalf of users ranging from the mundane to the complex.

    Willsky continues: “Agentic AI debuted in the second half of 2024 and is already considered to be the next big phase of AI. Agentic AI can act autonomously, make decisions, and take actions without human intervention. It can adjust its approach based upon new information or changing circumstances. It seems that every competitor is leveraging agentic AI in some shape or form.”

    Pondering competitors’ overall AI initiatives yields a couple of interesting lessons.

    Willsky concludes: “First, competitors have been busy loading their platforms with AI capabilities but have failed to articulate what differentiates their AI from the pack; they each need to formulate a compelling message that makes clear why customers should choose their respective platform.

    “Second, competitors make a lot of noise touting the dizzying variety of AI features they provide but are far quieter when it comes to discussing customer support. Competitors need to do a far better job of articulating what programs and resources they have in place to facilitate customer adoption.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Ultra-portable mini C-arms poised to transform point-of-care imaging, but face adoption hurdles, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Ultra-portable mini C-arms poised to transform point-of-care imaging, but face adoption hurdles, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    The latest generation of ultra-portable mini C-arms are reshaping point-of-care imaging by offering compact, standalone solutions suited for tight spaces and mobile use. Recently showcased at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting 2025, these lightweight systems enable real-time diagnostics outside traditional settings. However, their success will depend on balancing portability with image quality and integration into clinical workflows to meet growing demand for accessible, cost-effective imaging, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Leading companies in this space showcased their latest devices at the recently concluded AAOS 2025, in San Diego. Ziehm-OrthoScan debuted the Versa and Turner Imaging presented the Smart-C, which is distributed in partnership with Siemens.

    Ashley Clarke, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Ultra-portable systems do not have the same physical constraints of traditional bulky imaging equipment. This makes them particularly well-suited for environments where space is limited or mobility is critical, such as emergency departments, remote healthcare facilities, and small outpatient clinics. They can provide on-the-spot imaging without complex setup or dedicated imaging suites, allowing for rapid diagnoses in non-traditional settings like sideline assessments in sports medicine or mobile units for emergency care”

    According to GlobalData, mini C-arms show potential for growth as healthcare providers seek more compact and cost-effective imaging solutions. However, while they are valuable for extremity imaging and quick diagnostic assessments, they are not expected to replace full-size C-arms. Procedures requiring deeper radiation penetration or broader anatomical coverage cannot be fully assessed using mini C-arms.

    Clarke continues: “Their value lies in complementing the existing imaging tools rather than replacing them entirely. The challenge for manufacturers will be balancing portability with image quality while expanding use cases to remain competitive with other mobile units. Factors such as cost, battery life, radiation dose optimization, and integration with digital health systems will influence how widely these devices are adopted.”

    Currently, mini C-arm competition is limited, with no known pipeline products from other major C-arm manufacturers, GE Healthcare or Philips. These companies may view the market as too niche or low margin to warrant entry, or they may be focusing on advancing other imaging technologies. Other technologies, such as Adaptix’s Digital Tomosynthesis Orthopaedic imaging system, are also emerging as point-of-care extremity imaging solutions. As the demand for cost- and space-effective imaging solutions continues increasing, market dynamics may change.

    Clarke concludes: “Diagnostic imaging is increasingly driven by the need for faster, more accessible point-of-care solutions. While ultra-portable mini C-arms may remain a complementary innovation, their continued development could drive broader shifts in fluoroscopy technology, influencing future designs of both compact and full-size C-arms. As the market evolves, future advancements may include AI-assisted imaging, better software integration, and expanded clinical applications to attract a wider customer base. Proving long-term value will be key to widespread adoption and improving accessibility in healthcare.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet’s Onchain Report: 46% Favor Crypto Payment for Speed, but Security Concern Slows Adoption

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, a leading Web3 non-custodial wallet, has released its latest Onchain Report, revealing that 46% of users surveyed prefer crypto payments for speed, while 37% cite security risks as a key barrier. The global study, based on a survey of 4,599 users, uncovers how different regions and generations perceive crypto as a payment method, highlighting its potential and the obstacles that must be addressed for mainstream adoption.

    Regional adoption trends show that Africa (52%) and Southeast Asia (51%) lead in demand for faster payments, driven by limited banking access and high remittance costs. Latin America (41%) faces significant concerns over transaction fees, as crypto is widely used for cross-border payments. Meanwhile, North America & Oceania (36%) focus on seamless global transactions, while privacy concerns drive adoption in the Middle East (38%) and Western Europe (35%). Across regions, limited merchant acceptance (31%) continues to be a major barrier, preventing crypto from being a widely used everyday payment method.

    Generational differences reveal that Gen X (49%) prioritizes speed, while Millennials (42%) and Gen Z (39%) favor borderless transactions. Security concerns are highest among Gen X (42%), while Gen Z (36%) is more sensitive to transaction fees. While younger users are more willing to integrate crypto into their daily financial activities, usability challenges and a lack of financial infrastructure remain key hurdles for broader adoption.

    To bridge these gaps, Bitget Wallet has launched PayFi initiatives, integrating earning, sending, and spending into a seamless onchain financial ecosystem within a single platform. Users can stake stablecoins across multiple blockchains to earn passive yield while maintaining full control over their assets, seamlessly transact with crypto payments, and spend directly within Bitget Wallet on everyday goods, services, and travel bookings. By combining DeFi-powered yield generation with real-world payment capabilities, Bitget Wallet is transforming crypto from a speculative asset into a practical financial tool for daily use, ensuring users can manage their entire financial journey in one place.

    “Crypto payments are evolving, but for mainstream adoption, security, cost-efficiency, and usability must improve,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “With PayFi, we’re redefining how people interact with digital assets — ensuring every transaction not only enables payments but also contributes to financial growth. By integrating crypto more seamlessly into everyday life, we aim to make digital finance truly accessible to billions worldwide.”

    For more details, please visit Bitget Wallet blog.

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is the home of Web3, uniting endless possibilities in one non-custodial wallet. With over 60 million users, it offers comprehensive onchain services, including asset management, instant swaps, rewards, staking, trading tools, live market data, a DApp browser, an NFT marketplace and crypto payment. Supporting over 100 blockchains, 20,000+ DApps, and 500,000+ tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges, along with a $300+ million protection fund to ensure safety of users’ assets. Experience Bitget Wallet Lite to start a Web3 journey.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, please contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b75d87a-2ff6-47b5-bf81-5f971e863d42

    The MIL Network –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Hoyle Calls for Secretary Hegseth’s Resignation

    Source: US Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    March 27, 2025

    For Immediate Release: March 27, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) joined 69 other House Democrats in calling for the immediate resignation of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, after new reporting from The Atlantic made clear he shared classified information on Signal, an unapproved and unsecured communications platform.

    The letter was addressed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.

    The full text is available here and below.

    Letter Text

    Dear Secretary Hegseth, Secretary Rubio, Director Gabbard, and Mr. Waltz,

    We write to express grave concern over your handling of sensitive information regarding military operations in Yemen and potential risks to our servicemembers carrying out this mission. The Atlantic reported that their Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a Signal group chat on March 13 titled “Houthi PC small group.” Fortunately, an American journalist was added and not anyone who could have used this information to cause significant harm to the United States.

    As more evidence has come to light, the misconduct in the group chat has become further undefendable and inexcusable. You all jeopardized the lives of servicemembers. There must be accountability starting with the immediate resignation of Secretary Hegseth.

    The degree of incompetence, carelessness, and irresponsibility is difficult to underscore. It is incomprehensible that the heads of the world’s most powerful government were unknowingly sharing secret military plans and knowingly using an unsecure communications method to do so. A bad actor or foreign contact could have easily been added to this Signal group instead of Mr. Goldberg. This experience was so absurd that Mr. Goldberg thought it more likely to be a disinformation campaign or artificial intelligence than several key members of our government, many who sit on the National Security Council.

    This encounter calls into question the way in which this operation was discussed. It was reported that classified or highly sensitive information was being shared over Signal. Information that if leaked to the wrong sources could have resulted in dire national security consequences. As the article goes on to state, there are legitimate questions on whether laws like the Espionage Act or laws on preserving official federal records were violated.

    If you had not added a non-government individual to this Signal group, then this breach would never have come to light. This does not inspire confidence that other classified communications have been handled through proper channels or that this national security team is taking these issues seriously.

    We hope you understand the gravity of this situation. The decisions you make have a significant impact on our national security and the safety of our servicemembers. We will be demanding accountability and transparency in what transpired. For the sake of our national security, we ask that you fully and willingly cooperate with Congress in any forthcoming hearings or investigations.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Scott to Host 2nd Annual Jobs Fair

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

    Congressman David Scott is proud to host the Second Annual Thirteenth District Jobs Fair in conjunction with Comcast Cable, UPN Atlanta, and CBS 46. The fair will bring together Georgia’s top employers from the public and private sector. This event will take place at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park right off the I-85 and I-285 Camp Creek Parkway exits near the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Please remember to dress for success and bring copies of your resume because job candidates will have the opportunity to be matched up for interviews right on the spot! Also, remember to bring $1 for parking or take MARTA to the COLLEGE PARK station and catch the #182 bus shuttle. Military officials will be on hand to provide special assistance for veterans who’ve separated from active service within the past 180 days. With proper ID, qualified veterans are eligible for special entry to Congressman Scott’s Jobs Fair.

    WHEN: Friday, May 12, 2006 WHERE: Georgia International Convention Center Exhibit Halls C & D 2000 Convention Center Concourse College Park, GA 30337 (770) 997-3566 TIME: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm CONFIRMED EMPLOYERS: A Perfect Resume Abundant Healing AEI International Affiliated Insurance Group AFLAC AFLAC- Global Market AGL Resources AIG AIG/American General AirTran Airways All (n) 1 Security Services AltaTelecom Ambassador Personnel American General Life and Accident American Heart Association American Intercontinental University – Dunwoody Campus American Red Cross Ameriplan Aramark Aviation Services Atlanta and North Georgia Building and Construction Trades Council Atlanta Job Corps Atlanta Journal Constitution Atlanta Police Department Atlanta Technical College Atlanta Workforce Development Agency Atlantic Southeast Airlines Avon District 1186 Avon Products BB&T Bank Bellsouth Blue Water Security II, Inc. Bobby Dodd Institute Brian Center Nursing Care- Austell Buyers Credit Coach Care Entree’ Central Michigan University Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Chick-fil-A, Inc. City of Douglasville City of Forest Park City of Hapeville City of Smyrna Clayton Career Resource Center Clayton County DOT Clayton County Government- Personnel Department Clayton County Public Schools Transportation Department Clayton County Water Authority Clayton State University CLP Resources Cobb County Board of Commissioners Cobb County Police Department Cobb County School System CobbWorks Coca-Cola College Park Police Department Comcast Cable Computer Mainstream Corporation Concessions/Paschals Country Hearth Suites Cyberwize.com Davita Jonesboro Dialysis Center Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office Department of Aviation Devry University Douglas County Board of Commissioners Douglasville Police Department DreamSan Inc Employment Seeker Enterprise Rent-A-Car Exel Logistics Fayette County Board of Commissioners Fayette County Board of Education, Administration Services Department Fayette County Board of Education, Food Services Department Fayette County Board of Education, Transportation Department Federal Aviation Administration Federal Bureau of Prisons FedEx Ground First Transit Franklin and Wilson Airport Concessions From Concepts to Reality, Inc Fulton County Sheriff Office GA Department of Labor Vocational Rehabilitation Program GAT Airline Ground Support Gate Gourmet GC Services L.P. Georgia Air National Guard Georgia Army National Guard Georgia Department of Corrections Georgia Department of Human Resources Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Military College Georgia Power Georgia State University Goodwill Industries of North Georgia Grady Health System Greystone Power Company Griffin Technical College Griffin-Spalding County School System Gwinnett County Department of Corrections Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services Hands on Atlanta Happiness Habit Harbor Management, Inc Hartsfield Area TMA Hennesy Mazda Pontiac Buick GMC Henry County Fire Department Henry County Government Henry County School System Hertz Rent-A-Car InMotion Entertainment Installation Technology Design Systems Interactive College of Technology/ Interactive Learning Systems Internal Revenue Service JPacker Systems Kodak Dental Systems Kool Smiles Lockheed Martin Loomis, Fargo, and Co Lowe’s Home Improvement Mackey & Associates/ MMG Marketing Group MARTA MBC Concessions, Inc. Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia Melaleuca MetroPCS HIS Modern Woodmen of Atlanta Morehouse School of Medicine National Lending Corporation National Youth Apprenticeship Collaboration Options Unlimited Personal Touch Tours Travel Agency Popeyes Chicken & Checker Hamburger Prepaid Legal Services Primerica Financial Services Professional Career Development Institute Red Lobster Revelation Consulting Riverdale Police Department Robertson Sanitation/ United Waste Rockdale County Public Schools Rollins, Inc/ Orkin Pest Control Roswell Nursing and Rehab Center Saint Josephs Hospital Securitas Security Services Self Image Success Sheraton Gateway Hotel Shorter College Smyrna Police Department Social Security Administration Southern Regional Medical Center Southside Seafood Company Spherion Staffing Strayer University SunTrust Bank Talent Tree Crystal, Inc The Tensar Corporation, LLC The Wellness Company U.S. Air Force Reserve U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration U.S. Food and Drug Administration U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Navy U.S. Office of Personnel Management U.S. Postal Service U.S. Small Business Administration United Association, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, Local Union No.72 of Atlanta, Georgia Universal Forest Products University of Georgia Verizon Wireless Waffle House Inc. Wal-mart, Inc. Warm Spirit Wellness Resources International, Inc. Wellstar Health System Wilsons Leather Work-tec WVFJ J93.3 Radio

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Danny K. Davis Stands with Democratic Leaders at National Rally Opposing President Trump’s Harmful Policies

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) joined fellow Democratic lawmakers, activists, and community leaders in a powerful show of unity at today’s national rally in opposition to President Donald Trump’s latest policies, which threaten democracy, economic justice, and fundamental human rights.

    The rally, organized by progressive advocacy groups, including MoveOn and other grassroots organizations, saw thousands take to the streets demanding an end to policies that roll back civil rights protections, harm working families, and undermine America’s commitment to global humanitarian aid.

    “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and today, we send a clear message to the Trump administration: we will not stand by as policies that hurt working-class families, communities of color, and vulnerable populations continue to be implemented,” said Congressman Davis. “From slashing critical public safety and health programs to dismantling international aid organizations like USAID, the administration’s actions have real and devastating consequences.”

    Congressman Davis emphasized the urgent need to resist recent budget cuts that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities, including reductions in funding for minority-owned businesses, affordable housing, and public safety initiatives such as the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. He also strongly condemned the administration’s attempts to dismantle USAID, highlighting the organization’s crucial role in disaster relief, poverty reduction, and global health initiatives.

    “Now more than ever, we must remain vigilant and stand together to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms,” Davis continued. “The people have the power, and we are here today to amplify their voices, demand justice, and fight back against these draconian policies.”

    As a longtime advocate for economic and racial justice, Congressman Davis reaffirmed his commitment to legislative action that counters harmful policies, strengthens social safety nets, and ensures all Americans have access to equal opportunities.

    ### About Congressman Danny K. Davis
    Congressman Danny K. Davis represents Illinois’ 7th Congressional District and has been a steadfast advocate for civil rights, criminal justice reform, healthcare, and economic equity. Throughout his tenure in Congress, he has worked to expand opportunities for marginalized communities and fight against policies that threaten social and economic justice.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    Tumia Romero
    Chief of Staff, Congressman Danny K. Davis
    Email: tumia.romero@mail.house.gov


    Would you like to add any specific details or tailor the tone further?

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, Clarke, Van Hollen Lead Letter to the Administration Demanding Reinstatement of TPS for Haiti

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Text of the Letter (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led 62 of their colleagues in the House and 23 of their colleagues in the Senate in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding the Trump Administration redesignate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, which the administration recently canceled on questionable legal authority:

    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “The July 1, 2024 Federal Register notice extending Haiti’s TPS cited ‘grave insecurity, gang violence, socio-economic collapse, and environmental disasters’ as an ongoing crisis warranting protection. However, your February 2025 notice asserts that the 18-month period lacked justification. This decision ignores the overwhelming evidence that Haiti remains an unsafe place for anyone to return to. These conditions cited on the July 1, 2024 Federal Register Notice have worsened. Armed groups now control over 90% of Port-au-Prince, terrorizing civilians with widespread kidnappings, sexual violence, and indiscriminate killings. The UN reports that at least 5,601 people were killed in Haiti last year as a result of gang violence, over 1,000 more than the total killings for 2023. As of September 2024, nearly half the population of the country— 5.5 million Haitians—require urgent humanitarian aid, with 1.6 million facing ‘catastrophic’ food insecurity. Gang sieges and arson attacks have internally displaced over 1,041,000 people.”

    The CROWN Act passed the House of Representatives in 2019 and 2022 but was blocked in the Senate.

    The Members continued, “The decision to rescind Haiti’s TPS designation is not a thoughtful policy in the best interest of the United States. During his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump explicitly singled out Haitian TPS recipients in rallies and interviews. This rhetoric mirrored his 2017 termination of Haiti’s TPS designation, which a federal court blocked for violating the Administrative Procedure Act and failing to consider country conditions. The administration’s current vacatur revives this legally dubious playbook, seeking to destabilize the lives of Haitian immigrants through shortened protections and heightened uncertainty.”

    “We request that you extend and redesignate Haiti for TPS for the statutory maximum of 18 months. Failure to extend and redesignate TPS would violate the INA’s requirement for data-driven decisions and abandon over 500,000 Haitians to a warzone the U.S. government has explicitly deemed unsafe. Congress intended TPS to be both a humanitarian tool and a pragmatic response to unstable conditions abroad. While DHS has discretion, that authority must be exercised with diligence, transparency, and fidelity to the law,” they wrote, before requesting responses to a series of questions regarding the legal basis and humanitarian and national interest considerations that led to the administration’s questionable decision to cancel Haiti’s TPS designation.

    House Signers (64): Pressley, Clarke, Adams, Amo, Beatty, Beyer, Carson, Casar, Castor, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Clark, Davis (Danny), Frost, Garcia (Jesus), Garcia (Sylvia), Goldman, Hayes, Hernandez, Jackson (Jonathan), Jacobs, Jayapal, Jeffries, Johnson (Henry), Latimer, Lee, Lofgren, Lynch, Magaziner, McClellan, McGovern, McIver, Meeks, Meng, Mfume, Moulton, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pallone, Pingree, Pocan, Quigley, Ramirez, Raskin, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Scott (Bobby), Sewell, Soto, Suozzi, Swalwell, Thanedar, Thompson (Bennie), Tlaib, Tonko, Trahan, Vargas, Veasey, Velazquez, Wasserman Schultz, Waters, Watson Coleman, Wilson (Frederica)

    Senate Signers (24): Van Hollen, Blumenthal, Booker, Coons, Cortez Masto, Duckworth, Durbin, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Kaine, Kim (Andy), Klobuchar, Markey, Padilla, Reed, Sanders, Schumer, Shaheen, Warner, Warnock, Warren, Welch, Whitehouse

    This letter has been endorsed by more than 100 organizations, including: UndocuBlack Network, African Communities Together, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Church World Service, Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP), FWD.us, Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Family Action Network Movement, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Haitian Bridge Alliance, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Muslim Advocates, National Employment Law Project, National Partnership for New Americans, Nigerian Center, Presente.org, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Quixote Center, Refugees International, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), The Advocates for Human Rights, The Border Network for Human Rights, United African Organization, Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, Witness at the Border, Baker Interfaith Friends Refugees International, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants, TPS-DED AAC, Haitian Support Center, Faith In Texas, Center for Law and Social Policy, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), Just Neighbors, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Immigration Hub, New York Immigration Coalition, Human Rights First, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, Oasis Legal Services, Immigrants Rising, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, National Immigrant Justice Center, Borderlands Resource Initiative, Alianza Americas, Community Solutions, NH Conference, United Church of Christ Immigrant & Refugee Support Group, Immigrants Act Now, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, National Bar Association, Gainesville Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Cameroon Advocacy Network, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants – LORI, Women Watch Afrika, International Refugee Assistance Project, Sanctuary for Families, Minnesota Freedom Fund, scaleLIT, Win Without War, Urban Mom Collective National Black Mom Coalition, We Are All America, Westside Justice Center, Freedom for Immigrants, Partners In Health, Service Employees International Union, SEIU, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice, EqualHealth’s Campaign Against Racism,  Immigration Center for Women and Children, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), Refugee Advocacy Lab, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, CASA, Immigration Law & Justice Network, Immigrant ARC, National Immigration Project, The Sidewalk School, TPS-DED AAC, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, United African Organization, United We Dream, Urban Mom Collective National Black Mom Coalition, We Are All America, Westside Justice Center, Win Without War, Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, Witness at the Border, Women Watch Afrika, Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, Working Families United, Hope Border Institute, Washington Office on Latin America, La Raza Community Resource Center (SF), Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), Alianza Americas, The Episcopal Church, MomsRising, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. (CAB), Asian Law Caucus, and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA).

    The text of the letter can be read here.

    As Representative for the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, Congresswoman Pressley serves as Co-Chair for the House Haiti Caucus and represents one of the largest Haitian diaspora communities in the country, with approximately 46,000 Haitians and Haitian-Americans living across the state and over half in the Boston metropolitan area. Additionally, Massachusetts is home to more than 4,700 Haitians with Temporary Protected Status.

    • On February 20, 2025, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
    • On November 14, 2024, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning violence in Haiti and calling on the Biden Administration to halt all deportations to Haiti.
    • On September 25, 2024, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the false and dangerous lies about Haitian, Latino, and Asian immigrants.
    • On September 20, 2024, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs joined colleagues and advocates at a press conference to stand in solidarity with Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio and across America, and to demand accountability for the harmful and false narratives perpetuated by Republicans.
    • On June 28, 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement applauding the Biden-Harris Administration’s extension and redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). 
    • On April 23, 2024, Rep. Pressley, alongside Co-Chairs Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), led a group of 50 lawmakers urging the Biden Administration to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), pause on deportations back to Haiti, extend humanitarian parole to any Haitians currently detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention centers, end detention of Haitian migrants intercepted at sea, and provide additional humanitarian assistance for Haiti.
    • On April 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs led a letter to House Ways and Means Committee leadership emphasizing support for the early renewal of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Acts, commonly known as HOPE/HELP. 
    • On April 12, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Haitian-led activists, organizations, and a directly impacted person in Haiti for a press call urging federal action to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
    • On March 27, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and her colleagues on the Massachusetts congressional delegation in urging the Biden Administration to expedite visa processing for Haitians, particularly  for relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
    • On March 18, Rep. Pressley, Senator Markey, and the House Haiti Caucus led 67 lawmakers on a letter urging the Biden Administration to extend TPS for Haiti and halt deportations.
    • On March 12, 2024, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Cherfilus McCormick and Yvette Clarke issued a statement on the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
    • On March 6, 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the recent jailbreak and State of Emergency in Haiti.
    • On December 8, 2023, Rep. Pressley and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke urged the U.S. Department of State to withdraw U.S. support for an armed foreign intervention in Haiti and encourage negotiations for a Haitian-led democratic political transition.
    • On December 6, 2022, Rep. Pressley issued a statement applauding the Biden Administration’s extension and re-designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
    • On December 1, 2022, Rep. Pressley, Rep. Cori Bush, and Rep. Mondaire Jones led 14 of their colleagues on a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging the Department to extend and redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
    • In September 2022, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Velázquez led 54 of their colleagues on a letter calling on the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportations to Haiti and provide humanitarian parole protections for those seeking asylum. The lawmakers’ letter followed the Administration’s resumption of deportation flights to Haiti as thousands of Haitian migrants continue to await an opportunity to make an asylum claim at the border. 
    • In September 2022, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues on the House Oversight Committee in demanding answers regarding the inhumane treatment of migrants in Del Rio, Texas, by Border Patrol agents on horseback and pushing to Biden Administration to end the ongoing use and weaponization of Title 42.
    • On August 17, 2022, Rep. Pressley, along with Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Val Demings, Yvette Clarke, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), called on President Biden to appoint a new Special Envoy to Haiti, a position that has remained unfilled since September 2021.
    • On July 7, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Andy Levin (MI-09), Val Demings (FL-10) and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
    • On May 31, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Reverend Dieufort Fleurissaint, chair of Haitian Americans United, published an op-ed in the Bay State Banner in which they called on the Biden administration to withdraw support for de facto ruler of Haiti, Ariel Henry, and instead support an inclusive, civil society-led process to restore stability and democracy on the island. 
    • In April 2022, she joined her colleagues at a press conference reaffirming her support for President Biden’s decision to end Title 42. Full video of her remarks at the press conference is available here. Rep. Pressley applauded the Biden Administration’s end of Title 42 in a statement in April 2022.
    • On May 26, 2022, Rep. Pressley, along with with Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Andy Levin (MI-09), Jim McGovern (MA-02), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24), led a letter to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Power urging her to act to ensure food security in Haiti.
    • On March 16, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Mondaire Jones called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky to fully end Title 42, cease deportations of people to Haiti and affirm their legal and fundamental human right to seek asylum.
    • On February 16, 2022, Rep. Pressley joined Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 100 House and Senate colleagues in urging President Biden to reverse inhumane immigration policies – such as Title 42, originally introduced under the Trump Administration – that continue to disproportionately harm Black migrants.
    • On February 14, 2022, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), alongside Representatives Judy Chu (CA-27) and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), led 33 other House Democrats on a letter to Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, demanding answers about the agency’s justification for treating asylum seekers as a unique public health threat, how these expulsions are being coordinated, how asylum seekers being returned to dangerous situations are being cared for, and more.
    • On February 14, 2022, Reps. Pressley, Judy Chu (CA-27), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) led 33 other House Democrats on a letter to CDC Director Walensky demanding answers about the agency’s justification for treating asylum seekers as a unique public health threat, how these expulsions are being coordinated, how asylum seekers being returned to dangerous situations are being cared for, and more. Days later, Rep. Pressley once again called on the Biden Administration to reverse the Title 42 Order and other anti-Black immigration policies.
    • On January 12, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Andy Levin (MI-09), and Val Demings (FL-10) released a statement on the 12-year anniversary of the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.
    • On November 21, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren led the Massachusetts congressional delegation on a letter to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) calling on them to coordinate with the government agencies of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to assist newly arrived families from Haiti. 
    • On October 18, 2021, Rep. Pressley, and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Val Demings (FL-10), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Andy Levin (MI-09) issued a statement following the kidnapping of American and Canadian missionaries in Haiti.
    • On October 18, 2021, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the civil rights complaint filed by Haitian families demanding a federal investigation into the heinous actions perpetrated by federal officials at the border.
    • On October 22, 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), sent a letter to Troy A. Miller, the Acting Administrator of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), demanding a briefing and answers regarding press reports of the inhumane treatment of migrants in Del Rio, Texas, by Border Patrol agents on horseback. 
    • On September 17, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07) led 52 of their colleagues calling on the Biden Administration to immediately halt deportations to Haiti and take urgent action to address the concerns of the Haitian Diaspora after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti.
    • On August 14, 2021, Rep. Pressley Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Andy Levin (MI-09) and Val Demings (FL-10) and Mondaire Jones (NY-17) released a statement regarding the recent earthquake in Haiti.
    • On July 14, 2021, Rep. Pressley and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Andy Levin (MI-09) and Val Demings (FL-10) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling on him to take a series of steps to support the Haitian diaspora amid ongoing political turmoil in Haiti.
    • In July 2021, the Reps. Pressley, Clarke, Demings and Levin issued a statement condemning the assassination of President Moïse and calling for swift and decisive action to bring political stability and peace to Haiti and the Haitian people.
    • In May 2021, on Haitian Flag Day, Reps. Pressley, Levin, Clarke and Demings announced the formation of the House Haiti Caucus, a Congressional caucus dedicated to pursuing a just foreign policy that puts the needs and aspirations of the Haitian people first.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Amo Elevates Rhode Island’s Blue Economy in First Hearing as Ranking Member

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment held its first hearing of 119th Congress on the Blue Economy

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment Gabe Amo (RI-01) delivered remarks in the first Subcommittee on Environment hearing of the year. In the hearing titled To the Depths, and Beyond: Examining Blue Economy Technologies, Congressman Amo highlighted Rhode Island’s success in growing the Blue Economy while calling out President Trump’s systematic disinvestment in science and economic development.

    “Thanks to investments in the Blue Economy, my home state — the Ocean State — is home to thriving blue industries such as commercial fishing, tourism, defense production and shipbuilding, as well as marine manufacturing, offshore wind, and oceanic research. Estimates show that the Blue Economy employs more than 36,000 workers in Rhode Island and contributes over $5 billion to our gross domestic product every year,” said Ranking Member Amo. “I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will join me in pushing against the Trump administration’s attacks on science and the Blue Economy.”

    WATCH CONGRESSMAN AMO’S OPENING REMARKS HERE

    BACKGROUND

    Congressman Gabe Amo serves as the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Environment on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over research at the Environmental Protection Agency, environmental standards, and climate change research and development, as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which administers the National Weather Service. Congressman Amo has advocated for Rhode Island’s Blue Economy through a district-wide tour of stakeholders — from marine manufacturing companies to offshore wind training programs to leading experts in ocean research and academia.

     

    REMARKS AS DELIVERED

    Thank you, Chair Franklin, for today’s hearing on the Blue Economy. And thank you to our witnesses for agreeing to share your perspectives.

    Since the days of Roger Williams and the Gaspee Affair, the ocean has been central to Rhode Island’s identity. But water isn’t just a key to our past — it’s critical to our future.

    Thanks to investments in the Blue Economy, my home state — the Ocean State — is home to thriving blue industries such as commercial fishing, tourism, defense production and shipbuilding, as well as marine manufacturing, offshore wind, and oceanic research. Leveraging our state’s natural strengths has ushered in a new age of prosperity for workers, small businesses, and research institutions.

    Estimates show that the Blue Economy employs more than 36,000 workers in Rhode Island and contributes over $5 billion to our gross domestic product every year. Across the country, there are approximately 2 million workers supporting the Blue Economy who contribute about $373 billion to our nation’s GDP.

    To find out more, I embarked on a multi-day, multi-stop tour of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District’s Blue Economy in October. I learned about leaders training union workers pursuing careers in offshore wind. I engaged with researchers and higher education leaders working to deepen our understanding of the ocean. I saw how cutting-edge manufacturing companies are growing their footprints and investing in our communities.

    Tools like artificial intelligence and robotics are revolutionizing ocean-based industries and driving growth in the Blue Economy. Rhode Island has companies utilizing cutting-edge aquatic data collected through underwater drones that is increasing our national defense capabilities.

    We must continue to invest in the Blue Economy. It supports innovation, our workforce, and our resiliency efforts. It’s about protecting our global innovation leadership. We need public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders rowing in the same direction.

    I hope there are shared values in our committee about leveraging our ocean to advance scientific research, spur economic development, and defend our national security. But I am, at this moment, not certain those priorities are shared by the leadership at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue at the White House. Time and time again, we have seen President Trump and his billionaire supporters, stand in the way. They have systematically undermined and jeopardized our progress in an area where we should continue to have great leadership. Take, for example, the whiplash firing and rehiring of staff, the cancelling of contracts, and the freezing of grants across our government — including at NOAA and the National Science Foundation and countless other key areas.

    Can anyone really claim that chaos and confusion supports economic development? I think the answer is clear.

    Hacking and slashing away at our federal agencies slows scientific progress that is urgently needed, threatens economic stability, undermines disaster preparedness, and can hinder national security. My state has welcomed NOAA with open arms. It will turbocharge ocean research innovation and initiatives that will grow our Blue Economy.

    Innovation has always — always — been a collaborative effort between government, academia, non-profits and private industry. Collaboration between government and academia has driven foundational “moonshot” innovations. Private-public partnerships have turned breakthroughs into real-world applications and scaled them rapidly. However, Trump and DOGE and the actions of the last several weeks have worked overtime to turn back the clock. Crippling federal support for research at universities and the private sector are dimming the prospects for future scientific discovery. It is cutting off pathways and opportunities that lead to careers in science and innovation.

    The actions of President Trump have driven universities to lay off staff, issue new guidance for graduate students, and push away the very expertise that we urgently need now to continue our advances in the Blue Economy. Researchers are left scrambling. Organizations are being forced into crisis mode and students are dissuaded from pursuing careers in STEM.

    These funding cuts are threatening America’s already tenuous global leadership in ocean research and innovation. Elon Musk is opening the door to competitors around the world, and adversaries like China, who are already catching up to our investments in research and development.

    So I end with this. What does it mean when the United States, a nation struggling to stay at the forefront of science, is unilaterally disarming and letting our strongest scientific tools wither on the vine?

    Look, I hope we can find a bipartisan consensus to push back against these decisions. Because if not, there will come a point where recovery may no longer be possible.

    With that, I yield.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Pfluger Leads CTI Markup For Terror Threats, Transnational Repression Legislation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, led the subcommittee’s first markup of the 119th Congress to consider legislation to enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) coordination with all levels of law enforcement to bolster our national security and combat evolving threats from our adversaries.

    Ten pieces of legislation were considered today, of which two were Chairman Pfluger’s – the Countering Transnational Repression Act and the Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act.

     

    WATCH THE MARKUP IN ITS ENTIRETY HERE

    WATCH CHAIRMAN PFLUGER HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MARKUP BELOW:

    Chairman Pfluger’s opening remarks HERE

    Chairman Pfluger’s remarks on his Countering Transnational Repression Act HERE

    Chairman Pfluger’s remarks on his Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act HERE

    Chairman Pfluger’s closing remarks HERE

    Background:

    Ahead of this markup, Chairman Pfluger held a CTI hearing titled, “The Digital Battlefield: How Terrorists Use Online Networks for Recruitment and Radicalization“ to learn about how America can simultaneously protect First Amendment rights while taking proactive measures to prevent future terrorist attacks.

    Earlier this month, Chairman Pfluger introduced the Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025 which would create a dedicated transnational repression office in DHS to ensure the federal government takes steps to recognize, assess, and counter threats from foreign authoritarian regimes or agents of foreign governments against American citizens or lawful permanent residents. Read Chairman Pfluger’s op-ed in the Washington Times here.

    Chairman Pfluger also introduced the “Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act” earlier this month, which would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct annual assessments on terrorist threats to the U.S. posed by terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al Qaeda, utilizing generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) applications for terroristic activity. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pfluger is “Keeping The Lights On”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, questioned witnesses during the Energy Subcommittee Hearing titled, “‘Keeping The Lights On’ Examining The State Of Regional Grid Reliability.”

    The witnesses included:

    ·     Pablo Vegas, President & Chief Executive Officer, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., (ERCOT)

    ·     Gordon van Welie, President & Chief Executive Officer, ISO New England (ISO-NE)

    ·     Richard J. Dewey, President & Chief Executive Officer, New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) 

    ·     Manu Asthana, President & Chief Executive Officer, PJM Interconnection, LLC

    ·     Jennifer Curran, Senior Vice President for Planning and Operations, Midcontinent ISO (MISO)

    ·     Lanny Nickell, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Power Pool

    ·     Elliot Mainzer, President & Chief Executive Officer, California Independent System Operator (CAISO)

    Watch the hearing in its entirety HERE.

    During the hearing, ERCOT’s President and CEO, Mr. Vegas, confirmed to Rep. Pfluger that there is a pressing need to invest in long-duration, dispatchable resources to support the Texas grid reliably.

    Watch Rep. Pfluger’s full line of questioning HERE, or read the highlights below.

    Rep. Pfluger: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to state that I believe in the best of the above, not all of the above, and I think that differs from state to state. In West Texas, we have no access to hydropower, unfortunately, as they do in the Pacific Northwest, but if you have access to affordable, reliable sources, then we should use those. Mr. Vegas, I think we need to do a math problem here. So, sorry for math in public. But let’s talk about what the current demand is in Texas for what ERCOT is serving. What are we seeing annually? 

    Mr. Vegas: The current demand peak in the summer is around 80,000 – 85,000 and in the winter, about 80,000. 

    Rep. Pfluger: Okay, and in the next three or four years, with added industrialization, added population data centers, what do we think that is going to grow to in Texas?

    Mr. Vegas: We’re now forecasting that by 2030 we expect around 150,000 megawatts. So that’s an additional 65,000 megawatts over where we are today.

    Rep. Pfluger: Almost double?

    Mr. Vegas: Almost double.

    Rep. Pfluger: In three to four years? This is incredible. So what I want to get to is, when you look at the balance, you’re balancing price, you’re balancing reliability, you’re balancing all these different things. What are the best sources that you are looking for today at 85,000 and in three years, at 150,000 plus?

    Mr. Vegas: We’re getting to a point on the Texas grid where you can start to see that the peak demand is exceeding the dispatchable generation that we have available on the grid. So it’s important, as we look forward, to meet the demands of this growth, to grow the supply in a balanced way. The balanced resource mix brings, I think, the best portfolio for consumers. It brings cost combinations that vary and give the optimal price, and it also brings characteristics around reliability and resilience that are important. So as we look forward, we need to make sure we keep up with firm dispatchable generation, in addition to the strong growth that we continue to see on renewables.

    Rep. Pfluger: Firm dispatchable generation. So I just looked it up on your website, ercot.com, and right now in my hometown, it’s 78 degrees, and we’ve got a little bit of wind, which is serving 18% of the grid, 45% solar. But talk to us about when it’s hot or when it’s cold, and how reliable on those days where you have 100 degrees plus, which we have about 90 plus days in the summer in Texas of 100 degrees or more, or when it’s cold, how reliable are those sources?

    Mr. Vegas: Yeah, as I said earlier, over the course of a year, the actual delivered energy on the Texas grid, 65% of it comes from our thermal fleet, which is our coal, our natural gas, and our nuclear. They are the backbone of reliability. They complement what we’re getting from the renewable mix as well. And right now we need all of the supply that’s there. It’s clear that we need it all. We’re seeing 63% right now coming from renewables, but when the wind isn’t blowing, and when it’s nighttime, and in the summer when it’s hot, you still need a lot of energy to support that air conditioning load and that requires long duration, dispatchable resources to do that. 

    Rep. Pfluger: When government dictates policy that doesn’t allow you to have the right capacity, the right mixture – what does that do to affordability, reliability, and at the end, what does it do to our national security?

    Mr. Vegas: It is absolutely detrimental to affordability and to reliability, and it risks our energy security. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Spain, Chinese quantum company collaborate to build Europe’s largest integrated computing center

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The ChinaLink ESGt, a venture capital led by Spanish entrepreneur Javier Romero, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Chinese quantum computing company Origin Quantum on Wednesday in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, on the joint development of Europe’s largest integrated computing power center.

    According to the agreement, both parties will integrate technology development and product research in quantum computing, and jointly explore the construction of an integrated computing power center combining supercomputing, quantum computing and artificial intelligence computing in Spain, and a classical-quantum hybrid computing cloud service platform.

    Additionally, the two companies will collaborate on the development of quantum-resistant encryption technologies and their applications to enhance information security in the quantum era.

    ChinaLink ESGt, which has invested in leading global companies such as Alibaba, Tencent, SpaceX, and the Chinese renewable energy company Sungrow, is currently building a quantum research lab in Malaga, Spain. The company plans to partner with global organizations, including Origin Quantum, to establish the facility as Europe’s largest integrated computing center. The center is expected to reach a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, encompassing both classical and quantum computing infrastructure.

    “China’s quantum computing development is world-leading, and we aim to bring the top quantum computing companies to Spain to create an international collaborative laboratory,” said Romero. He also highlighted plans to explore applications of quantum computing in fields such as finance, renewable energy, and biomedicine in partnership with China.

    Guo Guoping, chief scientist at Origin Quantum and a professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, emphasized that Spain’s exploration of quantum algorithms for healthcare, artificial intelligence, and other fields offers a valuable reference for the global practical application of quantum technology.

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 28, 2025
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