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Category: Middle East

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Stand Up for Israel at United Nations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), in introducing the Stand with Israel Act to cut off U.S. funding to United Nations agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel.“Despite receiving billions of dollars every year from the United States, the United Nations has allowed antisemitism to spread unchecked within its ranks. The Stand with Israel Act reaffirms America’s commitment to Israel, holds the United Nations accountable, and sends a clear message to Israel’s adversaries: standing against Israel means standing against the United States,” said Fischer.“Israel is one of America’s greatest allies, and under President Trump’s Administration, we will no longer tolerate—much less fund—the blatant antisemitism at the United Nations. This bill will send a clear message to the UN and any other antisemitic international organizations: if you want America’s money, you’ll need to respect our Israeli friends. America will always stand with Israel,” said Risch.Background on the Stand with Israel Act:
    The Stand with Israel Act would cut off U.S. funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. The bill is modeled after the current prohibition of funding to any UN entities that elevate the status of the Palestinian Authority to a member state.
    Bill text of the Stand with Israel Act can be found here.
    Joining Fischer and Risch in introducing the Stand with Israel Act are Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Shelly Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Justice (R-W. Va.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: School Official Pleads Guilty to 2.9M Scheme to Defraud Veterans’ Education Programs

    Source: US State of California

    A Virginia career services manager for a school offering job training programs to veterans pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of nearly $3 million.

    According to court documents, Jeffrey Williams, 37, of Alexandria, used false records to defraud the VA of millions of dollars from approximately July 2022 to May 2024. During that time, the defendant was a career services manager at an educational institution offering veterans educational programs in cyber that could be paid for by the VA. As part of the scheme, Williams created fraudulent employment offer letters, falsified certifications, and forged veterans’ signatures to make it appear as if veterans had attained the meaningful employment needed for the educational institution to receive tuition payments from the government. Williams caused the submission of hundreds of false documents to the VA, claiming approximately $2.9 million in fraudulent tuition payments for at least 189 veterans.

    Williams pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The VA Office of Inspector General is investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Lauren Archer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Harvey for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First Quarter Results

    • Total revenues of $50.0 million, a 14% year-over-year improvement
    • Gross margin improved to 42% from 39%; adjusted gross margin improved to 44% from 40% in the first quarter of 2024
    • Net income of $4.1 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.51, an improvement compared to $2.1 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.82 one year ago
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $8.2 million, a $2.1 million year-over-year improvement
    • $23.0 million in cash and $7.6 million of total debt as of March 31, 2025

    HOUSTON, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: NCSM) (the “Company,” “NCS,” “we” or “us”), a leading provider of highly engineered products and support services that facilitate the optimization of oil and natural gas well construction, well completions and field development strategies, today announced its results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Review and Outlook

    NCS’s Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Hummer commented, “NCS had a strong start to 2025, with total revenues and Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter exceeding our expectations as provided in the last earnings call, led by our performance in Canada.

    Total revenues of $50.0 million increased by 14% year-over-year and 11% sequentially and represents our highest quarterly revenue since the first quarter of 2020. This is reflective of the consistent efforts of our team to deliver differentiated performance through the implementation of our core strategies.

    Our adjusted gross margin improved to 44% for the quarter, compared to 40% for the same period one year ago, as we benefitted from the higher revenue, including higher-margin international work in both the Middle East and the North Sea.

    Our Adjusted EBITDA was $8.2 million for the first quarter, an improvement of $2.1 million, or 35%, year-over-year. This demonstrates the operating leverage in our business and the benefits of our capital light operating model, as our Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first quarter of 2025 of 16% improved from 14% in the first quarter of 2024.

    This improved operating performance resulted in net income attributable to NCS of $4.1 million, or $1.51 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2025, a meaningful improvement as compared to $2.1 million and $0.82 per diluted share, respectively, for the same period in 2024.

    Our cash balance as of March 31, 2025, totaled $23.0 million and our net cash position was $15.4 million. Total liquidity was $49.8 million as of March 31, 2025, inclusive of our cash balance and availability under our undrawn revolving credit facility, an increase of $15.4 million compared to one year ago.

    We have not experienced a significant impact on our business from escalating global trade tensions, and we expect that to continue to be the case in the second quarter of 2025. However, such global trade tensions and potential additional U.S. tariffs — along with retaliatory measures by other countries — present risks to commodity prices that could result in lower drilling and completions activity as compared to our initial expectations for both the second half and full year in 2025. If sustained, such conditions may result in a more pronounced decrease in drilling and completion activity across these markets. In addition, we are evaluating options to mitigate the impact of potential cost increases from tariffs that have been imposed by the U.S. on products from China and on steel imports, in particular.

    I want to express my continued appreciation to our team at NCS and Repeat Precision. Our accomplishments and our upcoming opportunities reflect the talent, effort and dedication of our outstanding teams. We have the right people, the right technology, and the right strategies in place to deliver extraordinary outcomes to our customers, drive innovation in the industry and create value for our shareholders. We’ve had a good start for the year and remain cautiously optimistic about the remainder of 2025. Our strong balance sheet remains a strategic asset for NCS and we will react swiftly and decisively in response to changing market conditions and opportunities.”

    Financial Review

    Total revenues were $50.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to $43.9 million for the first quarter of 2024. Revenue growth was driven primarily by an increase in Canadian product sales and increases in services revenue across all of our geographic regions, partially offset by a decline in U.S. product sales attributed to certain project delays. The increase in product and service sales for Canada reflects robust activity levels, particularly for fracturing systems completions, a trend that began in the fourth quarter of 2024 and continued throughout the first quarter. The increase in international service revenues was driven by Middle East tracer diagnostics projects and North Sea fracturing systems product sales and services. 

    Compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, total revenues increased by 11%, with an increase in Canada of 26% due to continued strong activity levels. This increase was partially offset by a decline of 34% in international revenues, primarily associated with the timing of tracer service work in the Middle East, and a 13% decline in U.S. revenues.

    Gross profit was $21.1 million, with a gross margin of 42%, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $17.0 million, with a gross margin of 39%, for the first quarter of 2024. Gross margin for 2025 improved due to an increase in higher-margin international work in both the Middle East and North Sea, and increased product sales in Canada. We also benefitted from efficiencies related to our supply chain and our manufacturing/assembly operations, leveraging certain fixed costs and capitalizing on lean manufacturing strategies implemented over the last year. Adjusted gross profit, which we define as total revenues less total cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization (“DD&A”), was $21.9 million, or an adjusted gross margin of 44%, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $17.6 million, or 40%, for the first quarter of 2024.

    Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses totaled $16.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $2.4 million compared to the same period in 2024. This increase in expense reflects a higher annual incentive bonus accrual year-over-year, higher professional fees and an increase in share-based compensation expense attributable to cash settled awards, which are remeasured at the balance sheet date based on the price of our common stock.

    Other income was $0.9 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2024. The decline in other income reflects the absence of a contribution from a technical services and assistance agreement with our local partner in Oman for the first quarter of 2025, as that program ended in November 2024. Partially offsetting this year-over year decrease was an increase in the royalty income earned from licensees for these periods.

    Net income was $4.1 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to net income of $2.1 million, or $0.82 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    Adjusted EBITDA was $8.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $2.1 million compared to the same period a year ago. This improvement is primarily the result of an increase in Canada revenues and higher-margin international projects partially offset by an increase in SG&A expenses due to higher annual incentive bonus accruals. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 16% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to 14% for the same period a year ago. 

    Cash flow from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was a use of cash of $(1.6) million, a $0.2 million improvement compared to the same period in 2024. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, free cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interest was a use of cash of $(2.1) million compared to a use of cash of $(2.5) million for the same period in 2024. The overall change in free cash flow was largely attributed to our operating results, change in net working capital including payment of incentive bonuses and cash-settled awards remeasured based on the price of our stock in the first quarter of 2025, and the absence of a distribution to our non-controlling interest in 2025, partially offset by an increase in net cash invested in capital expenditures.

    Liquidity and Capital Expenditures

    As of March 31, 2025, NCS had $23.0 million in cash, $7.6 million in total indebtedness related to finance lease obligations, and a borrowing base under the undrawn asset-based revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”) of $26.8 million. Our working capital, defined as current assets minus current liabilities, was $85.2 million and $80.2 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

    Net working capital, calculated as working capital, less cash and excluding the current maturities of long-term debt, was $64.4 million and $56.4 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The increase in our net working capital was primarily attributable to an increase in accounts receivable and a decrease in accrued expenses due in part to payment of our 2024 incentive bonus in the first quarter of 2025, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable. 

    NCS incurred capital expenditures, net of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment, of $0.5 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

    EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Less Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest and Net Working Capital are non-GAAP financial measures. For an explanation of these measures and a reconciliation, refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

    Conference Call

    The Company will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2025 results and updated guidance on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 7:30 a.m. Central Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time). For those participants who wish to ask questions, please dial (800) 715-9871 (U.S. toll-free) or +1 (646) 307-1963 (international) and enter the Conference ID: 7182351. A listen-only option is also available through this link. Participants are encouraged to log in to the webcast or dial in to the conference call approximately ten minutes prior to the start time. To listen via live webcast, please visit the Investors section of the Company’s website, www.ncsmultistage.com.

    The replay will be available in the Investors section of the Company’s website shortly after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately seven days.

    About NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.

    NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of highly engineered products and support services that facilitate the optimization of oil and natural gas well construction, well completions and field development strategies. NCS provides products and services primarily to exploration and production companies for use in onshore and offshore wells, predominantly wells that have been drilled with horizontal laterals in both unconventional and conventional oil and natural gas formations. NCS’s products and services are utilized in oil and natural gas basins throughout North America and in selected international markets, including the North Sea, the Middle East, Argentina and China. NCS’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “NCSM.” Additional information is available on the website, www.ncsmultistage.com.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding the outlook for our future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following: declines in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and production activity in Canada, the United States and internationally; oil and natural gas price fluctuations; significant competition for our products and services that results in pricing pressures, reduced sales, or reduced market share; inability to successfully implement our strategy of increasing sales of products and services into the U.S. and international markets; loss of significant customers; losses and liabilities from uninsured or underinsured business activities and litigation; change in trade policy, including the impact of tariffs; our failure to identify and consummate potential acquisitions; the financial health of our customers including their ability to pay for products or services provided; our inability to integrate or realize the expected benefits from acquisitions; our inability to achieve suitable price increases to offset the impacts of cost inflation; loss of any of our key suppliers or significant disruptions negatively impacting our supply chain; risks in attracting and retaining qualified employees and key personnel; risks resulting from the operations of our joint venture arrangement; currency exchange rate fluctuations; impact of severe weather conditions; our inability to accurately predict customer demand, which may result in us holding excess or obsolete inventory; failure to comply with or changes to federal, state and local and non-U.S. laws and other regulations, including anti-corruption and environmental regulations, guidelines and regulations for the use of explosives; impairment in the carrying value of long-lived assets including goodwill; system interruptions or failures, including complications with our enterprise resource planning system, cybersecurity breaches, identity theft or other disruptions that could compromise our information; our inability to successfully develop and implement new technologies, products and services that align with the needs of our customers, including addressing the shift to more non-traditional energy markets as part of the energy transition and the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning; our inability to protect and maintain critical intellectual property assets, the inability to protect our current royalty income, or the losses and liabilities from adverse decisions in intellectual property disputes; loss of, or interruption to, our information and computer systems; our failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; restrictions on the availability of our customers to obtain water essential to the drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes; changes in legislation or regulation governing the oil and natural gas industry, including restrictions on emissions of greenhouse gases; our inability to meet regulatory requirements for use of certain chemicals by our tracer diagnostics business; the reduction in our ABL Facility borrowing base or our inability to comply with the covenants in our debt agreements; and our inability to obtain sufficient liquidity on reasonable terms, or at all and other factors discussed or referenced in our filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Contact

    Mike Morrison
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
    (281) 453-2222
    IR@ncsmultistage.com 

       
    NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)    		  
       
        Three Months Ended  
        March 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Revenues                
    Product sales   $ 35,066     $ 31,758  
    Services     14,939       12,100  
    Total revenues     50,005       43,858  
    Cost of sales                
    Cost of product sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below     20,352       19,692  
    Cost of services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below     7,798       6,595  
    Total cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below     28,150       26,287  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses     16,195       13,830  
    Depreciation     1,204       1,073  
    Amortization     167       167  
    Income from operations     4,289       2,501  
    Other income (expense)                
    Interest expense, net     (42 )     (100 )
    Other income, net     883       1,137  
    Foreign currency exchange loss, net     (3 )     (498 )
    Total other income     838       539  
    Income before income tax     5,127       3,040  
    Income tax expense     673       487  
    Net income     4,454       2,553  
    Net income attributable to non-controlling interest     398       483  
    Net income attributable to NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.   $ 4,056     $ 2,070  
    Earnings per common share                
    Basic earnings per common share attributable to NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.   $ 1.58     $ 0.83  
    Diluted earnings per common share attributable to NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.   $ 1.51     $ 0.82  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding                
    Basic     2,568       2,508  
    Diluted     2,686       2,539  
       
    NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands, except share data)
    (Unaudited)    		  
                 
        March 31,     December 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Assets                
    Current assets                
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 22,997     $ 25,880  
    Accounts receivable—trade, net     38,403       31,513  
    Inventories, net     40,756       40,971  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     1,852       2,063  
    Other current receivables     5,033       5,143  
    Total current assets     109,041       105,570  
    Noncurrent assets                
    Property and equipment, net     20,477       21,283  
    Goodwill     15,222       15,222  
    Identifiable intangibles, net     3,523       3,690  
    Operating lease assets     5,773       5,911  
    Deposits and other assets     660       712  
    Deferred income taxes, net     422       424  
    Total noncurrent assets     46,077       47,242  
    Total assets   $ 155,118     $ 152,812  
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
    Current liabilities                
    Accounts payable—trade   $ 11,751     $ 8,970  
    Accrued expenses     5,348       8,351  
    Income taxes payable     1,103       683  
    Operating lease liabilities     1,676       1,602  
    Current maturities of long-term debt     2,250       2,141  
    Other current liabilities     1,737       3,672  
    Total current liabilities     23,865       25,419  
    Noncurrent liabilities                
    Long-term debt, less current maturities     5,370       6,001  
    Operating lease liabilities, long-term     4,662       4,891  
    Other long-term liabilities     207       206  
    Deferred income taxes, net     178       186  
    Total noncurrent liabilities     10,417       11,284  
    Total liabilities     34,282       36,703  
    Commitments and contingencies                
    Stockholders’ equity                
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024     —       —  
    Common stock, $0.01 par value, 11,250,000 shares authorized, 2,607,362 shares issued and 2,540,849 shares outstanding at March 31, 2025 and 2,563,979 shares issued and 2,507,430 shares outstanding at December 31, 2024     26       26  
    Additional paid-in capital     447,936       447,384  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (87,615 )     (87,604 )
    Retained deficit     (254,968 )     (259,024 )
    Treasury stock, at cost, 66,513 shares at March 31, 2025 and 56,549 shares at December 31, 2024     (2,211 )     (1,943 )
    Total stockholders’ equity     103,168       98,839  
    Non-controlling interest     17,668       17,270  
    Total equity     120,836       116,109  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 155,118     $ 152,812  
       
    NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)    		  
       
      Three Months Ended  
      March 31,  
      2025   2024  
    Cash flows from operating activities            
    Net income $ 4,454   $ 2,553  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:            
    Depreciation and amortization   1,371     1,240  
    Amortization of deferred loan costs   52     51  
    Share-based compensation   1,445     902  
    Provision for inventory obsolescence   (35 )   316  
    Deferred income tax expense   1     5  
    Gain on sale of property and equipment   (36 )   (172 )
    Provision for credit losses   42     —  
    Net foreign currency unrealized loss (gain)   (849 )   373  
    Proceeds from note receivable   —     61  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
    Accounts receivable—trade   (6,978 )   (10,282 )
    Inventories, net   200     1,521  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets   890     29  
    Accounts payable—trade   3,742     2,355  
    Accrued expenses   (3,003 )   130  
    Other liabilities   (3,273 )   (1,339 )
    Income taxes receivable/payable   332     377  
    Net cash used in operating activities   (1,645 )   (1,880 )
    Cash flows from investing activities            
    Purchases of property and equipment   (464 )   (299 )
    Purchase and development of software and technology   —     (13 )
    Proceeds from sales of property and equipment   13     176  
    Net cash used in investing activities   (451 )   (136 )
    Cash flows from financing activities            
    Payments on finance leases   (522 )   (449 )
    Line of credit borrowings   1,963     1,158  
    Payments of line of credit borrowings   (1,963 )   (602 )
    Treasury shares withheld   (268 )   (237 )
    Distribution to noncontrolling interest   —     (500 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (790 )   (630 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   3     (70 )
    Net change in cash and cash equivalents   (2,883 )   (2,716 )
    Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period   25,880     16,720  
    Cash and cash equivalents end of period $ 22,997   $ 14,004  
    Noncash investing and financing activities            
    Assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities $ —   $ 696  
    Assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 244   $ —  
    NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
    REVENUES BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)    		  
       
        Three Months Ended  
        March 31,  
        2025     2024  
    United States                
    Product sales   $ 6,867     $ 7,767  
    Services     2,505       2,244  
    Total United States     9,372       10,011  
    Canada                
    Product sales     26,843       22,675  
    Services     10,875       8,994  
    Total Canada     37,718       31,669  
    Other Countries                
    Product sales     1,356       1,316  
    Services     1,559       862  
    Total other countries     2,915       2,178  
    Total                
    Product sales     35,066       31,758  
    Services     14,939       12,100  
    Total revenues   $ 50,005     $ 43,858  

    NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

    EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Less Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest and Net Working Capital (our “non-GAAP financial measures”) are not defined under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), are not measures of net income, income from operations, gross profit and gross margin (inclusive of DD&A), cash provided by (used in) operating activities, working capital or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, and are subject to important limitations. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies in our industry and are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures have important limitations as analytical tools and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial performance as reported under GAAP, and they should not be considered as alternatives to net income, income from operations, gross profit, gross margin, cash provided by (used in) operating activities, working capital or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities as measures of our liquidity.

    However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Less Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest and Net Working Capital are key metrics that management uses to assess the period-to-period performance of our core business operations or metrics that enable investors to assess our performance from period to period relative to the performance of other companies that are not subject to such factors, or who may provide similar non-GAAP measures in their public disclosures.

    The tables below set forth reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable measures of financial performance calculated under GAAP:

    NET WORKING CAPITAL

    Net working capital is defined as total current assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents, minus total current liabilities, excluding current maturities of long-term debt. Net working capital excludes cash and cash equivalents and current maturities of long-term debt in order to evaluate the investments in working capital that we believe are required to support our business. We believe that net working capital is useful in analyzing the cash flow and working capital needs of the Company, including determining the efficiencies of our operations and our ability to readily convert assets into cash.

        March 31,     December 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Working capital   $ 85,176     $ 80,151  
    Cash and cash equivalents     (22,997 )     (25,880 )
    Current maturities of long term debt     2,250       2,141  
    Net working capital   $ 64,429     $ 56,412  

    NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT AND ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN

    Adjusted gross profit is defined as total revenues minus cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense, which we present as a separate line item in our statement of operations. Adjusted gross margin represents adjusted gross profit as a percentage of total revenues.

        Three Months Ended  
        March 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Total revenues   $ 50,005     $ 43,858  
    Total cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense     28,150       26,287  
    Total depreciation and amortization associated with cost of sales     715       616  
    Gross Profit   $ 21,140     $ 16,955  
    Gross Margin     42 %     39 %
    Exclude total depreciation and amortization associated with cost of sales     (715 )     (616 )
    Adjusted Gross Profit   $ 21,855     $ 17,571  
    Adjusted Gross Margin     44 %     40 %

    NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    EBITDA, ADJUSTED EBITDA, ADJUSTED EBITDA MARGIN, AND ADJUSTED EBITDA LESS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

    EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, net, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to exclude certain items which we believe are not reflective of ongoing operating performance or which, in the case of share-based compensation, is non-cash in nature. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues. Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation is defined as Adjusted EBITDA minus share-based compensation expense. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure that excludes costs that do not reflect the Company’s ongoing operating performance, legal proceedings for intellectual property as further described below, and certain costs associated with our capital structure. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation presents our financial performance in a manner that is comparable to the presentation provided by many of our peers.

    We periodically incur legal costs associated with the assertion of, or defense of, intellectual property, which we exclude from our definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation, unless we believe that settlement will occur prior to any material legal spend (included in the table below as “Professional Fees”). Although these costs may recur between periods, depending on legal matters then outstanding or in process, we believe the timing of when these costs are incurred does not typically match the settlement or recoveries associated with such matters, and therefore, can distort our operating results. Similarly, we exclude from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation the one-time settlement or recovery payment associated with these excluded legal matters when realized but would not exclude any go forward royalties or payments, if applicable. We expect to continue to incur these legal costs for current matters under appeal and for any future cases that may go to trial, provided that the amount will vary by period. 

        Three Months Ended  
        March 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Net income   $ 4,454     $ 2,553  
    Income tax expense     673       487  
    Interest expense, net     42       100  
    Depreciation     1,204       1,073  
    Amortization     167       167  
    EBITDA     6,540       4,380  
    Share-based compensation (a)     552       766  
    Professional fees (b)     989       253  
    Foreign currency exchange loss (c)     3       498  
    Other (d)     130       180  
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 8,214     $ 6,077  
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin     16 %     14 %
    Adjusted EBITDA Less Share-Based Compensation   $ 7,662     $ 5,311  

    ___________________

    (a) Represents non-cash compensation charges related to share-based compensation granted to our officers, employees and directors.
    (b) Represents non-capitalizable costs of professional services primarily incurred or reversed in connection with our legal proceedings associated with the assertion of, or defense of, intellectual property as further described above as well as the cost incurred for the evaluation of potential strategic transactions. 
    (c) Represents realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains and losses primarily due to movement in the foreign currency exchange rates during the applicable periods.
    (d) Represents the impact of a research and development subsidy that is included in income tax expense in accordance with GAAP along with other charges and credits.

    NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    FREE CASH FLOW AND FREE CASH FLOW LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

    Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property and equipment (inclusive of the purchase and development of software and technology) plus proceeds from sales of property and equipment, as presented in our consolidated statement of cash flows. We define free cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interest as free cash flow less amounts reported in the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows as distributions to non-controlling interest. We believe free cash flow is useful because it provides information to investors regarding the cash that was available in the period that was in excess of our needs to fund our capital expenditures and other investment needs. We believe that free cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interest is useful because it provides information to investors regarding the cash that was available in the period that was in excess of our needs to fund our capital expenditures, other investment needs, and cash distributions to our joint venture partner.

        Three Months Ended  
        March 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Net cash used in operating activities   $ (1,645 )   $ (1,880 )
    Purchases of property and equipment     (464 )     (299 )
    Purchase and development of software and technology     —       (13 )
    Proceeds from sales of property and equipment     13       176  
    Free cash flow   $ (2,096 )   $ (2,016 )
    Distributions to non-controlling interest     —       (500 )
    Free cash flow less distributions to non-controlling interest   $ (2,096 )   $ (2,516 )

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Repeat: Admirals Group AS audited annual report 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Admirals Group AS audited annual report 2024

    Despite lower client activity, Admirals Group AS delivered resilient trading income and positive EBITDA through effective cost control measures.

    • The Group’s net trading income decreased by 6% to EUR 38.4 million (2023: EUR 40.9 million), being supported by higher volatility on the financial markets.

    • The Group’s total operating expenses decreased by 16% to EUR 42.4 million (2023: EUR 50.3 million) as a result of cost optimisation efforts.

    • EBITDA was EUR 0.9 million (2023: EUR -6.5 million).

    • Net loss was EUR -1.6 million (2023: EUR -9.7 million).

    Although the income was supported by higher volatility in financial markets, Group’s cost optimisation effort was partly muted due to voluntary suspension of new client registrations in the Cyprus based operating company Admirals Europe Ltd. This company acts as the primary service entity of the Group in the EU which is one of the core markets for the Group’s business. The suspension started in April 2024 is voluntary and temporary in nature and it was necessary to allow for the implementation of required technical and organisational measures to ensure satisfactory alignment of Group’s product governance efforts with objectives and needs of it’s European clients. Following the successful completion of these measures, the onboarding of new clients in the EU was resumed in March 2025.

    Statement of Financial Position

    (in thousands of euros) 31.12.2024 31.12.2023
    Assets    
    Cash and cash equivalents 41,607 41,025
    Due from investment companies 18,736 18,961
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 1,228 5,062
    Loans and receivables 8,315 4,772
    Inventories 665 311
    Other assets 2,092 2,137
    Tangible fixed assets 1,359 1,950
    Right-of-use assets 2,541 2,603
    Intangible assets 3,304 5,147
    Total assets 79,847 81,968
         
    Liabilities    
    Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 334 224
    Liabilities and accruals 3,326 4,318
    Deferred tax liability 0 1
    Subordinated debt securities 4,103 4,102
    Lease liabilities 2,818 2,894
    Total liabilities 10,581 11,539
         
    Equity    
    Share capital 250 250
    Own shares -456 -315
    Statutory reserve capital 25 25
    Currency translation reserve 30 -834
    Retained earnings 69,417 71,276
    Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 69,266 70,402
    Non-controlling interest 0 27
    Total equity 69,266 70,429
    Total liabilities and equity 79,847 81,968

     Statement of Comprehensive Income

    (in thousands of euros) 2024 2023
    Net gains from trading of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss with clients and liquidity providers 40,653 46,276
    Brokerage and commission fee revenue 1,408 2,134
    Brokerage and commission fee expense -3,558 -5,118
    Other trading activity related income 489 412
    Other trading activity related expense -583 -2,768
    Net income from trading 38,409 40,936
    Other income similar to interest 947 171
    Interest income calculated using the effective interest method 424 900
    Interest expense -472 -496
    Other income 3,004 741
    Other expenses -233 -185
    Net losses on exchange rate changes -1,016 -984
    Profit / (loss) from financial assets at fair value through profit or loss -444 61
    Personnel expenses -13,394 -15,231
    Operating expenses -25,412 -31,875
    Depreciation of tangible and intangible assets -2,594 -2,310
    Depreciation of right-of-use assets -787 -837
    (Loss) before income tax -1,568 -9,109
    Income tax -24 -616
    (Loss) for the reporting period -1,592 -9,725
    Other comprehensive income / (loss):    
    Items that subsequently may be reclassified to profit or loss:    
    Currency translation adjustment 864 -165
    Total other comprehensive income / (loss) for the reporting period 864 -165
    Total comprehensive (loss) / income for the reporting period -728 -9,890
    Net (loss) attributable to the owners of the parent -1,592 -9,746
    Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest 0 21
    (Loss) for the reporting period -1,592 -9,725
    Total comprehensive (loss) attributable to the owners of the parent -728 -9,911
    Total comprehensive income attributable non- controlling interest 0 21
    Total comprehensive (loss) for the reporting period -728 -9,890
    Basic and diluted earnings per share -0.65 -3.95

    Additional information: 

    Lauri Reinberg 
    Chief financial officer of Admirals Group AS
    lauri.reinberg@admiralmarkets.com 
    +372 6309 300
    https://www.admirals.group/

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: School Official Pleads Guilty to 2.9M Scheme to Defraud Veterans’ Education Programs

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A Virginia career services manager for a school offering job training programs to veterans pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of nearly $3 million.

    According to court documents, Jeffrey Williams, 37, of Alexandria, used false records to defraud the VA of millions of dollars from approximately July 2022 to May 2024. During that time, the defendant was a career services manager at an educational institution offering veterans educational programs in cyber that could be paid for by the VA. As part of the scheme, Williams created fraudulent employment offer letters, falsified certifications, and forged veterans’ signatures to make it appear as if veterans had attained the meaningful employment needed for the educational institution to receive tuition payments from the government. Williams caused the submission of hundreds of false documents to the VA, claiming approximately $2.9 million in fraudulent tuition payments for at least 189 veterans.

    Williams pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The VA Office of Inspector General is investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Lauren Archer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Harvey for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Admiral Markets AS audited annual report 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Admiral Markets AS audited annual report 2024

    Despite lower client activity, Admirals Markets AS delivered resilient trading income and positive net profit through effective cost control measures. 
    • Net trading income increased by 48% to EUR 13.5 million (2023: EUR 9.1 million) being supported by higher volatility on the financial markets.
    • Total operating expenses decreased by 26% to EUR 13.7 million (2023: EUR 18.5 million).
    • EBITDA was EUR 1.1 million (2023: EUR -6.9 million).
    • Net profit was EUR 0.4 million (2023: EUR -8.2 million).

    Although the income was supported by higher volatility in financial markets, Admirals Group’s cost optimisation effort was partly muted due to voluntary suspension of new client registrations in the Cyprus based operating company Admirals Europe Ltd. This company acts as the primary service entity of the Group in the EU which is one of the core markets for the Group’s business. The suspension started in April 2024 is voluntary and temporary in nature and it was necessary to allow for the implementation of required technical and organisational measures to ensure satisfactory alignment of Group’s product governance efforts with objectives and needs of it’s European clients. Following the successful completion of these measures, the onboarding of new clients in the EU was resumed in March 2025.

    Statement of Financial Position

    (in thousands of euros) 31.12.2024 31.12.2023
    Assets    
    Due from credit institutions 19,381 10,175
    Due from investment companies 13,362 9,014
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 1,602 6,353
    Loans and receivables 29,231 37,274
    Inventories 665 311
    Other assets 650 970
    Investment into subsidiaries 4,180 4,180
    Tangible fixed assets 1,041 1,494
    Right-of-use asset 1,757 2,221
    Intangible fixed assets 2,821 2,943
    Total assets 74,690 74,935
         
    Liabilities    
    Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 333 217
    Liabilities and prepayments 744 980
    Subordinated debt securities 1,347 1,353
    Lease liabilities 2,025 2,499
    Total liabilities 4,449 5,049
         
    Equity    
    Share capital 2,586 2,586
    Statutory reserve capital 259 259
    Retained earnings 67,396 67,041
    Total equity 70,241 69,886
    Total liabilities and equity 74,690 74,935

    Statement of Comprehensive Income

    (in thousands of euros) 2024 2023
    Net gains from trading of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss with clients and liquidity providers 37,435 41,777
    Brokerage and commission fee revenue 1,062 1,668
    Brokerage and commission fee expense -25,451 -34,656
    Other trading activity related income 418 339
    Net income from trading 13,464 9,128
    Other income similar to interest 85 172
    Interest income calculated using the effective interest method 1,366 1,044
    Interest expense -155 -184
    Other income 433 877
    Other expense 0 10
    Net gains on exchange rate changes 198 -214
    Net loss from financial assets at fair value through profit or loss -1,358 61
    Personnel expenses -4,019 -4,634
    Operating expenses -7,642 -12,168
    Depreciation of tangible and intangible assets   -1,532 -1,259
    Depreciation of right-of-use assets -485 -484
    (Loss) / Profit before income tax 355 -7,651
    Income tax 0 -535
    Net (loss) / profit for the reporting period 355 -8,186
    Comprehensive income for the reporting period 355 -8,186
    Basic and diluted earnings per share 0.88 -20.26

    Additional information: 

    Lauri Reinberg 
    Chief financial officer of Admirals Group AS
    lauri.reinberg@admiralmarkets.com 
    +372 6309 300
    https://www.admirals.group/

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Admirals Group AS audited annual report 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Admirals Group AS audited annual report 2024

    Despite lower client activity, Admirals Group AS delivered resilient trading income and positive EBITDA through effective cost control measures.

    • The Group’s net trading income decreased by 6% to EUR 38.4 million (2023: EUR 40.9 million), being supported by higher volatility on the financial markets.

    • The Group’s total operating expenses decreased by 16% to EUR 42.4 million (2023: EUR 50.3 million) as a result of cost optimisation efforts.

    • EBITDA was EUR 0.9 million (2023: EUR -6.5 million).

    • Net loss was EUR -1.6 million (2023: EUR -9.7 million).

    Although the income was supported by higher volatility in financial markets, Group’s cost optimisation effort was partly muted due to voluntary suspension of new client registrations in the Cyprus based operating company Admirals Europe Ltd. This company acts as the primary service entity of the Group in the EU which is one of the core markets for the Group’s business. The suspension started in April 2024 is voluntary and temporary in nature and it was necessary to allow for the implementation of required technical and organisational measures to ensure satisfactory alignment of Group’s product governance efforts with objectives and needs of it’s European clients. Following the successful completion of these measures, the onboarding of new clients in the EU was resumed in March 2025.

    Statement of Financial Position

    (in thousands of euros) 31.12.2024 31.12.2023
    Assets    
    Cash and cash equivalents 41,607 41,025
    Due from investment companies 18,736 18,961
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 1,228 5,062
    Loans and receivables 8,315 4,772
    Inventories 665 311
    Other assets 2,092 2,137
    Tangible fixed assets 1,359 1,950
    Right-of-use assets 2,541 2,603
    Intangible assets 3,304 5,147
    Total assets 79,847 81,968
         
    Liabilities    
    Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 334 224
    Liabilities and accruals 3,326 4,318
    Deferred tax liability 0 1
    Subordinated debt securities 4,103 4,102
    Lease liabilities 2,818 2,894
    Total liabilities 10,581 11,539
         
    Equity    
    Share capital 250 250
    Own shares -456 -315
    Statutory reserve capital 25 25
    Currency translation reserve 30 -834
    Retained earnings 69,417 71,276
    Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 69,266 70,402
    Non-controlling interest 0 27
    Total equity 69,266 70,429
    Total liabilities and equity 79,847 81,968

     Statement of Comprehensive Income

    (in thousands of euros) 2024 2023
    Net gains from trading of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss with clients and liquidity providers 40,653 46,276
    Brokerage and commission fee revenue 1,408 2,134
    Brokerage and commission fee expense -3,558 -5,118
    Other trading activity related income 489 412
    Other trading activity related expense -583 -2,768
    Net income from trading 38,409 40,936
    Other income similar to interest 947 171
    Interest income calculated using the effective interest method 424 900
    Interest expense -472 -496
    Other income 3,004 741
    Other expenses -233 -185
    Net losses on exchange rate changes -1,016 -984
    Profit / (loss) from financial assets at fair value through profit or loss -444 61
    Personnel expenses -13,394 -15,231
    Operating expenses -25,412 -31,875
    Depreciation of tangible and intangible assets -2,594 -2,310
    Depreciation of right-of-use assets -787 -837
    (Loss) before income tax -1,568 -9,109
    Income tax -24 -616
    (Loss) for the reporting period -1,592 -9,725
    Other comprehensive income / (loss):    
    Items that subsequently may be reclassified to profit or loss:    
    Currency translation adjustment 864 -165
    Total other comprehensive income / (loss) for the reporting period 864 -165
    Total comprehensive (loss) / income for the reporting period -728 -9,890
    Net (loss) attributable to the owners of the parent -1,592 -9,746
    Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest 0 21
    (Loss) for the reporting period -1,592 -9,725
    Total comprehensive (loss) attributable to the owners of the parent -728 -9,911
    Total comprehensive income attributable non- controlling interest 0 21
    Total comprehensive (loss) for the reporting period -728 -9,890
    Basic and diluted earnings per share -0.65 -3.95

    Additional information: 

    Lauri Reinberg 
    Chief financial officer of Admirals Group AS
    lauri.reinberg@admiralmarkets.com 
    +372 6309 300
    https://www.admirals.group/

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How does consciousness work? Duelling scientists tested two big theories but found no winner

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Bayne, Professor of Philosophy, Monash University

    cdd20 / Unsplash

    “Theories are like toothbrushes,” it’s sometimes said. “Everybody has their own and nobody wants to use anybody else’s.”

    It’s a joke, but when it comes to the study of consciousness – the question of how we have a subjective experience of anything at all – it’s not too far from the truth.

    In 2022, British neuroscientist Anil Seth and I published a review listing 22 theories based in the biology of the brain. In 2024, operating with a less restrictive scope, US public intellectual Robert Kuhn counted more than 200.

    It’s against this background that Nature has just published the results of an “adversarial collaboration” from a group called the Cogitate Consortium focused on two prominent theories: global neuronal workspace theory and integrated information theory.

    Two big theories go head to head

    With so many ideas floating around and inherently elusive subject matter, testing theories has been no easy task. Indeed, debate between proponents of different theories has been vigorous and, at times, acrimonious.

    At a particularly low point in 2023, after the initial announcement of the results Cogitate has formally published today, many experts signed an open letter arguing that integrated information theory was not only false but doesn’t even qualify as scientific.

    Nevertheless, global neuronal workspace theory and integrated information theory are two of the “big four” theories that dominate current discussions of consciousness. (The others are higher-order representation theories, and the local re-entry – or recurrency – theory.)

    The theories are hard to summarise, but both tie consciousness to the activity of neurons in different parts of the brain.

    Advocates of these two theories, together with a number of unaligned theorists, generated predictions from the two theories about the kinds of brain activity one would expect to be associated with consciousness.

    Predictions and results

    The group agreed that integrated information theory predicts conscious perception should be associated with sustained synchronisation and activity of signals in a part of the brain called the posterior cortex.

    On the other hand, they said global neuronal workspace theory predicts that a process of “neural ignition” should accompany both the start and end of a stimulus. What’s more, it should be possible to decode what a person is conscious of from activity in their prefrontal cortex.

    The posterior cortex consists of the parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. The prefrontal cortex is the front part of the frontal lobe.
    Refluo/Shutterstock

    These hypotheses (among others) were tested by “theory-neutral” teams from across the globe.

    The results were not decisive. Some were in line with predictions of one or other of the theories, but other results generated challenges.

    For example, the team failed to find sustained synchronisation within the posterior cortex of the kind predicted by integrated information theory. At the same time, global neuronal workspace theory is challenged by the fact that not all contents of consciousness could be decoded from the prefrontal cortex, and by the failure to find neural ignition when the stimulus was first presented.

    A win for science

    But although this study wasn’t a win for either theory, it was a decisive win for science. It represents a clear advance in how the consciousness community approaches theory-testing.

    It’s not uncommon for researchers to tend to look for evidence in favour of their own theory. But the seriousness of this problem in consciousness science only became clear in 2022, with the publication of an important paper by a number of researchers involved in the Cogitate Consortium. The paper showed it was possible to predict which theory of consciousness a particular study supported based purely on its design.

    The vast majority of attempts to “test” theories of consciousness have been conducted by advocates of those very theories. As a result, many studies have focused on confirming theories (rather than finding flaws, or falsifying them).

    No changing minds

    The first achievement of this collaboration was getting rival theorists to agree on testable predictions of the two theories. This was especially challenging as both the global workspace and integrated information theories are framed in very abstract terms.

    Another achievement was to run the the same experiments in different labs – a particularly difficult challenge given those labs were not committed to the theories in question.

    In the early stages of the project, the team took advice from Israeli-US psychologist Daniel Kahneman, the architect of the idea of adversarial collaborations for research.

    Kahneman said not to expect the results to change anyone’s mind, even if they decisively favoured one theory over another. Scientists are committed to their theories, he pointed out, and will cling to them even in the face of counter-evidence.

    The usefulness of irrationality

    This kind of irrational stubbornness may seem like a problem, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right systems in place, it can even help to advance science.

    Given we don’t know which theoretical approach to consciousness is most likely to be right, the scientific community ought to tackle consciousness from a variety of perspectives.

    The research community needs ways to correct itself. However, it’s useful for individual scientists to stick to their theoretical guns, and continue to work within a particular theory even in the face of problematic findings.

    A hard nut to crack

    Consciousness is a hard nut to crack. We don’t yet know whether it will yield to the current methods of consciousness science, or whether it requires a revolution in our concepts or methods (or perhaps both).

    What is clear, however, is that if we’re going to untangle the problem of subjective experience, the scientific community will need to embrace this model of collaborative research.

    I’m a co-director with Liad Mudrik of CIFAR’s “Brain, Mind, and Consciousness” program.

    – ref. How does consciousness work? Duelling scientists tested two big theories but found no winner – https://theconversation.com/how-does-consciousness-work-duelling-scientists-tested-two-big-theories-but-found-no-winner-255610

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Kicks Off 2025 Cooperation with G20 under South African Presidency

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    IAEA and South African G20 Presidency side event on the role of nuclear power and the clean energy transitions, in Cape Town. (Photo: B. Carpinelli/IAEA)

    For the second year in a row, the IAEA has been invited to collaborate with the G20 on work related to nuclear power. The cooperation with the G20 (Group of Twenty) resumed under the presidency of South Africa at meetings this week in Cape Town, kicking off with a side event hosted by the IAEA and South Africa on the role of nuclear energy in clean energy transitions, as one of the technology dialogues that the presidency is featuring throughout the yearlong process.

    Building on its first-ever collaboration on nuclear power with the G20 in 2024 under the presidency of Brazil, the IAEA engagement this year will include publications tailored to inform the group on topics such as the prospects for nuclear power in Africa and repurposing coal-fired plants with nuclear power such as small modular reactors (SMRs),  as well as participation in the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy, set for 23-26 September.

    “At a time when energy access and security of supply are issues of global concern, the role of nuclear energy in low carbon, resilient and affordable energy systems remains indispensable,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. “Continuing the work that the IAEA began under the presidency of Brazil, we are now looking forward to working with South Africa.”

    The first African country to assume the G20 presidency, South Africa is pursuing an Africa-wide approach emphasizing energy security, a just and inclusive clean energy transition and regional energy cooperation. While South Africa remains the only country on the continent to have nuclear power and aims to expand its programme, several African countries have expressed interest in or are embarking its introduction. Egypt is building four large reactors, and other countries such as Ghana and Kenya are working with the IAEA to establish the necessary infrastructure for a nuclear power programme, with a particular interest in SMRs.

    The side event opened with special remarks from Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy of South Africa. Delegates from the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) attended the event, which discussed the state of nuclear power in South Africa as well as the IAEA’s outlook on nuclear power and a description of the upcoming publications that the IAEA will publish as part of its G20 collaboration this year. A session on nuclear power project financing issues followed, with panellists from the IAEA, the International Energy Agency, France and South Africa discussing ways to unlock financing for nuclear power projects and pave the way for faster deployment.

    “In the wake of the world aiming to reach net zero by 2050, there has been a return to realism where it is globally accepted that nuclear technology has a huge role to play in the energy mix as a key source to ensure countries achieve their energy security, energy sovereignty, and energy justice in the transition,” said Minster Ramokgopa. “The expansion of the nuclear programme gives South Africa energy security and sovereignty that enables the country to move its economy into a digital era, engage in new research frontiers and take its rightful place amongst leading nations.” 

    Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa delivering his opening remarks at the nuclear energy side event hosted by the IAEA and South Africa during the G20 ETWG meetings. (Photo: B. Carpinelli/IAEA)

    During the event, delegates from G20 members and invited countries delivered remarks from the floor and offered their national perspectives.

    “Italy is working to relaunch the use of sustainable nuclear energy, in its net zero emissions path by 2050. We have created the National Platform for Sustainable Nuclear involving R&D centres and industrial capabilities and nowadays our Government is strongly committed to work on enabling a favourable legislative and regulatory framework aimed at promoting the use of safe and innovative nuclear at the national level, including small modular reactors and Generation IV advanced modular reactors,” said Alberto Pela, Head of Delegation and Senior Advisor on International activities at the Department of Energy of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security of Italy.

    The United Arab Emirates, an invited country, recently began operating four large nuclear power reactors.

    “In the UAE, nuclear energy is more than a power source — it’s a cornerstone of our clean, safe, and sustainable energy future,” said Nawal Yousif Alhanaee, Director of the Future Energy Department at the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. “With the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant meeting up to 25 per cent of our electricity needs, we affirm our commitment to a carbon-free tomorrow powered by peaceful and reliable nuclear technology.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Family Driven: Enhancing Global Standards of Radiation Protection of Patients

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Rizk’s journey in radiation protection and dosimetry started in 2005 when, after completing her master’s degree in Material Science and Electronic Components in 2004, she was offered the job of Technical Manager at the Individual Monitoring Laboratory at the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission.  

    There she oversaw the safe occupational radiation exposure of more than 6000 workers across over 400 healthcare facilities, industrial companies and research centres.  

    “It is important to know what dosimetry is and its importance,” Rizk says, explaining that “it is the measurement and calculation of the radiation dose absorbed by the human body or other devices or objects. It is crucial in fields like radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy to ensure safe and effective use of radiation.” 

    She also achieved ISO accreditation for the Lebanese laboratory — the first of its kind in the Middle East — setting a new benchmark of standards and quality for radiation protection of occupationally exposed workers in the region. 

    “Chadia’s efforts have made a lasting impact, consistently raising standards and enhancing practices in the field,” said Director General of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission, Bilal Nsouli, and Rizk’s former professor during her Master’s degree. 

    In 2007, her collaboration with the IAEA began, initially as a fellow and later as a counterpart in four projects under the technical cooperation programme. Rizk worked with the IAEA on individual monitoring and regulatory compliance to improve occupational radiation protection in Lebanon in line with the IAEA International Basic Safety Standards.  

    “Despite limited resources, she remained steadfast in her commitment to providing dosimetry services according to international standards and her passion for radiation protection research has always stood out,” reflects Filip Vanhavere, Radiation Protection Research Coordinator at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre who worked with Rizk on an IAEA mission to the Lebanese laboratory. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Moore Condemns Persecution of Christians Abroad in First Speech on House Floor

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

    Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, Congressman Riley M. Moore gave his first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. In the speech, Rep. Moore condemned the persecution of Christians abroad and urged his colleagues to join him in calling out the brutal attacks taking place in several countries, including Nigeria, Syria, and Iraq.

    Watch the full speech here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST continues visit to UAE

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
     
    Miss Law met with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture of the UAE, HE Mubarak Al Nakhi, today (April 30, Abu Dhabi time). She highlighted Hong Kong’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international cultural exchanges, expressing strong interest in collaborations with the UAE, a key partner under the Belt and Road Initiative. Miss Law looked forward to establishing closer cultural links and was glad to have identified new opportunities for cooperation on performing arts with the country.
     
    Earlier, on April 29 (Dubai time), Miss Law met the Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation (the Foundation) and Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, HE Khalfan Belhoul. She was impressed by Dubai’s visionary initiatives, such as the Foundation’s projects in artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainability, as well as the government’s forward-thinking approach in shaping a sustainable and better future for the world. On the sports development front, discussions focused on integrating creativity, innovation, and technology into youth education, with both parties noted the shared aspirations of Hong Kong and Dubai. Miss Law highlighted the similarities in both regions’ sports landscapes, emphasising opportunities for collaboration.
     
    In that afternoon, Miss Law met with the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, HE Issam Kazim. The discussions underscored shared goals of enhancing tourism through innovative collaboration. Miss Law also noted how Hong Kong is actively promoting tailor-made, high-end travel packages to attract the Middle East tourists.
     
    Miss Law also paid a courtesy call on and attended a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the UAE, Mr Zhang Yiming last night (April 29, Abu Dhabi time). Ambassador Zhang highlighted Hong Kong’s unique strengths as a global hub for business, culture, and tourism. He also underlined the importance of and expressed optimism about the city’s promising future in engaging the Middle East. Miss Law remarked that through the visit, she gained a deeper understanding of the UAE’s proactive and ambitious vision, affirming that Hong Kong and the UAE share many parallels in their development strategies. She emphasised the importance of leveraging these synergies to foster stronger ties between the two regions and expressed her gratitude to the Embassy for its strong support to Hong Kong.
     
    While in the UAE, Miss Law visited a number of iconic historical and tourist attractions, taking herself in the country’s vibrant cultural and architectural marvels. These included the Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future in Dubai (April 29, Dubai time), as well as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the national and cultural landmark; the Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace; and the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, in Abu Dhabi (April 30, Abu Dhabi time) to gain insights into their operations, tourism appeal and the possible collaboration of cultural exchanges.
     
    Miss Law will conclude her visit to the UAE and depart for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tonight (April 30, Abu Dhabi time).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 18th Street Gang Member Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Two Murders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Recorded Victim Being Stabbed More than 100 Times and Sent the Video to Other Gang Members as a Warning Not to Cooperate with Law Enforcement

    Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Yanki Misael Cruz-Mateo, a member of the 18th Street gang, a transnational criminal organization, was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 45 years’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy in connection with his participation in two murders: the October 25, 2017 murder of 20-year-old Jonathan Figueroa in Saugerties, New York, and the February 2, 2018 murder of 20-year-old Oscar Antonio Blanco-Hernandez in Queens.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.

    “Cruz-Mateo committed two horrific murders and boasted about the carnage in video and text messages to instill fear, exact retribution, and promote gang violence,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “The lengthy sentence imposed today delivers a powerful message that senseless violence carries serious consequences. My Office will continue our tireless efforts to investigate and prosecute violence carried out by the 18th Street and other transnational criminal organizations.  It is my sincere hope that the justice meted out today provides a measure of comfort and closure for the victims’ loved ones.”

    Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the Kingston Police Department, and the New York City Police Department for their assistance on the case.

    “Yanki Misael Cruz-Mateo, an 18th Street gang member, lured two victims to their brutal murders as retribution for perceived disloyalty and affiliation with rival organizations,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “His actions mirror the gang’s depravity and its lawless prioritization of social status over human life.  May today’s sentencing offer a semblance of justice for the victims’ families and highlight the FBI’s continued determination to eradicate all brutal gang violence plaguing our communities.

    Today’s sentence is the latest achievement in a series of prosecutions by this Office and our law enforcement partners of the leaders, members, and associates of 18th Street.  According to court filings and proceedings, 18th Street is a transnational criminal organization and violent street gang with members and associates residing throughout New York State, including Queens and Long Island, elsewhere throughout the United States, including Houston, Texas, and Central America. Members of 18th Street regularly engage in murder, attempted murder, assault, extortion, illegal drug and firearms trafficking, false identification document production, witness tampering, and money laundering.

    October 25, 2017 Murder of Jonathan Figueroa

    As set forth in court filings, including the government’s sentencing memorandum, in the late evening hours of October 24, 2017, Cruz-Mateo lured and travelled with Figueroa from Queens to Kingston, New York. Upon their arrival in Kingston, they were met by Israel Mediola Flores and other 18th Street members and associates who, into the early morning hours the following day, brought Figueroa to Turkey Point State Forest, brutally stabbed him to death and buried him in a makeshift grave.  Cruz-Mateo ordered the murder to be video-recorded and captured multiple 18th Street members and associates repeatedly stabbing Figueroa, slashing his throat and severing his ear.  In the video, Cruz-Mateo stated that Figueroa was being murdered for “being a rat.” Cruz-Mateo then sent the video to other 18th Street members as a warning.  Figueroa’s body was discovered in February 2018 by the FBI, along with state and local law enforcement authorities, in a five-foot deep grave in Turkey Point State Forest.  The victim had sustained more than 100 stab wounds.

    Co-defendants Walter Fernando Alfaro Pineda, Israel Mediola Flores, and Jose Douglas Castellano pleaded guilty to Figueroa’s murder. Mediola Flores was sentenced to 425 months in prison; Pineda and Castellano are awaiting sentencing.

    February 2, 2018 Murder of Oscar Antonio Blanco-Hernandez

    On February 2, 2018, several gang members killed Blanco-Hernandez because they believed he was a member of the rival MS-13 gang.  Co-defendant Jose Chacon had met Blanco-Hernandez weeks earlier through their mutual employer, a New Jersey-based house painting company.  On the morning of the murder, co-defendant Carolina Cruz and Chacon picked up Blanco-Hernandez at his home in New Jersey under the guise of going to smoke marijuana as friends.  Cruz and Chacon drove Blanco-Hernandez to Queens where they met 18th Street gang members, including Cruz-Mateo and co-defendant Yoni Sierra, who entered the rear passenger seat of Cruz’s car on opposite sides, sandwiching Blanco-Hernandez between them.  Cruz drove Chacon, Cruz-Mateo, Sierra, and their victim about 1.6 miles away to a quiet residential neighborhood.  Cruz-Mateo, Sierra, and Blanco-Hernandez got out of the car and started walking eastbound, while Cruz and Chacon stayed behind with the car.  After walking for a few minutes, Cruz-Mateo drew a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun and shot Blanco-Hernandez in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Blanco-Hernandez’s body was discovered on a residential street in the Jamaica Hills section of Queens.  He sustained three gunshot wounds: two gunshots to the torso and one to the head.

    Sierra, Chacon, and Cruz also pleaded guilty to Blanco-Hernandez’s murder.  Chacon was sentenced to 269 months in prison; Sierra to 204 months in prison; and Cruz to 150 months in prison.

    This case is part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.  OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax, Erin Reid, Margaret Schierberl, Adam Amir, and Rebecca Urquiola are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Tareva Torres and Samuel Ronchetti.

    The Defendant:

    YANKI MISAEL CRUZ-MATEO (also known as “Yenki Misael Cruz Mateo,” “Yankee Mateo,” “Doggy,” and “Wino”)
    Age: 25
    Jamaica, Queens

    Co-Defendants Previously Convicted:

    ERIC CHAVEZ (also known as “Lunatico”)
    Age: 25
    Jamaica, New York

    WALTER FERNANDO ALFARO PINEDA (also known as “Clever”)
    Age: 45
    Houston, Texas

    ISRAEL MEDIOLA FLORES (also known as “Chapito” and “Sinaloa”)
    Age: 29
    Kingston, New York

    YONI ALEXANDER SIERRA (also known as “Arca,” “Arc Angel” and “Wasson”)
    Age: 26
    Jamaica, Queens

    JOSE JIMENEZ CHACON (also known as “Little One”)
    Age: 26
    New Brunswick, New Jersey

    CAROLINA CRUZ (also known as “La Fiera”)
    Age: 31
    Elizabeth, New Jersey

    JOSE DOUGLAS CASTELLANO (also known as “Chino”)
    Age: 26
    Brooklyn, New York

    JUNIOR ZELAYA-CANALES (also known as “Terco”)
    Age: 28
    Jamaica, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-139 (S-7) (LDH)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Gems Launchpad expands its Gems Protect offering, introducing the first Credit Refund option on original investments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    After launching Gems Protect last month to provide insurance-like service for investors, the expanded offering with the ‘Credit Refund’ feature enables members to have the option to recoup the full value of their original investments in launchpad private sales if they so choose.

    LIMASSOL, Cyprus, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gems Launchpad, a community-driven launchpad built around the Gems ecosystem’s exclusive investor network, extends its Gems Protect program with the introduction of an exclusive ‘Credit Refund’ feature. This option provides the launchpad’s Premium members with the flexibility to exchange tokens purchased in its token private sales and receive a credit refund. The credit refund allows these members to redirect their funds to other launchpad projects, enhancing investor satisfaction while ensuring funds remain within the Gems ecosystem.

    Gems Protect, the ecosystem’s financial safeguard program, unveils its second feature, Credit Refund, set to officially launch on April 30. This feature will allow members who invested in select Gems Launchpad Pro project private sales/presales to exchange those tokens for credit points worth the equivalent of the original presale purchase price. The feature is unveiled following the program’s successful initial risk-mitigation feature, Miner Safeguard, which allows investors to offset 75 percent of any potential financial Miner losses.

    Initially, the Credit Refund option will be available only to Gems Premium Members who hold 30,000 or more $GEMS tokens. This initial access is a way to express our gratitude and appreciation to our most dedicated supporters and community members. A few days later, the Credit Refund option will become available to all Premium members.

    Providing investors unprecedented risk-mitigation and financial protection, both Gems Protect features highlight and align with Gems’ commitment to empowering users across the digital asset landscape. Equipping investors with safeguards while supporting ecosystem stability, Gems, an all-in-one crypto ecosystem, continues to develop a future where users can trade, invest, learn and earn in a single comfortable, integrated financial hub.

    The Credit Refund credits from returned tokens, which will only expire after a year, can be used to invest in other projects on Gems Launchpad Pro, including select upcoming private sales.

    Members who use the Credit Refund option must log into the Gems Launchpad platform and connect the same wallet used for the original purchase. The platform will automatically detect the number of tokens purchased and the purchase value, with the maximum credit being calculated based on the amount of tokens purchased during the launchpad’s private sale. This means that if a member bought more tokens later, the credit will only apply to the token amount purchased in the private sale via the launchpad.

    “Insurance in crypto is almost unheard of, and a full credit option covering one’s investments is unthinkable, yet that’s what Gems is doing,” says Isaac Joshua, CEO of Gems Launchpad. “Gems Protect offers users peace of mind by delivering the ultimate investment safeguard. With the extended version of this program, we’re giving back to the community by providing members the freedom to invest responsibly, confidently, and securely, and offering an additional layer of protection through a service unheard-of in crypto to date.”

    About Gems:
    Gems is a burgeoning financial hub and all-in-one crypto ecosystem designed to empower users across the digital asset landscape. From trading and project launches, to education and rewards, Gems unifies a suite of platforms—including Gems Launchpad, Gems Trade, and more—into a seamless experience for traders, investors, leaders, and innovators. At the heart of the ecosystem is the $GEMS token, which fuels utility, governance, and growth across all its offerings. With strategic expansions, Gems is building a future where users can trade, invest, learn and earn in one integrated financial hub. For more information, visit: https://gems.vip/

    About Gems Launchpad:
    Gems Launchpad is a distinguished crypto launchpad with the mission of unearthing genuine “gems” in the Web3 landscape through rigorous due diligence. The platform aims to bring together a robust ecosystem for blockchain projects by focusing on launching innovative ventures, expanding communities, penetrating new markets, and leveraging its international network of investors, known as Leaders, to partake in the early stages of groundbreaking projects. Gems’ launchpad model is driven by active community participation, creating a synergistic environment that benefits both visionaries and the adoption of pioneering ideas.
    For more information, visit: https://gems.vip/launchpad

    1. Didn’t love your last crypto investment? Return it for credit – just like exchanging a shirt you didn’t like.

    2. Gems lets you return your token purchase and get credit – like store credit for your next investment.

    3. New from Gems: Return tokens you bought, get credit back – like returning clothes you didn’t wear.

    4. Invested in a project and changed your mind? Now you can get your money back as credit for something else on Gems.

    5. Introducing Credit Refund: Your crypto investment, now with a return policy.

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Gems Launchpad. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4c3e9fa5-9bff-4826-83bd-70fd1809ef21

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kean Announces New District Office Location and Regional Satellite Office Hours Across District

    Source: US Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

    Contact: Riley Pingree

    (April 30, 2025) LEBANON BOROUGH, NJ – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced the relocation of his main district office to 100 Corporate Dr, Suite 106, Lebanon, New Jersey 08833, effective May 1, 2025. The district office was previously located in Bernardsville, New Jersey.

    The new district office in Lebanon Borough is situated in northern Hunterdon County, serving as a central location within the district with nearby roadway access to Interstate-78 and U.S. Route 22. New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District includes all of Hunterdon and Warren counties, as well as parts of Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties.

    In conjunction with the move, two of Congressman Kean’s five regional satellite office locations will also shift to new towns. Satellite office hours previously held in Flemington on the first Thursday of the month will now be in Bridgewater, and office hours formerly held in Mountainside will now be hosted in Clark on the first Friday of the month. All counties in the district will continue to have a dedicated regional presence for constituent services. 

    “My office always strives to provide the best possible service to constituents across our district, and that mission will continue as we head to a new space in Lebanon on May 1,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “As part of the move, we will also be launching new satellite offices in Bridgewater and Clark, while maintaining our current locations in Hopatcong, Mount Olive, and Washington. These satellite offices ensure that in-person constituent services remain accessible in every county we serve.”

    “I am so glad to bring the residents of Lebanon Borough closer to our nation’s capital with the opening of U.S. Congressman Tom Kean, Jr.’s new office location,” said Lebanon Borough Mayor Jim Pittinger. “The Congressman has been a great partner to the Borough, and we are honored to welcome him to Lebanon.”

    “We are proud to continue partnering with Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. to ensure that residents have convenient, local access to their federal representative and his staff, resources, and solutions,” said Bridgewater Township Mayor Matthew Moench. “Hosting Congressman Kean’s Somerset County satellite office hours at the Bridgewater Municipal Building is another way we’re showing how all levels of government can work together to serve the people of Bridgewater.”

    “Clark Township is proud to welcome a congressional satellite office to our municipal building,” said Clark Township Mayor Angel Albanese. “This collaboration ensures our residents have direct, convenient access to vital federal services right here in town. We are committed to making it easier for our community to get the assistance they deserve, and we thank Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. for his partnership in serving our constituents.”

    A full list of office locations and hours of operation is available below, as well as on Congressman Kean’s website HERE. You may also contact his District Office at (908) 547-3307 for more information.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft announces new European digital commitments

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft announces new European digital commitments

    Includes datacenter operations in 16 countries and Digital Resilience Commitment.

    Forty-two years ago, Microsoft released the very first version of Microsoft Word. It was a major milestone in the company’s journey to enhance people’s productivity through innovation. It also marked the young and growing company’s first big step in Europe with the first Microsoft product localized in multiple European languages, starting with German and French.

    Since then, our economic reliance on Europe has always run deep. We recognize that our business is critically dependent on sustaining the trust of customers, countries, and governments across Europe. We respect European values, comply with European laws, and actively defend Europe’s cybersecurity. Our support for Europe has always been–and always will be–steadfast.

    In a time of geopolitical volatility, we are committed to providing digital stability. That is why today Microsoft is announcing five digital commitments to Europe. These start with an expansion of our cloud and AI infrastructure in Europe, aimed at enabling every country to fully use these technologies to strengthen their economic competitiveness. And they include a promise to uphold Europe’s digital resilience regardless of geopolitical and trade volatility.

    As a multinational company, we believe in trans-Atlantic ties that promote mutual economic growth and prosperity. ​We were pleased the Trump administration and the European Union recently agreed to suspend further tariff escalation while they seek to negotiate a reciprocal trade agreement. We hope that successful talks can resolve tariff issues and reduce non-tariff barriers, consistent with the recommendations in the recent Draghi report.

    We will always be dedicated to creating jobs, promoting economic opportunities, and strengthening cybersecurity on both sides of the Atlantic. The five commitments below, like the very first European version of Microsoft Word, take our support for Europe another step forward.

    1. We will help build a broad AI and cloud ecosystem across Europe

    We recognize that European nations want and need a world class and broad AI and cloud ecosystem. Today, we are announcing plans to increase our European datacenter capacity by 40% over the next two years. We are expanding datacenter operations in 16 European countries. When combined with our recent construction, the plans we’re announcing today will more than double our European datacenter capacity between 2023 and 2027. It will result in cloud operations in more than 200 datacenters across the continent.

    This expansion will play an important role in boosting Europe’s economic growth and competitiveness. We believe that broad AI diffusion will be one of the most important drivers of innovation and productivity growth over the next decade. Like electricity and other general-purpose technologies in the past, AI and cloud datacenters represent the next stage of industrialization. They are creating real-world capabilities to fuel business and manufacturing innovation, run national health systems, enable secure government services, and support digital tools in education—all while keeping data and operations close to home, subject to European laws and regulations.

    Public cloud datacenters

    Our public cloud datacenters are a foundation for the diversified cloud ecosystem we are committed to supporting across Europe. This includes the Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty, a package of technologies and configurations to help governments and other customers run on Azure in our public cloud datacenters with greater control over data location, encryption, and administrative access.

    Sovereign cloud datacenters

    A second aspect of our diversified approach involves sovereign cloud datacenters. In France, Microsoft has partnered with Capgemini and Orange, who formed a joint venture named Bleu. Designed as a “cloud de confiance” (trusted cloud) platform, Bleu offers a broad range of Microsoft Azure cloud services and Microsoft 365 productivity tools operated under French control. In Germany, a similar sovereign cloud initiative is underway through a partnership between Microsoft, SAP, and Arvato Systems (a Bertelsmann IT subsidiary). This effort, through SAP’s subsidiary, Delos Cloud GmbH, is creating a sovereign cloud platform for the German public sector, hosted in German datacenters and operated by German personnel.

    Support for European cloud providers

    A third aspect of our work involves our collaboration with European cloud providers to offer Microsoft applications and services on their local cloud infrastructure. This partnership provides these European providers with the opportunity to run Microsoft applications on more favorable terms than we make available to Amazon and Google. Additionally, we are developing new technology and licensing solutions tailored for these European providers and the markets they serve.

    Emerging options

    Given recent geopolitical volatility, we recognize that European governments likely will consider additional options. Some of these may involve public financing to support European home-grown offerings. We recognize the importance of a diversified technology ecosystem, and we are committed to collaborating with European participants across the tech ecosystem.

    Respect for European laws

    Microsoft is investing tens of billions of dollars annually in expanding its datacenters across Europe. These investments aren’t on wheels. They are permanent structures and subject to local laws, regulations, and governments. Like every citizen and company, we don’t always agree with every policy of every government. But even when we’ve lost cases in European courts, Microsoft has long respected and complied with European laws.

    We understand that European laws apply to our business practices in Europe, just as local laws apply to local practices in the United States and similar laws apply elsewhere in the world. This includes European competition law and the Digital Markets Act, among others. We’re committed not only to building digital infrastructure for Europe, but to respecting the role that laws across Europe play in regulating our products and services.

    2. We will uphold Europe’s digital resilience even when there is geopolitical volatility

    By building a European cloud for Europe, Microsoft is committed to helping Europe navigate the uncertain geopolitical and trade environment and better manage risk by strengthening the continent’s digital resilience. We will always strive to be a voice of reason that promotes mutual opportunities and stable ties across the Atlantic. We in fact believe that even amidst current trade and tariff disputes, there is a strong consensus in Washington supporting the sustained flow of digital services from the United States to Europe.

    We also are listening closely to the views of European governments and leaders. We recognize that European countries, like nations everywhere, need to have rock-solid confidence in the digital infrastructure on which they rely. To ensure this confidence, we will take the following three steps:

    A European cloud for Europe

    Microsoft is headquartered in the United States, but we provide cloud services to Europe through corporate entities headquartered in Europe. To further cement the nexus between Microsoft and Europe, going forward our European datacenter operations and their boards will be overseen by a European board of directors that consists exclusively of European nationals and operates under European law.

    A Digital Resilience Commitment

    In the unlikely event we are ever ordered by any government anywhere in the world to suspend or cease cloud operations in Europe, we are committing that Microsoft will promptly and vigorously contest such a measure using all legal avenues available, including by pursuing litigation in court. By including a new European Digital Resilience Commitment in all of our contracts with European national governments and the European Commission, we will make this commitment legally binding on Microsoft Corporation and all its subsidiaries.

    Microsoft has a demonstrated history of pursuing litigation when that has been needed to protect the rights of our customers and other stakeholders. This includes four lawsuits we filed against the U.S. Executive Branch during President Obama’s tenure, including to protect the privacy of our customers’ data in the United States and Europe. It also included, during President Trump’s first term, a successful decision before the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the rights of employees who are immigrants. When necessary, we’re prepared to go to court.

    We are confident of our legal rights to ensure continuous operation of our datacenters in Europe. And we are prepared to back this confidence with our contractual commitments to European governments.

    Business continuity partnerships

    Finally, we will designate and rely upon European partners with contingency arrangements for operational continuity in the unlikely event Microsoft were ever required by a court to suspend services. We are already enabling our partners in France and Germany to do this for the Bleu and Delos datacenters, and we will pursue arrangements for our public cloud datacenters in Europe. We will store back-up copies of our code in a secure repository in Switzerland, and we will provide our European partners with the legal rights needed to access and use this code if needed for this purpose.

    3. We will continue to protect the privacy of European data

    Microsoft has long been at the forefront in designing and implementing technology solutions to protect customer data. We enable customers to control where their data is stored and processed, how it is encrypted and secured, and when Microsoft can access it. We offer customers robust capabilities across the entire cloud stack from infrastructure to platform to software as a service, from Azure to Microsoft 365 to Dynamics 365. We back our technical solutions with strong contractual commitments and, as noted above, a demonstrated history of going to court on behalf of our customers.

    The EU data boundary project

    Reflecting our continuing commitment to innovation, we recently finished implementing our EU Data Boundary project. This offers European customers the ability to have their data stored and processed in Europe. Since January 2024, our European commercial and public sector customers have been able to store and process their data and personal identifiers for Microsoft core cloud services—including Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure services—within the EU and EFTA regions. Three months ago, Microsoft completed the project by extending the EU Data Boundary to include professional services data from technical support interactions. And, critically, we make these solutions available in all our European cloud regions and throughout our tech stack, from IaaS, to PaaS, to SaaS, including M365 Copilot.

    Additional security and encryption options

    In addition to the EU Data Boundary, we provide European customers with multiple options for securing and encrypting their data. Our Confidential Compute offerings in Azure eliminate the ability of third parties—including Microsoft—to access customer data by ensuring data is processed within a trusted environment the customer alone controls. We enable customers to create a “lockbox” around their data across Azure, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft 365 by giving them the ability to review and approve before Microsoft accesses their data for customer and service support operations. We also enable customers to secure their data with encryption keys that they, not Microsoft, control with Azure Key Vault and Microsoft Purview Customer Key. Our Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty offers customers a range of other tools to secure data, protect against unauthorized access, and satisfy legal requirements.

    A strong legal track record

    In addition to technical measures, we will continue our fight to protect the rights of European customers. Microsoft has a strong track record of going to court in the rare instances that we need to protect European data from unauthorized access. We have consistently fought legal demands that conflict with European law and have taken our challenges all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2018, as a direct result of litigation Microsoft brought on behalf of our European customers, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation that guarantees our right to object to U.S. law enforcement demands to access European data that conflict with EU law.

    We codified our promise to protect our European customers’ data with our Defending Your Data commitment, in which we agreed to challenge any government demand for EU public sector or enterprise customer data where we have a legal basis for doing so. We have included that commitment in our customer contracts and backed it up with a promise to compensate customers if we disclose their data in violation of EU law.

    New opportunities for innovation

    Today we commit to further strengthen and expand solutions that allow European customers to control and protect their data. We are embarking on new steps to listen to and consult with European customers to build on what already is the most complete, widest range of privacy, security, and sovereignty solutions that any cloud services provider now offers to customers in Europe. We look forward to sharing in the coming months the conclusions that emerge and the new steps we decide to take.

    For more details about Microsoft’s data protection and compliance programs, see the Microsoft Trust Center.

    4. We will always help protect and defend Europe’s cybersecurity

    As war erupted in 2022, Microsoft immediately helped evacuate Ukraine’s critical data and technology services to our datacenters across Europe. This move ensured Ukraine’s continued digital operation outside the range of cruise missile and air attacks. In many ways, this illustrates the role that a broad network of datacenters plays in supporting not only digital but broader resilience, both for a country and a continent.

    Uninterrupted, world-class cybersecurity protection

    In addition to safeguarding the country’s data, we immediately helped Ukraine’s officials and citizens defend their nation from Russian cyberattacks. Since the start of the war, Microsoft has provided more than $500 million of free technology and financial assistance to Ukraine and has sustained our substantial support to this day. Without interruption, we have provided cybersecurity support to NATO, Ukraine, and other European governments, including by sharing cybersecurity threat intelligence, protecting elections, and disrupting attacks against European governments, companies, and citizens.

    New measures to protect against new threats

    More than three years since the start of the war in Ukraine, European governments and countries confront ongoing cyberattacks from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. As these threats grow in number and sophistication, strong cybersecurity protection and coordination are more important than ever, as is the ability to respond rapidly to regional demands. That is why today we are announcing the following cybersecurity steps, which will be followed by additional announcements in the coming weeks.

    A new Deputy CISO for Europe

    Today, our Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Igor Tsyganskiy announced that we are appointing a new Deputy CISO for Europe as part of the Microsoft Cybersecurity Governance Council. This senior executive will be dedicated to Microsoft’s security responsibilities in Europe. Last year we created this council, consisting of our Global CISO and Deputy Chief Information Security Officers (Deputy CISOs) representing each of our technology services. This Council oversees the company’s cyber risks, defenses, and compliance across regions and domains.

    The appointment of a Deputy CISO for Europe reflects the importance and global influence of EU cybersecurity regulations and the company’s commitment to meeting and exceeding those expectations to prioritize cybersecurity across the region. This new position will report directly to Microsoft’s CISO. The Deputy CISO for Europe will be accountable for compliance with current and emerging cybersecurity regulations in Europe, including the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), the NIS 2 Directive, and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). These laws will prove transformative not only in EU markets, but worldwide, and Microsoft is actively engaged in preparing for what lies ahead.

    New security steps under the Cyber Resilience Act

    We believe the CRA will reshape the regulatory landscape as a new gold standard for cybersecurity, much as the GDPR did for privacy. We will build on the work of our Secure Future Initiative and dedicate additional resources to comply with the CRA. As its deadlines approach, we look forward to continuing our years of engagement with the European Commission, industry partners, and customers on CRA implementation efforts. We are committed to our role as a member of the European Commission’s Expert Group on Cybersecurity of Products with Digital Elements.

    To that end, Microsoft will continue to engage with stakeholders across a range of CRA topics. These will include incident and vulnerability reporting, security by design and default, cybersecurity best practices and improving open-source security and attestation. We will share our innovations that support implementing the CRA essential security requirements to help European economic operators also prepare for CRA compliance.

    Security is the foundation of trust. To sustain that trust, we will engage an independent auditor to verify and validate our commitments to Europe. We know that people will only use technology that they trust, which is why we are dedicating resources to accelerate our compliance with the CRA and committing to independent validation.

    5. We will help strengthen Europe’s economic competitiveness, including for open source

    Our AI Access Principles

    We recognize the importance of ensuring open access to our AI and cloud platform and infrastructure across Europe, including for open-source development. That is why we announced last year a set of AI Access Principles and we will introduce new enhancements to these commitments in the coming months.

    Open access across Europe

    These principles have ensured that our Azure AI platform and infrastructure is open to a variety of business models—both open-source and proprietary. We now host more than 1,800 AI models. Most of these models are open-source models, such as those from European-based AI developers Mistral and Hugging Face. And they are all available via public APIs to facilitate interoperability. This means that customers can choose which models to use and where to build their AI-powered solutions: on Azure, in another public cloud, or in their own datacenter. Finally, we enable customers to export and transfer their data. Last year we eliminated fees for the transfer of data when customers choose to switch to another cloud provider.

    A foundation for European competitiveness

    Over the past year, we have seen European startups, established businesses, and other organizations take advantage of the open access to models and tools that we provide to innovate, grow, and compete in the new AI economy. This includes technology startups such as Factorial in Spain to build AI-driven automation for HR professionals, iGenius in Italy to develop AI solutions for regulated industries, and Visma in Norway to provide AI solutions for companies in accounting, payroll, invoicing, and beyond. And it includes the Institute Curie in France to research new therapies for cancer, UBS in Switzerland to create the future of banking, and Heineken in The Netherlands to boost employee productivity.

    Building European infrastructure for Europe’s future

    We recognize that Microsoft must constantly remain focused on earning and sustaining our “license to operate” in each country across Europe. With datacenters and digital technology, this starts with each local community and country and includes officials with continental-wide responsibilities.

    Since we first brought the first version of Microsoft Word to Europe 42 years ago, digital technology has changed the ways people work many times over. Yet as we look forward, we believe the second quarter of the 21st century may bring even bigger changes ahead. Artificial intelligence offers what may become the most powerful tool for people in the history of humanity. And like all tools, there will be some who will seek to turn it into a weapon.

    More than ever, it will be critical for us to help Europe harness the power of this new technology to strengthen its competitiveness. We will need to partner with smaller and larger companies alike. We will need to support governments, non-profit organizations, and open-source developers across the continent. And we will need to listen closely to European leaders, respect European values, and adhere to European laws. We are committed to doing all these things well.

    As we celebrated Microsoft’s 50th birthday earlier this month, we recognized that our longstanding presence in Europe has been a lynchpin of our success. Europe has treated us well. Our support for Europe has always been—and always will be—steadfast.

    Tags: Digital commitments, Europe

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: People with neoliberal views are less likely to support climate-friendly policies – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Felix Schulz, Research Fellow, Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, Lund University

    Sambulov Yevgeniy/Shutterstock

    Donald Trump won the US election on a campaign that included rolling back environmental laws. In the UK, Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch has called the national net zero target “impossible”. And former prime minister Tony Blair has said the current approach of phasing out fossil fuels is “doomed to fail”.

    Meanwhile in Germany, the parties in the most likely incoming coalition government hardly engaged with climate policy during the recent election campaign – and the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which openly denies human-made climate change, received 20% of the vote.

    With political leaders around the world moving away from progressive climate policy, it’s worth asking: is this what the public wants?

    When it comes to the climate, what people think is influenced by where they live and what else they believe in. In recently published research, we sought to find out just how much people’s ideologies affected their views on climate policy.

    We surveyed representative samples of the public in six countries about their attitudes towards different types of climate policy. We asked about support for regulation (for example, building and vehicle standards or product bans), taxes (like carbon taxes), subsidies (to promote low-carbon alternatives), and information-based policies (such as emission disclosure requirements). Our survey covered policies in transport, housing, energy and industry.

    We also asked respondents about their ideologies: cultural worldviews, personal values, free market beliefs and political trust. Our findings reveal how people’s ideologies shape their support for climate policies.

    We included three high-income countries of the global north (the US, UK and Germany) and three upper-middle income countries from the global south (Brazil, South Africa and China). Together, these six countries are responsible for half of global CO₂ emissions.

    Our definition of global south, which includes countries such as China, is based on work by UN Trade and Development and the UN G-77 countries. It includes Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, most of Asia (excluding Israel, Japan and South Korea) and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). These countries generally have lower per capita income and are considered “developing” compared to global north countries.

    This comparison is important because, as we will explain, political and economic ideologies that originated in the global north can influence how people view climate policies.

    Across all policy types, we found more support for climate policies in the global south countries. In the global north countries, we found only minority support for regulatory policies and climate-related taxes. In Germany, support for regulatory policies and taxes was as little as 18%.

    Subsidies for the four sectors – for example, to support renewable energy projects or the production of green steel – received 35% support in Germany and 48% in the US. In contrast, the majority of the public in the three countries of the global south supported subsidies and regulatory climate policies.

    As with subsidies, we found strong majority support for information-based policies in the three countries of the global south (74-79%), against only minority support in Germany (36%) and the US (49%). In the UK, 53% supported information-based climate policies.

    Personal values play a role in support for the policies. Our findings show people with stronger biospheric values – the importance people place on the environment and the relationship between humans and nature – are more supportive of climate policies. This is true irrespective of the country they live in. People who are more trusting of political institutions and politicians also support these policies more.

    But demographics such as age, gender, education or income have a negligible effect on attitudes towards these policies, when accounting for other factors in our analysis.

    Neoliberalism and the climate

    We observed a strong link between a neoliberal worldview and lack of support for the climate policies in our study. As a political economic project, neoliberalism originated in the global north. But it continues to take root in the global south, particularly in Latin America.

    The belief that individuals need to take care of themselves and are responsible for their own fortune and problems was associated with less support for climate policies. And in every country we studied, we found a strong relationship between support for the free market and lack of support for climate policies.

    People who believe the free market is best at allocating outcomes efficiently and meeting human needs without government interference, and that it is more important than some local environmental concerns, show less support for the climate policies.

    These two sets of beliefs – individualistic worldviews and support for the free market – are the core principles of neoliberal thought.

    In the Global North countries, we found only only minority support for regulatory policies and climate-related taxes.
    Fotogrin/Shutterstock

    The superiority of the market over governments as an efficient and fair allocation machine has been the mantra of neoliberal politicians, thinktanks and institutions for more than half a century.

    Neoliberalism opposes government regulation and spending, and supports the free market. It also fosters an individualistic worldview. Instead of seeing themselves as workers, citizens or members of a collective, people are persuaded to internalise market logic – to see themselves as individuals who are out to maximise their personal profit.

    The cultural shift from more communitarian and egalitarian ideals towards an ideology based on the self-driven individual and the free market has been quite successful. Empirical evidence from 41 countries shows that individualist practices and values around the world have surged significantly over the past 50 years.

    We know from research that what the public thinks (or votes for) does influence what governments do. This is true even when accounting for the influence of powerful interest groups.

    So, those creating and campaigning for urgently needed climate policies need to take this into account. Support for climate policies isn’t just about whether someone believes in human-made climate change or cares about the planet – there are deeply-rooted ideological factors at play too.

    Felix Schulz receives funding from Formas, a Swedish research council for sustainable development and the Hans-Böckler-Foundation.

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

    – ref. People with neoliberal views are less likely to support climate-friendly policies – new research – https://theconversation.com/people-with-neoliberal-views-are-less-likely-to-support-climate-friendly-policies-new-research-253478

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Legislation considered under suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives during the week of May 5, 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives announces bills that will be considered under suspension of the rules in that chamber. Under suspension, floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, points of order against the bill are waived, and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote.

    At the request of the Majority Leader and the House Committee on the Budget, CBO estimates the effects of those bills on direct spending and revenues. CBO has limited time to review the legislation before consideration. Although it is possible in most cases to determine whether the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues, time may be insufficient to estimate the magnitude of those effects. If CBO has prepared estimates for similar or identical legislation, a more detailed assessment of budgetary effects, including effects on spending subject to appropriation, may be included.

    CBO’s estimates of the bills that have been posted for possible consideration under suspension of the rules during the week of May 5, 2025, include:

    • H.R. 36, MEGOBARI Act
    • H.R. 530, ACES Act, as amended
    • H.R. 867, IGO Anti-Boycott Act
    • H.R. 1263, Strengthening the Quad Act
    • H.R. 1316, Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act
    • H.R. 1486, Economic Espionage Prevention Act
    • H.R. 1503, Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2025
    • H.R. 1512, To amend the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to require periodic reviews and updated reports relating to the Department of State’s Taiwan Guidelines
    • H.R. 1540, Falun Gong Protection Act
    • H.R. 1701, Strategic Ports Reporting Act
    • H.R. 1724, No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act
    • H.R. 1800, Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2025
    • H.R. 1912, Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025
    • H.R. 2416, Taiwan International Solidarity Act

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL-Led Research Effort Adds Salt, Boosts Performance of Perovskites

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    Using an ionic salt to replace the fullerene layer in perovskite solar cells boosted their performance, efficiency, and durability, according to a global research effort led by scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

    The performance of the perovskite solar cell improved with the addition of an ionic salt.

    Their findings appear in the journal Science.

    The researchers said their findings point to a promising approach to advancing perovskite photovoltaic technologies toward commercialization. Perovskites refers to a crystalline structure that has proven highly efficient as a semiconductor material for absorbing sunlight. Work continues to improve the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells.

    Kai Zhu, a senior scientist at NREL and an architect of the research effort, said improvements involved changing the chemical composition of the electron transport layer in the perovskite solar cell. This layer is essential as it moves electrons triggered by sunlight through the cell, thereby generating electricity. The fullerene C60 is commonly used for the electron transport layer in inverted perovskite solar cells, but its molecular nature leads to a weak interface and limits the performance of the device. That is especially a problem with long-term stability.

    The researchers experimented with adding acids and chemical compounds that reacted with C60 to form an ionic salt referred to as CPMAC. The change resulted in a three-fold increase in the mechanical strength of the electron transport layer of the cell, which is crucial for long-term stability and durability.

    “That’s really the surprise, but it’s a very good surprise,” Zhu said.

    The inverted architecture of the perovskite solar cell refers to how the layers are deposited on the glass substrate. This construction is known for its high stability and integration into tandem solar cells.

    The research at NREL was supported in part by the Center for Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Semiconductors for Energy (CHOISE), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences and the Solar Energy Technologies Office. The research reported the initial lab efficiency of the perovskite cells that used the ionic salt was 26.1%, vs. 25.5% for the C60 version.

    Using the CPMAC, the researchers obtained a 26% lab efficiency with about 2% degradation after 2,100 hours of operation at 65 degrees Celsius, and a 25.5% efficiency with about 5% degradation after 1,500 hours of operation at 85 degrees Celsius. For a minimodule made up of four subcells, six square centimeters, the lab efficiency was 23% with less than a 9% degradation after 2,200 hours of operation at 55 degrees Celsius.

    The paper is “C60-based ionic salt electron shuttle for high-performance inverted perovskite solar modules.” Other co-authors from NREL are Shuai You, Yifan Dong, Lei Chen, Matthew Beard, and Joseph Berry. Researchers who contributed to the work hailed from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia) and Newcastle University (United Kingdom) in addition to CubicPV Inc., the University of Colorado Boulder, Arizona State University, and the University of Toledo.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: China is reshaping central Asia’s energy sector as Russian influence fades

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lorena Lombardozzi, Senior Lecturer in Political Economy of Global Development, SOAS, University of London

    China has been developing closer ties with countries in central Asia over recent years. Trade between China and the central Asia region grew to US$89 billion (£69 billion) in 2023, an increase of 27% on the previous year. Chinese trade rose with every country there except Turkmenistan.

    In my paper from June 2024, which is part of a collection of studies looking at the impact of China’s sprawling belt and road initiative in low- and middle-income countries, I explored how Chinese investment is affecting Uzbekistan’s energy sector.

    Chinese investment in Uzbekistan has grown significantly since 2020. By the end of 2022, it had reached US$4.5 billion, up from US$2.8 billion one year before. There are now over 3,450 Chinese companies in Uzbekistan, accounting for roughly 20% of all foreign companies in the country.

    One of the main reasons for China’s expanding footprint in central Asia is to intensify energy cooperation. By becoming a major buyer, lender and investor in the region’s energy sector, China is hoping to reduce its dependence on countries such as Russia.

    Central Asia is a region of Asia consisting of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
    Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock

    Central Asia has been politically and economically dependent on Russia since the Soviet Union invaded the region in the 19th century. Much of its infrastructure was built to provide commodities like cotton and energy to Russia, with the latter selling it at high prices to Europe. This infrastructure has, until relatively recently, remained largely unchanged.

    However, some central Asian countries have been able to reduce their dependence on Russia over the past decade or so. China has become the main importer of Uzbek gas, with a peak share of more than 80%. And Uzbekistan exported almost US$2 billion worth of goods to China in 2022, matching its volume of trade with Russia.

    Investment in energy infrastructure is taking place in a reflection of these trade patterns. Central Asia boasts significant reserves of oil and gas. But most of the region’s pipelines were traditionally directed towards Russia and, to a lesser extent, south-west to Turkey.

    Pipelines have been built and maintained with China’s support that are directed towards the east. These pipelines have facilitated trade with China and have helped reduce operational waste in the energy sectors of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

    In 2025, China plans to resume the construction of a pipeline stretching from Turkmenistan through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, pending the finalisation of a gas supply contract with Turkmenistan. This will further strengthen China’s energy ties with the region.

    A few years ago, while I was carrying out fieldwork in Uzbekistan, I interviewed policy experts and those involved in the Uzbek energy industry. My interviewees saw deals with China as more reliable than Russia, which has in the past renegotiated the terms of long-term energy contracts with central Asian countries or has added unfair clauses in its favour.

    In 2018, for example, the Uzbek government needed additional gas to meet domestic demand. Russia’s Lukoil energy company agreed to sell the gas from a joint Lukoil-Uzbek production facility to Uzbekistan, but at a hefty price. The Uzbek government incurred debt to Lukoil worth US$600 million.

    A train transporting gas parked in Samarkand train station, Uzbekistan.
    Lewis Tse / Shutterstock

    Chinese involvement in the Uzbek energy sector is also having an indirect effect on Uzbekistan’s green economy. During the pandemic, Uzbekistan’s gas exports to China dropped significantly, exposing operators to the vulnerability of relying on a single energy source.

    Gas exports to China have recovered since 2021. But this shock prompted policymakers to explore ways of diversifying Uzbekistan’s energy production away from fossil fuels. Over the past few years, Uzbekistan has invested over US$4 billion in renewable energy production, with the technology and expertise often coming from China.

    With the support of Chinese companies, vast solar power plants have been planned and developed near the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, as well as other cities like Navoi. Wind turbines have been supplied by Chinese firms for projects in Ferghana, near the border with Kyrgyzstan.

    Chinese-led investment in the renewable energy sector has created further demand for skilled and semi-skilled labour, such as translators, logistics operators and engineers. My interviewees noted positive – albeit limited – effects on employment and wages in the sector.

    New challenges ahead

    There are, however, also drawbacks to Chinese involvement in central Asia’s energy sector. Uzbekistan’s gas trade with China is a possible source of political and economic vulnerability.

    The export price of Uzbek gas is more profitable for energy companies than the local subsidised price, so exports have taken priority over the domestic market. Uzbek consumers often have to contend with rationed gas supplies or no access to gas at all, especially during the winter when demand is at its highest.

    This has led to dissatisfaction among the Uzbek population, especially in rural areas where people have had to resort to burning alternative sources of fuel like coal, firewood and animal dung. These energy sources are harmful to health and the environment.

    Western sanctions on Russian oil and gas since 2022, when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, have also created further competition for Uzbek gas. Russian gas suppliers have sought alternative markets in Asia to circumvent the sanctions. Trade flow data shows that India, Turkey and even China have increased the amount of Russian fossil fuels they buy.

    But, by and large, the state of play in the global energy market seems to be changing. Central Asia is in a strong position to benefit.

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

    – ref. China is reshaping central Asia’s energy sector as Russian influence fades – https://theconversation.com/china-is-reshaping-central-asias-energy-sector-as-russian-influence-fades-245232

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The ‘entourage effect’ — what we don’t know about how cannabis works

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jonathan Simone, Adjunct Professor of Biological Sciences, Brock University

    In the years since legalization, there has been a tremendous surge in the number of cannabis products available to Canadian consumers, many offering tailored experiences to enhance seemingly any mood or activity.

    Do you want something calming or uplifting? Are you looking to inspire focus, spark creativity or get a good night’s sleep? Do you prefer full-spectrum extracts or THC isolates?

    But how does one plant produce so many different experiences? Like many of its botanical relatives, cannabis is rich in active compounds. The prevailing view is that these compounds work together to shape the overall experience, a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect.”

    From a consumer standpoint, the idea of custom-tailored experiences guided by key active ingredients is appealing — and it certainly makes things easier. But in reality, it’s not so cut-and-dried.

    Making informed decisions as a cannabis consumer can seem overwhelming, and navigating a product menu can feel like it requires a chemistry degree. But how much do we really know about how cannabis works? And how well are we able to predict individual experiences based on a product’s composition?

    What’s in a high?

    Most research into cannabis’ effects has focused on two key compounds, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is non-intoxicating and thought to underlie many therapeutic effects of cannabis, whereas THC is the primary compound responsible for the classic cannabis high.

    Until recently, the most pertinent information available to cannabis consumers was the THC:CBD ratio, and from a regulatory standpoint, these are the only compounds required by Health Canada for product labels. But the cannabis plant produces over 500 potentially bioactive compounds, most notably cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, with increasing emphasis being placed on how they interact to drive different experiences.

    The idea that the different components of cannabis work in concert, modulating one another’s activity to influence the overall experience, has been termed the “entourage effect.” Simply put, it seeks to explain the effects of cannabis beyond those of any individual component, such as THC or CBD, and offers an elegant explanation for a common question: how can products with the same amount of THC and CBD produce different effects?

    Indeed, the medical cannabis community has long-favoured full- and broad-spectrum products (those containing a varied chemical profile) over single-compound isolates such as purified THC or CBD, based on claims of superior safety and efficacy.

    Ask your local budtender for a recommendation and you will likely get a crash-course on terpene nomenclature, hearing words like limonene, myrcene, pinene and linalool.

    While this modern embrace of terpene pharmacology and natural product chemistry reflects a growing appreciation for the complexities of the cannabis plant, claims of entourage effects remain largely speculative, highlighting how much we’ve yet to learn.

    Sound science or smoke and mirrors?

    Initially coined by scientists in Israel and Italy in study published in 1998, the term “entourage effect” described interactions among endogenous cannabinoids (THC-and CBD-like molecules produced by the human body). The idea was that some of these compounds, which are inactive on their own, could enhance or modulate the activity of others, resulting in combined effects greater than the sum of their parts.

    It is important to note that this study did not examine plant-derived cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but rather structurally related compounds produced naturally in the brain and body. As such, the idea of cannabis-specific entourage effects did not emerge directly from the data itself, but from broader inferences drawn from that research that provided a rationale for the diverse effects often reported by cannabis users.

    Since then, and despite a lack of supporting evidence, the term has been widely adopted and adapted by the cannabis industry, often leveraged to differentiate products in an overly crowded market.

    The available support for entourage effects in humans is limited to a few small clinical and observational studies and meta-analyses that suggest whole-plant extracts may outperform isolates for conditions like chronic pain and pediatric epilepsy.

    However, these studies often use non-standardized extracts and are therefore unable to identify which chemical interactions are driving the effects. Further, direct comparisons of full-spectrum and isolate products are lacking, with most claims rooted in inferences made from pre-clinical (in other words, non-human) research and from studies of non-cannabis derived phytomolecules.

    That said, the entourage effect is a valid hypothesis and arguably the most promising in terms of explaining cannabis’s varied and nuanced effects. Similar effects have been described for other drug classes, though these interactions are often termed synergism and potentiation and typically involve just a few well-characterized compounds. In contrast, unlocking cannabis synergy requires untangling the interactions of hundreds of different molecules, many of which are still poorly understood.

    That complexity is what I’ve spent my career trying to understand. Researching how cannabis-derived compounds work in the brain and body, I have gained a considerable appreciation for how far our understanding of cannabis has come, how much we have still yet to uncover and how easy it is for enthusiasm to outpace evidence.

    Reading between the product lines

    As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, consumers need to approach product claims with a healthy dose of skepticism. There is no doubt the cannabis plant is a treasure trove of unexplored and underexplored bioactive molecules, and that we will continue to uncover interesting and unexpected interactions among them. But we are far from a complete picture.

    At present, the entourage effect remains a hypothesis more often co-opted for marketing than grounded in evidence. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong, but it does mean we should resist conflating convenient narratives with established science. This highlights an important question: where does the onus of responsibility for generating this new knowledge fall?

    If the cannabis industry continues invoking the entourage effect for marketing and product differentiation, then it should support and contribute to research that furthers the state of evidence.

    Relying solely on existing pre-clinical and academic studies in lieu of directly advancing the science and validating real-world product claims risks perpetuating hype at the expense of credibility. But industry is not alone in their duty. Government must also remedy the regulatory bottlenecks that impede new research.

    Establishing a credible, science-backed cannabis marketplace means moving beyond hype. It requires action, from industry and government, to generate the information consumers need to make informed decisions.

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

    – ref. The ‘entourage effect’ — what we don’t know about how cannabis works – https://theconversation.com/the-entourage-effect-what-we-dont-know-about-how-cannabis-works-251799

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Passed by Senate Commerce Committee: Fischer’s Bill to Strengthen U.S. Telecommunications Against Foreign Adversaries

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    FACT Act now eligible for Senate Floor vote

    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-Neb.) legislation to strengthen American telecommunications against foreign adversaries passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee. The Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency (FACT) Act now awaits consideration on the Senate floor. Fischer introduced the bill in January of this year. 

    If signed into law, the FACT Act would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publicly identify entities that hold FCC licenses, authorizations, or other grants of authority that are owned, wholly or partially, by foreign adversarial governments. This includes the governments of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. In addition to Fischer, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).

    “We cannot let authoritarian and adversarial regimes like China and Russia continue to have silent footholds in our tech and telecommunications markets. My bill will direct the FCC to evaluate the communications risks foreign ownership ties pose to America’s national securityand ensure that we can respond to these threats. I’m grateful a bipartisan group of my colleagues voted yes on this legislation, and I look forward to its passage on the Senate Floor,” said Fischer.

    “We must protect our nation in every way we can from global adversaries who are trying to hack our systems and access our information. I’m glad to see that our bipartisan bill to help protect our telecommunications systems from adversarial nations, including China, Russia, and Iran, passed out of committee today. I’ll keep pushing to secure our networks and strengthen our national security,” said Rosen. 

    Click here to view Fischer’s remarks in support of her FACT Act in today’s hearing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statements on Ukraine and Middle East by Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and foreign Affairs, at the UN Security Council

    Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

    Ministers,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    My European partners and I would have preferred not to have to convene this Security Council meeting on Ukraine, but Russia’s high-intensity war of aggression continues to ravage Ukraine, as reiterated by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, with drastic humanitarian consequences in violation of international law and in violation of the Charter of the United Nations: our Charter.

    How did this happen?

    It started with the aspirations of the Ukrainian people to freedom and democracy, which Russia sought to repress in the 2014 Maidan Uprising.

    Ten years ago, a fragile ceasefire was agreed in Minsk. It was violated twenty times.

    Three years ago, Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, a unilateral, brutal, unjustifiable war of aggression that must end now. A war that was not a defensive war, and that was not inevitable. A war that was not justified, and continues to be unjustifiable. It is quite simply the expression of an overt revisionist plan.

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    On 24 February this year, the Security Council adopted an American resolution, Resolution 2774, and I wish to cite it as a reminder: “the Security Council […] implores a swift end to the conflict”.

    What has Ukraine done since 24 February?

    On 9 March, Ukraine accepted the principle of a total and unconditional ceasefire, in accordance with Resolution 2774, showing its good faith and sincere desire to move towards peace.

    And what has Russia done since 24 February and the adoption of Resolution 2774?

    It has continued its war crimes and crimes against humanity by striking infrastructures and targeting civilians, women and children, and humanitarian workers.

    While it is totally violating international law, Russia would have us believe that is in within its right and that it may lay claim to the Ukrainian territories in the name of the principle of self-determination. But it is a diversion; it is false. What is true is that Russia is violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Russia is attacking its neighbour, and in this war of aggression, it is violating international law and international humanitarian law. Everyone can see that, and everyone knows it.

    And today, the only obstacle now to the ceasefire, the only obstacle to the implementation of Resolution 2774 adopted by the Council on 24 February, is Vladimir Putin.

    So why oppose the implementation of this resolution in this way?

    Vladimir Putin’s Russia most likely wants to push Ukraine to surrender. But France, like many other members of this Council, is opposed to this, and will continue to oppose it.

    First, because it is a security challenge for Europe and France, which Russia seeks to destabilize.

    Yes, ladies and gentlemen, France has already been targeted.

    Since the beginning of the conflict, our country, a supporter of Ukraine, has been targeted by Russian cyber attacks originating in the Russian military intelligence services, GRU, carried out by threat actor APT28. They targeted a dozen French entities including public services, enterprises, and sports organizations involved in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We condemn these cyber attacks in the strongest terms. They are unworthy of a permanent member of the Security Council and contrary to the framework set by the United Nations. They must cease immediately.

    But if France, like other members of this Council, is opposed to any form of surrender by Ukraine, it is not only for the sake of Europe’s and France’s security, it is also for the sake of global peace and security. Because such an outcome in this war would enshrine the concept of “might is right”, and inevitably lead the world into a frenetic arms race, and most certainly proliferation.

    I believe that quite simply we must return to some of the elementary principles of our Charter, which I would once again like to cite to refresh the memories of all members of this Council. In Chapter I, Article 2, Paragraph 4, it states that: “States shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations (…)”.

    So let’s get back to simple principles: aggressors must not be rewarded at the victim’s expense; borders are intangible; and States, no matter which, are sovereign.

    I therefore call on President Putin to say to him:

    Cease fire!

    Cease fire!

    Cease fire!

    That is when peace will become possible again.

    A just and true peace.

    A peace that complies with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

    A peace that respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Ukraine.

    We can succeed.

    That is why, while commending the mediation efforts undertaken by the United States of America and at the highest level, France wants this Council to unanimously demand a total, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and by that I mean that weapons be laid down.

    Thank you.

    Open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinain issue

    Statement by the Minister for Europe and Foreign affairs, Jean Noel Barrot

    Dear Secretary-General,

    Ministers,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    I wanted to make the debate on the Middle East a focus of the French Presidency of the Security Council.

    The anti-Semitic massacres on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing military conflagration have upended the region.

    As we are speaking here today, Gaza has been devastated by war, Lebanon is struggling to recover, Syria is engaged in a fragile and uncertain transition, and Iran is pursuing its dangerous race towards nuclear weapons. This spiral of destabilization must not lead us to a situation that cannot be undone. That is why we must work together to find a path to peace and security for all.

    Our first priority is to stop the hostilities and end the suffering of civilian populations.

    In Lebanon, in close cooperation with our American partners, we managed to achieve a ceasefire agreement five months ago. Its implementation still needs to be fine-tuned, but it has brought about peace. It is crucial and must be upheld.

    In Gaza, war rages on. The fact that the ceasefire has been broken and Israel has resumed its military strikes should alarm us all. It is a huge step backwards for the Palestinian civilian population, for the Israeli hostages and their loved ones, and for the security of the entire region. Negotiations urgently need to resume and bring about a lasting ceasefire. We support mediators’ efforts to achieve that.

    This ceasefire must bring about the unconditional and immediate release of all the hostages being held arbitrarily by Hamas. I would like to take a moment to mention before this Council our fellow Frenchman, Ofer Kalderon, who was released after 484 days in captivity. I would also like to pay homage to the memory of another fellow Frenchman, Ohad Yahalomi, taken hostage on 7 October, arbitrarily held and murdered in Gaza. He has left behind a widow and three innocent children.

    The ceasefire must also bring about deliveries of massive amounts of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, as all humanitarian aid has been blocked for two months. I was able to see this for myself when I visited the Egyptian border and I testify before you that this situation is unacceptable. Because since the end of March, Israeli bombings have killed more than 1,300 people, including many civilians, women and children. And these military strikes have also killed humanitarian workers and UN staff members. The tremendous suffering of the civilian populations in Gaza has to stop. I call on Israel to remove all obstacles so that massive amounts of humanitarian aid can finally be delivered to Gaza.

    France is fully doing its part to address this humanitarian emergency. Since 2023, we have contributed €250 million in humanitarian aid to civilian populations. A portion of this aid was distributed via UNRWA and France supports UNRWA’s action and efforts of committed reform. In close cooperation with our regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, we have also directly provided healthcare, food and shelter for people living in Gaza who are victims of the war.

    Our second priority is to help the territories ravaged by conflicts to recover.

    The International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty held in Paris on 24 October 2024 raised more than $1 billion. This aid went to the population and security forces. The new authorities have begun reform and reconstruction efforts that we support. When the time is right, we will hold an international conference in support of Lebanon’s economic recovery in Paris. The role of the United Nations throughout this process will be key.

    Lebanon needs to recover its sovereignty – its full sovereignty. We call on Israeli forces that are still in Lebanon to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory so that the Lebanese Armed Forces can be redeployed there. It is up to them to ensure the security and sovereignty of the State, assisted by UNIFIL and the supervision mechanism in which France participates alongside the United States, and which includes the United Nations. France is continuing its efforts with determination to ensure the full implementation of Council’s Resolution 1701.

    In Syria, a historic transition process has begun since Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship was overthrown. France is prepared to provide support. With its European partners, it has started to lift the first sanctions under certain conditions. The transition process must respect and protect the rights of all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic background, religion or gender. It must also ensure effective and determined action to counter terrorism. I will say this before the United Nations General Assembly: the terrible crimes committed by Bashar al-Assad’s regime must not be forgotten. The UN has an important role to play against impunity and in Syria’s reconstruction.

    In Gaza, we will support our Arab partners’ efforts to build a robust and credible framework for the “day after”. This framework should enable the reconstruction, governance and security of the enclave. But these efforts can only produce their effects if they are carried out from a political standpoint.

    That is why our third priority is to work on political solutions ensuring a just and lasting peace

    There is only one solution to achieve a political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: it is the two-state solution, the only solution that can ensure peace and security over the long term for both Israelis and Palestinians.

    This solution is now being threatened by the increasing settlement building in the West Bank, by the violence of extremist settlers, by the desire to weaken the Palestinian Authority and by discourse on an annexation and forced displacement of the population.

    Amid faits accomplis on the ground, the prospect of a Palestinian State has to be protected. That is why France is holding an international conference on the implementation of the two-state solution with Saudi Arabia here in New York in June. Our aim is clear: to advance the recognition of Palestine and the normalization of relations with Israel. That is how we will successfully ensure Israel’s security and regional integration, while responding to the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians to have a State. This roadmap for the effective implementation of the two-state solution also involves disarming Hamas, defining a credible governance from which it will be excluded, and reforming the Palestinian Authority. The UN and its agencies must have a full role in this process.

    Also, we are not toning down our efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the challenge related to the headlong pursuit of Iran’s nuclear programme. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi explained the situation clearly yesterday during our meeting on non-proliferation.

    Amid destabilizing interference, we have to continue to work on reinforcing the sovereignty of the States in the region.

    Having just visited Iraq, I would like to stress how much headway this country is making. Destroyed recently by conflicts and power plays, it is now on the sidelines of regional tensions. Iraq has resumed its role as a hub for balance and stabilization. The third Baghdad Conference, which will be held at the end of 2025, testifies to this. It will provide an opportunity to work on regional cooperation and security, countering the fragmentation and confrontation approach at work today.

    Secretary-General,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    France is working for peace and sovereignty; without them nothing is possible. We are deeply committed to the Middle East for historic and geographic reasons. Today, everyone’s security and stability depend on this region. We are therefore determined to build a path to peace there, for you and with you.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: DelNorte Partners with Brazilian Government to Launch Landmark Data Tokenization Project and Release DTV Token

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Miami, FL, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a transformative step toward modernizing public data management, DelNorte has partnered with the government of Brazil to launch a pioneering data tokenization program in Rondônia. This initiative marks the official debut of the DTV Token, the core digital asset powering DelNorte’s Terra Vision ecosystem — a blockchain-based CRM platform with full government endorsement for digitizing, tokenizing, and securing all government data and transactions. With deployments already active in Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador, DelNorte is the only tokenization customer relationship management platform operating across four Latin American nations, supported by blockchain networks like Ethereum, NEAR, Polygon, and Partisia, and backed by collaborators including Coldwell Banker, Novotel, Valkary, and Farcana.

    “This is real, working technology addressing trillion-dollar challenges,” says Anton Glotser, Co- Founder & CEO. “We’re not just imagining a future of secure, automated government data — we’re building it, hand-in-hand with governments ready for change.”

    Anton Glotser – Founder & CEO of DelNorte

    The Vision:

    Automating and Securing All Government Data. DelNorte’s mission is to digitize and tokenize all government data — from land titles to IDs, licenses, and public records — with a long-term goal of automating and securing every government transaction on the blockchain. By leveraging AI and blockchain, DelNorte’s Terra Vision platform ensures transparency, efficiency, and tamper-proof security, transforming how governments and citizens interact with critical data. This initiative empowers economic inclusion by turning undocumented assets and identities into verifiable, active capital.

    The Founders Driving Change:

    Anton Glotser, a serial entrepreneur with over 20 ventures, is the visionary behind Terra Vision. His focus is on creating infrastructure that revolutionizes government data management and unlocks economic opportunities for billions.

    Jud Ireland, Co-Founder, brings expertise in real estate and a passion for solving global challenges. “Over 70% of critical assets, like land, lack formal documentation,” Ireland explains. “We’re changing that by digitizing and securing all government data, creating pathways to economic empowerment.”

    Anton Glotser and Jud Ireland – Founders of DelNorte

    What Is the DTV Token?
    The DTV Token is the utility backbone of the Terra Vision platform, enabling: • Secure payments for access to digitized government records
    • Staking to enhance network security
    • Governance participation in platform evolution
    • Access to a digital government service hub (e.g., smart contracts for IDs, licenses, deeds, and more)

    Key Details:
    •⁠  ⁠Token Launch: April 30, 2025
    •⁠  ⁠Where to Buy: Multiple launchpads — see pinned post at x.com/delnorte_io
    •⁠  ⁠Also Listed On: MEXC
    •⁠  ⁠Use Cases: Identity verification, secure data transfers, staking, governance, and access to certified digital records

    In a transformative step toward modernizing public data management, DelNorte has partnered with the government of Brazil to launch a pioneering data tokenization program in Rondônia. This initiative marks the official debut of the DTV Token, the core digital asset powering DelNorte’s Terra Vision ecosystem — a blockchain-based CRM platform with full government endorsement for digitizing, tokenizing, and securing all government data and transactions.

    The DTV Token will be available through multiple launchpads (details in the pinned post at x.com/delnorte_io) and is officially listed on MEXC, making it accessible to a global audience ready to participate in a new era of trusted digital infrastructure.

    Global Expansion:
    With Brazil now onboard, DelNorte is scaling its government-backed programs across Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, Ireland, Guatemala, Cyprus, the Philippines, and beyond. Each partnership advances the shift toward secure, digitized, and automated public data systems.

    About DelNorte:
    DelNorte is a blockchain infrastructure company dedicated to closing legal, economic, and technological gaps worldwide. Founded by Anton Glotser and Jud Ireland, DelNorte builds certified systems to securely digitize and tokenize government data, enabling billions to participate in the global economy.

    Learn More & Join the Movement:
    • Website: https://delnorte.io
    • Linktree: linktr.ee/DTVT
    • X: @delnorte_io | Telegram: t.me/Delnorte_io | Demo: demo.delnorte.io • Press Contact: Rocio Botero | info@latinolive.net

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Forensics tool ‘reanimates’ the ‘brains’ of AIs that fail in order to understand what went wrong

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By David Oygenblik, Ph.D. Student in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Tesla crashes are only the most glaring of AI failures. South Jordan Police Department via APPEAR

    From drones delivering medical supplies to digital assistants performing everyday tasks, AI-powered systems are becoming increasingly embedded in everyday life. The creators of these innovations promise transformative benefits. For some people, mainstream applications such as ChatGPT and Claude can seem like magic. But these systems are not magical, nor are they foolproof – they can and do regularly fail to work as intended.

    AI systems can malfunction due to technical design flaws or biased training data. They can also suffer from vulnerabilities in their code, which can be exploited by malicious hackers. Isolating the cause of an AI failure is imperative for fixing the system.

    But AI systems are typically opaque, even to their creators. The challenge is how to investigate AI systems after they fail or fall victim to attack. There are techniques for inspecting AI systems, but they require access to the AI system’s internal data. This access is not guaranteed, especially to forensic investigators called in to determine the cause of a proprietary AI system failure, making investigation impossible.

    We are computer scientists who study digital forensics. Our team at the Georgia Institute of Technology has built a system, AI Psychiatry, or AIP, that can recreate the scenario in which an AI failed in order to determine what went wrong. The system addresses the challenges of AI forensics by recovering and “reanimating” a suspect AI model so it can be systematically tested.

    Uncertainty of AI

    Imagine a self-driving car veers off the road for no easily discernible reason and then crashes. Logs and sensor data might suggest that a faulty camera caused the AI to misinterpret a road sign as a command to swerve. After a mission-critical failure such as an autonomous vehicle crash, investigators need to determine exactly what caused the error.

    Was the crash triggered by a malicious attack on the AI? In this hypothetical case, the camera’s faultiness could be the result of a security vulnerability or bug in its software that was exploited by a hacker. If investigators find such a vulnerability, they have to determine whether that caused the crash. But making that determination is no small feat.

    Although there are forensic methods for recovering some evidence from failures of drones, autonomous vehicles and other so-called cyber-physical systems, none can capture the clues required to fully investigate the AI in that system. Advanced AIs can even update their decision-making – and consequently the clues – continuously, making it impossible to investigate the most up-to-date models with existing methods.

    Researchers are working on making AI systems more transparent, but unless and until those efforts transform the field, there will be a need for forensics tools to at least understand AI failures.

    Pathology for AI

    AI Psychiatry applies a series of forensic algorithms to isolate the data behind the AI system’s decision-making. These pieces are then reassembled into a functional model that performs identically to the original model. Investigators can “reanimate” the AI in a controlled environment and test it with malicious inputs to see whether it exhibits harmful or hidden behaviors.

    AI Psychiatry takes in as input a memory image, a snapshot of the bits and bytes loaded when the AI was operational. The memory image at the time of the crash in the autonomous vehicle scenario holds crucial clues about the internal state and decision-making processes of the AI controlling the vehicle. With AI Psychiatry, investigators can now lift the exact AI model from memory, dissect its bits and bytes, and load the model into a secure environment for testing.

    Our team tested AI Psychiatry on 30 AI models, 24 of which were intentionally “backdoored” to produce incorrect outcomes under specific triggers. The system was successfully able to recover, rehost and test every model, including models commonly used in real-world scenarios such as street sign recognition in autonomous vehicles.

    Thus far, our tests suggest that AI Psychiatry can effectively solve the digital mystery behind a failure such as an autonomous car crash that previously would have left more questions than answers. And if it does not find a vulnerability in the car’s AI system, AI Psychiatry allows investigators to rule out the AI and look for other causes such as a faulty camera.

    Not just for autonomous vehicles

    AI Psychiatry’s main algorithm is generic: It focuses on the universal components that all AI models must have to make decisions. This makes our approach readily extendable to any AI models that use popular AI development frameworks. Anyone working to investigate a possible AI failure can use our system to assess a model without prior knowledge of its exact architecture.

    Whether the AI is a bot that makes product recommendations or a system that guides autonomous drone fleets, AI Psychiatry can recover and rehost the AI for analysis. AI Psychiatry is entirely open source for any investigator to use.

    AI Psychiatry can also serve as a valuable tool for conducting audits on AI systems before problems arise. With government agencies from law enforcement to child protective services integrating AI systems into their workflows, AI audits are becoming an increasingly common oversight requirement at the state level. With a tool like AI Psychiatry in hand, auditors can apply a consistent forensic methodology across diverse AI platforms and deployments.

    In the long run, this will pay meaningful dividends both for the creators of AI systems and everyone affected by the tasks they perform.

    Brendan Saltaformaggio’s research group receives funding from the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of our sponsors and collaborators.

    David Oygenblik 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. Forensics tool ‘reanimates’ the ‘brains’ of AIs that fail in order to understand what went wrong – https://theconversation.com/forensics-tool-reanimates-the-brains-of-ais-that-fail-in-order-to-understand-what-went-wrong-247769

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. imports of major transportation fuels decreased in 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    April 29, 2025

    U.S. imports of petroleum products decreased by 210,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2024 to average 1.8 million b/d. Imports of all major transportation fuels, such as motor gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as other products, such as unfinished oils, decreased.

    Motor gasoline makes up the largest share of U.S. petroleum product imports because it is the most widely consumed petroleum fuel in the United States. In 2024, the United States imported 651,000 b/d of motor gasoline, about 36% of all petroleum product imports and 75,000 b/d less than in 2023. U.S. gasoline consumption in 2024 was largely unchanged from 2023; inventories fell in 2024 after they had increased in 2023, reflecting the decrease in imports.

    Although the United States imports more gasoline than any other petroleum product, the United States exported 226,000 b/d more gasoline than it imported in 2024. The United States has been a net exporter of gasoline every year since 2016.

    U.S. petroleum product exports primarily originate from the Gulf Coast due to the region’s concentrated refining capacity and proximity to major ports. U.S. Gulf Coast refinery production exceeds regional market demand, resulting in exports by waterborne tankers. Although Gulf Coast refineries have a wide distribution network, infrastructure constraints limit their ability to supply fuels to all parts of the country. Consequently, certain regions rely on imported petroleum products instead of transporting them from the Gulf Coast.

    U.S. gasoline imports came from a variety of countries, but the largest five suppliers were Canada, the Netherlands, India, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. All these countries except Korea are among the top five sources for U.S. gasoline imports over the last 10 years (2014–23). Imports from Canada are the primary source of gasoline for several northeastern states and make up a small share in other markets throughout the country.

    Canada is also the largest source of distillate imports into the United States. The United States imported 144,000 b/d of distillate fuel oil in 2024, 95% of which came from Canada. U.S. imports of distillate primarily come into the East Coast (112,000 b/d, or 78%). In addition to use as a transportation fuel, distillate imports are also the primary source of home heating oil for the U.S. Northeast.

    Jet fuel imports in 2024 totaled 109,000 b/d, down from 127,000 b/d in 2023. Jet fuel imports flowed primarily to the West Coast. South Korea supplied 77,000 b/d, or 71%, of U.S. jet fuel imports last year. The next-largest suppliers were Canada, China, India, and Kuwait.

    Imports of petroleum products other than gasoline, distillate fuel oil, and jet fuel primarily consisted of residual fuel oil for use as a marine bunker fuel and unfinished oils used as feedstock for U.S. refineries to produce other finished products.

    Principal contributor: Kevin Hack

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Micropolis Signs Agreement to Deliver Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Infrastructure for SEE Holding’s Sustainable City 2.0

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Micropolis Holding Co. (“Micropolis” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: MCRP), a UAE-based pioneering force in robotics, AI, and autonomous mobility, has signed a landmark non-legally binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SEE Holding Ltd to support the launch and long-term development of The Sustainable City 2.0 (TSC 2.0), SEE Holding’s next-generation of its acclaimed model that is AI-driven, net zero, and human-centric.

    This strategic agreement will enable the deployment of Micropolis’s advanced robotics platforms, AI-powered surveillance systems, smart mobility applications, and edge computing nodes across SEE Holding’s new and existing sustainable city developments worldwide.

    This collaboration represents the next phase of a longstanding relationship. Faris Saeed, Chairman & CEO of SEE Holding, was among Micropolis’ first investors at the Company’s inception in 2014. Over the past decade, SEE Holding has supported Micropolis not only through strategic capital, but also by providing a living lab environment within The Sustainable City — offering real-world testing grounds for Micropolis’ robotics, computer vision, and autonomous systems.

    “The Sustainable City provided us with a real environment to test and refine our technologies, which played a key role in shaping our robotics platforms into what they are today,” said Fareed Aljawhari, CEO of Micropolis Holding Co. “With The Sustainable City 2.0, we are proud to take this partnership to a global scale and deliver cutting-edge automation designed for the cities of tomorrow.”

    The MoU outlines a strategic partnership centered on integrating AI and robotics into the core infrastructure of The Sustainable City 2.0. This includes the development of integrated command systems to oversee city operations, the deployment of autonomous fleets and smart mobility applications, and the creation of digital platforms that connect residents to intelligent services, leveraging IoT infrastructure, edge computing, and computer vision technologies.

    A joint R&D program will also be initiated to advance Micropolis’ sustainable urban technologies, with the goal of driving operational efficiency, resident experience, and environmental performance across SEE Holding’s global sustainable city projects.

    “With The Sustainable City 2.0, we are revolutionizing sustainable urban living through the strategic integration of AI-driven solutions and net-zero principles. Our partnership with Micropolis accelerates this vision, customizing and rapidly deploying intelligent robotics solutions that significantly enhance safety, efficiency, and quality of life, ultimately shaping smarter, more resilient, and human-centric communities for the future,” said Faris Saeed, Chairman & CEO of SEE Holding.

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

    For more information please visit www.micropolis.ai.

    About SEE Holding
    SEE Holding, is a UAE-based sustainably focused global holding group that designs, invests in, and builds sustainable infrastructures and cities through its three operational verticals: SEE Solutions, SEE Developers, and SEE Engineering.

    Driven by its purpose of spearheading a net zero emissions future and achieving the 2050 UN targets, SEE Holding develops inclusive and sustainable communities that prioritize education, sports, healthcare, and overall well-being as part of its commitment to social, environmental and economic impact. SEE Holding currently has projects in the UAE across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, as well as in Oman.

    For more information, please visit us on: https://seeholding.com

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

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

    Media Contact:
    Jessica Starman
    media@elev8newmedia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government must distance itself from Blair’s latest ‘dodgy dossier’ say Greens

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    / by Green Party

    Commenting on Tony Blair’s call for a major rethink of net zero policies which comes as the Climate Change Committee warns the UK is critically unprepared for the escalating threats of the climate crisis, co-leader of the Green Party, Carla Denyer, said:

    “Tony Blair has decided to mimic Nigel Farage on net zero and sounds like he is speaking on behalf of petro-states like Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan for whom he has lobbied for more years than he was prime minister.

    “It is vital that the government distance itself from this latest dodgy dossier from Blair and turn its attention instead to what the Climate Change Committee is saying today. Their report could not be clearer: we are woefully unprepared for the impacts of climate breakdown as a country. Tomorrow is likely to be the hottest local election day on record – a potent reminder that we need a comprehensive plan to prepare for increasingly extreme weather events.

    “Tony Blair and Nigel Farage apparently need reminding that a huge 89% of the world’s people want stronger action to fight the climate crisis, not a reset or watering down of ambition. And the CBI points to the fact that the UK’s net zero sector expanded 10 per cent last year, three times faster than the rest of the economy.

    “The future is green; Labour must not allow yesterday’s man to drag us back into the dark ages. The government must press ahead with the drive towards clean energy and the green economy and all the advantages that will bring in creating good quality jobs, cutting energy bills and creating a healthier society.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: LeddarTech to Announce Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Host Investor and Business Update Call on May 14, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    QUEBEC CITY, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-powered low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, for ADAS, AD and parking applications, announced today that it plans to release its second quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. It will host an Investor and Business Update conference call and webcast on the same day at 8:00 a.m. ET. Frantz Saintellemy, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, will be participating in the call.

    The conference call can be accessed in the U.S. by dialing (646) 307-1963 and via (800) 715-9871 for international callers. The conference ID is 1293674. Interested parties may also  register for the live webcast, which will be archived on  LeddarTech’s Investor Relations website  following the event.

    About LeddarTech

    A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

    LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 170 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

    Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.

    Contact:
    Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.

    Tel.: + 1-514-427-0858, chris.stewart@leddartech.com

    Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

    LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Global-e to Announce Financial Results for the First Quarter 2025 on May 14, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PETAH-TIKVA, Israel, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global-e Online Ltd. (Nasdaq: GLBE), the platform powering global direct-to-consumer e-commerce, today announced it will report financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, before market open on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

    Global-e management will host a conference call to review its financial results and outlook.

    Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
    Time: 8:00 AM ET
    United States/Canada Toll Free: +1-800-717-1738
    International Toll: +1-646-307-1865
       

    Please join the call 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, to avoid a delay in connecting. A live webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of Global-e’s website at https://investors.global-e.com/news-events/events-presentations

    A replay of the webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of Global-e’s website at https://investors.global-e.com/news-events/events-presentations approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and remain available for approximately 30 calendar days.

    About Global-e Online Ltd.

    Global-e (Nasdaq: GLBE) is the world’s leading platform enabling and accelerating global, Direct-To-Consumer e-commerce. The chosen partner of over 1,400 brands and retailers across the United States, EMEA and APAC, Global-e makes selling internationally as simple as selling domestically. The company enables merchants to increase the conversion of international traffic into sales by offering online shoppers in over 200 destinations worldwide a seamless, localized shopping experience. Global-e’s end-to-end e-commerce solutions combine best-in-class localization capabilities, big-data best-practice business intelligence models, streamlined international logistics and vast global e-commerce experience, enabling international shoppers to buy seamlessly online and retailers to sell to, and from, anywhere in the world. For more information, please visit: www.global-e.com.

    Investor Contacts:
    Alan Katz
    Investor Relations
    Global-e
    IR@global-e.com

    Erica Mannion or Mike Funari
    Sapphire Investor Relations, LLC
    IR@global-e.com
    +1 617-542-6180

    Press Contact:
    Sarah Schloss
    Headline Media
    sarah.schloss@headline.media
    +1 914-506-5104

    The MIL Network –